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When the Mediterranean season was already ending, we travelled to Crete, where we stayed at the Maleme Imperial apartment hotel. The hotel is popular among Finns, and it is in a peaceful area. Read more from our review of the Maleme Imperial hotel.
Our Package Tour to Crete
We booked a last-minute package tour from Helsinki to Crete arranged by Finnish Aurinkomatkat. We usually prefer independent travel, but this time we went with a package because the price was reasonable and the flight times fit well with our schedule. Since the flight included free checked luggage, we decided to take the great offer — and were pleased with the outcome.
October in Crete offers pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures often above 20°C and comfortably warm sea waters. While the first days were windy and cloudy, conditions improved significantly, making October a fine option for a beach holiday once the summer heat wanes. From our experience, October is a nice time for a beach holiday in Crete, even if the peak summer heat has passed.
Accommodation at Maleme Imperial
We stayed at the Maleme Imperial apartment hotel. Choosing it was straightforward since the discounted package price applied only to this hotel. After a few quick Google searches while booking, we felt confident the hotel would meet our needs. We had no special expectations, but from the first days onwards, we found the hotel to offer good value for its price. As anticipated, most guests were Finnish.
We paid 349 euros per person for the package, including flights and hotel. Breakfast for the week costs an additional 50 euros per person.
Maleme Imperial Hotel Overview
The hotel complex consists of six buildings. The newest premium building, finished in 2019, offers the best rooms. Several premium rooms have terraces with direct access to a pool reserved for those residents. There is also a superior building with a rooftop pool exclusively for its guests.
We stayed in standard rooms located in the other buildings. It’s nice that the hotel offers different room categories and prices, so visitors can choose what suits their preferences and budget.
Location
The hotel is situated in the small village of Maleme, in a quiet, somewhat remote area. Don’t expect nightclubs or a variety of entertainment options nearby. Malemea Impresia suits those seeking peace. There are a handful of supermarkets and restaurants close enough to cover the essential needs despite the remote setting.
The city of Chania lies about a 30-minute drive from the hotel. The airport is roughly an hour away by car, depending on traffic. The lively village of Platanias is also nearby, just a short drive or bus ride away, offering a more vibrant nightlife. For those wanting a change from the hotel’s tranquillity, a 10-minute bus ride to Platanias is a good option.
We recommend renting a car when staying at Maleme Imperial, as it opens up many more possibilities for exploring. We have written a separate guide on what to consider when hiring a car abroad.
Hotel Star Rating
The official star rating for Maleme Imperial is unclear. It may not have an official classification at all.
Google lists it as a 2-star hotel, Aurinkomatkat classifies it as 3+, and other sources rate it as three stars or higher.
We agree with Aurinkomatkat’s assessment. The hotel slightly surpasses a 3-star standard. Maleme Imperial is a well-run complex with many services tailored to typical travellers. However, except for the newer premium building, the 15+-year-old property shows signs of wear, preventing it from reaching a 4-star level, though three stars is appropriate.
Facilities and Amenities
For a remote apartment hotel, Maleme Imperial offers a solid range of services. It has a reception and various room sizes and categories. The hotel grounds include a pool and a whirlpool suited to the guest count. Besides the main pools, the superior building has a rooftop pool exclusively for its residents, and the premium building has a ground-level pool for its guests.
The hotel’s beach sits adjacent to the property, making it easy to switch between pool and sea swimming. During our October stay, the sea was rough with large waves, making swimming unsafe even for strong swimmers. As a result, many guests chose to use the pool instead.
If the weather is unfavourable in early spring or late autumn, there is also an indoor pool to swim in.
The hotel meets dining needs with a comprehensive breakfast buffet, and guests can order lunch and dinner from a restaurant menu. Dinner includes a dessert buffet. The hotel bar sits next to the restaurant, serving drinks both indoors and outside by the pool.
There is a free indoor gym for fitness and a sauna available during select evening hours. At other times, guests can rent the sauna for private use. The hotel also offers a tennis court, beach volleyball on the beach, and mini golf. We did not try these activities, but we understand that some involve a small additional fee.
Families with children can take advantage of a dedicated activity room and an outdoor playhouse.
The hotel offers many useful extras. Parking is free and ample. There is also a car rental service on-site, but we recommend renting a car at the airport instead.
Guests can use the sauna and steam sauna. We didn’t try them, as free sauna hours were from 4 pm to 7 pm, during which we were usually out. Renting the sauna privately was an option, but we didn’t take it.
The grounds include outdoor exercise equipment and an indoor gym near the sauna area. There is a mini golf course and a tennis court, both with fees. For children, the hotel provides a playhouse and an activity room. Laundry facilities are available as self-service.
Our Experiences at Maleme Imperial
We assessed the hotel from an adult traveller’s viewpoint. For us, it mainly served as a comfortable accommodation to rest between day trips, although we also enjoyed some of the hotel’s services.
Who Is Maleme Imperial Best For?
The hotel suits families and adults who do not seek a lively nightlife scene. It especially benefits travelers who rent a car in Crete. Parking is free and easy, and having a car makes exploring much more convenient.
The hotel also suits travellers who don’t speak English. Some of the staff speak Finnish, and since most guests are Finnish, there is usually someone friendly to assist with any concerns. Maleme Imperial is a great option for first-time travelers.
The hotel is not ideal for those seeking vibrant international nightlife. The guest population is mainly Finnish, so the hotel is not a hub for international partygoers. The Greek atmosphere shows up mainly through the tasty local cuisine and the beautiful natural surroundings.
Location and Getting Around
The hotel’s remote location means it can be somewhat challenging to reach. We recommend renting a car at the airport for your whole stay. If you prefer not to drive, you can arrange paid transfers through a tour operator or book a private transfer.
If your plans include only visiting a local supermarket or restaurant, you can easily explore the nearby area on foot. Local buses pass by the hotel, offering connections further east, for instance, to the village of Platanias.
Rooms
We stayed in a standard studio, which was very spacious. It featured a large bed, sofa, a table with chairs, a balcony, and cooking facilities. The bathroom was also roomy and clean. There was ample closet and drawer space for clothes and belongings.
Few hotels offer standard studios as large and well-equipped as these.
The condition of our room was acceptable. There were visible signs of wear; for instance, the bathroom door needed replacing, and two loose electrical wires were visible on the living room wall — hopefully not live ones.
There are upgrade options at an extra cost. Instead of a studio, you can choose a one-bedroom apartment. For a higher tier, the superior building offers better-equipped rooms; some even have private jacuzzis and saunas. The exceptional building also has its own rooftop pool. Top-quality accommodations are in the premium building completed in 2019. Some premium rooms feature terraces with direct access to a private pool reserved for those guests.
Staff
One of Maleme Imperial’s strongest points was its staff. The hotel is family-owned, and the staff displayed great team spirit. Everyone we met was helpful and friendly. One of the owners, Mike Paraskakis, worked in the hotel bar during our stay and served guests in Finnish. We didn’t get to know him well, but from what we saw, he is a skilled entertainer and salesman. The bar filled with Finnish guests in the evenings, and karaoke was a popular activity.
We have both praise and some constructive criticism regarding housekeeping. The cleaning was spotless, but the cleaning activities combined with poor sound insulation caused some noise early in the morning, around 7 am.
Food and Dining Experience
We definitely recommend booking the hotel with breakfast included, although you can also pay for it on-site. The breakfast buffet was extensive and included hot dishes. True to Greek tradition, there were several sweet items as well. We found the breakfast well-suited to Finnish tastes and were impressed by the variety. Don’t expect fine dining-style dishes; the meals were simple yet varied.
Our package didn’t include prepaid dinner, but we tried the hotel restaurant’s menu on several evenings and enjoyed delicious Greek food. We enjoyed the quick, attentive service and generous portions. Each meal was followed by a complimentary dessert.
Though the hotel restaurant was great, we found even better dining nearby at Menta Seaside Bar / Restaurant. We suggest trying dining outside the hotel sometimes, as Greek cuisine can pleasantly surprise.
Our Hotel Rating
We rate Maleme Imperial as a three-star hotel, in line with Aurinkomatkat’s classification. The hotel is clean and functions well with a good range of services. The staff are friendly. However, the building shows some wear, and parts of it would benefit from renovation.
Booking Maleme Imperial
The easiest way to book Maleme Imperial is by purchasing a package trip with flights from a travel agency, Aurinkomatkat being the Finnish provider for this hotel. Today’s package trips tend to be basic, with many services requiring additional fees. The main advantage lies in the convenient flight + hotel package, which can sometimes be very economical. If you prefer more hotel options, consider an independent trip. Basic English skills are sufficient for travel in Greece, and you can practice beforehand with the WordDive app.
RECOMMENDATION
Tips for Activities and Exploring
Maleme Imperial is ideal for relaxing and enjoying pool and beach time. For more activities, we recommend hiring a car or joining organised tours. Tour operator excursions are a convenient option for those who prefer safety and ease. Alternatively, there are often cheaper local tours guided in English.
Beaches to Visit
The hotel’s own beach is fine for swimming and sunbathing when the weather is calm, but it’s not among Crete’s top beaches. We strongly recommend visiting Elafonissi and Falasarna beaches. Although they require a bit of travel, they make excellent day trips. These beaches far surpass the hotel’s in quality and are generally calmer.
Near Elafonissi is the quieter Kedrodasos beach. This smaller beach offers shade under trees and warm sea water for relaxing swims.
Although lakes aren’t the first thing you associate with Crete, the island does have a stunning one: Lake Kournas. Its clear, refreshingly cool waters make it worth a day trip. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, rent paddle boats to spot turtles, or enjoy good food nearby. There are several free parking spots and complimentary sun loungers.
RECOMMENDATION
Visiting the City of Chania
A visit to Chania is well worth it during your holiday. Try to go while the sun is out to enjoy the beautiful Venetian harbour in good light. From there, you can take short boat tours; we did so ourselves. The harbour area offers many restaurants, and we recommend lunch there, not least for the views.
As evening falls, explore the shopping streets and market halls in the old town. Traditional souvenirs include olive oil, baklava, and spices. Dinner is best enjoyed in the old town’s narrow alleys, where the Greek atmosphere feels most authentic.
Traffic in Chania can be hectic, and parking is limited. Using public transport to reach the city is advisable.
Driving in Crete
Road conditions in Crete vary; some roads are in poor shape, and markings can be sparse. Traffic signs are limited, which means speed limits aren’t always obvious. Despite this, driving tends to be pretty relaxed.
Drivers should exercise more caution than in Nordic countries, especially at intersections. Right-of-way is usually marked by STOP signs, but even without them, it’s important to proceed carefully and watch other traffic. On busy roads, it’s best to allow faster local drivers to overtake. On mountain and poorly maintained roads, driving at slower speeds is key to safety.
Common Questions
- How old is Maleme Imperial hotel?Â
- The hotel is about 15 years old, with the premium annexe built in 2019.
- Is Maleme Imperial clean and in good condition?Â
- The hotel is well cleaned, and the condition is mostly good, though some areas are just satisfactory.
- Who is Maleme Imperial suitable for?Â
- It suits seniors, couples, families, and children. It’s not for those seeking nearby international nightlife, as nightclubs are far away.
- Is the beach at Maleme Imperial good?Â
- The beach is somewhat rocky and often windy. It is adequate, but many better beaches exist in Crete.
- Is there a transfer service from Chania airport to the hotel?Â
- Yes, affordable transfers are offered by the Greek Welcome Pickups company.
- What is Maleme village like?Â
- The village is quiet and small, with mainly supermarkets and restaurants for services.
- How to get from Maleme to Platanias?Â
- You can reach Platanias by bus, car, or on foot in 1-2 hours.
- How to get from Maleme to Chania?Â
- Taking the bus is the most sensible option and takes under an hour.
- Is driving in Crete difficult?Â
- Driving requires caution due to less careful traffic behaviour and road conditions, but it is manageable.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a well-rounded, comfortable package hotel in a tranquil location, Maleme Imperial could be a good choice. The village is quiet, but basic services are nearby. The remote setting doesn’t prevent you from exploring the island, so it suits active travellers as well. Those seeking vibrant nightlife or top-tier accommodations should look elsewhere. Booking a premium room guarantees the highest quality within the hotel.
Have you stayed at Maleme Imperial? Help future travellers by sharing your experiences in the comments below!
