The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton

Muschtel Katifram

It’s our first night here, and unfortunately, I’m very disappointed. The pictures online promise a luxurious and dreamlike experience, but the reality on-site tells a very different story. We chose this hotel especially for our honeymoon, hoping for something truly special and unforgettable. However, upon entering the bathroom, one issue after another caught my eye: cobwebs on the ceiling, a partially broken shower, and poorly executed repairs that leave a sloppy impression. At the pool, most of the sunbeds were either dirty or damaged – see photos. At nearly €400 per night, I expected much more – especially when it comes to the basics being flawless. On top of that, the elevator is out of service, which is unacceptable for a hotel of this standard. The only positive aspect so far has been the friendly service from the staff. Sadly, that alone doesn’t make up for the many flaws. A big disappointment for an occasion that was supposed to be truly memorable.

Christian

Wonderful stay! The facilities were all excellent and the view from the room was beautiful! The customer service from the hotel was excellent! We had an issue with our car and they were willing to help. The lady who worked concierge was super helpful and made us feel so welcome and frequently checked on us throughout our stay. We loved the welcome drinks! Thank you :)

Lola Obareti

We had a lovely family vacation at Royal Senses. The location was absolutely stunning with the most scenic views in every direction and the perfect backdrop for an unplugged, peaceful experience. As a family traveling with a baby, we truly appreciated the calm atmosphere and the opportunity to slow down and connect. The highlights had to be the food—there was great variety every day, which kept things exciting and catered to a wide range of tastes. The service throughout our stay was genuinely spectacular; the staff was warm, attentive, and always ready to help. That said, we did have some inconvenience with the air conditioning in our room, which was not working for five days. This was especially tough with a baby and the heat, and unfortunately we weren’t offered a different room during that time, which was disappointing given the circumstances. Aside from that though, everything else exceeded our expectations. We left with beautiful memories and would love to return—hopefully with all the comforts fully functioning next time.

Rachel

The hotel had a lot of potential but falls short in so many areas. The construction is beautiful but the rooms look dated and worn. They need better cleaning and maintenance overall. We got an upgrade but our “sea view” was just a view of a building with a sliver of ocean. The food in the buffet is mediocre, but to be expected in a big hotel with mass production of food. However, there is a wide variety of choices and it is clean/organized. The food at the lunch restaurant was better- pricey but good portions. The pool area is lovely but be warned- lots of children. The hotel is also very far from the ocean. The construction is really nice but its very high up (not walkable- there’s a shuttle to take you to the beach)- you have to go under a highway and into another hotel to access the beach. That said, the beach is awful- not even worth a visit. You can tell its man-made and There’s these awful rocks that enclose it. If you’re in crete to enjoy the beach, dont book this hotel, its truly not nice at all.

liran av

**A Mixed Experience at Hilton – Great Service, but Room for Improvement** We recently stayed at the Hilton and had both wonderful and disappointing experiences. The Good: - **Stunning view** that made our stay more enjoyable. - **Spacious and comfortable rooms**, designed beautifully to create a relaxing atmosphere. - **Great hotel design** with attention to aesthetics and ambiance. - **Delicious meals** at breakfast and dinner, with a wide variety of options. - **Friendly and polite staff** who made an effort to accommodate guests. - **Outstanding management** that truly tried their best to ensure a good experience. - We received a **thoughtful gift for our anniversary**, which was a lovely touch! - Upon arrival after a difficult flight, **check-in was incredibly fast**, and we were given a room almost immediately—great service! - A **nice farewell present** was also given to us upon departure, which made us feel appreciated. Areas for Improvement: - While the food started off well, it **became repetitive**, lacking daily variety. - **Poolside bar food and cocktails** were underwhelming and overpriced. One example—a **€70 hamburger that was served in pita bread instead of a bun**, and was of poor quality. - **Staff professionalism needs improvement**—many employees struggled to answer basic questions. - At reception, **no helpful recommendations** were given regarding things to do in the area. Simple suggestions, like the **Panoramic Village**, could have been easily provided. - **Lack of activities**—on rainy days, there was nothing to do besides visiting the spa. - **Disappointing spa experience**—the indoor pool was **cold**, despite its supposed 28°C temperature. - **Massages were mediocre**, not meeting high-quality standards. - **€40 entrance fee to the spa** felt excessive and unreasonable. - **Room cleaning and fresh sheets** were below the expected standard for a five-star hotel. - **Limited seating near the pool**, making it hard to relax comfortably. - Some **walls near the rooms were damaged**—small maintenance issues that should be addressed. - **Occasional sewage smell** near our toilet, which was unpleasant. ### **Final Thoughts:** While the stay wasn’t terrible, we honestly **expected much more from a Hilton 5-star hotel**. The **excellent service and personal touches** made our experience enjoyable, but **there are several areas that need improvement** for the hotel to fully live up to its reputation. We still gave **5 stars** because of the attentive staff, but we sincerely **hope these issues are addressed** to enhance future guest experiences.