Avra Imperial Hotel
Kolymvari, Chania, Kolymbari, Platanias, Crete 73006 Greece
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About
4.5
#4 of 4 resorts in KolymbariLocation
4.0
Rooms
4.6
Value
4.2
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.4
Sleep Quality
4.5
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Nestled alongside the picturesque shores of Kolymbari Beach, Avra Imperial Hotel offers an indulgent retreat amidst enchanting gardens and crystalline waters. Our resort features 328 opulent rooms and suites, complemented by an array of premier amenities. Dive into our inviting swimming pools, savor exquisite culinary delights at five distinctive restaurants, and unwind with cocktails at four vibrant bars. From sports and leisure facilities to a dedicated crèche and children’s club, every need is catered to. Indulge in retail therapy at our boutiques, rejuvenate your senses at our uniquely designed spa, and host impeccable events at our conference center. With panoramic views of the azure Cretan sea, our sanctuary promises an unparalleled blend of luxury and tranquility. Escape to Avra Imperial Hotel and discover your own refined haven in the heart of Crete's beauty.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Babysitting
Valet parking
Wifi
Yoga classes
Yoga room
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Fitness classes
Personal trainer
Sauna
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Swimming pool toys
Indoor pool
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Plunge pool
Shallow end in pool
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Kid-friendly buffet
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Boating
Game room
Hiking
Snorkeling
Tennis court
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Books, DVDs, music for children
Children's playground
Children's television networks
Indoor play area for children
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids club
Kids pool
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Highchairs available
Strollers
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Car hire
Taxi service
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Photo copier / fax In business center
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hammam
Hand massage
Head massage
Light therapy
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Massage chair
Neck massage
Pedicure
Salon
Steam room
Waxing services
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Chapel / shrine
Concierge
Convenience store
Gift shop
Outdoor furniture
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
ATM on site
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Private check-in / check-out
Clothes dryer
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Private beach
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Sofa bed
Walk-in shower
Additional bathroom
Desk
Dining area
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Radio
Whirlpool bathtub
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Mountain view
Ocean view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, French, Russian, German and 2 more
Location
Kolymvari, Chania, Kolymbari, Platanias, Crete 73006 Greece
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 67 out of 100
67
Reviews
4.5
2,275 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Avra Imperial Hotel boasts generously sized and comfortable rooms, though some guests have cited issues with room allocation and cleanliness. While the hotel's overall cleanliness and grounds receive commendations, a handful of visitors have experienced lapses in housekeeping standards. The serene atmosphere is appreciated by guests seeking relaxation, but there are suggestions for more vibrant evening activities. Service quality seems to be a hit or miss, with the bar staff often receiving accolades, yet some guests report dissatisfaction with reception.
The array of amenities, including multiple pools and family-friendly options, is widely praised, contributing to the hotel's allure. Guests are divided on the value, with some questioning the 5-star rating, while others are content with the all-inclusive experience. The hotel's location is popular for its convenience to shopping, beaches, and transport to Chania town.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Comprehensive
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Detailed Reviews
Wow. We have just stayed for two weeks at the Avra Hotel and it was a wonderful and perfect stay. We had a lovely room with a cot provided for our baby who is 10 months. We had paid half board but were given a full board upgrade and with a baby it made everything so easy. You do not have to eat at the buffet restaurant. We ate at the pool bar and our lunch was discounted 12 euro per head. Pizzas at the Italian were great one evening but you can get the same pizza at lunchtime at the pool bar. Staff are so friendly. Our morning frappe at the beach bar was perfection as were our sun downer cocktails. The best passion fruit mojito! The beach bar pool is a lovely day. We went into kolymbari for dinner which was nice but the hotel food is a lot better which we realised after leaving to eat out. We had fillet steak one night cooked to a beautiful medium well. The bus stop to Chania town was outside the hotel and was a very easy route. Chania old town is so pretty. Lots of great leather bags. I bought a great laptop back pack for work. Sinka supermarket in kolymbari was great to buy extra washing bits for our babies bottles etc. Honestly, weve just had our first family holiday with a baby and we are leaving relaxed! As we booked hotel directly we got a discount and free private taxi transfer with car seats of course. Staff was wonderful. All of them.
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Oct 10, 2021
Dear Maria85London Thank you for staying with us during your recent visit to Crete and for taking the time to write this comment! We are delighted to read that you had a great experience to our resort and we really appreciate your kind comments regarding our premises and our delicious food. We are continually trying to improve the quality and variety of food items that we offer.Also, we would like to thank you for your nice words on our dedicated and professional staff. Your review gives us strength to keep on delivering our best services. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in Avra Imperial! Best regards Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Overall/staff:
We had a good vacation and the staff of the hotel does a very good job in making sure your stay is great. In the beginning we were not so fond of the hotel as there were some big downsides in our opinion. We gave feedback at the front desk and they immediately got to work in order to solve all of the issues as good as they could. Since everything was solved I will not dive into details, but if anything during your stay is not as you think it should be please address the staff and they will take care of it. So for the staff it is definitely a 5 star service! (They even provided a pie for both me and my mothers birthday.)
Hotel impression and location:
The hotel looks very impressive when you first arrive and really gives you the feeling you are entering a 5 star hotel. There are some imperfections which is not something to complain about but for example I would remove the tape on the walls after the painting is done.
Location is very bad in my opinion, there is hardly anything to do unless you take the bus for an 1h or the taxi (which is faster). There are some excursions you can do but make sure you have hiking boots with you if that is your thing. Luckily the hotel makes up for that with their sport classes you can attend. But I would still recommend them to invest in the local area and make it more an area that lives up to the standards of a 5 star hotel.
Sport activities:
After 2 days my brother and I were a little bored as it seemed like there was nothing to do. Luckily cheerful Ria showed up to do waterpolo. Thereafter we learned that Ria offers a lot of activities (Yoga, Water pilates, waterpolo, pilates, tabata, HITT and Gym workouts (you need to schedule those)) which you can attend every day (except on Sunday). While I would prefer more water sport activities all the activities Ria offers are very professional and definitely worth to try out. In the end we did almost nothing else than those activities, so she really made our vacation great! Thanks Ria!
(Whether you are at a basic level of sports or advanced, Ria will be happy to train you and make sure the exercises are at your level. You can mostly find her at the SPA if she is not training others.)
Food:
This is a bit double, if you have "all in" enjoy your vacation! If you don't have "all in" it feels a bit like the good chefs are preserved for the restaurants you have to pay for. The food at the buffet is often not warm enough and the meat is always well done so it tends to be dry.
Cleaning:
In the beginning there were some pointers we had to give but in the end we believe they take the cleaning very seriously and the staff is doing a very good job even though it is very hot there!
Beach:
Generally we like to spend some time at the beach, however there was nothing to do expect for Ria her classes in the morning which were a massive succes.
Entertainment:
In the evening there were often musicians (sometimes at a restaurant so if you didn't eat there there was nothing to do), the pianist was very good! All the others didn't feel like it belonged at a 5 star hotel. Last evening there was a new group (at least we didn't see them before in the 14 days we were there) and they were also quite good. So hopefully the quality is going up to the standard of a 5 star hotel.
We had a good vacation and the staff of the hotel does a very good job in making sure your stay is great. In the beginning we were not so fond of the hotel as there were some big downsides in our opinion. We gave feedback at the front desk and they immediately got to work in order to solve all of the issues as good as they could. Since everything was solved I will not dive into details, but if anything during your stay is not as you think it should be please address the staff and they will take care of it. So for the staff it is definitely a 5 star service! (They even provided a pie for both me and my mothers birthday.)
Hotel impression and location:
The hotel looks very impressive when you first arrive and really gives you the feeling you are entering a 5 star hotel. There are some imperfections which is not something to complain about but for example I would remove the tape on the walls after the painting is done.
Location is very bad in my opinion, there is hardly anything to do unless you take the bus for an 1h or the taxi (which is faster). There are some excursions you can do but make sure you have hiking boots with you if that is your thing. Luckily the hotel makes up for that with their sport classes you can attend. But I would still recommend them to invest in the local area and make it more an area that lives up to the standards of a 5 star hotel.
Sport activities:
After 2 days my brother and I were a little bored as it seemed like there was nothing to do. Luckily cheerful Ria showed up to do waterpolo. Thereafter we learned that Ria offers a lot of activities (Yoga, Water pilates, waterpolo, pilates, tabata, HITT and Gym workouts (you need to schedule those)) which you can attend every day (except on Sunday). While I would prefer more water sport activities all the activities Ria offers are very professional and definitely worth to try out. In the end we did almost nothing else than those activities, so she really made our vacation great! Thanks Ria!
(Whether you are at a basic level of sports or advanced, Ria will be happy to train you and make sure the exercises are at your level. You can mostly find her at the SPA if she is not training others.)
Food:
This is a bit double, if you have "all in" enjoy your vacation! If you don't have "all in" it feels a bit like the good chefs are preserved for the restaurants you have to pay for. The food at the buffet is often not warm enough and the meat is always well done so it tends to be dry.
Cleaning:
In the beginning there were some pointers we had to give but in the end we believe they take the cleaning very seriously and the staff is doing a very good job even though it is very hot there!
Beach:
Generally we like to spend some time at the beach, however there was nothing to do expect for Ria her classes in the morning which were a massive succes.
Entertainment:
In the evening there were often musicians (sometimes at a restaurant so if you didn't eat there there was nothing to do), the pianist was very good! All the others didn't feel like it belonged at a 5 star hotel. Last evening there was a new group (at least we didn't see them before in the 14 days we were there) and they were also quite good. So hopefully the quality is going up to the standard of a 5 star hotel.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Jul 3, 2022
Dear Tvincentp Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your recent stay with us. We are happy your overall stay was pleasant, but we want it to be perfect. We strive to provide distinctive experiences through our attention to craft and detail, and we genuinely apologise for not doing so during your time with us. Thank you for choosing Avra Imperial Hotel, Chania and we hope you will give us another opportunity to welcome you to the perfect stay you deserve. Best Regards, Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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+1
This Resort offers everything you can imagine, big pool areas, clean and like new! Also includes the private beach, with an additional small lounge and pool are, which is absolutely good looking too.
The food is fresh and warm, and there’s something for everybody, nothing is left out. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner there with the buffet, but also you can jump over to the restaurants they offer, like Japanese cuisine or Italian! Both are so so good.
The rooms were very clear, structured and great designed, especially those with a Pool private Pool Connection. Absolutely can recommend!
The staff is super nice, beginning with the reception, room service, cleaning personal and restaurant staff.
Always ready to help with tips and tricks for some daily tours. Also you can rent cars directly in the hotel.
I’d you thougt about having a week or 2 to relax and come down, I absolutely can recommend this place!
The food is fresh and warm, and there’s something for everybody, nothing is left out. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner there with the buffet, but also you can jump over to the restaurants they offer, like Japanese cuisine or Italian! Both are so so good.
The rooms were very clear, structured and great designed, especially those with a Pool private Pool Connection. Absolutely can recommend!
The staff is super nice, beginning with the reception, room service, cleaning personal and restaurant staff.
Always ready to help with tips and tricks for some daily tours. Also you can rent cars directly in the hotel.
I’d you thougt about having a week or 2 to relax and come down, I absolutely can recommend this place!
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Sep 19, 2021
Dear Kristos, Thank you for choosing Avra Imperial Hotel and for sharing your feedback on TripAdvisor. I am thrilled that you have enjoyed our hospitality and felt so well taken care of by our efficient Staff. I am indeed proud of our dedicated Team Members who are committed to delivering exceptional service and ensuring that every Guest feels truly valued, respected and cared for. On behalf of the entire Team, please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your kind endorsement and we are all very much looking forward to welcoming you and your family back again in 2022 Warm regards Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hotel is amazing and very impressive! We were upgraded to a deluxe room with a pool view and I can honestly say the pool is one of the best I've seen. The hotel is very big, with a capacity for around 1,800 people. Due to the current situation, it was quite a surreal experience because at most during our two weeks, there were around 50 people there. This meant that quite often you had the pool to yourself, as well as a whole sunbathing area. Great for us, but not so great for the hotel I would imagine. The hotel is spotlessly clean and if you are worried about Covid, I would re-assure you that the staff/hotel have done everything to put measures in place to make you as safe as possible.
Even though there were hardly any guests, staff continued to act in a friendly and professional manner and nothing was too much trouble. They were all brilliant (special thanks to Maria and Milos (hope that's the correct spelling) in the Piano Bar.
The rooms were spacious and you could choose how often you wanted your room cleaned. Towels for the sunbeds were provided, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. There is also a fridge and safe, for no extra cost.
Of course, not everything was open so we didn't get to experience the many restaurants unfortunately, although the Italian restaurant was open. The menu was nice, but limited, so we ate out most nights even though we were half board. The local restaurants and tavernas are lovely and great value for money. Kolymbari is beautiful and relatively unspoilt.
I would highly recommend this hotel. The only downside for me was the price of the drinks, they were quite expensive. A very small beer and small glass of wine was around £10 and a bottle of wine is £38. Bearing in mind that you can have a 3 course meal in the village, with wine, for around £45 you can see why we ate out most nights. Notwithstanding this, I can't wait to return.
Even though there were hardly any guests, staff continued to act in a friendly and professional manner and nothing was too much trouble. They were all brilliant (special thanks to Maria and Milos (hope that's the correct spelling) in the Piano Bar.
The rooms were spacious and you could choose how often you wanted your room cleaned. Towels for the sunbeds were provided, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. There is also a fridge and safe, for no extra cost.
Of course, not everything was open so we didn't get to experience the many restaurants unfortunately, although the Italian restaurant was open. The menu was nice, but limited, so we ate out most nights even though we were half board. The local restaurants and tavernas are lovely and great value for money. Kolymbari is beautiful and relatively unspoilt.
I would highly recommend this hotel. The only downside for me was the price of the drinks, they were quite expensive. A very small beer and small glass of wine was around £10 and a bottle of wine is £38. Bearing in mind that you can have a 3 course meal in the village, with wine, for around £45 you can see why we ate out most nights. Notwithstanding this, I can't wait to return.
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Date of stay: September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We paid for a superior room with a private pool and large terrace, the room never had any sun at all, the same with the terrace so it was a bit pointless with sun loungers and meant you had to be in the pool to get the sun. The pool we had was lovely and had sun between 10-5. We loved the room itself.
Breakfast was amazing, lots to choose from. Lunch, I wouldn’t advise going to the buffet as not many options also they don’t put what the dish is and as a vegetarian I struggled with this. We instead went to the pool bar for lunch which was much better, a menu to choose from and the food was delicious. Dinner again personally I struggled, not many options for vegetarians unless you fancy salad and bread each night. We did end up eating out 3 times.
The area the hotel is in is very quiet and not much around, we got the bus to Chania and Platianis which was cheap and easy.
The hotel itself is lovely and very large.
On the day we were leaving check out isn’t until 11 however the cleaners came in at 10 to ask when we were leaving then again at 10.30 so we felt rushed to leave.
Smokers, no smoking in public areas only by the doors out the building and to smoke your options were to stand near the door or sit on a wall, this didn’t make sense to me as it meant anyone who didn’t smoke would need to walk through it all.
The beach is stones so wear shoes to go into the sea, it was also very small and not many sunbeds.
It’s a very pretty place but for us the money we paid we don’t think was worth it compared to other places we have stayed at for the same price.
We are however, very relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.
Breakfast was amazing, lots to choose from. Lunch, I wouldn’t advise going to the buffet as not many options also they don’t put what the dish is and as a vegetarian I struggled with this. We instead went to the pool bar for lunch which was much better, a menu to choose from and the food was delicious. Dinner again personally I struggled, not many options for vegetarians unless you fancy salad and bread each night. We did end up eating out 3 times.
The area the hotel is in is very quiet and not much around, we got the bus to Chania and Platianis which was cheap and easy.
The hotel itself is lovely and very large.
On the day we were leaving check out isn’t until 11 however the cleaners came in at 10 to ask when we were leaving then again at 10.30 so we felt rushed to leave.
Smokers, no smoking in public areas only by the doors out the building and to smoke your options were to stand near the door or sit on a wall, this didn’t make sense to me as it meant anyone who didn’t smoke would need to walk through it all.
The beach is stones so wear shoes to go into the sea, it was also very small and not many sunbeds.
It’s a very pretty place but for us the money we paid we don’t think was worth it compared to other places we have stayed at for the same price.
We are however, very relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Oct 22, 2022
Greetings from sunny Crete, Thank you very much for choosing Avra Imperial hotel and for sharing your thoughts here. We hope you had a smooth trip back home. We are pleased to see, that you appreciate the well-kept grounds, the amenities and the infinity breakfast buffet of our hotel. We are sorry to see, that we were not able to fulfil your personal expectations completely. Please be sure that we will follow up on your remarks and work on them, if possible, as they also help us to improve. We would be very happy if we may welcome you again, whenever you decide to come back to Chania and send you all our best wishes! With sunny regards, Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We stayed at avra for 6 days and for me that was enough. A few things you should know:
1. This is not a hotel for people in their 20's. It's more for couples and families. Kolymbari is very small and you have to rent a car to see more of crete (we payed 75 eur a day at the hotel rental service).
2. I don't see any comments about the huge crickets/cicadas that are all over the resort. They make a lot of noise and it stopped me from having a nap at the pool. Keep that in mind if you hate loud bugs. They don't touch you tho and I think they are just a part of crete because you hear them everywhere near trees.
3. The beach at the hotel was a bit of a bummer for me, we did not use it. It's all rocks and stones so you need water shoes to even go there.
4. We payed extra for sea view at the room and because the beach is not very pretty it is not worth it to me at this hotel.
5. Breakfast was nice, the dinner and lunch at the buffet was not worth it. Barely any greek food, it was just like every other european buffet. I would recommend booking only logies and breakfast!
6. Drinks are never included. It would have been nice to get a coke or glass of water for free at dinner if you book halfboard.
Lets get to the good parts:
1. The room was spaceouis and housekeeping came by every day. The airconditioning was great and silent! Little fridge available for your drinks.
2. Supermarket right in front of the hotel with some local drinks I enjoyed a lot. (Try the Greek lemon lemonades if you like sour drinks).
3. The food at the poolbar is so much better then at the buffet! High quality streetfood like pizzas, hotdogs.. All very nice. We rather payed for the food there then go to the included buffet.
4. The main pool is big and realy the eyecatcher of the hotel. It can be very busy so we prefered the other pool.
The smaller pool (over the bridge) has a bar for drinks aswell. The lady that works there (Ori) is so nice!
5. Take the bus to go out to eat! There's a stop in front of the hotel and we had the best Pita gyros at Platanias (12 minutes by bus for €1,90/person). The local food down there is cheap so worth the trip.
6. Rent a car to go to Elafonisi beach. Its more coronaproof to go by yourself and the drive was not hard and +- 1 hour. Elafonisi is very busy so don't try to go there after 10 in the morning, you will not find a sunbed.
7. Overal we had a great stay at avra , you just have to take initiative to go and explore because it's located in such a small village.
1. This is not a hotel for people in their 20's. It's more for couples and families. Kolymbari is very small and you have to rent a car to see more of crete (we payed 75 eur a day at the hotel rental service).
2. I don't see any comments about the huge crickets/cicadas that are all over the resort. They make a lot of noise and it stopped me from having a nap at the pool. Keep that in mind if you hate loud bugs. They don't touch you tho and I think they are just a part of crete because you hear them everywhere near trees.
3. The beach at the hotel was a bit of a bummer for me, we did not use it. It's all rocks and stones so you need water shoes to even go there.
4. We payed extra for sea view at the room and because the beach is not very pretty it is not worth it to me at this hotel.
5. Breakfast was nice, the dinner and lunch at the buffet was not worth it. Barely any greek food, it was just like every other european buffet. I would recommend booking only logies and breakfast!
6. Drinks are never included. It would have been nice to get a coke or glass of water for free at dinner if you book halfboard.
Lets get to the good parts:
1. The room was spaceouis and housekeeping came by every day. The airconditioning was great and silent! Little fridge available for your drinks.
2. Supermarket right in front of the hotel with some local drinks I enjoyed a lot. (Try the Greek lemon lemonades if you like sour drinks).
3. The food at the poolbar is so much better then at the buffet! High quality streetfood like pizzas, hotdogs.. All very nice. We rather payed for the food there then go to the included buffet.
4. The main pool is big and realy the eyecatcher of the hotel. It can be very busy so we prefered the other pool.
The smaller pool (over the bridge) has a bar for drinks aswell. The lady that works there (Ori) is so nice!
5. Take the bus to go out to eat! There's a stop in front of the hotel and we had the best Pita gyros at Platanias (12 minutes by bus for €1,90/person). The local food down there is cheap so worth the trip.
6. Rent a car to go to Elafonisi beach. Its more coronaproof to go by yourself and the drive was not hard and +- 1 hour. Elafonisi is very busy so don't try to go there after 10 in the morning, you will not find a sunbed.
7. Overal we had a great stay at avra , you just have to take initiative to go and explore because it's located in such a small village.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Jul 23, 2021
Dear 602tessab Thank you very much for choosing Avra Imperial hotel and for sharing your thoughts on TripAdvisor. We hope you had a smooth trip back home. We are pleased to see, that you appreciate especially our rooms, the well-kept grounds and the amenities of our hotel. We are sorry to see, that we were not able to fulfil your personal expectations completely. Please be sure that we will follow up on your remarks and work on them, if possible, as they also help us to improve. We would be very happy if we may welcome you again, whenever you decide to come back to Chania and send you all our best wishes! With sunny regards, Konstantinos Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We have just arrived home from this beautiful resort.
We travelled with our two young children 4 months & 2 years) and I must praise the hotel for helping ensure they made it as easy as possible. Prior to arriving I made a request on there website for some bits to help make the stay easier.
Online you can request a number of things however see below what was given for us.
Bottle steriliser
Bottle warmer
Baby camera (didn’t use this)
Bouncer
Stroller (for the evening for our 2 year old) saved us travelling with 2.
Travel cot
All were in fantastic condition and made it so much easier especially with bottle making.
We had a room with a private room which as lovely as it was it does get quite shaded which means you can’t sit out as much which was a shame for us and the pool was colder.
If I was to visit again (which I would 100% consider) then I would get a shared pool especially for the children as they had a safety gate.
The food was amazing, we were half board so had morning and evening meal. Let’s just say I over indulged. Always something to offer with vast array of meats (fillet steak, lamb etc) fish and vegetarian options. Kids section which my daughter loved. Dessert for a buffet was one of the best selection i have seen.
I would say the drinks are a bit of the pricey side.
The area doesn’t have much around it which is a downside for me as I like to have a walk.
The beach poolside is beautiful and great to relax . It was quite windy while we were there so the beach was out of action.
We did have an issue with the drainage in the shower which resulted in a flooded bathroom and into the bedroom however maintance came and sorted.
Entertainment was slightly disappointing as nothing really happening on an evening and nothing for the kids unless you take them to the kids play park. This may just have been the time of the year.
I would return here in the future.
We travelled with our two young children 4 months & 2 years) and I must praise the hotel for helping ensure they made it as easy as possible. Prior to arriving I made a request on there website for some bits to help make the stay easier.
Online you can request a number of things however see below what was given for us.
Bottle steriliser
Bottle warmer
Baby camera (didn’t use this)
Bouncer
Stroller (for the evening for our 2 year old) saved us travelling with 2.
Travel cot
All were in fantastic condition and made it so much easier especially with bottle making.
We had a room with a private room which as lovely as it was it does get quite shaded which means you can’t sit out as much which was a shame for us and the pool was colder.
If I was to visit again (which I would 100% consider) then I would get a shared pool especially for the children as they had a safety gate.
The food was amazing, we were half board so had morning and evening meal. Let’s just say I over indulged. Always something to offer with vast array of meats (fillet steak, lamb etc) fish and vegetarian options. Kids section which my daughter loved. Dessert for a buffet was one of the best selection i have seen.
I would say the drinks are a bit of the pricey side.
The area doesn’t have much around it which is a downside for me as I like to have a walk.
The beach poolside is beautiful and great to relax . It was quite windy while we were there so the beach was out of action.
We did have an issue with the drainage in the shower which resulted in a flooded bathroom and into the bedroom however maintance came and sorted.
Entertainment was slightly disappointing as nothing really happening on an evening and nothing for the kids unless you take them to the kids play park. This may just have been the time of the year.
I would return here in the future.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Oct 10, 2021
Dear babybeckton Thank you for giving the time to share your comments on your recent stay at Avra Imperial Hotel. We are absolutely thrilled to read such a positive review of our hotel. We feel honored to know that you had a wonderful time. Our guest's well-being is our utmost priority and it’s overwhelming to read how our phenomenal team took absolute care while with us. Thank you so much for this great feedback and rating! Warm regards Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The staff are fantastic and friendly. They were also very family orientated and great with our 18 month old.
The food was very average. The buffet, the room service, the pool bar. All very average.
The rooms have good black out curtains, but then have silly coloured glass doors to the en-suite that let’s loads of light into the room.
The crèche is advertised and governed as a 3:1 ratio of staff to children. We went in to enquire about the crèche and the lady had 4 children and was just sat at her desk ignoring them. We checked back a couple of times and she was always just sat at her desk and computer!! She seemed totally disinterested in our child too, made no fuss etc when we met. So we decided against the crèche. It’s a good idea, but you need better people if you want us to trust our children to you.
To be honest the crèche and baby sitting facilities were the main reason for booking this resort and they fell well short.
Its not 5 star, the aesthetics are nice and the pool is nice to look at etc. But the logistics and quality of food are sub par.
The massages at the spa are fantastic! The wet facilities (indoor pool, sauna, steam etc) are still closed due to covid and that’s not really made clear on their web site.
Very average, wouldn’t come back.
The food was very average. The buffet, the room service, the pool bar. All very average.
The rooms have good black out curtains, but then have silly coloured glass doors to the en-suite that let’s loads of light into the room.
The crèche is advertised and governed as a 3:1 ratio of staff to children. We went in to enquire about the crèche and the lady had 4 children and was just sat at her desk ignoring them. We checked back a couple of times and she was always just sat at her desk and computer!! She seemed totally disinterested in our child too, made no fuss etc when we met. So we decided against the crèche. It’s a good idea, but you need better people if you want us to trust our children to you.
To be honest the crèche and baby sitting facilities were the main reason for booking this resort and they fell well short.
Its not 5 star, the aesthetics are nice and the pool is nice to look at etc. But the logistics and quality of food are sub par.
The massages at the spa are fantastic! The wet facilities (indoor pool, sauna, steam etc) are still closed due to covid and that’s not really made clear on their web site.
Very average, wouldn’t come back.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Oct 10, 2021
Dear robertmattss, Thank you very much for choosing Avra Imperial hotel and for sharing your thoughts on TripAdvisor. We hope you had a smooth trip back home. We are pleased to see, that you appreciate the setting of our hotel. We are sorry to see, that we were not able to fulfil your personal expectations completely. Please be sure that we will follow up on your remarks and work on them, if possible, as they also help us to improve. We would be very happy if we may welcome you again, whenever you decide to come back to Chania and send you all our best wishes! With sunny regards, Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have just returned for a weeks stay, and I honestly was so pleased with our choice of hotel. We travelled with our 2 small children age 3 and 1. On arrival the front desk were so polite and we also had welcome drinks which are in the lobby area, a really nice lemon drink or refreshing water. We were taken to our rooms by concierge again great service. We had a deluxe twin pool view room and stayed on the second floor, the hotel room was spacious and bathroom was great with large walk in shower aswell as a bath. We were only half board but they replenished our room with complimentary water bottles each day which was a nice touch. Pool areas are nice, so much choice with the massive main pool then another pool on the side and then also a separate kids pool that’s covered, also both main pools are great for young kids as they have a shallow area for them to splash around etc. there are plenty of sun beds and you can get one, however if you want a good spot you would have to reserve them early. The food was good and I loved the fresh orange juice machine for breakfast, we actually didn’t get a chance to go to the ala carte restaurants, everyone says there’s not that much entertainment but to be honest that didn’t really bother us especially with young kids however, we did find there was always something going on, there is a piano player in the bar area, and the hotel was streaming the euros matches while we were there in the evening at the amphitheater, they also seemed to be advertising various shows they had coming up. Location wise it was really nice, you had a few shops across the road and it was about a 5 minute walk to the beach area with quite a few nice restaurants. The town is quiet and peaceful. Just outside the hotel is a bus stop going directly to Chania, the bus service was pleasant and because you get on close to the start of the route we got a seat, it’s also very reasonable €3.50 per adult from the hotel to Chania, and kids under 6 are free. We got the bus there and taxi back, taxis cost €40 each way. We liked that it was a short walk to the beach area and the hotel had a beach bar down there and seating area over looking the sea which was very peaceful! They also even have a pool area by the sea, they seem to have thought of everything, The facilities at this hotel were great, and it was spotless! we would definitely return!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Jul 12, 2024
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for your incredible 5-star review and kind words about Avra Imperial Hotel! We are thrilled to hear that you and your children had a wonderful stay. Your positive feedback about the hotel's amenities, cleanliness, and the friendly staff is greatly appreciated. We are delighted that you found the hotel to be a perfect choice for your family vacation. We are happy to hear that your children enjoyed their time at the hotel. We strive to create a welcoming and enjoyable environment for families with children, and your feedback confirms our efforts. Thank you for choosing Avra Imperial Hotel for your family vacation. We hope to welcome you back again soon! Sincerely, Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are currently staying at the hotel. The hotel facilities are very nice, the pool, the spa and the beach. The service however really lets the hotel down. The answer to a lot of things is simply no, such as could we have some vegetables to go with the kids dinner- no. Can I have my drink at the pool without ice- no. Is there dessert for the children-no.
You have to check out towels which are strictly one per person per day and there is no pool attendant tidying up and freeing up sun beds throughout the day which leads to everyone getting up early to bag their beds.
Many of the pillows in the rooms are so lumpy my ear went numb, they should just be thrown away and new ones bought.
The food is more focused on quantity rather than quality and despite being all inclusive we are eating out as the food is better outside the hotel in local restaurants.
The rooms could do with better cleaning and are just a bit lack lustre for a 5 star hotel. There is no turn down service in the evening.
Peter at the kids club is amazing, full of energy and fun. One of the best kids clubs we’ve used. He deserves 5 plus stars!
You have to check out towels which are strictly one per person per day and there is no pool attendant tidying up and freeing up sun beds throughout the day which leads to everyone getting up early to bag their beds.
Many of the pillows in the rooms are so lumpy my ear went numb, they should just be thrown away and new ones bought.
The food is more focused on quantity rather than quality and despite being all inclusive we are eating out as the food is better outside the hotel in local restaurants.
The rooms could do with better cleaning and are just a bit lack lustre for a 5 star hotel. There is no turn down service in the evening.
Peter at the kids club is amazing, full of energy and fun. One of the best kids clubs we’ve used. He deserves 5 plus stars!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Konstantinos Stroutzos, General Manager at Avra Imperial Hotel
Responded Oct 9, 2023
DearGuest, We would like to thank you for taking the time in publishing your very detailed review of your recent holiday at Avra Imperial Hotel on Tripadvisor. It was a sheer delight to read your positive words about our hotel and your comments will be taken into account. We hope we can welcome you back again in the near future. Best regards, Konstantinos C Stroutzos General Manager | Avra Imperial Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A la carte restaurants, in all inclusive, operate upon reservation, and each of them may be booked once a week. Therefore you are entitled to 3 a la carte dinner meals per week.
As for the sunbeds, we have a dedicated person to monitor the sunbeds early in the morning and notify guests, not to leave their belonging un attended for more than 45'.
In October when we stayed the sun was on the private pool till around 2-3pm.
hello, a la carte restaurants have the same menu lunch and dinner. Except the pan Asian restaurant where we serve the lunch buffet meal with international cuisine
Hello, our Pan Asian a la carte restaurant remains open until 23.00 and our In-room dining 24hr. However if you are on halfboard you may also send us an email at concierge@avraimperialhotel.gr and our front desk team will arrange something at your room.
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"Check positioning if your having a private pool, as ours had no sun as was very cold. "Read full review
"The residence collection rooms are their former worst category rooms which they have renovated and are now being offered at a premium. "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$176 - $326 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
avra imperial beach hotel chania town, avra imperial beach resort and spa
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Avra Imperial Beach
LOCATION
GreeceCreteChania PrefecturePlataniasKolymbari
NUMBER OF ROOMS
328
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingAVRA IMPERIAL HOTEL - Updated 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Avra Imperial Hotel
What are some of the property amenities at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, a swimup bar, and free wifi.
Which room amenities are available at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Yes, free parking, a parking garage, and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Avra Imperial Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Ioannis Kafenagogeio, Palio Arhontiko, and Edem Taverna.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a sauna during their stay.
Does Avra Imperial Hotel have airport transportation?
Yes, Avra Imperial Hotel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Avra Imperial Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Avra Imperial Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Avra Imperial Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Greek.