Imperial Studios Hotel

“ This hotel is very basic, it has exactly what you need for self-catering for 1 or two people in the smaller studio apartment. Other than this the hospitality from the owners is wonderful, brothers Georgio and Zac run the hotel and Mama Maria cleans. They are great to chat to, Georgios English is very good, as I am sure are his other languages. Zac is a superb cook and will rustle you up a superb meal, on request. The hotel is 10 mins from the beach and 10 mins from the long Amoudara main street which contains many shops, small supermarkets along with cafes and restaurants serving English and German menus along with traditional Cretian/Greek food which is deliciously cooked. This hotel is priced according to the facilities available and distance from shops etc. It is a brilliant base to use for travelling, it is approx 20 mins transfer time from airport and a 10 minute stroll will take you to the local bus which is a 20 min ride into the capital Heraklion. The resort is on a flat level, but if you are older or unsteady on your feet, you will need to watch the uneven pavement. I can only say that the hotel staff, the local store and cafe owners, along with the local bus drivers all have a great understanding of English and are extremely helpful and hospitable to their visitors - and be assured they value your custom.

“ Top Tip: Greek food - Kriti Inn, Uncle Georges.
English/German food - Grand Cafe
Dimitra Supermarket - just around corner if on food and has enough bits and pieces to keep you going for self catering.
Carrefour/Lidl - 1.8 miles away - only really feasible if you have a hire car/moped or rented bicycle.

“ Excellent, But depends what you are looking for.

The hotel has great hospitality; we were welcomed with a nice cold beer on our arrival and treated by first name basis from day one. You quickly get to know everyone else at the hotel especially in the evenings at the sort of communal meal time (excellent food). Most of the guest's were returns (people that came year on year to the same hotel as it's that good) however you never felt left out and everyone was warm and friendly. They have a free pool table and internet in the bar area, which is an extra bonus.

The pool area and bar are like an oasis on Crete with palm trees; excellent for a lazy day by the pool. The pool is really good and was cleaned regularly, so was the pool area and toilets. A big plus was you could always get a sun bed at anytime of the day. The bar was very good with lovely cold beer but was a little on the expensive side compared to the taverns down the road.

The accommodation however is about a 2 star, it was lovely clean but basic (reflected in the good price). The only annoying part was the water problem which came and went on its own accord, one guest described this as "quirky" I would say it was annoying; but the water never disappear for more than 5 minutes. We did cook when we were there but with only one hot plate and saucepan we were slightly limited to what we could do.

The hotel is an ideal base for exploring the island, with the bus stop at the end of the road to Heraklion and from there we took public buses to explore the whole island. Ammoundara is a nice resort lovely sandy beach which was never crowded when we were there. There are quite a few supermarkets and places to eat out.

So I would highly recommend the Imperial to anyone who wants a quiet get away in VERY friendly surroundings, or as a base to explore the island. But if you are looking for high quality accommodation so that you can sit in your room every day and stare at the walls in high comfort then the imperial is probably not for you.

“ Georgio and Zac are brilliant - nothing is too much trouble and the food is excellent.

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