Just got back from Crete where we enjoyed a week’s stay at TUI Sensimar Aquila Village Resort and Spa.
Arriving in the dead of night I wondered if I had made a good choice. As we drove through dark and deserted villages spirits were squashed flatter than the sandwiches I had dragged all the way from home that morning.
After a two hour journey (a taxi takes only 45 mins) we arrived and disembarked gratefully into reception where we swooped eagerly on much needed refreshments.
We settled down in a massive bed for a good night’s sleep. The bed was comfortable and there is a pillow menu so you can choose your perfect level of pillow softness. In the morning I sprang up to open the curtains, eager for my first glimpse of Crete. Sadly our room only had a view of the plastic roof on reception. Unhappy to think I would have to look at this for a week I visited reception and luckily we were moved to another room later on that day. If, like me, your holiday view is important to you I’d advise avoiding room 211.
This hotel is for couples. The clientele consisted of young couples having a baby-moon and mainly British, French and German couples. Enviously I noticed that the French ladies, whatever their age, were immaculately chic and glamorous.
The hotel landscaping and gardens are lush and beautiful. We holidayed with family who we had a bungalow with gardens as their outlook and they really enjoyed feeding the blackbirds on the lawns in front of their accommodation every morning with raisins from the buffet.
The hotel gives you lots of little extras to make your stay special including slippers, beach towels, bags and dressing gowns were all included in our room and the staff were kind and helpful. When my father-in-law tripped on a step staff from reception were on hand immediately to hand bearing antiseptic spray and concerned expressions.
We had half board which included buffet style dining. At breakfast I fresh orange juice which you squeezed in e machineyourself. As well as the usual hot breakfast items Theresa a full range of continental options including smoked salmon and marinaded anchovies. Being Crete there was a choice of four different honeyso go with the delicious yoghurts. The choice continued at dinner with a large choice of olive oils and seriously crusty bread to go with it. There were themed dinners and my favourite was the seafood evening where we enjoyed fresh oysters from Brittany and a chef prepared sushi.
For me a major benefit of this hotel was the lovely large pool with an infinity view. There was a small private beach at the bottom of steps and this meant that I could do my holiday laps in the pool while my other half lounged on the beach which he prefers. Both area had parasols and plenty of sunbeds with thick comfortable cushions, important for me as I have a back problem.
One drawback of the hotel is that the location is fairly remote which makes a long walk (45 mins) into Elounda which is along a narrow road which is quite busy with traffic . Nevertheless we did it twice. Elounda is small and you can visit the island of Spinalonga from here which makes for an interesting day out. There are nice fish restaurants around the harbour which makes it good for an evening meal.
The hotel isn’t particularly suitable for guest with limited mobility, however there were golf buggies available which I saw being used to ferry guests around so this may be an option. If you are not on all-inclusive then drinks are expensive but not ridiculously so.
