Istron Bay Hotel, Near Agios Nikolaos - Simpson Travel, was it any good???

[mumma2cjh]

want to get away somewhere nice but child friendly...just seen this as they sponsor MN.

anyone been? The good the bad and the ugly reports please?

bumpy

Haven't been with children, but stayed there several times while taking a group round the island. Hotel old-ish but lovely - lots of steps down to beach but also lots of different paths/routes to take, which might amuse children. Built into side of hill, so quirky 'top floor is the sort-of ground floor' thing going on. Hotel has some kids' clubs and activities in season. Pretty sure they do baby-sitting. Pool nice, beach (private access) nicer but not much sand. Beautiful coloured pebbles tho! Must have several bowlfulls back home...

Food rather unadventurous but again ,might be a good thing with kids. Staff v friendly. Lots of tame cats around (the hotel arranges for them to be rehomed with tourists, tho not UK ones for obvious reason). Some slightly grizly evening entertainment in piano bar (Western pop covers on bazouki, local dancing, etc) - actually fun with a few rakis inside you!

Ok, I admit it, I love this place. No, I don't get a commission! But it's a quirky, rather old-fashioned (in good way) place to stay and the views to the beach and coastline are pretty great. Would never be able to afford to stay if we didn't use it as a hotel on these tours I used to do...sniff but no longer, as now have wee one and cannot take him on tours with me!

Sorry, was so busy eulogising the place forgot to point out: it is a bit out of the way. About 30 mins drive from Ay. Nikalaos. 5 mins drive or less from nearby village with more tourist facilities (shops and tavernas) but along well dodgy road, would not want to walk it, let alone with children. So unless you have a hire car, you are going to be a bit cut off. There again, 30 mins drive east and you're in unspoilt Greek heaven, not v touristy although the new airport at Sitea might busy things up a bit.

Oh blardy hell. Really want to go back to Crete now! :-(