GK Beach Hotel

Rooms

There are three separate buildings – Hibiscus, Oleander, and Bougainvillea – whose suites are similarly sized (excluding the Penthouse), and come with views, colour schemes of caramel and aquamarine, and either a balcony or terrace to sit and admire the skies and seas.

The Hibiscus and Oleander Junior Suites (sleeping 2-3) are aimed at a couple with (or without) a child, having a double or twin room with an open-plan living area with a fully foldout chair-bed (suitable for under-16s). A few of these in the Hibiscus building come with a more spacious terrace for chilling or laid-back dining.

Next up, the Bougainvillea Suites (sleeping up to 4) are fine for 'compact' families, with one double or twin-bedded room, plus a separate living room with two single sofabeds (suitable for under 16s). If you come as a family, it does mean that your living room will basically become the kids' bedroom. In this category, we think it's worth paying the small extra for a first-floor one: the views are lovely.

If you want more space, try and get a pair of adjacent suites sharing a balcony in the Hibiscus or Oleander building. Or splash out on the two-storey Penthouse Suite in the Oleander building – a worthwhile indulgence. It sleeps up to 6 in two bedrooms (one double and a twin) plus a sofa bed with pull out trundle in the living room, perfect for families with older kids. The upper level master bedroom is ensuite with a walk-in shower and has its own dressing room.

All accommodations feature Bluetooth speakers, WiFi and air-con, and all bathrooms have showers and complimentary Korres toiletries.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bluetooth sound system
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Terrace/balcony
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

There’s a continental breakfast served every morning on the terrace overlooking the sea. The hotel also has its own beachfront taverna and bar serving traditional Greek food throughout the day – everything from club sandwiches and salads to more adventurous fare such as calamari, mussels, octopus and swordfish. Pork, beef and chicken (usually souvlaki) as well as moussaka and seafood pasta and risotto also feature and there are plenty of vegetarian/vegan options.

If you feel the urge to self-cater, all suites come with a kitchenette with a hob (1 ring in Bougainvillea Suites, 2 rings in Hibiscus and Oleander), fridge, and tea/coffee making facilities. You get complimentary sachets of coffee, tea, sugar and milk on arrival. There isn't a dining table as such, so you'll likely be eating simple snacks and light meals on your balcony or terrace which has a small table and chairs. The Penthouse Suite has a fully equipped kitchen with oven and dishwasher in addition. There's a supermarket just 5 minutes' walk away.

Within walking distance in Kalvyes, there are a host of eateries, again mainly serving traditional Greek fare – expect lots of feta, olive oil, slow-cooked meats. The most popular are situated along the sea front overlooking Souda Bay. The hotel also offers easy transfers to Chania which is brimming with great restaurants serving everything from pizza and burgers to tapas, sushi, Italian and more exotic Mediterranean cuisine.

Features include:

• Bar
• Hob or stove
• Kids' meals
• Kitchenette
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• At the hotel there are the pools, the lovely gardens, and the beach; you can book a massage too
  
• Wander through the charming streets of Chania Old Town (40 mins away), filled with vibrant shops, traditional tavernas, and historical sites like the Venetian Harbour and Lighthouse
  
• Cool off and have a splashing good time at Limnoupolis Water Park (23km). With various water slides and pools, it's a perfect spot for families seeking a day of fun
  
• Enjoy family picnics and outdoor activities at Agioi Apostoloi Park (20km) with its sandy beaches, shallow waters, and playground
  
• Explore the wildlife-rich Akrotiri Peninsula (24km), known for its diverse flora and fauna, and natural beauty; great for birding
  
• Explore the gorges – you can clamber through the famous Diktamos dry river gorge (just 20 mins away), or the deeper Imbros gorge with its renowned arch or, of course, the breathtaking Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe (but at 16 km it’s better suited to fitter teens)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Wildlife

Kids

GK Beach Hotel is extremely family friendly and welcomes families and groups of whatever size. There are cots and extra beds, family rooms, high chairs, kids menus and a complimentary summer kids’ programme of activities for 5-11 year olds (July-August only), as well as 4x2.5m kiddie pool that’s perfect for early learners. You can pre-order baby and toddler gear too.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The best rooms for young families are the ground floor Bougainvillea Suites, which sleep four (two adults, two kids) and come with either a main double bed or two twins. They’re also close to the pool so easy to nip back for extra supplies (or to use the loo). If you're bringing older kids then take two adjoining suites or the duplex Penthouse Suite which has two bedrooms.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 30 minutes
• Hospital: 20 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

GK Beach Hotel is located directly on Crete’s north western coast, near the small town of Kalyves, about 25km east from Chania and its airport.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Chania International, about half-an-hour away, which has some direct flights from the UK and other countries. Or you could fly to Heraklion (over 2 hours' drive) for a wider choice.

From the Airport
Car rental is widely available at Chania airport, and you can park easily at the property – you will probably want to explore a bit of the island too. A taxi will cost around GBP 50-60 although there is also a bus service which is much cheaper.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.