Insula Alba Resort & Spa (Adults Only)

“PLEASE IGNORE THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS!”

Me and my wife have just returned from 2 weeks at the Insula Alba for our wedding anniversary and it was by far the best hotel we have ever been to. We have to mention how grateful we both were when the hotel management came over to us and told us we got a free upgrade to all inclusive, that was … more

Me and my wife have just returned from 2 weeks at the Insula Alba for our wedding anniversary and it was by far the best hotel we have ever been to. We have to mention how grateful we both were when the hotel management came over to us and told us we got a free upgrade to all inclusive, that was a very nice thing for them to do. From the first moment we arrived to our last day the staff were amazing! So friendly and helpful, they would literally do anything for you. They all work so hard and you can see this by how good the hotel is. We had a room with a private pool (2106) it was fantastic plenty of space for 2 people, the rooms were spotless and cleaned every day by the amazing cleaners ( one of ours was heavily pregnant and still did a amazing job) The pool itself was lovely, big and freezing (which i loved). The hotel itself is located well and its so quiet and peaceful. The food was amazing! Yummy and plenty of choice, different every night and different themes which was a lovely bonus. The puddings were delicious! The best puddings ever!! The choice at breakfast was also just as good! The staff (Eleni) at the cullinarium/ snack bar were exceptional and a credit to the hotel, she always had our drinks ( lemon fanta and a iced vanilla latte) before we even got there! We miss her already! The food at the snack bar was like mini versions of the main restaurant and was yummy and again plenty of choice. Also the views from the snack bar of the sea are amazing, its so peaceful there and you could stay there all day people watching. Please if you have booked this hotel or are thinking of doing PLEASE ignore the negative reviews! We haven't a clue what they are all on about! This is the best hotel ever and we are already missing being there. We can't wait to come back in the future.

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“Stay at the Insula Alba (Tui Blue)”

Great hotel in a great location right next to the sea and many beaches. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing, with very little noise. A Tui Hotel partner, it allowed us to book our trips in the hotel, being collected and returned for each of our trips while in crete. The rooms are nice and spaci… more

Great hotel in a great location right next to the sea and many beaches. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing, with very little noise. A Tui Hotel partner, it allowed us to book our trips in the hotel, being collected and returned for each of our trips while in crete. The rooms are nice and spacious (junior suite) And everything is within walking distance , from the pool bar and the main restaurant. Services are great as well, especially for an all inclusive stay! Only negative comment was the lack of consistency with some of the bar staff at the pool bar. Supplying others with full glasses of cocktails or beer, but supply my wife and I with "take away cups" (smaller cups) even though we would be sitting in the same area. (They explained that only bar area gets the glasses, which we understood until we notice drinks being delivered to a couple next to us in full glasses by the same staff member who said the rule to us) Lastly, my wife and I had an amazing experience with the Hotel wellness staff. Anita and Angelica were fantastic masseuse. Anita supplying a full body deep tissue and Angelica with the candel wax massage. Would highly recommend the massage services that the hotel has to offer! Overall a breat experience for my wife and I on our honeymoon.

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“A lovely hotel”

A beautiful hotel, located by the beach. Nice sized room (we were in a junior suite) but the space around the bed was a bit small. Well kept hotel, with the rooms cleaned daily & refreshed with towels & amenities. A quiet hotel, probably due to the ages of the guests so not too wild! A lovely pool,… more

A beautiful hotel, located by the beach. Nice sized room (we were in a junior suite) but the space around the bed was a bit small. Well kept hotel, with the rooms cleaned daily & refreshed with towels & amenities. A quiet hotel, probably due to the ages of the guests so not too wild! A lovely pool, outdoor & indoor, as well as the pool bar. Staff were very pleasant, welcoming & friendly, always a smile on their faces. The spa was absolutely wonderful, Anita & Angelica were fantastic at the massages & facials, we came out feeling so relaxed. The TUI rep Claire was very informative about the area & helped us to book some wonderful day trips from the hotel. My only gripe was that we were here on honeymoon, which the hotel were aware of prior, however I feel apart from some prosecco on arrival not much was done for us being a couple on honeymoon. I know it’s an all inclusive so really there’s not much that can be done but it felt like other people were being better looked after than we were. Overall, a hotel I would come back to again once I’ve saved up money! It’s not cheap but you can make the most of it.

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“No way 5*.”

Arrived with high expectations only to be disappointed. Had read reviews but think we were in different hotel. In our view it is definitely not a 5* where food is concerned. Yes, the hotel is kept spotless but so clinically white and although Claire, the Tui rep is brilliant, the same can’t be said… more

Arrived with high expectations only to be disappointed. Had read reviews but think we were in different hotel. In our view it is definitely not a 5* where food is concerned. Yes, the hotel is kept spotless but so clinically white and although Claire, the Tui rep is brilliant, the same can’t be said of the customer relations lady and some of the reception staff. When we asked to book the à la carte we were promptly told by receptionist that we ‘did not BOOK but REQUEST an allocated time’. The à la carte food was beautiful unlike the main restaurant. Soup was always piping hot but as others have mentioned most food was only lukewarm. We found breakfast to be o k but lunch and dinner left a lot to be desired. Same thing far too often. Sweets were however plentiful and lots of choice. Only open 12.30 til 2 so not much time. Snack bar open all day. Not much choice unfortunately and served in cardboard containers. Insufficient sunbeds around the pool. Not sure why it is referred to as main pool as, apart from the swim up pools for private use, there is no other pool for guests apart from spa pool. Must admit sunbeds were so comfortable. So much so that my husband, who normally sits on a chair, found it difficult to get off them. POOL BAR - seating limited especially at night when entertainment was on. Guests having to sit on sunbeds! Staff work so hard and one review is correct in that some guests got preferential treatment over others. I will leave it to your imagination as to why! Pool is the same depth all over which was difficult for me being 5’ 1” as couldn’t touch the bottom. ROOMS We booked a swim up room but unfortunately didn’t use the communal pool as it was too cold plus room was in the shade from around 1 p m. Cannot fault our room. Bed was so comfy and for once all the light switches were labelled so no trial and error required. Shower was brilliant. One point to mention, there is very little storage space so had to live out of a suitcase for some things. RECOMMENDATIONS There is so much wasted space in reception area that a much needed bar would be welcomed. At the moment you have to walk down to pool bar or wait til piano bar opens at 6 or restaurant open at 6.30. Also, not sure how snack bar know who are guests as anyone can walk in off the road for a free meal. CONCLUSION Do not agree with most of the positive reviews but this is our own personal review. Would we return or recommend - NO

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