We booked a weeks holiday at the Petra Mare at very short notice. It had to fit into a particular time frame and we wanted to go to Greece or Turkey.

The price was good for an all inclusive holiday. We were put off by the fact that the hotel is described as being 'family oriented', but assured by First Choice that by the time we went all the kids would be back at school.

After booking the holiday I read the reports on this site and was worried by some of the comments about the hotel food, although other reports said that it was excellent.
We found the hotel to be very clean, except on the last day when we used something called the 'courtesy room' to shower and change in before getting the night fligt home.

People using this room had turned it into a dump.
My worries about the food were completely removed on the first day. As the rep explained to us travelling from the airport, there is a huge variety of food available. If you try to eat everything every day you soon run out of options. If you limit yourself to one or two dishes though, you can easily have a varied diet. I had rabbit one day; something I hadn't eaten since I was a kid. It was lovely. Another day; liver, tender and tasty; other days; hamburgers, fish, lamb, and pork.

There aren't many foods I don't like so I never had a problem choosing different meals - although I loved their mashed potato and had it several times even though there was rice, chips, and pasta to chose from. I loved all of the veggies that they cooked; runner beans, broccolli, carrots, and even sprouts. The sprouts were lovely - cooked to perfection. I also tried some of the other dishes - the stuffed tomatoes and ocra for instance. I never left anything on my plate because the food was so good. My advice to people who find their apetites a bit jaded - go for a long swim or walk before dinner to work up an appetite.

For lunches I usually had a plate of salad; making up different combinations each day.

For breakfasts there was enough variety available. I usually had scrambled eggs with something - reconstituted bacon (very tasty), little smoky flavoured sausages, tomatoes, eggy bread, fried potatoes. To be honest I don't care much about having different breakfasts every day. I could have had the cold meats and cheeses, the sweet pastry dish, cereals, fruit, yogurt, etc, etc.

The all inclusive alcoholic drinks available with meals consisted of rose or white wine or lager. All were acceptable to wash a meal down with but I wouldn't drink the stuff all night. I tried the raki one night and then switched to ouzo. The next thing I knew it was morning and I was laying on my bed still dressed. oops! Didn't do that again.

I had read postings on this site complaining about plastic cups. These make sense in the pool area because broken glass and bare feet don't mix too well, but I couldn't understand why they served 'paid for' drinks in glasses and 'free' drinks in plastic cups in the bar in the evenings.

It was almost as though they wanted to discourage people from asking for the 'free' local drinks. We took a couple of plastic goblets to use, and I would advise anyone else to do the same. Take your own drinking implements and fill them up from the plastic cups.

The hotel location was a little way out of the town; a nice walk in the evenings but a scorcher in the mid day sun. It had its own sand and shingle beach and you had to be a bit careful entering the sea. My advice is to slip on goggles or a mask and start swimming in two feet of water with yout head under until you find a good depth to swim in.

The staff were always polite and friendly. The waitresses who had to tip away piles of food that people had left because their eyes were bigger than their bellies deserve true admiration. Well done girls, you do a wondeful job and I apologise for my fellow holidaymakers gluttony.

The entertainment was probably wonderful. I can't comment because we didn't participate. Family entertainment isn't our thing now our kids have grown up and left home.

It would have been nice if our room had not been located right over the stage, or it had double glazing to cut out the noise. Not that we're miserable people. Our idea of a nice evening is to sit with a few glasses of wine watching life go by or playing cards. We don't need to be entertained.

We wouldn't go to this hotel again, or this resort, or even Crete. There are so many other places that we haven't seen yet. Next time we will look for somewhere smaller and avoid 'family oriented'. Perhaps half board would be preferable to full board.

The Petra Mare does a wonderful job of keeping families fed and entertained for the duration of their holidays. I have no doubt that some families never leave even have to the hotel for the duration of their stay.

We like to see a bit of local life and history and culture. A Greek evening excursion (as we have been to in Kos) would have been nice, but the Petra Mare isn't really geared up for people who like that kind of thing I don't think.

We stayed at the Petra Mare for two weeks, and had a wonderful time, as did our daughter, who's four. As already stated, the key with the food is to not "try a bit of everything" as it will soon get repetitive. If you stick to one or two dishes a night, then there is plenty of variety and the specialities are really good. Especially enjoyed were the "proper" kebabs and the snails. Breakfast were good and wholesome and lunch was as dinner really.

The hotel cleanliness was always of a good standard and the cleaners seemed to work from 7am to midnight. Rooms were cleaned daily with fresh towels being provided also daily.

The hotel location is on the outskirts of the town, which is not very touristy (a good thing in my opinion). There's some good shops nearby and I only wish I had gone into town more, but having put my back out that put paid to going very far at all.

The hotel staff were great. Always helpful and courteous whatever time of day and night, and were even happy to help with me needing to receive and return a fax. We also required the services of a doctor whilst away due to our daughter catching impetigo and one was at the hotel within 45 minutes. All staff seemed to speak good english, which was just as well as my greek is not good.

The bars were excellant. The main bar open in the evening (and which served drinks in proper glasses whether all inclusive or not) was fantastic and the barman (generally Alex) was always friendly and polite. The snack bar also had a good range of cold food throughout the evening - with hot snacks (chips/pizza etc) during the day and a full range of the all inclusive drinks available.

The entertainment was brilliant. Now we are not normally into the evening entertainment, but I loved it. On the First Choice side (there is a seperate taverna where the german and polish guests seemed to go) there are four full time entertainers who really put their all into ensuring that the guests have a good time and I for one will be writing to First Choice's head office to commend them. They all made a point of getting to know all the kids, as did the seperate kids club reps, and that was a major plus. So thanks to Gareth, Nick, Nat and Vicki! There was a mixture of games and shows that kept us entertained most evenings. Thanks also to Teresa the swim kids rep.

I would absolutely visit the hotel again. Even the transfer and resort reps were great - and with such tragic circumstances surrounding the hotel this year, they were an absolute credit to First Choice.

It is difficult to find any fault with this hotel. Yes the beach could be better and the food could become repetitive but that is the case in most hotels but what was served was a large selection of well cooked tasty food with some lovely sweet dishes all very well presented. It was a real pleasure to eat in the open air part of the restaurant over looking the beach with a fantastic sea view.

The rooms were basic but perfectly adequate and kept clean, our room was a sea view which despite the scorching heat is well worth the extra paid.

As just mentioned the weather was scorching, not a speck of rain which considering it was late Sept/early Oct cannot be complained at!

The hotel itself was well equipped with some really good slides that kept the kids busy, pool games organised by the first choice reps and the hotel's animation team were organised daily although my kids didn't join in until the end of their holiday which is typical really. All the reps were friendly and well mannered as I say I find it difficult to find fault really.

The night time entertainment suited all ages really. I travelled with the in laws/grandparents who preferred the piano bar as they didn't have to worry about being dragged up on stage but we liked both the other bars.

However, the first choice area was usually packed so we went in the 'el paso' or 'international' bar most evenings. whereas the first choice bar was largely cabaret shows performed by the reps (who were very good, especially the rep who had been at Pegasus palace in turkey the year before).

The 'el paso' was audience participation games and prize bingo. we had some hilarious nights in this bar as my husband was dragged up at every opportunity - I feigned illness so I could just sit and laugh at him making a fool of himself! They generally force fed people Ouzo in large quantities and we all sat and watched the results.

Many of the Brits were put off this bar due to the fact that the entertainment was in several languages but really it was quite easy to follow what was happening and the animation team were very welcoming.

On our last day the compere gave our two boys a free voucher for the Ringo's on the beach as it was obvious they had been disappointed not to win one on the bingo.

The main town is about 15 minutes walk from the hotel and has all the shops you could need, we spent a pleasant evening in 'cafe on the rocks'and found all the locals to be very nice, look out for the little pup in one of the shops called 'scooby' my kids insisted on getting a photo of him before we left they were quite smitten!

We did the Chrissi island trip from the harbour, we booked this through the reps and this was my only disappointment, yes the island is lovely , the sea is an amazing colour but to pay around 90 pound for a day trip and then walk to the harbour - not far I know but we could have booked in the town to do that- and then fork out more for sunbeds when you get there is just too much. also we got caught short and had to go trekking to find the toilet or wee in a bush!

On a whole I would say that this is an excellent hotel with something for all ages. It must be good as we rarely return to the same place twice but have already booked to return to the petra mare next year!

Not a lot to add to the previous comments - a very nice holiday in general. However, I would say that the First Choice staff were the rudest and most ignorant bunch of people I've ever met.

The "entertainment team" were the worst - they were arrogant show offs, assuming that everyone should be grateful for their dire performances, and making nasty comments to children who only wanted to sit near the stage.

Unfortunately their behaviour has completely put me off this sort of holiday again - if you don't like children, don't work in a family hotel! They were a disgrace.

We went to Petra Mare for the second time, and had an even better time than the year before.

The girls loved the club, the pool side games and the slides. We all really liked Gareth one of the team he was great with the kids. The nightly disco, bingo and show is the kind of entertainment you expect. A laugh if you join in but not if you dont get involved, meet new people and be open minded.

We met other people and it enhanced our enjoyment, especially Richard and Ang. The quiz at 12 midday was a must it was a way of getting to know everyone and got qute competative!

The food, well I loved it I am adventurous, Steve enjoyed it most nights, the girls preferred to stick to chicken and chips or stuff from the snack bar, but they always ate, even if I considered it rather plain food, it was their choice.

The girls won so many certificates they entered lots of of the activities, with Gareth and Vicky round the pool and on the stage. Freya beat Gareth in challenge the entertainer and it made her day.

A fuss was made for my daughters birthday which I was grateful for.

We are going again for our third time next September.

Lovely location, hotel very clean, staff etc were very helpful.

Sorry, food for the price of all inclusive was really poor.

Entertainment was as I think most people have said rubbish compared to other First Choice places we've stayed in.

If you need a sun bed set your alarm for 5.30am! Use the stairs because you won't get in the lifts because the Brits are reserving every sun bed they can get their towels on!!

Wouldn't go to this hotel again but Crete was a lovely place.

Try the big supermarket just up the road loads of stuff at half the price.

We had a beach view apartment which was well worth the extra cost

The transfer from the airport to the hotel took one and 3/4 hours. On arrival the check in was quick and efficient. The hotel was always being cleaned by the cleaners who I must say work flat out from dusk till dawn. Our room was always spotless and the cleaner always managed to clean it between us going to breakfast and returning from breakfast. Towels were changed everday with the bedding changed every third day.

The food was excellent with such a wide variety from typical english kids food (nuggets/fish fingers/chips/beans) to more tradtional greek food. There was always a wide variety of salads put on with also a wide variety of sweets. Anybody who complains about the food being repetitive must obviously eat something completely different every day when at home. You just cannot please some people and I suspect those that complain about the food are those that want to eat typical english stuff every day!

The hotel is situated smack bang on the beach. We had upgraded to a sea view and you could literally drop a stone off the balcony and it would land on the beach. The beach is shingle and gets very hot but the sea is lovely and clear. The town of Irepetra is small but has a sufficient vareity of shops, bars and restaurants to keep you busy. If you venture into the centre of the town (away from the sea front) you will find some nice clubs and bars that both Phil (hello mate) and I went to and sampled the local night life.

The hotel staff were always polite and worked very hard. We thanked one of the bar staff on our final night and she said that only about 10% of patrons actually ever say thanks. The measures of spirits given are about quadruple measures and it's very easy to get drunk on the spirits. Both beer and wine are literally on tap and is always self-service.

The entertainment always seems to get bad reviews but my family and the family we got friendly with (hi Phil, Jo, Oliver and Alice) always enjoyed the entertainment. The First Choice team worked hard throughout the day and always put on entertainment between the hours of 11am and 11pm. If you get involved with the games during the day and the entertainment at night then I suspect you will enjoy your holiday as much as what we did. My eldest daughter adored Gareth who was a star.

In summary, we totally enjoyed our stay at the Petra Mare. We had absolutely no problems from booking in for our flight from Gatwick to returning to Gatwick. Thank you very much First Choice!!

We have just arrived back from a wonderful holiday at the Hotel Petra Mare, we were extremely impressed with the hotel, large rooms and spotlessly clean, maids work 24/7, the food is excellent, consisting of traditional Greek and English food, offering a wide range of salads and puddings, the snack bar by the pool also provides excellent food ranging from chips, pizza, sausage, salad and meats. The whole complex is cleaned extensively. The pools are brilliant and very clean, the water slides are opened twice daily and are great fun. First Choice Entertainment Team (Nick, Gareth, Natalie & Vicky) are fantastic, they work very hard to provide excellent activities for both adults and children. The beach to the side of the hotel is clean and good for snorkelling. While we were there we also heard very good reports from people who had put their children in the kids club and they were impressed with the reps.

We were all very sad to leave and are hoping to book again for next year. Well done First Choice this was the best holiday ever.

We would also like to add thank you to Julian, Tina, Celine & Payton for making our holiday one of the best, hope to see you all soon.

PS. Thank you to Vicky

We have just arrived back home from the hotel Petra Mare, the rooms and the hotel were spotless with cleaners working all day, this was excellent.
The hotel staff were friendly and helpful.

The whole getting up at six in the morning to reserve sunbeds was terrible when your on holiday you don't need to be fighting over sunbeds, and it was the English not the Germans causing this problem.

The food was awful, there was a lot of lamb and pork providing you eat these meats you were ok, there was not a lot of choice for children, and not a lot of fresh vegtables, and it would have been nice to have a 2 week menu instead of 1, because by your second week you really have had enough.

The snack bar was great, this was also very clean, the kids just went and helped themselves big plus!

The kids wavelengh club was brilliant, my children had a great time and the kids club reps were fantastic, we hardly saw the children.

The day and evening entertainment was completely rubbish, 2 of the first choice reps hated the kids and were oviously only there trying to further their singing career, but in my opinion don't bother because your rubbish, after about week we stumbled across the german bar at the other end of the complex, we were all welcomed there, the reps were fantastic in repeating everything they said in english, we had such a scream, I got in the pool and did aqua aerobics with the german rep Monica who was great, and thanks to her and Ali they made our holiday.

So I would recommend if you go to the Petra Mare give the german entertainment a go its great fun.

Hotel was spotless always somebody clearing up.

Food was very good being a fussy eater I always found some thing to eat. Hotel staff fantastic had problem with room no arguements changed room. If you wanted know how to get anywhere they would give you instructions how to get there. Told us where the bus station was & how to workout the timetable. Worthwhile useing the bus station as getting to the other towns unless you have a car is difficult as the trips to the capital are always cancelled. 3 of us to heraklion was 30 euros with reps 78 euros.

The entertainment well its what it says it is. The Hotel for families so you need the kids happy so thats what they do with the kids klubs and various games during the day. They had waterpolo, killerdarts, pool, volleyball for the big kids (adults).

The evening kids Disco, Bingo, Then the entertainment for the adults either a show or game show in which we were made to do the things that gave everyone else a laugh.

All in all we had a great time Thanks too Nick Gareth Nat & Vicky.

If you've got kids go here you'll enjoy it.