- Greece Holidays
- Kolymbari
- Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort
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Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort
Greece, Europe
Kolymbari
This outstanding property is located on the beach of Kolymbari, just a 2-minute driving distance from the village of Kolymbari and 23 kilometres west of Chania centre. The sandy and pebble beach is just steps from the main swimming pools – perfect for spending the time basking in Crete's summer sun and enjoying quality time. This adults-only seaside resort offers luxurious, relaxing, and tailor-made facilities for solos and couples in a totally serene environment designed to pamper body, soul and spirit in upgraded surroundings with impeccable service. The complex is made up of a choice of accommodation units which have been luxuriously furnished and decorated in relaxing colours. Guests will appreciate the wonderful onsite facilities that include two swimming pools and three privately shared swimming pools designated to specific units. Moreover, the main bar, pool bar and main buffet restaurant will satisfy guests’ appetite.
Facilities
- Spa treatments*
- Massage*
- TV lounge
- Entertainment programme for adults
- Sun loungers
- Outdoor freshwater pool
- Poolside snack bar
- Private beach area
- Luggage room
- Sun terrace
- Please note some facilities may incur an additional fee
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
The Local Area
Tripadvisor Reviews
4.5 Excellent1,196 reviews
Excellent
67%
Very Good
21%
Average
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Fab
Relaxing and beautiful location
Wonderful relaxing holiday – already booked our return trip
We had a large double room with a shared pool. Our room had a huge comfortable bed, large walk-in wardrobe, separate shower and sitting area. Our mini bar and coffee capsules were replenished daily by Arman, who delivered them with a smile.
We had our own patio area, with chairs, a table and sun beds facing the shared pool, which was very refreshing.
A special thank you to our wonderful housekeeper (apologies I didn’t take note of her name) who made sure our room was spotlessly clean (inside and also outside on our patio) and who replaced our beach towels each day.
Thank you also to Adriano who delivered drinks to our patio at least twice a day. We enjoyed having a chat with him each day.
We were very happy with the choice of food in the main buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch. At lunch there were a good selection of salads, a different soup each day, varied choice of pastas/mains, fresh fruit and desserts. The chefs and all the kitchen staff deserve to be praised as they worked tirelessly, replishing food, cleaning up any food spills on the surfaces thus maintaining excellent hygiene standards.
We enjoyed long, leisurely lunches and the waiting staff got used to us sitting after our meal with a cool drink looking out to the sea. No better way to spend a few hours!
We personally don’t like to use the main buffet for every meal so we ate most evenings in the rooftop A la carte Azzuro Restaurant. The food is delicious and is freshly cooked in a kitchen on the rooftop. The menu allowed us to have a different choice every night but our favourite dishes were the squid carbonara, the fried octopus, the trout, the spaghetti with shrimp and the grilled salmon. Compliments to Stephanie (the Chef) and her assistant Alfradeo, who prepared all our meals and chatted with us about the menu.
Each evening, we were welcomed to the Azzuro Restaurant with a smile by either Sarantos (who has worked for the hotel group for 23 years) or by Mateo (who has worked for the hotel for 5 years). Together, Sarantos and Mateo are a fantastic team. They are welcoming, extremely knowledgeable about the menu, friendly and efficient. Along with Stephanie and Alfradeo, they all made our evenings in the Azzuro Restaurant special. Thank you.
We also enjoyed the Olive Oil themed night on Monday’s. You get a table overlooking the beach and are served a selection of plates at your table.
As we had the Premium All Inclusive package we could also dine in the other Giannoulis Hotels and Resorts. During out stay, we had a few evening meals in the A la carte Azzuro Restaurant in Cavo Spada Luxury Resort & Spa (which is 2.5KM away from the Grand Bay Hotel – you book your own taxi - 10 minute taxi journey / 8 Euro each way). It has an open terrace with lovely views and serves mediterranean food. The food is of a very high standard. Big thank you to our waiter, Manthos, who served us with a smile.
We met Andreas (who mainly works at the pool bar) at lunch on our first day. From that first afternoon he always remembered our names and what we normally like to drink. He was friendly, polite and super attentive.
Thank you also to Kostas (who mainly works in the Lobby Bar) who was very efficient and attentive during the evenings.
We also met Zoe (Guest Relations) on our first day. She booked us onto the wine tasting (which I recommend doing) and explained how the Premium Plus package worked.
Zoe welcomes all guests to lunch each day and answers questions as they arise. She is perfect for the role. She has authority, is efficient as well as being friendly and bubbly. She is definitely a massive asset to the hotel.
If eating, drinking or swimming is not relaxing enough for you; I highly recommend having a massage. I had two wonderful relaxing massages with George. Thank you George.
Finally, I would like to thank the hotel Manager, Mr Alexandros. He was often visible around the hotel grounds and in the main restaurant. He was courteous and regularly checked to ensure we were having a good holiday.
Overall, we would definitely recommend this hotel. We enjoyed our stay so much that we have already booked it for next year.
Review by CathyDorey United Kingdom
Nice hotel and excellent value for money
We had a wonderful stay at this hotel and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday.
The food was excellent throughout our stay, with a great variety of delicious dishes every day. The bar was another highlight – all the bartenders were friendly, welcoming, and always happy to recommend drinks. The overall selection of beverages was also very good. Although the hotel itself is a bit older, it is clear that it is well maintained, clean, and cared for.
We would also like to give special thanks to the reception team for their outstanding service. After the air conditioning in our original room stopped working properly, they quickly looked into the issue. Since it couldn’t be fixed immediately, they kindly upgraded us to a larger room at no extra cost, where the air conditioning worked perfectly. Thanks to their help, we were able to fully enjoy our vacation. Overall, the hotel offers excellent value for money, and we left with only positive impressions.
Review by i_fursov Brno, Czech Republic
AUTHENTIC, FRIENDLY AND TOTAL RELAXATION
We travelled to the Giannoulis Grand Bay Beach Resort staying for 11 nights with our son James and his partner Lauren. We had booked to stay in a Sea View Junior Suite and our son a double room. Unfortunately he had a problem with the air conditioning in the room and immediately they were upgraded to a Sea View Junior Suit by the professional Manager. We genuinely could not fault this Hotel. Zoe in customer relations was always there to great you and remembered your room numbers and names from day one. The Olive Oil evening overlooking the sea was wonderful as was the rooftop restaurant. Andreas in the pool bar was a top man who served the most amazing cocktails and was the most genuine guy. Kostas in the Lobby Bar was such a character and very friendly. All in all the staff really made our holiday the best trip ever! My husband and I had a massage whilst there and it was the most relaxing part of our trip. The food was the best AI we have ever had and the chefs work hard to prepare and maintain standards. I could go on and on about the POSITIVES of this Hotel especially the beautiful sunsets and sunrises but please go and experience it for yourselves I promise you won’t regret it. We will most definitely be returning 🩵
Review by tigersister Aberaeron, United Kingdom
Holida
As we have been holidaying in Greece since the 1970’s we would like to give our opinion.
We prefer the smaller hotels hoping to experience the charm and hospitality that we found in the Greek Islands many years ago. Yes, things have changed but it is always gratifying that sometimes you can still experience that to a degree. We did here.
We have been to the Chania area many times and love it. This is the best Hotel overall that we have stayed in in this area. Location is perfect for us but not for everyone.
Our suite was comfortable with a sea view and shared pool. Quality towels, linen and toiletries. Beach towels changed every evening, a sweet treat as well. We never used the air conditioning as the suite was very airy. View was amazing, even more amazing to see a large Turtle swimming past.
All inclusive we felt was very generous. The food is almost all Greek oriented which suited us. We are in Greece after all.There was always something to take your fancy. Wine came in bottles as required, no carafes here, it makes a difference. Cocktails are made to order… no machine “ cocktails “ here.There is a microwave if ever you require one. The mini bar is not included, it was not necessary for us but handy to keep the water in.
We used the a’ la Carte restaurant one evening. Excellent food, well done to the Chef. You are able to use it as often as you like but there is a minimum charge for drinks. Well worth it.
For a small Hotel there is quite a variation in room types. Perhaps the tour operators should be more explicit.
We could not see any problem with the saving of sun-beds, there was always some available. Many people get up early( like me). Some to watch the sunrise, to exercise or put a towel out or both. It usually finds its own level.
The demographic of the hotel is cosmopolitan with a varied age group.
All of the staff we found to be hard working, well mannered, happy and to have had good training , happy staff, happy guests….usually. We liked the idea of different nationalities working together. It worked, and gave some an opportunity which they may not have had.
We liked the style of management, which was visible. For us this is important as it shows management care what is going on everywhere. You were made to feel that it mattered to them that you were happy and enjoying your holiday. We will return in the near future.
