We have just had a fabulous time at this complex.We stayed for 2 weeks with our two girls aged 13 & 5. We have to say they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The kids club for our 5 year old was entertaining and well supervised by qualified and enthusiastic staff. Our 13 year old preferred to stay away from the teenager club and we were very pleased she met new friends and they fully utilised the swimming pools/slides and spent a lot of time in the gorgeous sea.
As an active father I also fully enjoyed the sea sports available, water slides and pool games. I have the bruises to prove it!
My wife spent her time relaxing by the kiddies water pool park which kept all the smaller children entertained for hours,chatting to our new friends.
We met many new friends all with children and all of us really enjoyed the 2 weeks we spent together.
The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful.The lifeguards on the waterpark really earn their keep by ensuring the kids are safely away from the bottom of the slides before the adults come tumbling down!
Our room was cleaned daily,fresh sheets & towels, floors mopped,bin emptied,flutters tidied & privacy respected.
Dining room hours were good,the food well cooked and varied.There was a childrens selection at each meal time.
Beware the tiled floors in humid weather, they are treacherous.
Entertainment;The resident team, Caroline, Nicola, Nicky & Deano deserve a special mention.They worked very hard afternoons & evenings to keep us entertained.They provided a large range of activities ie Table tennis, quizzes, Water polo, Darts, Song & dance reviews & evening game shows after the kids mini disco.
Greek dancers came one night and we actually thought they where a little boring.

This was our first family holiday & "all inclusive" experience and were initially apprehensive about what we would find. However, our nervousness was soon dispelled. This hotel is excellent. The cleaning service is better than we have experienced anywhere, the rooms were thoroughly cleaned, daily, with fresh towels provided and the service was flexible and non intrusive.
The food was also of a high standard with an excellent choice and variety, although the eating experience could be manic some evenings with people jostling for position at the self service counters.
The snack bar was limited,however, with no provision of hot foods in the evenings. We felt this area could be improved.
The hotel is a long way from the airport ( 1-2 hrs)but this probably protects it (and the resort) from becoming a typical tourist resort. The whole atmosphere of the hotel/resort is friendly and family orientated and you always feel safe.
However, what really made our holiday was the people we met and the entertainments team. The hotel engenders a relaxed family feel and, therefore, attracts a similar client. Nobody abused the all inclusive package and there was never a hint of trouble, just people having a good time.
This was encouraged by an excellent and extremely hard working entertainments team. Firstly, let's not disillusion you by suggesting that the entertainmnent is "vegas", it's not. However, the team, with very limited resource and budget, manages very well to keep everyone happy (throughout day and night!), which is no mean feat when there is just 4 of you.
The evenings entertainment was a mixture of kids disco, caberet and/or fun and games (reliant on audience participation)and we never had a dull moment.
So we have to say a massive thank you to Caroline, Nicky, Deano and Nicola.. your efforts were greatly appreciated.
Finally, we would strongly recommend this hotel & resort..you will not be disappointed.

Hotel all that I had read about it-spacious,clean,lovely Gothic atmosphere. Food very varied and plentiful-chef cooking in front of you.Separate room with children's menu. Beautiful terrace to eat on overlooking the sea and the town.Lovely large clean rooms.Maids came in every day.Helpful staff on reception.Lots of watersports on the beach organised by a very friendly couple.
Also the trips we went on were very well organised.
Only drawback- too many people smoking in eating areas considering how many children were there.We thought perhaps they should adopt a non-smoking policy or at least non-smoking areas in all the eating areas.
Also, the entertainment didn't suit us -too much like Butlins abroad. The children weren't interested in it either. However,there were nice places to sit and have a drink without having to go near the entertainment area in the evenings.Otherwise perfect in all respects!

Our holiday was a week All-Inclusive at the Petra Mare Hotel in Iepetra, Crete.

The hotel is located right on the beach and a large proportion of the rooms have a sea view.

The food was of a good standard, though hot food was not always as 'hot' as it should have been. Other than that, the food was fine.

The staff were friendly and helpful but the entertainment was very much of the 'amature dramatic' sort.

I found the Petra Mare hotel to be excellent.

The hotel was so clean, the Greek staff were fabulous and friendly, and they would do anything for you. (Especially Poppy, Despina and Rannia). Alex the barman was so lovely, and always had a smile.

The entertainment was pathetic, although they did try their best. Caroline has a fantastic voice, she should go on pop idol. One complaint though, the rep from Newcastle with the spiky hair was ridiculously rude. On a number of occasions I was forced to listen to his crude and unbearable bad language. The lad is certainly in the wrong job role.

Other than that my family and I had a lovely holiday.

Thanks to the staff at the Petra Mare

All our family had a fantastic time here. Weather was great, hotel was fantastic. Very family orientated. Kids clubs, waterslides, entertainment was for both kids and adults. They put on shows wich were great. Our rep was so friendly, polite and helpfull and very knowledgeable. First rep we've had that made a difference to our holiday. Food is varied each day and have a kids section as well. We've already booked to go back next year.

Had a great week, children really enjoyed it. Reps were great, always something going on. Waterslides were greatly used, although only open for two hours a day. Food was good and there was a wide range. The entertainment was very child orientated, there were a few childless couples there who were disappointed. We would visit again.

Just got back from the Petra Mare 26/06/2004 what can i say brill.
The hotel was very clean the staff are very friendly and helpful,set right on the beach with lovely clear sea.

The food at the hotel is great with a good selection of both hot and cold food. Entertainment staff are very hard working (caroline,nikki,nicola & deano what a star).

Will be going back 2005.

This was our first holiday abroad with the children and also our first all inclusive. For a 3 star hotel I think the facilities were more than adequate. The children enjoyed the pools and the kids club. Everyone was friendly and helpful but the evening entertainment was pretty crap.

Location was lovely

Food got a bit 'samey' after a while but on the whole wasn't too bad

The hotel was very clean and there was a maids service in the room daily the staff were all very friendly and helpful. The entertainment was fantastic for families and the location was good right on the beach and within walking distance of the centre of ierapetra itself.