Kokkini Hani, Hotel Arina Sands

Very few places I would return to year after year, but the aquis arina sand hotel in beautiful Crete has it all. The cretans are warm and friendly, the beaches beautiful, the hotel has everything you would want. Charming staff, great entertainment, fabulous food, its own private beach and even in busy August, enough sun beds to go round so no early morning rush to grab one! The kids club perfect for young ones. Just one of the best holidays ever, we didn't want to come home. Can't wait to go back asap.

The location on the beach was excellent, the food was good, the rooms need to be refurbished, the activities and service were awful. Overall not a good value for your money.Would not return there - there are many other excellent locations in Crete with much better service.

The locals around the Hotel Arina Sands are very nice friendly people and I noticed that someone else commented on shop keepers pressuring you into buying goods, I don't think this is true, I think the shop keeper in question was just being friendly and was trying to make you laugh, I don't think he was pressuring anyone.

Only down fall is that the hotel is advertised in Britain with First Choice, who I think do not plug this hotel well enough, so you only get a small hand full of Brits in the Hotel at any one go. We found that it's a very popular hotel for the Russians, who are the new Germans, with regards to towels on the sun beds.

Another tip would be to book a late check out room before you leave the UK, because they will not let you book one once you are there. Also beware First choice seem to have a problem with delayed flights between UK airports and Crete, so be prepared to get delayed. We did for 1.30hrs on the way and 3hrs on the way back.

Never again would I go to Arina Sands, it was lacking everything. The only thing that kept that place going was the animation team, and they were tired as well!

Husband, 15 year old son and I had a fantastic holiday at Kokkini Hani, Arina Sand Hotel. Animation team do a great job - no obligation to join in. We all made lots of friends. Great value for money - more Brits should try it.