At the Galaxy Hotel we didn't see stars but the stars at the hotel where more than justified. This five star hotel was a stop over hotel on our way to our Cruise around the Eastern Med. The Galaxy Hotel in Heraklion is situated 10 minutes walk away from the Town Centre, so that doesn't suit everyone. But a walk past the park, which was full of locals having lunch to the busy Harbour is a fine way to stretch your legs, but a short taxi drive is also available from the hotel to the bustling centre of Heraklion. Once a small Greek village it is now a busy port and centre that has a mixture of old and new. The centre of the town is very accessible with lovely cafe's and bars, with plenty of shops leading from the harbour area. We joined the "local" over 50's at a cafe under the trees where the golden oldies could sit and watch the world go by with a greek coffee and a glass of water. Stop and let the world rush by for a little while in the shade of the trees and enjoy the scene of the Greek men playing backgammon and the women chatting about what women chat about! It is a gentle and refreshing place to be, find the cafe at the Daskaloglanni Square, near 1821 St and Dikeosinis Street it is hidden by trees but is the place to chill out and also pay what the locals pay and not the over priced coffee in the tourist shops.
The Galaxy Hotel is a 5 kilometres from the airport and the cost of a taxi to the hotel is approximately 12 to 15 euros (2012). The entrance is modern and disabled friendly, but is on a busy road leading to the Port. Ask for a room away from the road for a quieter room, the staff are helpful and friendly and speak many languages. The rooms are modern and comfortable not spacious but the hotel does have suites, the balconies look over the city and harbour. There is a large swimming pool and a sun terrace for outside dining. There are two restaurants at the hotel and the breakfast was excellent.
The hotel is well placed for visiting historic sites, the world famous Minoan site at Knossos is about a 10 minute drive away by car or taxi but the local bus also passes the site. The site is we worth the visit and has many artifacts on view from the bygone era, from the ancient water pipes to the large jars give an insight of how the Minoan's lived. The Crete Museum in the city centre is an ideal place to "visit" the past of Crete, history goes on with the city walls and the imposing harbour all of which make for a very interesting visit to this Greek city.
We enjoyed our short stay at the Galaxy Hotel, it is an idea stop over hotel or a business hotel, but a 5 star hotel that goes the extra mile.