Lovely Hotel. Room very nice and clean. Balcony door opened to a sea view. Food very nice. Entertainment geared towards children, but we had a laugh too. Resort is not the prettiest in Greece. Good value for money. Would definitely go again.

When we booked to go to the hotel Petra Mare we checked on the reviews of other holiday makers and was worried if we had made a mistake. Well when arriving at the hotel we new we had not,the hotel was spotless, and you could see staff really took pride in their work. The transfer time also was a worry, and yes it was a long trip but well worth it. The food allowed for all tastes. The entertainment was a little slow going when we arrived as the holiday reps were working under staffed, but they soon got to grips with working with people down and put on a good show (Well done to you all). Just a little tip if you want to enjoy your holiday, get to know the holiday reps, they are really friendly and like to have your feedback. Also join in as many of the games as poss that way you make new friends. We enjoyed our holiday so much we have booked to go again this June.

We arrive at the Petra Mare hotel quite late at night, we checked in and thought we had missed the evening meal, the receptionist informed us that there was a late meal for us laid on. This consisted of cold chicken bread, salad etc, which was lovely after our long journey and totally unexpected. The staff were very helpful. The next two weeks were the best family holiday I have ever had. The accomdation was lovely and the cleaners came in every day. The food was lovely and there was a theme every night. I had some snails but the children declined!!! Ice cream twice a day for the kids in two hour slots. The cafe next to the pool was constantly replenishing chips/pizza/sausages and cheese/cold meats salads etc all day. There was wine/beer throughout the day if you fancied a beer. The childrens club was brilliant, my little boy loved it the second week as his cousins only stayed a week, so got a bit bored when they had gone home. The kids club staff/entertainment staff were very committed and hard working and hadn't really had a lot of time to prepare the entertainment. We went into town one day - it must have been a saturday, the market was on, we had a look round there and bought some strawberries and cherries, not on the menu at the Petra Mare. One day we hired a car and went to the Aquarium near Heraklion (about an hour away). There was a shop just outside the hotel - with a phone box just next to it, you could buy phone cards in the gift shop within the hotel, they also sold newspapers, sweets,water, toiletries, souvenirs etc, open till about 9 or 10 at night. There was a supermarket about 10 minutes down the road, that sold absolutely everything. Also internet access - about two euros for about 15 minutes. The hotel was right on the beach, I would recommend taking sea shoes with you as the sand is a bit rough. There was water sports (at a cost), we went on the last day and treated ourself to a ride!!! All in all the hotel was lovely, food lovely, staff lovely, constantly keeping it clean. I would recommend this hotel to families.

I am 18 and had the best holiday here. the staff were really friendly and up for a laugh. i have never been to a cleaner hotel. the pools were amazing a little on the cold side but still fun. Our party ranged from the ages of 5 - 60 and we all had a great time. we went out of season so there wasnt any entertainment for the first week but still managed to entertain outselves due to the great hotel facilities eg/ table tennis arcade pool tables air hockey ect.

Having arrived in the early hours of the morning we were quickly checked in to the hotel and we had a walk around the place looked nice but next morning at breakfast was a different matter, the fried eggs were swimming in an inch of fat, dinner was no better and tea just got worse, the food was disgusting if you like pork chunks in gravy and then in curry sauce for tea or brown bits of chicken and lamb fat on bones you were fine. the same food appeared every day and what ever was left over went into the snack bar the next day. There was no daytime entertainment or lazy river. The pools were filthy with insects leaves and sand in them, the water was murky and smelt of sewage. we found the staff at the hotel itself to be very rude. there were no trips to go on. we were told at the time of booking that a full entertainment package and trips would be available. There was nothing we asked to be moved to another hotel only to be told that all the hotels had closed down the end of september. Everyone you spoke to were complaining from young familys to oaps. There is absoulty nothing for teenagers to do. My kids did go to the kids club out of boredem they either watched dvd or played playstation, they can do this at home. My son came out of the kids club heaving after the chocolate party. They were asked to melt a chunck of chocolate in their mouths and then dribble it out into a tissue. If this is what first choice call entertainment then i feel very sorry for the tourists visiting this place. It was like being stuck in hell. We walked upto the town expecting some sort of tourist/souvanir shops but there was nothing. The evening entertainment was rubbish, the mini disco was playing music from 15 yrs ago and it was the same thing every night, The reps were kepy busy filling in customer complaint forms, the reps did tell us that they have been having complaints about the food for the last 6 mths so why have first choice done nothing about this. The bedding had holes in it and the only tv in the place was in the rooms which had english channels but foreign dubbing. I have stayed in many 3 and 4* hotels and they have never been like this i would rate this place as a 2*. On our return home we went to the travel agents armed with the photos and customer service report they were disgusted, infact they commented that the hotel is still in the bochure for next year for familys. if you have small children and just want to get away from it all and dont mind eating food i wouldnt feed to my dog then you will be ok, but if you have teenagers forget it. both of mine wanted to come home by the second day, I would of had more fun at blackpool for a week and it would have cost alot less. I have wrote a letter to first choice demanding my money back the place need knocking down which we are told is going to happen in the 2 years. I would never go back the staff are rude and never even smile. HATED IT

Hi, I will keep it brief, we went to Petra Marie expecting to have a great time as per the brochure. mmm... this was not to be, don't get me wrong for the most part the hotel was okay. The food was abysmal morning noon and night, cleanliness of the room wasn't up to much either, main areas were okay. Staff were not particularly friendly, although the barman was a nice chap. Reps were good with the kids. Like others have said here this place is not the best and if you go late in the season forget it, everything closes including the hotel shop and all trips cease. Pools are okay for kids and slides etc that aspect is fine. But man the food and we all have to eat, was absolutely disgusting swimming in grease, oh and if your having toast put it in the day you arrive and it should be toasted by time to go home. Awful.

Would we recommend it? no!
Is there better? oh yes!

We heard it is to be knocked down this year to be replaced, one can only hope that they sack the kitchen staff too, or local sandwich shop has more variation.

Just don't go, go elsewhere.

The first thing I said when I saw the hotel was wow. It looked really nice from the outside and even nicer from the inside. You could tell it was really clean from the shiney floors and walls. Staff were really nice when we checked. Got to our room. I was sharing with my partner, my 8 year old daughter and 14 week old son. I was very surprised to see they had put a cot in the room for us and was very happy about that. We had a moutain view which wasn't the nicest of views, but I didn't mind. My parents payed for a sea view which I would advise you do as it is lovely. Well worth the money.
The 1st couple of days were good. Kids loved the pools and the water park, but after that you realise there is nothing really to do. Lerapetra is really small and apart from a few bars a short walk away there is nothing really to do. Unless you can hire a car and drive around. All I really done was sit and watch my daughter at the pool. The beach is lovely and we had lots of fun when the waves would go really fast over us it was funny.
The food is mostly the same every night, which I became really sick of, but they have to cater for different nationalities so they can't really please everyone. They have a snack bar open most of the day which you can have chips and pizza. I think I put on about 2 stone as I kept eating the pizza and chips from boredom.
This is only a good holiday if you like to just sit around and get a tan rather than go anywhere. The kids will love it as they have great pools and the kids club is excellent. The first choice reps really do work hard for the kids. It is good as it is on the beach, but as I say Lerapetra hasn't really got anything near by so would only go here if you want to do nothing really for a week, but go to the pool or the beach.

Sorry ment to rate the hotel as being really clean, with towels being changed everyday and your room cleaned everyday. Cleaners really worked hard in there. If it was in a better location it would be the perfect hotel.

We arrived at the hotel at 6.30pm to a very quick check-in. We had a large family room which slept 6 and had a sea view, which i must say was stunning. We were also fortunate to have one of the larger balconys. The room was spotless and kept that way every day with clean towels every day and bedding every other day. The cleaners worked very hard.
The pools were great. My two youngest kids loved the kids pool whilst my eldest was occupied by the lazy river and the water slides, (great fun for adults too!)As with the rooms, the pools were kept spotless.
The kids clubs were great. My youngest 2 were in bugs bunny and the eldest in wavelength. They had great fun taking part in chocolate partys and dvd and munchie nights. Some activities were payable, but only a small price reallly to keep the kids happy.The kids clubs reps were brill.
The food was ok. Breakfast was a bit hit and miss, but evening meals were better. I chose something different every night. If you do fancy a change though, Zorbas cafe on the rocks in town is worth a visit, their peppered steak is to die for!! The snack bar became a bit repetative, mainly pizza and chips which is fine if your not allergic to cheese!! The drinks were self service with a few drinks despensers scattered around.
Being located on the beach was great. Be warned to wear something on your feet on the beach as the sand is hot! For the more adventourous, the watersports are a must, especially the crazy sofa. 15 euros per person but definately worth it.
Lerapetra is just a short walk from the hotel with a handful of shops and bars. Its quiet there and ideal for families who want to get away from hustle and bustle. We went on two excursions, one to Aqua plus Waterpark, which was a wicked day out, and one to Chrissy island which was very relaxing and well worth it.You can book Chrissy island in town but we booked through our reps. It costs a little bit more but you do get two kids reps with you for the day who keep the kids occupied, well worth the couple of extra euros!! We also hired a car for the day and drove out to Agios Nikolaos, a place definately worth a visit.
The entertainment was a bit hit and miss. Think of Butlins. The entertainment reps worked hard but they're not profesionals so it wasn't their fault. I think though that for the money your paying, the hotel could splash out on a couple of caberet acts and take the pressure off the reps.
Overall, we had a fantastic holiday. The weather was hot and we saw some Greek culture. Would definately go there again.

We all really enjoyed our holiday at the Petra Mare Hotel, we had one of the larger rooms which had 2 double beds a single and a sofabed, could have done with a partition round one of the doubles!!!!but it was clean and spelt fresh.It also had a large balcony with an amazing view of the sea.
The food wasn't great and the resterant staff wern't exactly the happiest,but the waterslides and kids pool made up for it .All our kids whent in the kids clubs and had a great time,the First Choice kids club staff were fantastic.Our two little ones loved the mini disco that First Choice done at the stage but me hubby and our daughter preferred the El Paso bar,but don't get there too early as they do the german kids disco first!!!
Make sure you go snorkling in the sea,there are loads of fish and they come right up to you.
Overall it was a great holiday and none of us wanted to go home,the only thing that could have been better was the food.