Escape to Paradise: Eleaterra Hotel, Matala, Crete
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Eleaterra Hotel in Matala, Crete. Forget those perfectly polished reviews, I'm gonna give you the REAL deal. And listen, I'm not a travel agent, I'm just a gal (or guy, who knows these days?) who likes a good escape… and a decent Wi-Fi signal, because, ya know, work doesn't stop just because I'm on island time. Let's see if Eleaterra lives up to the hype, or if it's just another Instagram filter fantasy.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Nitty Gritty - And Yes, I Checked!)
Okay, so Accessibility. This is HUGE. Eleaterra claims to be accessible. Let's be honest, "accessible" can mean wildly different things depending on the hotel. They do have an elevator (thank the heavens!), which is a major win. Also, a huge win: the website actually mentioned steps to the pool and restaurant, versus just pretending it's all level ground! Honestly, it's a bit of a relief when they're honest. I didn't personally test a wheelchair but, from what I saw, I was getting some good vibes. However, always double-check with the hotel directly if you need specific accommodations. They mention facilities for disabled guests, but let's face it, "facilities" can be as vague as a politician's promise. I saw CCTV in areas and outside, which is reassuring for general safety, including for accessibility issues.
Rooms & Tech (Can I Stream Netflix, or Am I Screwed?)
Listen, the most important thing is the Wi-Fi. It's 2024, people. We need to work in paradise, and that means decent internet. Thankfully, Eleaterra delivers! The holy grail: Free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms! They really do emphasize this on every page, which is fine by me! Honestly, even if it’s not quite the fastest, it’s the presence of connectivity that matters. You get wired access, too (Internet [LAN]), which is cool if you're old school or have a super important job thing to do. I'm guessing they offer internet services in general, but who cares, you get the all-important room Wi-Fi.
My room? Super comfortable. Air conditioning (essential!), black-out curtains (bless!!), mini-bar (gotta stock up on the local stuff!), and a window that opens (fresh air FTW!). There are extra long beds (perfect for my height), a safe box (always a good idea), and a desk for those "I have to do this work thing" moments. There are non-smoking rooms as well.
Bonus points: Complimentary tea and coffee facilities, because, well… caffeine is life.
Cleanliness & Safety (Is This Place a Petri Dish?)
Okay, okay, let's address the elephant in the room: COVID. Eleaterra seems to be taking things seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff trained in safety protocols. They've got hygiene certificates, and they even offer room sanitization opt-out! They also do individually-wrapped food options and safe distancing in places. I'm not a germaphobe, but it's pretty reassuring to see they're making an effort. Seems like they really want you to feel safe.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (FUEL UP, BABY!)
Food, glorious food! And Eleaterra delivers. The food is my favourite!
- Breakfast Buffet: A glorious spread. I'm a sucker for a good buffet. (Yes, I went back for seconds… and thirds). I think they had to keep an eye on me.
- A la carte: This is a great option for picky eaters like myself.
- Asian Cuisine: Always a nice addition!
- Poolside bar: You can't beat a cocktail while you're splashing in the water (or pretending to, from a sunbed).
- Restaurants: They do have a few restaurants, which is great for variety.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Or, How to Avoid Being a Total Couch Potato)
Right, let's talk about chilling out. Eleaterra has got you covered.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Beautiful, inviting, and perfect for a midday dip.
- Pool with view: Ahh, yes, the obligatory "Instagram-worthy" pool.
- Fitness center I didn't use the gym because, hey, vacation, right? But for the more motivated, it's there.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Now we're talking! This is what a vacation is all about!
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Yeah, yeah, sign me up. I need a massage. Several.
The "Meh" Stuff & The Quirks (Because No Place is Perfect)
- The View: My room didn’t have the insane "postcard" view, I had a decent view of the pool, which was fine by me.
- Breakfast in Room: I didn’t use this, but it’s there. Sometimes I want to gorge myself on a buffet.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Make Life Easier)
- Air Conditioning (public area): Very important!
- Concierge: Helpful!
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated!
- Elevator: Thank goodness!
- Laundry service & Dry cleaning: Useful.
- Cash withdrawal: (Because who carries cash anymore?)
- Currency exchange: Handy.
- Car Park [free of charge]: Essential
- Check-in/out [express]: Good if you're in a hurry. Honestly, I usually just spend 2 days at the front desk so I can get to know everyone.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Just in case!
- Luggage storage: Handy.
For the Kids (Family Friendly?)
Eleaterra seemed pretty family-friendly. They mention facilities for kids and babysitting (thank goodness!). So, yes, you can definitely bring the little ones.
Alright, Let's Get Real: My Eleaterra Experience
Look, I loved my time at Eleaterra. It wasn't perfect - where IS? - but it has so many amazing features. The staff were friendly and helpful, the food was amazing, and the Wi-Fi was reliably decent. The pool was great, the spa was amazing, and that's all you're looking for in a hotel.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
Yes, absolutely! Especially if you value accessibility, a relaxing atmosphere, and a solid dose of "getaway" vibes. If you're looking for a perfect hotel, you're looking in the wrong place. But I definitely think you will love it.
Here's My Compelling Offer, Just For You:
Ready to Escape to Paradise? Book your stay at Eleaterra Hotel in Matala, Crete NOW and get a free upgrade to a room with a pool view (subject to availability)! Plus, enjoy a complimentary couples massage at the spa (because you deserve it!). But wait, there's more! Book within the next 7 days, and you'll receive a welcome bottle of local wine AND a voucher for a free cocktail at the poolside bar. This offer is only valid for a limited time, so don't wait! Click here to book your escape: [Link to Hotel Booking Website] (I don't actually have a link, but you know what to do!)
Go on, treat yourself. Escape to Paradise… before I book it all up!
Gold Coast Morib Studio: Banting's BEST Kept Secret (A3447)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized brochure itinerary. This is my real attempt at surviving Eleaterra Hotel, Matala, Crete. Prepare for chaos. Prepare for sunburn. Prepare for me to probably complain about sand getting everywhere. Here we go…
CRETE CHAOS: A (Highly Subjective) Schedule of Events
Day 1: Arrival, Sunburn, and the Quest for Tzatziki
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Arrive at Heraklion Airport (HER). After a flight that felt longer than a Kardashian wedding, we're here. My luggage, predictably, looks like it was thrown from a moving vehicle. Good start. The taxi driver, bless his heart, looks like he's seen a ghost of past tourists. Probably has.
- 12:00 PM - Check-in at Eleaterra Hotel. The lobby is actually quite charming, all whitewashed walls and bougainvillea cascading everywhere. Feeling optimistic… until the receptionist gives me the look. You know the one. The "you're going to be trouble" look. She probably pegged me as a "needs Diet Coke delivered to her room at 3 AM" type, and she wouldn't be wrong.
- 1:00 PM - Room Recon and the "Sand in the Cracks" Forecast: My room… is fine. It's got a balcony, which is essential for judging the sunset and hiding from the sun. I unpack. Immediately discover that my bikini is missing. Great. Time to panic and then find the nearest beach.
- 2:00 PM - Matala Beach: First Contact. The sand is, as predicted, everywhere. Into my shoes, into my swimsuit, into my soul. The water is gorgeous, though. Crystal clear, a perfect turquoise. I attempt to swim, forget my snorkel. Almost drown. Worth it.
- 4:00 PM - Post-Beach Crisis and Thirst. Find a taverna. Order a Mythos. It's delicious. Consider ordering a second. Resist the urge. (For now.)
- 5:00 PM - The Tzatziki Mission: The most important part of the day. My mission: find the perfect tzatziki. Ask every waiter, every local: “The best tzatziki, where?” The answer is always different. The hunt is on.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner… and the Shadow of the Sun: Attempt to eat dinner. The sun is relentless. I, however, am not. I'm convinced I need more sunscreen. Find the best tzatziki!
Day 2: Caves, Chaos, and the Question of Coffee
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast Battle: The buffet. Oh, the buffet. Eggs that look… interesting. Coffee that’s strong enough to power a small rocket. I grab a croissant and retreat to my balcony, already plotting my escape route.
- 10:00 AM - The Caves of Matala (or, "How I Met a Very Flirty Seagull"): The famous caves! Pretty cool, actually. Though I swear one of the seagulls there was trying to flirt with me. I spent far more time laughing at the sea gull than appreciating the historical significance.
- 11:30 AM - The Great Sunscreen Debacle: Reapply sunscreen. Fail miserably at applying it to my back. Repeat this process regularly, all week.
- 12:30 PM - Lunch Disaster: My inability to find food is a constant concern. I find a place. Order something. It has olives in it. I hate olives. I eat them anyway.
- 2:00 PM - The Drive (of Near Disaster): Attempt a scenic drive to Red Beach. Get lost. Swear more than I care to admit. Finally find the beach. It is, indeed, red. It is, also, very crowded. Decide to turn around and get ice cream.
- 4:00 PM - "Naptime" and the existential dread of having too much time: Back at Eleaterra, I decide I need a nap. I doze off for about 10 minutes before waking up, panicking that I’ve wasted the day.
- 6:00 PM - "Tzatziki Round Two." Another taverna, another hunt. The quest continues!
- 7:00 PM - Dinner… Alone. I get a table. I get my food. I eat. I watch the sunset. Not bad. Actually, it was pretty damn incredible.
Day 3: Elafonisi Beach and A LOT of Sand
- 7:00 AM - the wake up call. I can't sleep! I’m too excited? Too anxious about the day? who knows!
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast: same breakfast with different clothes.
- 9:00 AM - Off to Elafonisi Beach: After the sun decides to start, we head to Elafonisi! This pink sand beach is a must-see. We drive, and the views are stunning. The road is twisty, but the anticipation is building! We arrive, and the beach is a dream. The pink sand is real!
- 11:00 AM - Elafonisi: So. Much. Pink. Sand. It's everywhere! The water is crystal clear, and the waves are gentle. It's heaven. I walk in the shallow water for what feels like forever and take a million pictures. I wish I could bottle this feeling of pure joy.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at Elafonisi Beach: We find a taverna near the beach. After the most beautiful sight in the world, I’m starving. The food is fantastic, and I’m so happy to be here!
- 4:00 PM - Beach Time: Hours of swimming and sunbathing! Pure bliss! The sand, yes, still finds its way into everything, but I don’t even care. I’m just enjoying the moment.
- 6:00 PM - The Long Ride Back: A long drive after such a tiring day, but I still have a big smile on my face.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner… and another sunset. I watch the sunset alone, or I was not alone. I got a puppy from the street.
- 8:00 PM - The puppy I named him "Sagan". He will stay here for one week.
Day 4: Diving, Deliberations, and the Decision to Embrace the Mess
- 9:00 AM - Diving! A planned diving trip! I went diving with a local dive shop and had an incredible experience. Seeing the underwater world was one of the best things I've done in my life.
- 2:00 PM - The Dog: I fed the puppy some food.
- 6:00 PM - The Last Dinner.
Day 5, 6, 7: Repeat the above. Maybe throw in a pottery class, a visit to Knossos (if I can face the crowds), or another desperate quest for the perfect coffee.
Final Thoughts:
This isn't a perfect itinerary. It's messy. It's chaotic. It's probably full of typos. But it's honest. And, for me, that's what makes it beautiful. Because life is a messy, chaotic, beautiful thing. And Crete, with its perfect beaches, its challenging roads, and its endless quest for good tzatziki, is a perfect reflection of that.
So, to Eleaterra, and to Crete… cheers! May your beaches be endless, your sun burn not too bad, and your tzatziki always delicious.
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Escape to Paradise: Eleaterra Hotel - Honestly, My Two Cents (and Maybe Yours Too!)
So, Eleaterra Hotel in Matala... Is it REALLY "Paradise"? (Because, you know, marketing always lies.)
Alright, buckle up, because "paradise" is a strong word. Let's start with this: the view? Oh, the view. Seriously breathtaking. Imagine postcard perfection – the turquoise of the Libyan Sea, the dramatic cliffs of Matala, the way the sun just drenches everything… yeah, that part's *kinda* paradise-y. I took, like, a million photos and they *still* didn't capture it. The moment I stepped onto my balcony, I practically swooned. I might have even cried a little. (Don't judge! Jet lag and beauty are a potent cocktail.)
But...and there's always a "but," isn't there? The rooms? They're... comfortable. Think clean, functional, maybe a *touch* dated. My bathroom? Tiny. Like, I swear, I almost knocked my elbow on the wall trying to shave. And the shower pressure? Well, let's just say it was more of a gentle trickle than a refreshing downpour. (Side note: I totally asked for a room with a sea view, and I *think* I got one – hard to tell when everything is a sea view, really.)
So, paradise? Parts of it. Mostly, it's a fantastic location with a great view from up there! The hotel is a little dated, but if you don’t mind it you will enjoy your escape to paradise.
Okay, the Pool – Instagram-Worthy or More of a Kiddie Pool Vibe? Spill the Tea!
The pool… Okay, here's the deal. When I saw the photos, my inner influencer got all excited. *Insta-worthy! Lifestyles of the rich and/or slightly sunburnt!* And honestly, it *is* lovely. It's clean, it's got those inviting blue tiles, and it overlooks the sea, so *that* part is aces. The pool is fantastic as it is always clean and there is plenty of sunbed available.
BUT, and this is a huge BUT, the pool is not enormous, and the sunbeds? Well, they fill up fast early in the day. So, if you're not an early bird, you're battling for space. Also, the pool bar is a little pricey. But hey, you're on holiday! Splurge a little, right? (I did. Several times. Those cocktails… mmm.) One thing. The music never stops. Every day, from the moment, I awoke to the moment I decided to go to sleep. The next day, I was shocked! Still, the pool is wonderful and is Instagram-worthy.
Food, Glorious Food! What's the Deal with the Eleaterra's Restaurant? (And is Breakfast the Most Important Meal?)
Speaking of cocktails, let's talk food! The restaurant. Okay, the breakfast buffet felt like a dream! Seriously, it was *packed* with options. I'm talking the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, pastries, yogurt, fruit, and more. Plus, the staff were incredibly helpful and always friendly. They really make you feel welcome and seem to enjoy their job. (Seriously, big props to the staff. They're total rockstars.)
Dinner was good, too. It offered a mix of Greek classics and international dishes. I had the moussaka one night, and it was heavenly. The traditional greek food is just to die for. It was the best I’ve had in ages. It's not Michelin-star dining, but it's tasty, fresh, and the view from the terrace? Forget about it… pure magic. Again, prices are fair enough, and the service is excellent, which is another massive win.
Now, listen, I might be biased because I *love* Greek food. But honestly, I really loved it all.
Location, Location, Location! How Close is Eleaterra to the Beach and Matala Town? (Can I walk it in flip-flops?)
YES! The location is a massive win. Eleaterra is perched up on the hill, so the sea view is incredible. The beach is a short walk down a somewhat steep hill (hello, glutes!), and Matala town is even closer. You can definitely walk it in flip-flops! (Which I did. Repeatedly. Because, vacation.)
Matala town itself is seriously charming. Loads of little tavernas, shops, and the famous Matala Caves. Seriously, go check them out. They're amazing (and Insta-worthy, of course!). The hotel itself is a quiet, peaceful retreat, and the surrounding area is vibrant and very much alive. You quickly feel like you have stepped back in time and that is one of the charms of the area.
The Staff: Angels or Robots? (Need to know if I can get away with asking for extra towels!)
Angels, mostly. Okay, maybe not *literal* angels with halos and wings, but the staff at Eleaterra are genuinely lovely. Seriously, they bend over backwards to help. From the front desk (shoutout to the amazing woman who remembered my room number, even though I kept forgetting it!) to the cleaning staff (my room was always spotless), they're all friendly, efficient, and just generally awesome.
And extra towels? Absolutely. I’m pretty sure I requested a small mountain of towels at one point, and no one batted an eye. (I may or may not have spilled coffee *everywhere* on my first morning. Don't judge!) They are patient, understanding, and always, always smiling. Honestly, they made the stay that much better .
Anything I Should REALLY Know Before Booking? (Like Hidden Fees, or Mosquitoes from Hell?)
Okay, real talk time. Here's what you should know, BEFORE you book:
The WiFi is a bit spotty. Not a dealbreaker, but don't expect to stream movies flawlessly. Bring a book. Or just enjoy the view.
Mosquitoes. Bring bug spray. Seriously. I got attacked. It's probably my fault I wasn't prepared. So, be prepared or risk the bites.
The hill. It is a hill. Be prepared for a bit of a hike to get up and down, especially if you're not used to it. (But the view is worth it, I swear!)
Noise. There is noise, but it all contributes to the charm! You can hear the waves, but don’t worry it’s quiet enough to sleep.
Honestly, these are minor inconveniences. If you go to Eleaterra knowing these things, you'll have an even better time.
The Most Memorable Moment from MyCoastal Inns
