La Mer Resort & Spa Crete

From start to finish this has just been a perfect holiday . The hotel is stunning - right on a private beach . The rooms are amazing , really modern with the added benefit of a hot tub on the terrace which we used every day.
Staff are just exceptional - nothing is too much trouble and they go above and beyond . Really can’t fault the food - breakfast just has so much choice and we have had a couple of meals in the buffet which have been great also .
Perfect week away , and we will definitely be back next year .

Honestly, some of the best service I have ever experienced. From the big things to the tiny details, this hotel gives 100 percent in every aspect. My partner and I stayed for a week and it was absolutely amazing.

We did not book an all inclusive package which meant we could enjoy both the buffet and the on-site à la carte restaurant. Both were excellent with consistently top-tier service. The hotel has a private beach where you can order drinks straight to your lounger. There is a lovely spa plus indoor and outdoor gyms. The guest relations team made everything effortless and booked our excursions for us, including a tour of Knossos Palace and a day trip to Santorini, which saved us the hassle of sorting it ourselves.

Every member of staff we met was wonderful. Special thanks to Sparticus who went above and beyond by driving my partner to a local shop when our chargers stopped working.

I could not recommend this hotel more. A complete treat from start to finish!

Highly recommend the spa treatments at the spa!

My treatment with Eleftheria was excellent!! Peaceful and relaxing. My favorite part about the hotel

For the area pool is a 3 star hotel!
Is not modern, is old, and is no modern…is cold!!!
I didn like it like a 5 star hotel
Staff so & so … polite but bot hrelpfull , receptio desk …. Sorry but little lyers ,
I recomand you to try some other place!
I DIDN T LIKE IT !!!!!!!

We stayed at La Mer in Crete and truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this hotel. From the moment we arrived late at night, we were welcomed with warmth and kindness. Even after a long day of travel, the staff made us feel right at home.
That first evening, we had dinner at the restaurant (open until 11 PM), and it set the tone for the entire stay. Our server, Antonis, was absolutely exceptional—attentive, kind, and even remembered our names. He went above and beyond to make our meal feel special. The food itself was outstanding, from the appetizers to the main courses and especially dessert. Pair that with the breathtaking views right on the water, and it was an unforgettable dinner.
We also want to recognize Georgia, the bartender at the restaurant, who was amazing throughout our stay. She made every drink with care, had such a kind and welcoming personality, and made the evenings feel fun and memorable. Between Antonis and Georgia, the restaurant team was simply top-notch.
The hotel itself is stunning, with thoughtful touches everywhere you look. Some highlights of our stay included the Jacuzzi in our room, the peaceful and luxurious spa, and the unique outdoor gym overlooking the scenery. The staff throughout the hotel were incredible—not only the servers and managers, but even the maintenance staff, who were so kind and clearly took pride in keeping everything looking beautiful.
We loved the extra details too: a welcome drink on arrival, a golf cart ride to our room with luggage, and even a pool table in the reception area. The pool is gorgeous, with cabanas and lounge chairs right on the beach, making it the perfect place to relax in peace.
The manager was also incredible—kind, thoughtful, and attentive from beginning to end, which made our entire experience feel personal and memorable.
This is not just a hotel—it’s an experience. Between the staff, the food, the views, and the location, La Mer is truly one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever stayed. We wholeheartedly recommend it and hope everyone gets the chance to experience it for themselves.

La Mer Resort was a fantastic holiday stay, with great onsite facilities and in a prime location between Rethmyno and Chania. I have stayed at quite a few high end hotels for work and holidays, and I would say La Mer ranks highly because of its location, vibe and above all else their excellent staff. The staff are exceptionally warm and hospitable with a special call out to Marianna who was at the bar/lunch most days we were on there. She has an amazing memory and just general warmth which made the stay so much more pleasant. Would definitely recommend and will be sure to come back.

From the moment we arrived at the resort, we were blown away by the exceptional service by the staff members. They were welcoming, friendly and could not do enough to help us with any questions we had. In particular, Eva, Spartakos, Uxue and Iannias were fantastic and made the trip even more worth while.

Whether it was local food recommendations, assisting us in planning trips across the island, or organizing transport for wherever we wanted to go, it was never too much of a task for these lovely people. It is rare to find a service that creates such a warm atmosphere that makes guests feel relaxed and at home.

The facilities provided were also amazing. From the private beach to the luxurious room, this resort was more than we could have asked for. Everything was taken care of from transfers, taxis recommendations and reservations.

We would highly recommend this place and will definitely be returning for another stay!

Unser Aufenthalt war perfekt. Zimmer und Betten waren hervorragend, das Frühstück top, Pool und Strand ebenfalls. Sehr gut gefallen hat uns zudem der ökologische, nachhaltige Ansatz. Die Mitarbeiter und Mitarbeiterinnen waren ebenfalls sehr freundlich, hilfsbereit und wir können das Hotel uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen!

We stayed at La Mer for a week in July 2025, and it was fantastic. The hotel is beautifully situated, and you can find everything you need. Above all, it's quiet, which was what we needed. The staff is super friendly and caters to every need.

The pool and beach areas are fantastic; there are plenty of sun loungers and Bali beds. When you enter the water, there's a small rocky area, but you can easily get over it, even with water shoes. The sea is amazing; you won't want to get out again.

The fact that you don't have to cross a road like at other resorts is also a huge advantage of La Mer. The paths are so short, it's a luxury.

Our room on the ground floor with a whirlpool was as described: not very large and without much storage space, but we knew that because we had read the description, and it wasn't a problem. It was super cozy, with a comfortable bed and very clean.

The food was an absolute highlight. The breakfast was very plentiful, with something for everyone, really, really great. But that was even surpassed by the dinner: fantastic dishes of every kind, everything fresh, prepared and presented with love, and the super friendly staff, who fulfilled our every wish.

All in all, a fantastic resort where everything was just right for us. If it works out, we'll definitely come back.

Thank you for a fantastic week.

recently had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel La Mer in Dramia, Crete, and while the hotel's premises were decent, there were several aspects that left me underwhelmed. The rooms, unfortunately, were quite small, and one of the most significant drawbacks was the complete lack of any dressing or storage space to arrange my clothes. This oversight made the stay a bit more inconvenient than expected.

Upon arrival, the welcoming was average, nothing particularly impressive or memorable. However, the most disappointing aspect of my stay was the complete absence of any IHG benefits. As a guest, I expected some perks, especially considering the hotel's 5-star rating. Unfortunately, every request I made, whether it was for a late check-out or a discount at the restaurants, was met with a firm "no." This lack of flexibility and recognition of loyalty program benefits was a significant letdown.

Overall, my experience at Hotel La Mer did not quite live up to the standards I've come to expect from a 5-star hotel. While the location in Dramia, Crete, is lovely, the hotel's shortcomings in terms of room amenities and loyalty benefits made it an average stay at best.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Perfect foot massage. Konstantinos is a true master of his craft — precise, effective, and deeply relaxing. I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. Professional, clean, and spot on. Honestly, top-notch experience. Thanks for the moment of pure quality 👌👣

Very relaxing holiday in a hotel with great ambience and serenity.

The chance to dash into the rippling waters of the Cretan Sea.
To tan by an inviting pool.

To eat delicious foods and drink amazing local wines.

Cocktails and drinks were reasonably priced and delicious.

Room is modern and comfortable. Love the pillow menu. Made me feel like a princess.

Spa is incredible. Great menu of treatments available and delivered amazingly by Frida.

Modern and comfortable hotel. Very relaxing ambience.
Right next to the beach.

Choice of Restaurants with a wide food selection and drinks/cocktails reasonably priced.

Bedrooms perfectly sized. Choose a room with a hot tub if you can.

Spa is superb. Good range of treatments.
Konstantinos. Top marks.

I recently stayed at this wonderful hotel and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Everything was absolutely perfect — from the beautifully maintained facilities to the spotless, comfortable rooms. The atmosphere throughout the hotel is peaceful and ideal for anyone looking to unwind and recharge.

The food was another highlight — delicious, fresh, and with great variety. Every meal felt like a treat!

What really made the difference, though, was the outstanding staff. Everyone was warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive. A special thanks to Antonis at reception for being so helpful and professional, to Pinelopi from guest relations for her thoughtful care and hospitality, and to Eleftheria, the spa therapist, who gave one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve ever had.

This hotel is a true gem — highly recommended if you're looking to relax in comfort and be looked after by a truly exceptional team.

Great place and location it’s wonderful expierience the food,spa,pool and especially the staff .i come back at the next summer!

Wow , We have just got back from this stunning hotel.

From the minute we walked in we knew we had stepped in luxury.

We were offered a welcome drink on arrival and the check in process was effortless.

We were then driven to our room in a golf buggy -lovely touch!

The room was a superior see view. The decor was beautiful and powered curtains to add to the luxury. The shower was amazing ..

My only negative and just a small one was that there wasn’t a lot of storage space. But it was fine.

The pool area was immaculate and restful. With shaded areas if needed. The food at the pool area was exceptional- I recommend the mezze! And actually for a 5 star hotel we didn’t feel was overpriced at all.

Breakfast was delicious - a fab range of all sorts of tastes. And even bubbles along with smoked salmon ..

The hotel is immaculate - and the grounds are well cared for - just couldn’t fault it.. not a leaf out of place!!

But this hotel wouldn’t be the perfect hotel it is if it wasn’t for the staff..
they are so helpful and friendly and couldn’t do enough for us.

I have to mention the incredible staff at reception ( I can’t name them all- sorry) - But Antonis was the perfect informative front of house- he advised us of where to park our car wherever we went and the recommended restaurants were insane! The local knowledge ensured us to have the best time. And to top it off even took it upon himself to have a plate of Baclava as a surprise for Simon when we got back one night .. such a thoughtful gesture.

But I cannot finish this review without mentioning lovely Marianna. What a breath of fresh air she is. She and Antonis are such an asset to this hotel. She couldn’t have been more helpful and so kind. A special lady. This hotel is lucky to have staff like this..

I have to apologise as there are a few members of staff that I have not mentioned as I cannot remember all their names but they all made our stay just perfect.

We would return in a heart beat ….

This hotel was exactly what I was hoping it was going to be. I came here with my sisters and brother for a week of relaxation and sun and that’s exactly what we got. The staff were so lovely and really made the whole experience so much nicer. I will definitely be coming back with my partner. I have nothing bad to say everything was immaculate even though we had an earthquake, a tsunami warning and a sandstorm while we were there!

Overall experience:
We had the most magical time at La Mer. It far exceeded our expectations and was very reasonably priced for how amazing our experience was. A genuine 5 star experience. The weather is perfect in May (hot but not too hot - late 20s/early 30s) and the general atmosphere of the hotel is the respite that we needed.

Hotel:
The hotel is gorgeous - much better than the photos show (and even the photos are lovely!). Everything is spotlessly clean and the attention to detail is incredible. There is a reception area with a free pool table and a balcony which we spent a lot of time at. There is a freshwater pool and a pool bar that then goes straight into the beach. It is very secluded and private. The hotel itself is very quiet and never feels crowded - the benefit of having only 75 rooms.

Food:
GREAT. Our expectations were low as we have had bad experiences with half board/all inclusive. I am pescatarian so was particularly worried that I would end up stuck eating chips. However, the amount of care and consideration the chefs take on the food menu is incredible. The buffet has a great mix of traditional Greek food and other foods (a fair bit of pasta) and there is a very good chef who cooks fresh meat and fish. My partner loved this bit the best as a meat eater and I had the best sea bream I’ve ever eaten. We got excited going for dinner every night to see what they had on offer. The same can be said for breakfast - it’s not as changeable as the dinner buffet but it’s high quality choice of cooked, continental, fruit, yoghurts and sweets. Our overriding feeling for both meals was that all ingredients were super fresh.

Staff:
We cannot fault the Cretan people. We have never stayed anywhere where the staff are so genuine, warm and attentive. A special thanks goes to Marianna (who we met at the pool bar) who was a particular highlight of our holiday. We hope to see her again!

Room:
The room was spotlessly clean. We agree with other reviews that the rooms aren’t big but this wasn’t a problem for us as we only spent time on the balcony in the late afternoon. The wardrobe space is definitely compact - if you want to hang up more than 5 items it would be a problem.

Area:
There is not a lot to do around the area. We came here to just relax and not really leave the hotel so this wasn’t an issue, but if you want to explore then it’s wise to hire a car rental or there are buses/trains/tours that can take you elsewhere. There are a few good natural attractions to go to (from what we were told) so excursions are definitely possible. We walked to Georgioupolis one day, which was a nice walk, but felt more touristy and less Cretan than we had hoped. We hear that the old town in Rethymno is great.

Areas for improvement:
There is a games room with lots of great games but it feels a bit stuffy - the hotel would benefit from making the front windows into bi-fold doors so that it can be more open air. This is why we decided to play pool in the lobby area so we could benefit from the terrace and wonderful sea views.
The reception bar could be better stocked - it was limited and we enjoyed playing pool up there but often had to get drinks from the pool bar to take up there (no bad thing, but if there’s a bar in reception it should be utilised!)

Thank you so much to all the staff at La Mer; we had an amazing time.

Sophie and Jack

My partner and I stayed here for a long weekend (4 nights) at the beginning of May 2025 and wow! We arrived late at night, firstly welcomed with drinks and information regarding the resort by a lovely gentleman (didn’t get his name) then escorted to our room where there was some sandwiches prepared along with a complimentary bottle of wine and water (fresh bottle of water was left in our room every day).

Breakfast and Dinner buffet options were great. I was worried as a fussy eater that I wouldn’t enjoy anything but there is always something for everyone with different options offered each evening.
Orange juice and coffee included at breakfast, at dinner you have to pay for drinks.

Pool side restaurant also serves delicious food, Gyros, pizzas, burgers, salads, all sorts! Many drink options too. When you arrive you get details to download an app, on this you can order food and drinks straight to your sun bed by the pool!

On our second night I got engaged on the private beach with the sunset behind the mountains, it was just beautiful.
Plenty of sun beds for everyone on the beach too.

Room was lovely, had all you needed, shower towels (changed regularly), pool towel, robes, slippers, hair dryer, coffee machine, safe, mini fridge. We booked the room with a whirl pool, definitely recommend this, is a nice touch.

Staff are all very welcoming and kind, made us feel very comfortable.
They also have a games room where you can play pool, table tennis, table football and lots of board games too!

Overall definitely worth the visit if you are looking for a relaxing break.

This is an adult only hotel with excellent facilities such as indoor and outdoor pool, steam room, sauna, direct access to the beach. We had a room with whirlpool which was fabulous. The room is one small size but has everything you need. Plenty if sun beds for the 76 room hotel. No need to reserve sun beds with towels as always one available. It was such a relaxed holiday. We went half board which was excellent - buffet style food but the quality is fabulous. Lots to choose from and try for the first time. Did try the pay Al-a-Carte Restaurant one night but was not keen on the limited menu so changed our mind and went back to the half board restaurant as it had everything we needed. The only negative was the beauty/spa treatments that are available to buy. My husband and I purchased a package for nearly £500 and it was 'nice' but not worth the money. Having to unnecessarily lie on plastic sheets and language was a barrier as nearly charged us wrong and did action our wishes - just awkward and uncomfortable. We were later told that this service is sub-contracted by the hotel and not provided by the hotel itself!