Hotel was very nice, although pool areas could have been cleaner.

Staff were lovely and very helpful, especially snack bar staff Maria and Maria, snack bar/beach toilets were not very nice (no toilet roll holders) and a bit smelly.

El Pasos great fun, Hello to Stalios, but again toilets very smelly.

Rooms really clean and lovely restaurant setting, food was lovely, could have been a bit hotter though.

Reception staff really helpful, better than going to hotel rep who was useless and rude.

The hotel itself was great, pleasant inside and out. In its own gardens with a waterfall at the entrance.

The beach was great, a little pebbly in places but my kids wanted to spend most of their time there. The water is beautiful and great for snorkeling as there were loads of different fish to see. The water sports were brilliant too, not ridiculously expensive and you can go on the speedboat for free to take pictures if a member of your family is on the ride.

The pools were great, 3 different sections, a main pool, 3 great water slides and a toddlers pool with loads of little slides and an activity park in the pool.

There were a few Germans there but they were very pleasant, check out their kids entertainment, it was hilarious, we saw them marching one day...round a bucket! The hours must have flown by.

Reps were rubbish, a few people had some complaints about them, the main rep Mikey was almost invisible, but on the whole we had a good holiday.

I shake my head in disbelief when I read previous reviews on this hotel. Somewhere in the past there is a bad one. I read it and thought a moaner, how wrong.

I am qualified to comment on food hygiene. It is my belief that the food served here is dangerous not just disgusting. I have never in my life seen such bad food in a holiday hotel. Mince was used twice at least every meal because it is so cheap. The quality was vile. I like to try local foods but even the Greeek night was dire. Lots of fruit and fish? I wish. Water merlon & over ripe grapes every meal. Ate breakfast once and stopped eating lunch after 5 days. Bought in pizza every night for kids. Reception even order it for you. I can't speak badly enough about the food.

Entertainment, please don't start me off, it was diabolical. The head of entertainment was nicknamed the Sgt Major, she was nasty. She could sing, wouldn't say that for any of the other 3.

Kids entertainment, great till 6 then mega boredom, 2 boys 10 & 9 wanted to come home after 2 days of the 14. Daughter 14 became almost sucidal with boredom after her friends left with us still got 4 days to go.

Beach isn't that great eithr. Shingle & pebbles get quite sharp.

Entertainment, how come nobody mentioned this? It's outside by the pool with the 8 drinks available to all inclusive served in flimsy plastic cups. A mozzie feast. One eye on the totally rubbish entertainment (if you get a seat in the cramped small area) & the other watching the kids (Running wild as nothing else to do) don't fall in the pool & drown.

The rooms were fine, but our kids could open our door with playing cards (125 and all along that row) so watch out.

Maids fine.

Restaurant manager very unpleasant, inside bar man the ultimate in rudeness.

Would we go back. Well I have complained to First Choice, if they offered me two weeks free next year with spending money I would honestly refuse it.

We spent more money here in 4 days than our previous holiday in total.

If you've booked cancel. If you must go pack the tummy medicine, you will need it.

We stayed at the Petra-mare the last week before it shut for the winter, and you could tell with all the things shutting down all week, like drinks machines also their was things like all the corridors were littered with rubbish and cig butts that were there all week.

We also had a run in with the restaurant manager who sent my son out of the restaurant without me even knowing his where abouts and then said he did not have to explain himself to me and walked off, as for the rest of the staff didn't have to much to do with them.

The SLIDES AND POOLS WERE GREAT for the kids also the beach was nice and clean. As with the other reviews we did not see that Mickey till on the way home we would go back as the resort was really nice and the people were really friendly and couldn't do enough for you.

What a holiday. We all had a fantastic time. Wide variety of food and drink. Rooms cleaned well daily. Entertainment was excellent. Our rep was brilliant. The Spikey one from Newcastle. Need any help see him, nothing is too much trouble. The lady below is certainly on a power trip. We will be going back again!!

There is something here for everyone. Food is good, rooms are clean, always something going on for everyone. Entertainment is great the Rep even joined in the shows. He should be on stage or TV he was great. Our kids loved him and so did everyone we spoke to. If you need anything go and see him. You cant miss him he's the one with the spikey hair. He is so entertaining. Kids clubs are brilliant certainly gave us a break. Definately reccomend it to anyone.

We have just come back from a week at the Petra Mare and it has been one of the best holidays we have ever had. Kids were only interested in the fantastic Water Park or watersports on the beach..what a helpful couple running the business..really nice to have that!.
The room was lovely and spacious, cleaned by maids each morning and towels changed each day and linen every other day...
Food in the restaurant was lovely, kids had their own food section too which was a nice touch. Food was great, varied selection each night and a lovely terrace overlooking the beach to sit and enjoy your meal. No complaints whatsoever. Kids did not go to the clubs as they aren't into that but the Creche facilities were great.(according to a Mum and Dad that we met)..the girls from First Choice always seemed really cheerful.

If the chance arises..take the day trip to Chrissi Island..you won't regret it !

After reading so many great reviews about this hotel, we thought we had found something for everyone. Our 4 year old absolutely loved the kids club even although she was the youngest there on some days and not to happy that the games were aimed at the 6 - 8 age group. The 11 year old didnt want to go to the clubs but eventually sucumbed during the 2nd week. Although there is a wide choice of food available, it is very repetative, ok if you want to feast on chips, pasta and hamburgers for two weeks but if you have fussy eaters, you wil have problems, not only that but food served in the snack bar is decidedly dodgy, ok if you get it when first served, but it is left to lie until it runs out. The hotel and staff were just as described previously and the reps are great, although blaming a sickness epidemic on someone from the UK was a bit underhand, particularly when about 30 guests were affected. The entertainment is definately for the "Butlins Brigade" but you have got to go and sample it a few times, it does put a smile on your face. Although most rooms are spacious, you get the short straw if you are next to a fire escape, they are decidedly smaller. Cleanliness is ok, just dont look under the bed, the maids tend to go for 5 minutes rather than 5 star. If I had guarantees that the food issue was resolved then I would definately go again

My Family and I visited The Petra Mare for two weeks all inclusive.
The first impressions was not disappointing. The marble surroundings and such a spacious entrance. It was very impressive.
Our room was clean and comfortable and lots of storage space.
With sea view and the town of Ierapetra to the right.
It was beautiful.
The food was excellent. So much variety we were spoilt for choice.
The staff were so friendly and helpful and really made you feel welcome.
There was entertainment every night. Mainly with the children in mind.
It would have been nice if there was one night of dancing for the adults. You had to get there early to get a table.
The entertainers did all the themed nights which was a bit like a Butlins atmosphere.

My son really enjoyed the various pool areas. The lazy river and the water slides.
He had private lessons with Swimkids. The instructor was brilliant and my son learnt to swim with confidance and even jump into the deep end at

the location of this hotel is great the hotel staff are friendly and vry helpful, the food was varied and well cooked and kids meals were always available. the only downsides to this holiday were the entertainment, this was all done by the entertainment team and although they all worked really hard was very samey and got very boring by the second week. our children also became very bored with the kids club soon into the holiday, and we didn't really find the reps very enthusiastic about what they were doing. also the floors were always slippery and there were a number of accidents whilst we were there with people slipping over and hurting themselves. i would visit this hotel again as it is perfect for families with children of all ages but i would like to know that the eveining entertainment had improved first.