Unique Stays in Crete: Why You Should Stay at the Captivating Galaxy Iraklio Hotel, Crete

Galaxy Hotel - POOL - HERAKLION

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It’s not uncommon among those visiting Crete to stay in different areas of the island during their one or two-week vacation.

Many charter flights from Europe normally land in Heraklion, so the capital has become one of the places where tourists tend to spend a few days since there are many interesting things to do in the area.

If you’re planning a holiday in Crete and Heraklion, which is one of your destinations, check out the Galaxy Iraklio Hotel for a child-friendly, luxury family holiday in Crete.


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Where to Stay in Heraklion: Galaxy Iraklio Hotel

Entrance Galaxy Iraklio Hotel - Crete.
The entrance of Galaxy Hotel Iraklio, Heraklion, Crete.

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Review
This is a sponsored post. I was a guest for three days at the Galaxy Iraklio Hotel, yet all opinions remain, as usual, my own and unbiased. A heartfelt thank you to all the management and staff for the care and service.

Crete is the biggest of the Greek Islands, so those planning to visit as much of it as possible, usually rent a car (or even make use of public transport) to move around, from the east coast to the west, and from the cities of the north to the beautiful southern beaches.

galaxy iraklio hotel

For that reason, and to avoid driving at night on the narrow National Road or through the mountains, whenever I visit a different town -for work or pleasure-, if that spot is more than 2 hours from home, I need to pick a hotel to spend the night in a different town and go back to Chania on the next morning.

Choosing a Hotel in Heraklion

galaxy iraklio hotel

Usually, travelers stay in different areas during their one or two-week holidays.

Many charter flights from Europe normally land in Heraklion, and several visitors take advantage to visit the city center, the Archaeological Museum, and the well-known Minoan Palace of Knossos

Therefore, when you’re traveling along the island, sometimes a well-deserved rest is more than important. Especially on an island where there’s so much to see and do.

And if you’re traveling with kids, chances are that everyone in the family will be needing a rest, kids included!

One of the most comfortable places we’ve experienced in Heraklion is the Galaxy Hotel Iraklio. And this is our review of the stay.

Wondering what you can do in Heraklion at night? Check out this article.

Review of Galaxy Iraklio Hotel in Crete

We used to land in Heraklion when Crete was still our holiday destination.

It’s been a few years now that we’ve moved permanently to the island, and even if we live in Chania, it’s common for us to visit the capital a few times a year.

I do it a lot for work, but I also drive to the capital for Christmas shopping or to visit friends, and many times to take a ferry to other islands.

Galaxy’s Central Location

HERAKLION, CRETE AT NIGHT

Due to its central location, Galaxy Iraklio Hotel is a comfortable choice.

It’s very close to the city center, but not in the city center, which means ease of parking and still being close enough to virtually everything.

The hotel is also comfortably located close to the highway, the port, and the airport.

We stayed in the hotel at the end of the peak season (October in Crete), and that did not mean getting cold or fast service.

On the contrary, we were warmly received and, after a quick check-in procedure, a cute kit with toiletries, and entertaining activities for children was the first of the many details that made a difference.

The Rooms at Galaxy Hotel Iraklio

Room for families Galaxy Hotel Iraklio in Crete.

I don’t know about you, but tiny hotels where you’re bumping into the furniture all the time get on my nerves. This was not the case.

Entering our room was a magnificent experience. The rooms in this hotel prove that ample spaces can as well be cozy and warm!

Comfort

Since we were traveling with the kids, we had a family room which practically means two communicating suites with two different huge bathrooms, two fridges, two tv sets, two closets, and two different varieties of welcome treats.

While we, adults, could enjoy strawberries with chocolate, the kids had their serving of M&Ms and other sweets. We were ready to enjoy a much-desired rest to the full.

Boy in pool deck, Galaxy Hotel Iraklio

Allergy-Free

Our room was elegant, beautifully decorated, and comfortable. As I had read before arrival, many of the rooms have an allergy-free certificate. This suits both kids and parents.

The convenience of our connecting family room was a blessing, something we appreciated since it’s not a very common feature lately when most hotels tend to be for adults only.

In all, the hotel offers a serene atmosphere, it’s stylish and they cater to every detail.

You might enjoy learning that there’s a lot to do in Heraklion town.

Other Facilities at Galaxy Iraklio Hotel: Pool, Steam Room, and Gym

Gym Galaxy Hotel Iraklio, Crete.

On our second day, we wandered around the nearby areas of the city and spent a whole morning in Heraklion’s Labyrinth Park.

That meant being dead tired and longing for a well-deserved pause next to the pool.

Bear in mind that swimming pools in city hotels in Heraklion are rare to find.

So if you’d like to swim after a day around, this is a place to consider. There’s a perfect pool waiting for you to recover from a day in the city.

During our stay, we spent a few hours relaxing on the pool deck with a cup of Greek coffee. The children, instead, enjoyed some time swimming.

Dining at the Galaxy

Lounge, Galaxy Hotel Iraklio
The entrance of the restaurant.

You can also use their gym facilities or take a break in their magnificent steam room.

After a long day either around town or taking advantage of the gym and the pool,  you might be wondering about dinner, well, the hotel has two fine restaurants to choose from too!

My Favorite Feature at the Galaxy Iraklio Hotel: The Great Cretan Breakfast!

Breakfast for children Galaxy Hotel Iraklio.

There’s nothing more invigorating than starting your day with a delicious palette of dishes. At Galaxy Iraklio Hotel, colors and tastes mix both international flavors and the most enticing local ingredients.

As a result, the breakfast buffet offers a unique variety of delicious dishes to begin the morning. Make it International, English, or Continental. Or make it Cretan (that was my favorite!).

Being a fan of the island’s culture, I adored the Cretan angle for breakfast which even serves raki and rakomelo together with an impressive variety of local liquors and delicacies.

The offer goes from sweet pastries to artisan cheese, homemade marmalade, Cretan olives, and spoon sweets.

There’s also a wide variety of bread, tea, and local olive oil. And… don’t worry, if you are a healthy type there is plenty of option for you too!

Why I recommend this hotel while in Heraklion…

Galaxy Hotel Iraklio received us with the authentic values of a Cretan family in a top-class environment.
We enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing stay, and it wasn’t just a child-friendly hotel for a luxury holiday: It was more!

Everybody went the extra mile to make sure we were having the time of our lives.

They surrounded us with thoughtful details and a smile was always there to welcome us home.

Experience the best of Heraklion in the comfort of Galaxy Iraklio Hotel.
Click here for more information and the latest prices.
The hotel is located at 75 Dimokratias Avenue, 71306, Heraklion, Crete (Greece)

Read more about Heraklion

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Pin this Review for Your Next Trip to Crete: Stay at the Galaxy Hotel Iraklio!

Where to Stay in Heraklion

You might also want to read these posts about Crete’s regions:


About my blog:

Gabi Ancarola | The Tiny Book

Gabi Ancarola

I moved to Crete in 2016. During these years, I learned much about the island.
In Crete, I juggle being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours, and writing for several travel blogs.
I’ve written for Greek Reporter, published travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.

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39 thoughts on “Unique Stays in Crete: Why You Should Stay at the Captivating Galaxy Iraklio Hotel, Crete

  1. hairtothereblog2 says:

    This hotel looks lovely! Although we don’t travel with kiddos, we love a spacious hotel room! And also a breakfast buffet! Is there anything better!?

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      I agree! I almost never have breakfast at home, at least nothing else than a cup of coffee. But breakfast on the road is a must. Probably because somebody else cooks it for you?

  2. Adam, Bite of Iceland says:

    To be honest I prefer small family-run guesthouses to big modern hotels, but I would give a try with this hotel – the swimming pool looks so tempting 🙂 I definitely would love to try Cretan food – it looks delicious.

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Small guesthouses is our way to travel too, but, as I said here and there, a few days of luxury can do only good to mom’s mental sanity 😀

  3. travellingslacker says:

    Seems lke a very good property for a family vacations. You have done some great food photography too to make it even more alluring. Havn’t been to Crete but it is a region that greately interests me with its antiquity as well as beauty.

  4. Nadine Cathleen says:

    The hotel sounds great. I can imagine how important certain aspects become once you start travelling with kids. Btw, you have two adorable little boys:)

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Yes, Nadine, there are things you stop doing (not many, really) and things you do in another way. We still love to sleep in rural areas, in private houses (cottages or bed and breakfasts), and similar, and we still hike and adventure into different experiences, but we also like to splurge from time to time. Certain things are done less (like coachsurfing), but nothing remains excluded. And what can’t be done for age restrictions, can always wait 😀

  5. The Walking Map says:

    Allergy free rooms are a big plus. Although I have not been to Greece yet, it is in my top 5 places to see. I would probably see Athens before the islands.

  6. Lindon Lee says:

    You and your kids have definitely made a great and relaxing pause from town activities with Galaxy Hotel. The room looks cozy and neat and hey I like the idea of serving their breakfast I don’t know if it is also done in other hotels but it sounds new to me, I’ll go with Cretan breakfast as well (if ever I made it there too). Enjoy as you go on fun activities again. Thanks for sharing this 🙂

  7. Mansi Kamdar says:

    Greece is on my bucket list. This looks like a luxurious and convenient property to stay with kids. I will certainly keep it in mind. The foodie in me is especially fascinated with the Cretan breakfast…though, I wonder if they could make a vegetarian version??! Thanks for sharing.

  8. ehsanhaque24 says:

    This place looks absolutely phenomenal. I love how modernized the aesthetic is. I would actually consider staying here one day, haha. I had a chance to visit the Galaxy Macau. One word: WOW. 😀

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Ohh really? I’ve never been to Macau, but I’d definitely consider it, your “wow” is very promising 🙂

  9. Indrani says:

    I like it most when the resort people go that extra bit to make guests feel at home!
    Your review has left me wishing for an experience there. Love the combination of kid friendly and luxury… a rare combination.

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Yes Indrani, finding a luxury hotel that takes care of kids as what they are (people!!) is not common and we definitely encounter odd solutions on the road. This one was a quick decision as they really treat all their customers with superb care!

  10. wanderlustyleblog says:

    Looks like a beautiful hotel, rooms sounds awesome! The food looks good too. Thank you for sharing! Hope you and your family had a great time at the hotel.

  11. Vyjay Rao says:

    This looks like a really elegant and comfortable place to stay. An ideal place to stay with family and explore the beauty of Crete.It being in the heart of Crete makes it all the more convenient.

  12. Luca says:

    I can guarantee you that not only kids are crazy for M&Ms, I am too! So, having no kids, I already know who could have been the culprit for their disappearance! Anyway, speaking of eatable stuff, I’d like to try the Cretan breakfast of course, every occasion is a good one to eat new food.
    I really think your stay at the hotel has been a top one, for kids as well!

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Luca, believe me, Cretan food is like Italian home-made food, but ten times better. I can’t even start to explain the explosion of flavors a Cretan table can be. I love the way they cook and receive people at their table. If you love Italian food, Crete could be a problem 😉

  13. Gareth says:

    Absolutely stunning looking hotel. The list of amenities you’ve included here are incredible and certainly, it seems like the ideal way to spend an anniversary or perhaps a honeymoon while in Crete

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      You know? I had the same impression, it’s so quiet for a honeymoon or another similar special occasion!

  14. Johann Kuruvilla says:

    Looks like a wonderful hotel to relax at while in Crete. The kids look happy. I’m sure all of you had a lovely time. 🙂

  15. Sudipto says:

    The allergy free rooms sound pretty awesome. The rooms look spacious yet cosy. I guess your children must have enjoyed a lot especially the small toiletries. What is Cretan cuisine??

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Cretan cuisine is the local food you can enjoy in Crete and it has ancient roots. It is very much related to the Mediterranean diet with a few variations. It has been defined as one of the healthiest in the World (so much so, several hospitals around the World are using it as their default diet for patients and doctors). Its staples are extra virgin olive oil, vegetables, honey, cheese and meat on a balanced basis.

  16. Passports and Pigtails says:

    Every travel family needs a “pause” every once in a while! This hotel looks fantastic. A pool is a perfect way for the kids to unwind, and you are right, those extra details provided can make all the difference. And that breakfast!!!

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      I totally agree with you!!! We are definitely the backpack type, dirty roads, rucksacks and hostels that would never match the beautiful rolling cases we saw entering this awesome post… Still but we love to treat ourselves (possibly at the end of the adventure and to freshen up a bit before turning back home!) with a few days of luxury once in a while! Everyone deserves a “pause” and a share of class (and moms can definitely do with a bit of luxury and relax for a couple of days) 😀

  17. Wanderlust Vegans says:

    What a lovely hotel. Being someone with asthma, choosing a hotel that’s allergen free would be ideal. The rooms look lovely and the hotel itself doesn’t look dated at all. Seems like a lovely, clean hotel. Thanks for sharing.

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      It’s quite new to be honest, not dated at all. And the quality of the air made the difference, really.

  18. Marita Stenersen says:

    Greece was the first country I ever traveled to as a kid and seeing this post brings on a lot of memories. Seems like a really nice hotel, and the breakfast looks like something I definitely could get used to!

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      Greece (at least for me) is always a great idea!
      And yes… that breakfast was to kill for.
      Thanks for reading Marita!!

  19. Joanna says:

    This hotel looks very modern and the rooms seem very spacious. I love that they are allergen-free. This year I have started to fight allergies for the first time in my life and it’s been a nightmare as they come and go and I have no idea what triggers them. Staying in an allergy free room prevents waking up with watery eyes and problems breathing.

    • Gabi - The Tiny Book Family Travel says:

      I had no idea this kind of facilities existed, and to tell you the truth you can tell the difference. I come from a very polluted Milan, and the quality of the air we breath here is rather poor. Sleeping in such a clean and pure environment was a discovery for us and we really appreciated it.

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