Mitsis Royal Mare

Just finishing up our stay at Mitsis Royal Mare and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better holiday!

The rooms were always clean and well looked after, and the housekeeping and minibar staff were fantastic. We stayed right outside the Kalypso pool and bar. We never heard any of the evening entertainment when we got back to our room, which was a nice surprise.

The location right on the beach is brilliant, although it is quite a distance from Heraklion city centre. Reception were more than happy to arrange a private transfer for us, which cost €55 and made things really easy.

The atmosphere throughout the hotel is amazing — very relaxed and peaceful. The quality of everything, from the rooms to the food and drinks, was excellent, and we genuinely felt like we got great value for money.

The Kalypso Bar was definitely our favourite. The staff were absolutely top quality, especially Maria, who was so friendly and always up for a great conversation. The evening staff at the Delfinia Pool Bar were also brilliant.

For breakfast, we mainly saw Anna, who was amazing. She was incredibly quick and always remembered what we liked to drink, which made our mornings even better!

All in all, we had an amazing stay. Every member of staff we came across was friendly, helpful and went above and beyond to make sure everyone was having a great holiday.

We would definitely come back and would highly recommend Mitsis Royal Mare to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday with fantastic food, great facilities and brilliant staff!

An exceptional resort with luxury, beautiful surroundings, and impeccable service. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making our stay truly special.Thank you to Mrs Lipaki Rooms Division Mgr for taking care of everything we needed!!! A perfect place for an unforgettable holiday - highly recommended!

Three years ago, we discovered Mitsis Royal Mare, and it completely redefined what a perfect family vacation looks like. After spending two unforgettable weeks here for the third consecutive year (mid-June to early July, 3 adults and 3 children), we can confidently say that this resort does not just maintain its 5-star standard—it surpasses it every single time. This year, the warmth of the welcome literally brought tears of joy to our eyes. We truly felt like we were coming home to family.

We stayed in room 922 (Athena 4). The room was immaculately clean, incredibly spacious, and perfectly maintained. The housekeeping throughout the entire resort is flawless; you will not see a single piece of litter anywhere. A massive thank you to our room's housekeeper for her swift, efficient, and polite work, and to the room service team for the seamless minibar refills, daily water, and those lovely extra touches that we didn’t even order but deeply appreciated!

Culinary Excellence & Great Innovations

The food and drink offerings remain unmatched. The main restaurant buffet is incredibly diverse, and the ability to visit the five distinct à la carte restaurants adds the perfect culinary variety. A huge thumbs up for the new concept at Albatross Beach Restaurant! Transforming it into a fast-food style spot was a brilliant change—our teenagers absolutely loved being able to grab delicious meals and take them back to the room.

An Animal-Friendly Paradise

One of the most beautiful aspects of this resort is how they care for the local homeless cats. If you are not a cat person, they will never disturb your meals or relaxation. But if you love animals, the resort has dedicated feeding and watering stations for them. During our stay, we witnessed the resort’s vet coming twice to check on the cats' well-being, and we were even allowed to participate in caring for them. This exceptional empathy and animal friendliness deeply touched our hearts.

Flawless Facilities & Entertainment

From the smooth luggage service and perfect reception to the lifeguards keeping everyone safe at the main pools and the private beach, the level of professionalism is outstanding. The evening entertainment with live music and performances next to the main building was a nightly highlight. The arcade hall was also a massive hit with the children, offering great entertainment while allowing them to practice their English skills with the lovely staff.

The Heart and Soul of the Resort: The Exceptional Staff

While the facilities, the crystal-clear waters, and the food are spectacular, it is the staff that makes Mitsis Royal Mare legendary. We received so much more than what we paid for because of these incredible individuals:

Mr. Giorgios Mandalakis: Our guardian angel. Once again, he did everything in his power—and then exceeded his own high standards—to ensure our booking and holiday were flawless. He possesses a rare wisdom in truly understanding the customer, and his politeness and warm friendliness are profoundly genuine.

Manolo (Italian Restaurant & Brunch): True gentleman service that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the world today. From politely assisting with a chair to pouring coffee, he radiates authenticity. The respectful way he treats his colleagues creates a wonderfully relaxed and cheerful atmosphere for everyone. A true star!

Bilal (Pan Asian Restaurant): So warm-hearted, genuine, and kind. He is an outstanding professional who goes above and beyond, making a wonderful effort to connect with and include child guests.

Irini (Brunch & American Restaurant): A beautiful, sunny soul whose genuine politeness and warm smile never fade.

Herson (Minos Bar): Our reliable, energetic, and polite go-to waiter. He always found extra chairs for our larger group and kept our glasses full. The girls send their warmest greetings to their favorite "Pink Lemonade Man"!

Hazel (Main Restaurant): A wonderful new addition to the team! A lovely young woman whose beautiful smile brightens up the entire room.

Elvis (Mediterranean Restaurant): Another fantastic newcomer. He is amazingly professional, extremely polite, and carries himself with the confidence and skill of a highly experienced veteran.

Pela (Main Restaurant Greeter): What a lovely, warm, and welcoming personality. You are absolutely the right woman in the right place!

The Main Restaurant Floor Manager (Brunette with long hair): An absolute powerhouse! Amazingly efficient, incredibly friendly, and full of humor. There was no issue she couldn't solve instantly with a smile. Keep up the fantastic work!

F&B-George: A true gentleman, always present in the background, greeting guests with a warm and polite smile.

Mrs. Hotel Manager: It was a pleasure exchanging a few words with you at the cocktail party. You are a true leader with wonderful values, which clearly reflects in your incredible staff.

Guest Relations Anna: Thank you for the delightful chats! Your joyful and friendly personality made our days even brighter.

The Arcade Hall Attendant (Ms/Mrs): Thank you for being so kind and child-friendly. The kids loved interacting with you and practicing their English!

The Housekeeping Supervisor (Ms/Mrs): Thank you so much for your exceptional kindness. She stepped in to help us care for the local cats, frequently checked in on us to see how we were doing, and was always incredibly polite and attentive—especially toward the children's concerns for the welfare of the cats.

Skipper Stefanos (Rib Trips): This private boat trip is a must-experience! Stefanos is a fantastic man who picks you up from the hotel, guides you to breathtaking bays for swimming, snorkeling, and SUP boarding, and shares fascinating stories about Greek culture and history. Ending the trip with refreshments and music during a stunning sunset is as close to paradise as you can get. If you are traveling in smaller groups, we highly recommend asking the hotel to arrange a private Rib Trip with Skipper Stefanos!

To the entire team at Mitsis Royal Mare—including the bartenders, beach staff, musicians, performers, and maintenance crew—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You didn't just give us a holiday; you gave us memories that will last a lifetime.

We cannot wait to return for Year 4! Greetings from Finland!