Faedra Beach Hotel

Standing just across the road from the gently-shelving sandy beach of Amoudara, this friendly, family-run hotel is ideally placed for couples and families looking for a relaxing beach holiday whilst also wishing to explore some of the sights of Eastern Crete without the need to hire their own transport. The Faedra Beach Hotel is approximately 3 km from Agios Nikolaos, a bustling town set around a picturesque inner harbour - known as the bottomless lake - which offers an excellent range of shops and restaurants, as well as a lively bar scene for those who enjoy a little nightlife from time to time. Whilst the town's facilities are conveniently close, Amoudara itself feels pleasantly removed from the hustle and bustle, with just a few properties, a couple of tavernas, a small supermarket, and a much more laid-back feel.

The Faedra Beach Hotel comprises 65 rooms spread across three floors (please note that there is no lift). Attractively furnished and decorated in bright colours, they vary in size from fairly compact but perfectly comfortable double rooms via larger triple rooms to spacious junior suites for families of up to four people. All are air-conditioned (with a heating option in case of cooler nights in early or late season) and each has a simple kitchenette unit with a small fridge as well as an en-suite bath or shower room. Other facilities include TVs (limited English-language channels), telephones, safety deposit boxes (a small local charge applies) and WiFi, which is free throughout the complex. Each room also has a balcony; those at the front of the hotel look out across the pool and the coast road to the beach whilst the remainder overlook a pretty courtyard garden.

The hotel's official A-Class"classification roughly equates to a 4-star rating, but we would describe it as a good mid-range hotel, with a pleasantly informal and unpretentious atmosphere. The hospitality is typically Cretan, and these is a strong emphasis on authentic Greek cuisine. Your holiday at the Faedra Beach automatically includes the daily buffet breakfast served in the hotel's main restaurant, and there is a reasonably priced half-board option with a set menu for dinner (with a choice of two dishes for each course). In addition, the hotel also has its own beachfront taverna across the road, with lovely views across the bay and steps leading straight onto the sand - a delightful spot for a leisurely lunch or a refreshing drink at the end of the day. Those who like to dine around will find another taverna just next door, and a much wider choice of eating places a short taxi or bus ride away in Agios Nikolaos, or you may enjoy the 45-minute walk into the town, which will take you past a couple of other beaches and tavernas along the way.

Whilst the new road that runs further inland has taken much of the traffic away from the old coast road, there is still a reliable bus service that runs along here, so it is possible to explore the surrounding area on public transport. For those who do prefer touring the sights in their own car, we do offer reduced car hire rates in lieu of the private airport transfers that are otherwise included in your holiday here. If, on the other hand, you mainly wish to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine, the Faedra Beach Hotel provides sun-loungers and umbrellas free of charge for its guests both by its 15-metre swimming pool and on the beach; naturally these are subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. During the summer months, there is also a selection of water-sports on offer on the beach, including canoe hire, water-ski, banana rides and boat trips (as these are offered by a local operator, not the hotel, and are subject to weather conditions and additional charges). All in all, the Faedra Beach is a good option for families with older children and others who wish to have some activities on their doorstep and the comprehensive facilities of Agios Nikolaos within easy reach, whilst staying in more relaxed and personal surroundings.