Petra Mare

We spent 10 nights at this hotel as a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 older teens - 16 and 18) from 7th - 17th July 2026 and it's one of the best hotels we've stayed at! What really stands out is the excellent customer service here, attention to detail from all of the hotel team, it's spotlessly clean and nothing is too much trouble. We had a bit of a mix up with our rooms on arrival and this was dealt with swiftly and professionally by Elisabet on Reception without question. Maria, Guest Relations Manager is incredibly helpful, friendly and made us feel so welcome throughout our stay - she takes a genuine interest in you and seems to pop up everywhere checking guests are happy. The hotel is right on a private beach (take water shoes as it's quite rocky and a bit slippery on entry) and whilst not golden sand, it's coarse sand that doesn't stick to you or get everywhere. It does get very hot as it's black sand so again, water shoes helpful, but there are walk ways throughout the beach area. Plenty of sunbeds on the beach, we didn't have any problems getting 4 at any time of the day - possibly because we stayed just before the majority of UK and European schools broke up for summer break. Beach towels are changed every 3 days at the spa and are of good quality. Our rooms had a sea view and this a big selling point for this hotel, it's stunning! Pulling back the curtain in the morning, looking out to sea you feel so relaxed. Our rooms were a good size, comfy beds, plenty of storage space, a safe, fridge with water provided daily, TV, hairdryer, daily cleaning service, a balcony with chairs, table and a drying area for wet towels etc, everything you'd expect from a 4* hotel. The food was tasty, lots of variety, so much choice for everyone to enjoy - all diets catered for. The restaurant and kitchen team work very hard keeping everything topped up and tables clean and cleared efficiently. We would recommend the Elia Cretan ala carte restaurant - my advice if you book this, don't eat too much during the day!! This was a highlight for us. The snack bar serves a range of snacks, drinks and ice creams - handy between meals and there is a beach bar where you can help yourself to soft drinks, local beer and local wine. There are a couple of reasonably priced shops on site, prices were mainly inline with the shops in town. Whilst you're in the area, it's worth a stroll into town to visit the archaeological museum, Napoleon's House and the old fortress, also lots of lovely little shops. We took a trip to Chrisi island (easy to arrange in town) which was stunning (take a beach parasol - no shade at all here) and hired a car to go exploring the north eastern coast. Something to consider is that this hotel is a long way from the airport, we booked a private transfer both ways and I'm glad we did, doing the journey on a coach would have felt like a real trek so it was worth spending the extra for the transfer. I would definitely recommend the Petra Mare for a relaxed, friendly and comfortable stay.

I have visited this hotel 5 separate times already and I simply love it. The location is nice, very close to the town of Ierapetra, just a short walk next to the beach and you’re there. It’s so peaceful in the hotel, just lovely if you’re going for a vacation and all the staff is so friendly. The rooms are big, clean, comfortable well equipped, big bathroom and shower. A couch! And the beds are super comfy. And the beach is also just lovely. Clean water, sand, nice big umbrellas, perfect for swimming. The hotel does have activities and a nice animation team, but it also gets calm in the evenings so perfect for sleeping. And the reastaurant is just perfect. Many varieties and everything just tastes so good, really lovely. And an amazing value this is amazing for the low price to what you get. If you want a nice holiday for the whole family (also great spot for kids) go here. Was here many times and will visit again!

"We have nothing but positive things to say about the Petra Mare hotel. The facilities and rooms are modern and classy, and the location and surroundings are just perfect. The staff is very competent and helpful, with diverse language skills. It is just as well-suited for family vacations as it is for adults traveling without kids. The food is truly delicious, featuring a varied, high-quality buffet. Lots of variety, including lots of local food selection. The all-inclusive alcoholic beverages are premium brands. The cleanliness is impeccable and clinical throughout the entire hotel.

The only areas for improvement are: the quality of the wine selection for the all-inclusive, the afternoon snacks for children (pancakes or waffles would have been nicer, in addition to ice cream), and finally, the size of the buffet facilities can sometimes be undersized during peak periods, which can cause some stress when getting your food."