Hi Shushu

There are a couple of ATMs in the town centre (15 mins walk along the prom then in a bit). The one we used is one street in from the prom opposite the town square (you can't miss it - there's an outdoor cafe on the square and the ATM is immediately on your left as you look at the cafe from the prom side). Tourist shop prices are as you would expect them - overpriced tat. The hotel shop is actually cheaper in a lot of cases. There is a fair sized supermarket about 100 yards away from the hotel. If you go out of the main entrance and, instead of turning left down to the prom take the right fork of the main road in front of you, the supermarket is on the right about a hundred yards on). There is also a minimarket right next to the hotel on one of these forks (I can't remember which one). Ierapetra is a working town so its shops in the centre tend to be aimed at the local population so offer the standard stuff that most towns offer - there are lots of jewellers and shoe shops as well as clothes, toys and other shops - prices average. Taverna prices are OK - cocktails tend to be cheaper than at the hotel.

Regards

Andy

Andy

hi andy
thanks for replying to my review, its good to be able to talk to someone who has already been there and knows the lay out ect i,m sure the missus will check out the shops for abit but me i,ll be the one running round after my three boys haha anyway thanks again andy
cheers sean.

This whole forum has gradually came to a halt. Near the end of September now with Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas just weeks away!, and our holidays just distant memories.
Friends you met whilst you were away, promising to keep in touch but once back to the rat race at home, it's difficult to even drop them a line.
Well until next year I am going to stop depressing myself by checking in on this site.
Goodbye

hi gail,
just wondering if you can give me some info on crete petra mare as i,ve changed hols nexy year from the royal park to the petra mare and was wondering what your hols over there was like?
i,ve read a few reveiws and it sure sounds like a nice quite part of greece.
any info would be great
cheers

No Beth dont go, little old me still needs some help, and with the same name as you how can you refuse!!!

I go to the petra mare on 2nd October, and i need some questions answering!!! Or if anyone out there knows the answers please feel free to let me know!!!

**Is there any sort of parks or zoos to visit on the island, we dont mind travelling if we have to.

**Has anyone rented a car if so wheres best to hire one from

**An reccomendations for eating out, we would like to venture out for a couple of nights

**anyone know if they stop the kids clubs this time of year, we were hoping to make use of them but we are going out of season!!

** we have heard that the airport is a complete nightmare, any tips!!!

I have loads more questions but i wont bombard you all at once,

Hoping to here from someone soon

Beth x x

hi shu shu

We had a great holiday in crete this year ,weather was scorching everyday for the fortnight never seen a cloud .

Our family didnt like the food,but it was edible and well cooked and they are very hygenic , the salad bar is fantastic.

The mini water park is fantastic for the kids we got beds at the water play park everyday no problem we went 1st 2 weeks in July but our last few days it got really busy.

The entertaiment is fine kids loved it ,we went to the German bar after the entertaiment finished and that was gret we had a few fantastic nights in there.

The only thing i really didnt like was the flimsy plastic glasses they gave you at the entertaiment outside, they held about 3 mouth fulls ,so do take plastic wine or beer glasses with you, i was told to do this before i went but thought stuff that but i wish i did.

The kids clubs are great and all the staff and fc reps were brill but i guess they all move on to another resorts, as 2 of our entertainers and Chris the waveleghth rep is going to Royal Park next year and my daughter is delighted.

There is not much in the town in lerapetra bit like elenite i think.

We went on the jeep safari and boat trip to chrissy island,would recommend the jeep trip but not the chrissy island one,heard the spinalonga trip was great.

We are still keeping our booking for the royal park for next year , as with all the bad reports i guess they will try and make it perfect for next years holiday makers ,and we got such a good deal it will be hard to find another all inclusive holiday for round about the same price.

hi again gail
thankyou for your detailed reply it does sound like a great holiday just wish we were going there tomorrow.
will be sure to take the plastic beer glasses as i,ve read that quite alot in the reviews i have read.
i really hope they sort the royal park out for you and everyone else who have booked just cuold,nt take chance with my little uns, besides done bulgaria last year so giving crete ago now
cheers sean

hi all,
can anyone tell me were to find some nice greek taverns for familys out side of the hotel in lepetra.
we just love to try out the local dishes whilst abroad so an ideas would be very welcome.
cheers guys

Hi Shushu.
If you want Greek FOOD then this is for you.
Our family went on the 9th June 07, for 2 wks ,and ate out 6 times .
We tried 3 different tavernas in the old part of town, at the very end next to the old fort and harbour.
We then ate out at the taverna that is on the beach next to the Petra Mare
hotel .
Go outside the front of the hotel and turn right, walk for 5 mins (seems like 10 in the heat of the day!) and you will come to the entrance leading down to the best taverna in Ierapetra. I think it was called AVELI or something like that , We ate here 3 times and had the best food we ate all holidays Even my 3 kids (2,4+8) ate the snails, octupuss,mousakka and kalamari.
With Ice cold beer for the adults and a free ice cream for the kids this was easily, the nicest tasting food we had and the friendliest hosts wee ever met. Prices that easily matched our Wallet made this taverna an instant hit with our Family.
I will post some photos at this taverna soon (the location is ideal ) for kids to play in the rock pools ,and mum and dad to have 10mins quiet time!
This was cheaper than any of the Tavernas in the town.
GIVE IT A TRY

hi ginkster,
well we,ll definatly be giving the taverna,s you,ve mentioned a try but i,m not so sure about the snails.
i love greek food and will be trying all sorts whislt we are over.
thanks for taking the time to post back to me and also for the info.
i,ll be sure to look out for the photos you have to.
not long to go now next june ha ha soon fly by mate.
thanks again.

Yes Heraklion is airport HELL.
Be prepared for long slow departure from this airport.!
You might be able to find a loggerhead turtle conservation group in Crete.
Or try the butterfly valley both will be a day trip away.
For the kids try the GO-KARTING!!. Just ask the reception staff to call them for you and they will come and collect you in a fullly insured and legal minibus. Pick you up , take you to track , You do your GO-KARTING , Then they Take you back to the hotel when you are ready!
VERY CHEAP COMPARED TO UK PRICES !!!!!!
Have Fun.

hi ginkster
Can you tell me how much the go karting was, and what cc they are, my son 13 really wants to go on this trip, that all he talks about. Also can anyone tell me what the weather will be like in October we fly 19th from Birmingham. thanks

Looking a booking this hotel for next year July - in the write up it says that the swimming pools are salt water - does anyone know if this is right. Do not fancy this, so need to know before booking it.
Can anyone recommend any hotels in Crete whether self-catering or all inclusive. We enjoy a hotel that has lots of activities going on day and evening with an especially good animation team that join in.
Would appreciate this. Went to Turkey this year and did not enjoy. So would therefore be glad of some advice before booking.

i never noticed to be honest as i couldt really swim due to op but the water was BLOODY FREEZING !!!!!!

Yes the pools are saltwater and yes they are freezing but the waterslides were extremely popular with the kids and adults I don't think the cold bothered them.

shell wrote:

yes they are freezing

Are they still freezing in August? We go out there on 29th July (if I don't change my mind and change to different destination before then...) Never been anywhere in Greece before, always been a Spain person. Went to Turkey for a change a couple of years ago, and it was so hot!!! The hotel swimming pool was no relief, it was like a warm bath - so I'm hoping a sea breeze (?) at Ierapetra might cool things down a bit...?

Hi Cyber, we went in August and I have to say it was too hot for me but there was a constant breeze out there, infact some days it was quite windy and we had to tie our inflatables down but it was welcoming. Yes the pools were really cold but I think it could be to do with the fact that the temperature was so high

Thanks Shell! Still not decided whether I really want to go - I booked and paid the deposit last year, but for some reason I just don't "fancy" it as much now. I think it was just the waterslides that attracted me to it for my teenagers. Can't decide if it might be worth paying the admin fee to change to somewhere else.

Hi Cyber, it's difficult with holidays because they are so expensive we want to get them right. Do you know why you don't quite fancy it now? Re-read up on the recent reviews etc and see how you feel then. It's not somewhere I would want to return to or Hubby but having said that my Son who was 13 at the time still rates it as his best holiday yet. Good luck with your decision