Photography: Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
Reviewed by Joeri Van Overloop
Set the scene
The moment you step foot into the stunning premises of the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay, it's as if you've walked indoors yet stayed outdoors. The resort is designed in a way that brings you closer to the natural beauty of Crete without compromising on the luxuries of a five-star hotel. Picture expansive lounge spaces with inviting low-slung seating, punctuated by tastefully chosen local antiques and artworks. Distinctive terracotta pots and lime-washed walls radiate under the warm Mediterranean sun, portraying an excellent combination of a traditional aesthetic and contemporary design.
Featuring lush gardens and palm-fringed pools, you can feel the Greek summer freshening up your senses. Panoramic views of the beautiful Mirabello Bay await you at every corner. The seductive charm of the crystalline turquoise sea meeting the deep blue sky is truly therapeutic. You will often find guests lazing around the pool area soaking up the sun or dipping their toes in the sparkling water.
What can we expect in our room at the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
These aren't your cookie-cutter hotel rooms. Each space is uniquely designed, reflecting the soothing color palette of the Aegean Sea with an elegant, contemporary twist. The floor-to-ceiling windows unveil a breathtaking view, blending the boundary between indoors and out. Dive into the plush king-sized beds, and tell me if you're not tempted to hit that snooze button one more time in the morning!
Each room offers state-of-the-art amenities, like a smart TV to binge your favorite shows, a mini bar stocked with refreshments, and coffee making facilities to keep the caffeine-induced conversations flowing. The bathroom, well, that's a pamper-zone. Featuring both showers and tubs, marble fixtures, and high-end toiletries, it sets the stage for a mini spa-experience right within your room.
How about the food and drinks
They offer several dining options, each showcasing a variety of inspired dishes. From the fresh seafood variety at Elia to divine Mediterranean gastronomy at Amalthea, your palate will dance to the delightful rhythm of Cretan cuisine. You might even let your dining adventure spill over into the night at the hotel’s late-night dining venue, Kafenion.
But wait, the feast doesn’t end there. Let's not forget our drinks. They have got you entirely covered! From mouthwatering cocktails at the Blue Bar to a profusion of enchanting cherries at their wine bar, there's a flavor for every mood. Perhaps you'd prefer a wholesome fresh smoothie after a hard day on the beach? Simply head to their pool bar, enjoy your drink while you bask in the unobstructed views of the fascinating Mirabello Bay.
What is the service like at the Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
They're aces at making guests feel at home, with their keen attention to detail and genuine hospitality. They're quick to lend a hand, be it helping you navigate the local attractions or just finding a good spot on the beach.
Now, let's switch gears to the services they offer. Have you ever had one of those vacations where everything just fell into place seamlessly? That's the norm here, thanks to their impeccable service offerings. Picture room service so prompt, you’ll think they predicted your cravings! And have we talked about their spa services yet? Get ready to be pampered beyond belief. You may even feel like a bit of Greek royalty, lounging by the pool with everything you could possibly need at your fingertips.
What’s the neighborhood scene like
Situated in the center of the buzzing Agios Nikolaos region, the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay makes quite an impression. With picture-perfect tavernas and local boutiques doing their magic, you will be ridiculously pleased to find yourself in the midst of the charm that is Agios Nikolaos.
Oh, and let's not forget the beauty around you. The azure waters of Mirabello Bay and the breathtaking mountain views are practically your neighbors. Just a short stroll will take you to the beach, perfect for watching the sunset or indulging yourself with the harmony brought by the waves caressing the sands.
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What’s the backstory of the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
Established in 1971, this luxury haven opened its gates to the world as a cherished brainchild of natives who dreamed of combining authentic Greek hospitality with world-class amenities. Over the years, the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay has transformed into an assemblage radiating grace, tradition, and warmth, all deeply interwoven into each thoughtful service and detail.
Want to know what's more captivating? Say hello to a marvelous revamp in 2019! This power player in the hospitality realm gave itself a stellar makeover, donning a new avatar of modern indulgence, yet deeply rooted in its legendary past. From an unassuming local hotel, the Grand Crete Mirabello Bay bloomed into one of the leading luxury resorts in Crete, shaping and reshaping Mediterranean luxury.
Price Range
It's something akin to a price range chameleon, changing to suit whatever your budget maybe. The cost of your stay could be as modest as around $150 per night for a lavish standard room or you could splurge to high heaven and book a royal suite for upwards of $1000 per night.
Now, let's conjure up that imaginary abacus - add in the optional extras like high-end spa treatments, specialty cocktails by the pool, or a sunset dinner at the premium restaurant. Your invoice may lean towards the costlier end. The great thing about the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay is it caters to all, from budget-conscious families to travelers graced with deeper pockets. You decide how much you want to spend, and remember, luxury comes in all sized price tags here.
Amenities & Facilities
How does lounging by a stunning saltwater pool sound? Or perhaps, you prefer to stay active and want to hit the onsite tennis court or a fully equipped fitness center? Well, guess what? They have it all! Oh, and for those of you who enjoy soul-nurturing treatments, you'll simply fall in love with their full-service spa offering a variety of massages and beauty treatments.
But that's not all. Imagine waking up to a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean? Their rooms boast a balcony with a sea view! I mean, who wouldn't want that, right? Then you have the business center and meeting facilities for those who can’t leave work even on a getaway. Don't worry though - fast Wi-Fi is available so you can send those emails while sipping a cocktail by the pool. Also, if you're traveling with kids, a children's playground and kid's club will keep them entertained while you take some time for yourself.
How to get to the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
Landed at Heraklion airport in Crete and can't wait to start your wonderful vacation at the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay? Worry not my friend. We have you covered.
If you're the adventurous type with a knack for maps, public transport could be an exciting option for you. Local buses to Agios Nikolaos are directly available from the airport, and they are both budget-friendly and efficient. From Agios Nikolaos, the Grand Crete Mirabello Bay is a quick taxi ride away.
On the other hand, if comfort tops your priority list and you prefer a hassle-free ride directly to paradise (I mean, who wouldn't?!), wave down one of the airport taxis. Yes, they might cost you slightly more than the bus ride, but the convenience and speed of these taxis can make it entirely worth it.
What Customers Have To Say
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Reading earlier reviews we were ‘expecting’ problems but any issues were resolved very quickly. We would agree with the comments re only some of the reception staff. Not all were engaging unlike the rest of the staff on the site. There was also an element of trying to sell too hard some of the excursions ( commission based maybe?)
We were all inclusive and the variety of food on offer was good, though I accept occasionally not as warm/hot as is could have been. The water park was excellent ( particularly for the adults🙂) I suspect during the holiday period it and the rest of the resort could be quite busy. The walk to town was short ( less than about 10 mins) but not advised in the heat of the day, the taxi were all about 7 euro. Plenty of places to shop and eat ( if you want a change from the hotel) the Arc on the top of the hill was truly beautiful in the evening for a drink and/or coffee, full meals were available. The only other down comment on the hotel was in the hotel bar area, only one member of staff was on duty the whole time we were there and for 5 star rating I would have expected waiter/waitress service and not having to queue at the bar, the member of staff did exceedingly well especially as she was very often making up cocktails. This are could also probably do with a make over as the lighting was quite harsh and not particularly welcoming. But we had a very good and relaxing holiday.
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Very beautiful, very recent complex.
Two magnificent beaches. Crystal clear water
Two very beautiful seawater swimming pools.
Beautiful comfortable mattress areas around the Aquaparc swimming pools, well laid out, isolated from the rest and clean
Incredible bread buffet
Good varied breakfast
Two very dedicated and efficient facilitators Léo and Thomas
Fortunately, 3 à la carte restaurants allow for a bit of a change; Greek is very good, other means
Aperitif bar with Aperol in the all-in formula.
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The lunch and dinner buffet is OK but very repetitive; no theme
The restaurant chef is very unpleasant; he makes remarks to customers and always seems angry!
Clean hotel but could do better; over a week, our sink was never cleaned and the glasses from the day before were not removed
yesterday's drinks lying around the swimming pools
There is no beach restaurant for lunch; there is a snack hut but you can't stay there
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The infrastructure is also very pleasant, with two swimming pools, a children's area which includes a 1.20 m pool for adults, perfect for relaxing. We also had free access to the spa, an added bonus. However, the temperature is a little cold (16°C) and the cleanliness left something to be desired, a point for improvement.
Unfortunately, a few negative points spoiled our stay a little. The furniture around the swimming pools and the beach was dirty, damaged, even broken (lack of net, broken support), which does not give a very good impression, very few shadows.
We stayed in a bungalow with private pool (room 802, no sea view but view of the mountains), which could have been perfect if the sound insulation was not so bad. The walls are real sieves, we could hear people coming and going all night long. In addition, the room doors close automatically by slamming very loudly, which is very unpleasant, especially at night.
Please note there are bungalows with swimming pools which are also on the side of the road because a road crosses the hotel see the map in the photos and some where the swimming pool is in the pedestrian zone.
In summary, a pleasant stay thanks to charming staff and generous services, but some improvements are necessary to make the experience truly perfect.
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It's so full that we didn't leave the hotel!
The catering is top notch: 5 restaurants including 1 all you can eat (the main one), and 4 à la carte with good Greek food.
The room was beautiful, huge, and we had a private pool as well.
Please note: not all rooms are the same! and the swimming pools too
There are several swimming pools in the hotel, a spa, a gym, a private beach, bars.
The welcome was excellent
I recommend this hotel to anyone. I'm disgusted to have returned
The All Inclusive package is a must if you want to enjoy 100% of this resort hotel.
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Location:
The hotel is located at Agios Nikolaos, which is a very cute and pretty town, with nice shops, restaurants and beaches. The hotel is a short walk from the Port and town and a taxi costs 7 Euro in each direction or you can walk for about 20 min. Right outside of the hotel there's a mini market with some food, drinks and souvenirs as well and it's very convenient.
All inclusive:
We had the all inclusive package which includes 3 meals a day, free drinks all day and snacks from the snack bar (sandwiches, fruit, pastries and ice cream) in the afternoon. All inclusive ends at 23:00. We felt that it's sufficient, the drinks were nice, I really liked the wines and the beer is also OK. We didn't try the cocktails, but the reviews say they're good and the people making them are quite professional. In the evenings the lines at the bars can get long and it's a bit annoying waiting 15 min to get a drink.
We also liked the food. The variety was good, everything was fresh and you could always find something fitting your taste. The breads are really good, there's always fresh fruit and the highlight for us was the desserts! They were absolutely amazing and there was a huge variety of them in every meal.
Rooms:
We were upgraded to a family bungalow with sea view and I loved our room. It was a bit far from the main building and required a steep climb and some stairs, but we were lucky to have absolute privacy that some other rooms are lacking, since they're facing the hotel paths. Our room was secluded, had a big balcony facing the sea and the room itself was convenient. There are some extras like bathrobes, slippers, sanitary kits, toothbrush, etc., but there was 3 of us and there was one of each, which was a bit funny as we don't really share things like toothbrushes..
Facilities:
The hotel has a pool near the main building and on the way to the beach. We haven't tried that one. Another quite pool is located in the village area where our room was and it's a nice big pool with a kids pool attached, but again, it's a quite pool so they're expected to be quiet. Under that pool there's the water park which has a kid's pool, kid's slides, sprinkler area and 3 big slides for people above 1.20 cm. There's also a kindergarten there and a playground. Overall it's really nice, the water is quite cold and salty, but it's OK when the weather is warm.
The hotel also has 2 beaches and they're wonderful! Very peaceful, beautiful and not wavey due to their shape.
Service:
The staff is mostly nice, helpful. We did encounter a few staff members that were either overloaded or just didn't like us and were less welcoming. In general, this is the area where the hotel can do a bit better. For a 5 star hotel, not having someone to help with the bags early morning, when many of the rooms require walking up the stairs and steep climbs, doesn't make sense to me. We also asked for an early breakfast on the last day since we had to leave early for our flight, and other than fruit and some cake slices and drinks, there was nothing there. I expected something a bit more nutritious.. The rooms are clean and get cleaned every day, but it's not a 5 star cleaning. I had a birthday while staying at the hotel and got a birthday cake from them which was delicious! Although I got it on the wrong day, it was still yummy a few days later.
In general, we really enjoyed our stay, I would even go back if the price makes sense, but I do think that the hotel needs to make some improvements to really be a 5 star hotel.
Contact:
Address: Havania, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00, Greece
Phone: +30 2841 028400
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed within this article are the author’s alone, not those of any travel/leisure company, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.