Guest User
February 6, 2024
My wife and I stayed at the Panorama Hotel just outside Chania, during mid-September 2023, and chose the all inclusive package with a full sea view. We were pleasantly surprised to find we were also in the smaller Blue Wing which entitled us to use of a small exclusive pool and bar, see below. The hotel is set above the sea and has splendid views from many areas, such as the pool, the restaurant and many of the rooms. The staff are attentive and efficient. The food was reasonable with plenty of meat choices although the vegetables, salads and accompaniments were often limited. The food was not hot at the best of times and the self-service plates were usually stone cold. The restaurant was too large for the servery and often led to queues and backlogs developing, allowing the food to get even colder by the time diners were able to return to their table. All-inclusive wines and water were served promptly and efficiently. Tables were promptly cleared and reset, so even at busy time at least a table could be found. There were several cats parading around the restaurant and it was not pleasant to watch cats doing what cats do whilst eating. Smoking is still allowed in restaurants here apparently, as several diners took an after-dinner cigarette. This is not, of course, pleasant for those starting a meal and we were surprised that generally accepted international rules regarding smoking are not applied. As we discovered, a room in the Adults Annexe permitted us to take breakfast at the pool bar which was quite adequate, not busy and friendly with some extra treats. The All-Inclusive package did seem to be very limited regarding choice of drinks, with many only available at extra cost and the available snacks were rather insubstantial, such as cakes or small sandwiches. Lower down there was the small exclusive pool and bar, equipped with ancient wooden sun-beds but which did their job adequately. The area was managed by the Admirable Betty, a well-informed local lady, who provided excellent service and kept the area nice and tidy and provided the cold flannels, etc. The Admirable Betty, it should also be noted, mixed the best Pina Colada we tasted in the whole of Crete. Although the hotel is built on higher ground and offers excellent views, there is a busy main road running along the coast and just below the Adults Annex which meant sitting on the balcony to enjoy the sea view, which were charged at a premium, was a very noisy experience. It seemed there were sea view rooms in the main complex, which are higher and further from the road and obviously quieter. TUI do not seem to offer these on their booking details. There was also intrusive traffic noise evident at the exclusive pool and bar which did disrupt the solitude somewhat. Entertainment was limited and the programme of one particular act was heard several times, as the duo were performing at a neighbouring property on various other evenings. Buses ran frequently from the hotel