Avra Imperial Hotel

Olle

⭐⭐ Since Avra Imperial already is a 5-star hotel, I'll add these two extra stars to truly reflect how good they are. We had high expectations getting here, but they managed to surprise us. Everything from the architecture, the food, the pools and the surroundings are just perfect to me. It feels like a modern version of an ancient minoan temple, focused on rest and relaxation. The pools are all spacious, the spa is very zen and calming with everything you need, and the buffet have something for everyone. The architecture is interesting and luxury, all the way from the bathrooms down to the bottom of the pool. All of this is what you expect from a 5-star hotel, but what really sets Avra above others, and what warrants the extra stars, is the staff. Consistently nice, friendly, and very professional. They are always close by, prepared to help out if you need anything. Their attitude is always professional and solution oriented, and every request is met with an attitude that nothing is too hard or annoying to accommodate. Avra is simply an incredible place, and we are already looking forward to visit again!

Athena Duboni

Truly Paradise! From the moment we arrived, we knew we were somewhere special. We were greeted so warmly by Nadia, whose friendliness and kindness set the tone for our entire stay. She went out of her way to surprise my mother with a lovely birthday treat - a gesture we will never forget! Our room was spacious, modern, and incredibly comfortable. The pools are expansive and beautifully maintained, the buffet food delicious and authentically prepared, and every single staff member we met was so kind and welcoming. We also enjoyed the hotel’s wonderful spa - my mother and I had our hair done by the supremely talented Irini, while my father had an excellent massage with Marina. Both were exceptionally professional, and the whole spa team made us feel completely pampered. Next to reception, there’s even a lovely jewellery boutique where we picked out some beautiful gifts, helped by the knowledgeable and kind Diana. But the true heart and soul of the hotel is Manolis. From our first day, he made our stay extraordinary - giving us a personal tour of our room, sharing great tips about the island, and always greeting us with genuine warmth and a smile. The management is truly lucky to have such a diamond of a person on their team. We’re so grateful to have met him - thank you, Manolis, for making our experience unforgettable! We already miss this hotel - it’s exceptional in every way and has everything you could dream of for a perfect vacation. Finally, a special thank you to Eftychios (apologies if we’ve misspelled the name) who drove us to and from the airport. We booked the hotel’s private transfer service and highly recommend it - he was a pleasure to chat with and made the journey so comfortable. Avra truly is paradise, we can’t wait to return!

Matthew North

​We visited the Avra Imperial Hotel this September 25 for a special anniversary trip, and were thoroughly impressed by this stylish and modern resort. While the surrounding village feels a little tired, the moment you step onto the hotel grounds, you enter a beautifully designed world of contemporary luxury. ​The heart of the resort is its enormous, stunning central pool. It's the focal point around which everything is thoughtfully arranged. At either end, you'll find three different restaurants, while a chic pool bar and a lunchtime food spot occupy the centre, ensuring you're never far from a refreshing drink or a bite to eat. ​The staff were an absolute highlight of our stay. They were unfailingly lovely, warm, and friendly, and we were amazed by their ability to effortlessly switch between languages to accommodate all the guests. Nothing was ever too much trouble. ​We treated ourselves to a deluxe room with a private pool that overlooked the main pool area. The room was fantastic – spacious, modern, and impeccably finished. It featured a large bed (a little hard for our taste), a separate dressing table area, and a small seating area with a table and chairs. The bathroom was equally modern, with a large walk-in wet room and a generous sink area. It's worth noting there wasn't a specific shaver/toothbrush socket, but a normal electrical socket was available. Open the patio doors, to a small patio with table chair and two loungers beside the sparkling outside private pool. ​As we were celebrating our anniversary, we mentioned it to the hotel. We were so touched when they sent a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and a beautiful fruit platter to our room. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture that made our celebration feel even more special. ​Food-wise, we were on a half-board basis and primarily ate at the main buffet restaurant, Basilico. The quality was excellent, with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes that were always fresh and tasty. While some dishes were varied daily, we did find the overall selection a little repetitive after a few days. A small suggestion would be to add signs with recommendations on how to combine different items to create authentic Cretan or Greek meals, which would have been a great touch. We also dined at Al Fresco, the Italian-themed restaurant, one evening. It isn't included in the half-board package but a discount is offered. The views over the pool, which is stunningly lit up at night, were beautiful. We both chose pizzas which were delicious, and we felt the supplemental cost was very reasonable. ​Despite its size, the hotel never felt crowded. It’s spread over a large area with plenty of different spaces for guests to relax, whether by the main pool, the seaside pool, or in the comfort of their own private pools. There's even a sister complex across the road that guests can use, so you could easily have a different experience each day. We also noticed a small outdoor cinema area showing family-friendly movies on alternate nights. It wasn't heavily used but was another unique and thoughtful amenity. Evening entertainment was relaxed, usually consisting of a pianist at the bar or a DJ by the pool, both typically finishing by 10 pm. ​On our very last day, we stumbled upon the Spa Complex and wished we had found it sooner! It was incredible and would rival any top spa in the UK, complete with an indoor pool, relaxation rooms, an ice room, sauna and steam rooms, massage jets, and jacuzzis. While we didn't book any treatments, access to these facilities was a fantastic discovery and a perfect way to end our trip. ​Overall, our stay at the Avra Imperial was wonderful. It’s a modern, well-finished hotel with good food and exceptionally friendly staff. We would love to go back and would recommend it to anyone seeking a relaxing and stylish getaway.

Andrea Brenari

We have stayed with the family at Avra Imperial in May/June. It's a brand new facility: very nice building. Super clean: both communal areas and rooms were immaculate. Big swimming pools. The main pool with a bar at the center. Overall good service: excellent concierge advices and also the luggage handlers were super helpful. Front Desk could improve the sense of urgency. The are 3 restaurants: 1 Mediterranean 1 Italian and 1 Asian a la carte plus normal buffet for full board. Full boards are allowed to free 3 meals per week a la carte. Overall food was good with a combo of traditional and continental. However lunch seemed much lighter Good spa facilities as well: kids are allowed in the internal pool 10 to 12. We didn't like the sea side: Kolimbari doesn't offer the best beach in Crete. However inside the Hotel you can rent cars from a super nice gentleman and drive to different beaches. We drove to Elafonisi, Falassarna, Platnias and Agia Marina with Falassarna being the best at 35 min drive.

Y. M. D.

Far below 5-star standards – very disappointing stay. Check-in was unhelpful: arriving late with a child, nothing was offered to eat and no information given about the hotel. Staff communication was chaotic, with requests ignored and no one taking responsibility. The room was dated, cheaply furnished, and nothing like the online photos. Facilities were poor (an old kettle that gave off a burnt smell and left residue in drinks, no daily bottled water, and only the bare minimum of toiletries). Housekeeping was inconsistent and not thorough. Service was unfriendly and unwelcoming throughout our 9-night stay. Staff rarely greeted us, there was no poolside service, and overall we felt more like a burden than valued guests. Food was another disappointment: half-board guests are limited to the buffet, while other restaurants come at extra cost despite very high rates. Overall: this hotel fails on service, comfort, cleanliness, and dining. Absolutely not what you expect from a 5-star property.