Sentido Amounda Bay

“Pretty hotel, calm atmosphere but still fun for kids”

This hotel is deceptively lovey, I don’t think the photos do it justice. I booked with Jet2 and was initially a little confused about whether this was the Sentido Amounda Bay, but it is the same hotel. It is not a huge hotel, just busy enough to make it interesting, but still very tranquil and c… Mais

This hotel is deceptively lovey, I don’t think the photos do it justice. I booked with Jet2 and was initially a little confused about whether this was the Sentido Amounda Bay, but it is the same hotel. It is not a huge hotel, just busy enough to make it interesting, but still very tranquil and calm. The staff were great, everything was done quickly. Lots of nice attention to detail and the grounds were very pretty. The guests were also very nice, there was definitely a sense of relaxation here. At first it seems a little out of the way but there is a supermarket directly opposite (which did not open until 1st June. I don’t know if this is always the case). But it didn’t matter, if you turn right out of the hotel the shops and nice restaurants are only a 5-10 minute walk away in Amoudara. At check-in around midnight we had a warm welcome and offered a complimentary drink at the bar (all inclusive was only available until 11pm). There was a plate of bread rolls, cold meat, cheese and salad waiting for each of us in our room when we arrived, which was a nice touch. Rooms - our room was a superior family room. Not laid out as per the photos, but better. It was a large room with a big balcony and a high glass safety partition. I would have been confident to have a toddler here. There was a huge king-sized bed, with a full single bed next to it and then another full single bed next to that, a desk and chair on the opposite wall and a mini fridge with free bottles of water. We all agreed the beds were really, really comfy. The bathroom was clean and the shower was lovely and warm and powerful. We were in the main white block over the dining room, which we found to be a peaceful spot. There was some disco noise on some evenings until around 10pm, but it didn’t affect us, having teenagers. Entertainment - there were friendly entertainment staff and a few activities on offer. There was water polo and aqua aerobics every day and I also saw some archery and darts. We got invited every day, but nobody tried to persuade us if we said no, which was a nice change! In the evenings there were different acts each night; singers, keyboard players, dancers. Not huge shows, but nice and relaxing. Pools - there were 2 pools: one rectangular which was the busier of the 2. They played (quiet) music and did the aqua aerobics here. This seemed to be more popular with families, although you can use either pool. This also had a small rectangular baby pool next to it with separate sun loungers. Then a 2 minute walk away towards the back of the complex was an absolutely outstanding freeform pool, which had no music and was so tranquil. There is no deep end, so good for ball games with kids and it has 3 wooden bridges that you can swim under. At both pools there were sun beds mounted into the water and at the side of the pool were wooden sun beds with thick mattresses and so comfy. Every 2 beds had a wooden parasol. There was generally good availability - I don’t think people were getting up early to reserve them and the ones in the water were nearly always available. Both pools were initially cold for a few seconds, but warmed up really quickly once you were in (last week of May). Beach - you take a short 5 minute walk out of the front door in a straight line to the beach and turn right after the volleyball court and there are the same comfy sun beds and parasols with good availability and also around 10 cabanas with curtains which are free to use! This was great for us because we have always had to pay in the past at other hotels. The beach bar was great, hot dogs and sandwiches all the time, soft drinks and alcohol and bags of hand made crisps and popcorn every day. The sea was a gorgeous turquoise colour - lovely and calm on some days and good waves for wave-jumping on other days. There was not a lifeguard on duty until 1st June, which seemed to be the start of the season. The beach is soft and sandy with about 5 metres of pebbles and smooth rocks at the shore line when you first get in but then it becomes soft and sandy underfoot again and you can walk out quite far. Food - the main restaurant was great, the food was really tasty and plenty of it, good selection and you didn’t have to queue at all. Containers were refilled quickly. The dining was an indoor/outdoor room with glass walls, which overlooked the pool and was lovely and the chairs were so comfy. It was easy to get a table, once or twice we had to wait 1 minute or so for a table to be cleared but that was all. The staff were extremely efficient. There was also a lovely poolside restaurant called Gogos. This had a smaller selection of things like handmade chips, gyros, salads, hot dogs, pizzas for lunch but was always very quiet and I’m not sure that people knew they could eat there. In the evening this turns into their à la carte. With Jet2 we were given one free visit here during our stay. It was traditional Cretan food and very tasty, with extra choices for kids if they didn’t like the main menu (chicken nuggets, fish fingers, pasta etc). Drinks - self-service in the restaurant which had soda fountains, beers and wines on tap. The juices are VERY sweet but there is nice freshly squeezed orange juice on a separate table in the restaurant at breakfast. The poolside bars always seemed to be open with very little queuing and the staff were fast. Cocktails were ok, but again very sweet due to the fruit juices they use. Overall, I feel this hotel was much higher quality than the photos show. The atmosphere was amazing, the hotel itself was pretty with good facilities and attention to detail for the guests, the staff were very helpful and courteous and fast (and had superb English which was helpful for me!). We absolutely loved it here. Thank you for making our first time in Crete so special, I hope we get chance to come back!

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“Lovely May break”

Just back from a 10 night holiday. Hotel was lovely & clean. Staff were very friendly. Room was cleaned daily. Bed and towels changed regularly. Food was very good but could have been a wee bit hotter but there is a microwave that you can use. Best sunbeds we’ve had, and no problem getting one . D… Mais

Just back from a 10 night holiday. Hotel was lovely & clean. Staff were very friendly. Room was cleaned daily. Bed and towels changed regularly. Food was very good but could have been a wee bit hotter but there is a microwave that you can use. Best sunbeds we’ve had, and no problem getting one . Drinks were very good, named brands. Evening Entertainment was good and the boys tried their best to get folk to participate in the daytime entertainment . Sorry we didn’t as were to chill! Went to the beach one day but did not stay as sand was blowing about. Only negative was the cats walking about under the sunbeds and into the restaurant, where 2 decided to mate under one of the tables!! The general manager walks about the hotel and eats in restaurant daily but does not acknowledge anyone, unlike the restaurant manager and the rest of the staff who acknowledge you all the time. Would recommend but won’t be back due to my fear of cats!

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“Good experience at Sentido Amounda Bay hotel”

Location of hotel was good. Short transfer time from Heraklion airport. Good travelling distance to a number of tourist sites. Standard room was spacious and the view across the pools was good. Balcony was spacious with a drying rack for wet towels etc. Rooms were cleaned daily. Cuisine was good wi… Mais

Location of hotel was good. Short transfer time from Heraklion airport. Good travelling distance to a number of tourist sites. Standard room was spacious and the view across the pools was good. Balcony was spacious with a drying rack for wet towels etc. Rooms were cleaned daily. Cuisine was good with varied selection. The hotel was generally quiet and had a relaxed atmosphere about it, with the staff being helpful and friendly. Our all-inclusive stay was certainly value for money. The hotel had a beach area within a five minute walk. The beach area had plenty of sunbeds available and the hotel snack bar was close by, offering a limited choice of food but was really nice to be able to go there. The beach was sandy and swimming in the sea was pleasant. The hotel had a tennis court which was kept in good condition. There were two pools, both with their own snack bar, toilets, and a good number of sunbeds. The hotel did not have its own small shop but a supermarket and other shops were closeby- a five minute walk from the hotel. The hotel had a luggage room which is handy for those guests who have flights later in the day or in the evening. In the evening, there was entertainment provided. All in all, our stay in the hotel was very pleasant and enjoyable. We would recommend it to anybody wishing to have a holiday in Crete.

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“An amazing hotel”

An amazing hotel! From the moment we arrived (late due to Jet2 flight delay) we were greeted with such friendliness, luggage was taken to our room & as we had missed dinner, a cold plate was waiting for us in our fridge. All the staff are so friendly, helpful & fun. The room was spotless & had ever… Mais

An amazing hotel! From the moment we arrived (late due to Jet2 flight delay) we were greeted with such friendliness, luggage was taken to our room & as we had missed dinner, a cold plate was waiting for us in our fridge. All the staff are so friendly, helpful & fun. The room was spotless & had everything we could possibly need, including the wonderful swim up pool. Food was one of the best buffet style selections we have ever had. Lots of choice & top quality. The pool areas were fantastic & clean, pool bars great & the beach bar & sunbeds a welcome extra. Would highly recommend & will definitely be returning!

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