Booked this holiday 48 hours before departure, on a Half board basis and as i hadn't read much into the property i was a little nervous.

We arrived on the 18.06.2010 at around midnight, and the hotel looked ok. When we checked in, the man took us to look around two different room types, the first, with twin beds, no nice view and no air con. The second room had a double bed, with a sea view. We did have to pay 6 euros a day for air con, 3 a day for the t.v, and 3 for the fridge, so after adding all this together can be quite costy.
Rooms are all very clean, and cleaned every day, and hotel is kept in very good condition.
The first day we spent by the pool, and the hotel is literally on the beach. Quite a strong breeze, therefore i got very burnt on the first day!!
Breakfast in the hotel was standard, continental breakfast - cold cheeses and meats.
As the food in the pool bar cost about 8-10 euros for a lunch, everyday we would go across to the shop opposite the hotel, which sold everything!! For a coke/lemonade at the pool bar you were paying 1.80 euro, and the shop sold them at 90 cent! Definatly a money saver! Dinner in the evening was alright, there were a choice of 7 or 8 dishes, but we ended up eating out twice as it does get a bit repetitive.

The hotel is situated in Stalis, and there are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants on the strip on which the hotel is situated. No noise when inside the hotel at all. Large swimming pool!

A couple of nights during our week holiday we walked up to Malia, which is a twenty minute walk, but taxis cost around 7 euros to get there.

On the last night, we went to an AMAZING chinese restaurant called summer palace, whichs is on the right hand side if walking down to the bottom end of stalis. The food is amazing, and Danny, the guy that works there is fantastic entertainment!! Highly recommended!!!

Across from the hotel, there is also a shop where you can book your excursions, and its definatly the cheapest one in stalis. They offer discounted rates to people staying at the Ariadne, and we went on a boat trip, which was fantastic, and the Aqua Plus water park...Not so amazing!!

Staff at hotel all friendly, hotel was nice, location of the property was Fantastic, the only things to fault are the extra charges such as air-son, t.v and you have to pay 1.80 euro per day each for one sun lounger!!

As a younger couple, we found the hotel was more suitable to older couples, but i was very happy with a nice, relaxing get away in a brilliant area of crete. Crete itself is rather expensive, so not for those wanting a budget holiday!!!

Me and my wife have just come from this hotel, when we first arrived we was asked at reception if we wanted to upgade our room for an extra 70 euros we declined but the was insisted we were shown before we made our decision. When we was show our standard room it was very basic and it was located on the roof of the restaurant with no view, must of been the worsed room in the hotel, then we was shown the other room that we had the option to upgrade to and guess what it was really nice, overlooking the pool/beach and had a/c fridge and sky tv. So we upgraded. Felt a little bit conned as it was quite when we went there so they must show you the worst room making you feel that you have to spend the extra cash and upgrade.

Rooms are very clean, but the beds are teribble, its like sleeping on the floor, woke up in the morning feeling like i had been kicked in the ribs!! Sky tv is a bit of a con as you pay extra for it and the only channels in english are Sky news, and mtv (not that we go on hol to watch tv)!! Also no drink making facilitys! Shower cubicle was small so we removed the curtain and just soaked the floor!

The pool area is nice and clean but you have to pay to use the loungers at 3.60 euros a day for x 2 and extra if you want a umbrella.

Food is catered for the germans/french as breakfast i found a real struggle, hard boiled eggs, or a peperami cocktail sausage is the only warm food available. Plenty of fruit, cakes, yes cake for breakfast!! Evening meal was better nice selection but food didnt seem warm enough and half the time you didnt know what you was eating as nothing was labeled, so you could and i was eating octopuss without really knowing!! So be carefull.

Good location on the edge of stalis and edge of malia.

No entertaiment at the hotel so going out for a drink around the towns at night is areal struggle to get passed the 'English' touts trying to drag you in to there bar for a drink and they donk like being told no for a answer!!

I prob would go back to this hotel but i would stay self catering next time as the food in the local resturants looked and smelt amazing!!

Good weather (90's), good location, clean & tidy, very close to the beach