we strongly advise that you try the go-karting no matter what age you are .(3 to103) the staff will totally look after your every needs . we even got free drinks ,
And the kids got free ice cream . we also got free raki , don`t worry you won`t get done for drunk driving here .!!!.

What is this about the children only being able to use one slide if under the age of 9?

My children are confident swimmers and have visited lots of water parks. This is really putting a dampner on my holiday. I don't think that I'm going to bother reading any of the reviews no more. I find it funny though that this fact has not been mentioned before anywhere.
I'm sorry but the thought of being stuck right out and not being able to take advantage of the full range of hotel facilities has really annoyed me now.

Hi Beth I know exactly what you mean.

My advice would be that you act as if you have no idea that you have to be 9 and carry on regardless.

I am soo looking forward to this holiday that nothing can ruin it save for being ill of course!

I think the problem is, having given this alot of thought, is that people have too high expectations and that is when they are let down.

If you dont expect the moon it should be absolutely fine - you go soon dont you? I am positive you will have a fab time.

Redcrop/Lorraine
xx

redcrop that is what I have said to my partner hopefully Expect the worst and it can only seem better. However I have found a couple of sites other than this and 'Holidays Uncovered' that say nothing but good things this year for the Petra Mare, so it has given me something to consider positive!
Yes I expect repetitive food on AI (unless I'm paying 5 star prices), I expect typical First Choice (ametaur entertainment - young persons getting jobs abroad for their own benefits), and of course slightly over worked bar/dining staff.
I also feel a lot of stomach bugs are caused from the heat and dehydration most times, but being Brits we tend to blame the cuisine. I hope I'm right.
Well to late now, with just over a week to go, all will tell, and as per usual my review will be available to read. Put it this way, Ive not slated anywhere yet and are sure that I will be wondering what people are moaning about
Plus a work friend who visits Greece every year is going to jot down some of the language so I can politely comment the locals hopefully this will help us on our stay.

Hi Beth
Not long to go now, my husband and i are the same as you, you make the best of it. I have read some very good reports recently and i think that some people do tend to be negative. It is always the same at all inclusive the food is the same week in week out. I just want to relax and as long as the kids are happy, then i will be happy.
I haven't heard about the limits on the slides before and my daughter is 8.
I noticed the info about the late check out room when we booked it it said untl midnight but it is not on the website anymore, so i will need to check up on that.
9 days and counting.

I'm sorry about this post as I am not usually arguementative but the posts about the water slides have really bothered me.

Age restrictions are applied to activities due to health and safety reasons. To restrict a slide to over 9s there must be a legitamate reason for this and the safety of the children to use it.

There will always be children who are taller/swim well etc but there has to be a cut off and this is unfortunate for a small minority of children but this is life.

I'm sure that if you let your under 9 on the slide and there was to be an incident (touch wood there won't be) that you would be the first to complain to First Choice or slam the hotel for inadequate facilities.

I also find it very irresponsible of you as parents to let your child believe that rules are there to be broken if they don't suit you, little wonder the Brits have a bad name abroad

Hancock 444. With all respect I understand what you are saying, but don't damn us as bad parents. Until we are they I don't know what these slides are like. It might be completely obvious when we get there the reasons for their decision!

It would be nice if it had been mentioned in the brochure prior to booking!! All photos clearly show the slides being used by young children!
So how does under 9 help anybody? You get tall, short, fat, thin 9 years old! You get strong and weak swimmers!
A height restriction is an understandable measure, but an age category is ridiculous.

And as for running to First Choice and running down the hotel because WE have chosen to not play by the rules. Hardly likely I think!!
How dare you run us down because one week before we leave we find out that the water park is not going to be much use to us at all!

the tone of some recent post on this thread are NOT what i expect of members of the Greek forums, PLEASE do not cast dispersions on the capability of fellow members and KEEP the post friendly,
I like to give you all a fairly free forum and not clamp down too often, so just be carefull in what and how you post or i will get heavy handed

wizard

beth72 - I apologise if I sounded like I was casting aspertions as to the parenting skills of everyone, but when I read a post that suggests they are going to let their children use the slides anyway my blood did boil a bit.

As to the age restriction instead of height etc I am more than aware that this is unfair, but it may be due to the need for appropriate behaviour etc? which again, is unfair as I have a 9 year old, but he is VERY small for his age and has learning difficulties so he would be allowed on!

I was just venting my anger that suggestions were made that rules should be broken and again I apologise if I offended anyone.

It's ok Hancock444.

It is a bit disappointing to read by review only that the major attraction of booking this hotel is going to be no good for you. Yes us parents can go on the bigger slides But it's the children we take to have the fun, I think.

Never mind as long as the pools are there the kids will be happy. I bet the slides would just be a 5 minute wonder to my kids anyway as they live in the pool. I might of booked this hotel in a few more years time had I had all the facts in front of me, that's all.
Have you been here? I am only asking as I have only read about the age restriction in one review and no more.

we got back from Petra Mare on the 19th june , the 3 big slides that they have are.(1). white slide that is steep and very fast. (2) blue slide that goes around and round, and fast .Then (3) white 3 lane slide with rainbow stripes down it , that is a bit slow.
when you get to the bottom , all 3 slides come out at the same area and depth. (depth about 3.5ft-4.5ft), they have two lifeguards, one at the top, and one at the bottom.
I would advise any parent to go with their kids for the first few times onto the slides , that way the lifeguards can propperly understand the abbility of you kid .
when I went on with my 8yr boy for the first time (he is a good swimmer)
they said my son needed arm-bands!!!. I then asked if it was OK for me to go first and meet him at the bottom ,,they said OK .
It will all depend on the way you approach things
try and talk to the life guards as they are OK guys , hopefully things will be OK for you and your kids
If not you always have the big two water parkes in crete.
PLEASE REMBER HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST (EVEN IN CRETE).
PS.... always to help just ASK.

no - we go in a few weeks, and this is the first time that I have heard about restrictions on the slides, other than they are only open twice a day - morning and late afternoon

beth72 dont worry you will have a good time, and your kids will love it even more than you . (chill beth!!).

Hi going out on the 20th july with hubby and two children boy age 11 and girl age 5, im a little concerned that the hotel is in the middle of nowhere and i do get a little stir crazy, can anyone tell me if there are any trips we can go on and if there are any child friendly returants/bars thanks

Hi Hancock it sounds as if you will be there the same time as us!

Having read about the slides my 8 year old girl would not go on the fast ones anyway so thats one less thing to worry about lol

Are you as excited as us? We cant wait we so need this break.

Hi Beth im not ignoring you lol one less day for all of us!

Redcrop x

Hi lislop,it is a 10 minute stroll along the promanade which starts at the side of the hotel which leads to a number of bar and resteraunts all of which are friendly and mainly family orientated.
The old harbour is a further 5 minute walk where you will find the more traditional Greek eateries.
Ierepetra is not as small as what i had imagined ,there are plenty of shops and places to wander about but the shops do seem to close early as far as European towns go ,so a trip during the day is recomended and if it gets too much there is a taxi rank in the center which charge 4 euros back to the hotel.
First Choice do run a number of trips but nothing really special and very expensive between 35-49 euros per trip per adult.
Also the debate about the age restriction seems to be getting a bit heated,when you get up to the top slides there is a sign clearly stating that the top slides are for over 9,s only and yes this was not advertised in the brochure and spoilt the holiday for my youngest too.
Having given my feedback on the hotel now that i have been back for 10 days i would so much rather be in your shoes now and when we left i do remember seeing the sun there as i dont think i have seen it since.
Regards Paul

Hi redcrop - we fly out on the 27th - and yes really need the break this year. I have the opposite problem, my youngest will be gunning to go on the fastest slides (even though he can not swim without his wings) and my eldest will make up some excuse not to go on the fast ones!

Hi Hancock

I think its only one slide he will not be able to go on and if he's that upset you could always take him to the waterpark where he may be allowed to use them all! My eldest, the lunatic lol, will be 11 whilst we are out there so at least we wont have that worry with him and my middle one who is 8 probably would not want to go on the biggest one! They are only allowed on them twice a day and what with the kids club hopefully they wont have time to miss them!

Are you out there for one or two weeks? Seems strange talking to people already who will be on our holiday lol

Redcrop x

I'm hoping to chill Well actually I'm not I'm hoping to bake!

I won't be allowing the kids in the water slide area without us. Maybe that is why they use the age restriction. They are almost 8 and 9 anyway, but far to young to be left alone, especially in a water zone, even around the pools.
WooHoo 7 days.