Aquila Atlantis Hotel, Heraklion

4.2 (9 reviews) · Comfort
This historic Heraklion institution offers clean comfort in its 164 rooms near the Venetian fortress.

Overview

The Aquila Atlantis is one of Heraklion’s oldest and biggest hotels located near the Venetian Fortress. The 164 rooms here can accommodate everyone from couples to families to folks with wheelchairs. Common facilities include two pools, a bar, restaurant, gym, and spa. An ancient Greek motif can be found throughout the hotel and overall, the rooms are clean and simple.

Kimkim's Take

Olivia
Olivia Typaldos kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, February 2023 (Learn more)
Pros
  • The Aquila Atlantis offers a variety of room types, including several that are ADA compliant for people in wheelchairs or with mobility needs.
  • Guests can enjoy a dip either in the rooftop pool, which has a view of the sea, Venetian fortress, and harbor, or in the half indoor pool as well. 
  • The hotel has a variety of common facilities, like the largest conference room in Heraklion, a bar and restaurant, and a spa.
Cons
  • There can be some noise issues with the hotel from the nearby airport and streets down below, so book a room on a higher floor if you’re a light sleeper.
  • The hotel’s pools are somewhat basic in that they close early and don’t have a bar/lounge situation, but if you’re looking to take a dip later in the day, Ammadoura Beach is just 15 minutes away by car.

Authenticity

The Aquila Atlantis opened in 1968, which makes it a historical spot as one of the oldest hotels in Heraklion. While the hotel has modernized with the times, traces of its past are visible throughout, as seen in the framed photographs of its groundbreaking ceremony back in 1968 and the various famous people who have stayed there. While there are images of Ancient Greece throughout, the real sense of history comes from the hotel itself as an institution of Heraklion.

Location

Situated just outside of the old center, the Aquila Atlantis boasts a central location just two blocks above the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. The port is 15 minutes away walking or five driving, while the current airport is just 10 minutes away by car. The Rocca a Mare Fortress is 15 minutes away by foot and folks looking to explore Heraklion’s old city center can be at Lion Square in five minutes walking. The Palace of Knossos is 15 minutes away by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 164 rooms of the Aquila Atlantis are all clean and bright with wooden furniture and marble bathrooms. Room types vary based on whether they face the city or sea and there are ADA compliant ones for people in wheelchairs. All of the rooms sleep up to two people but there are connecting options for families or groups of travelers. The classic rooms on the back side of the hotel have city views and don’t have balconies, so be sure to book a room facing the harbor if you want a sea view and balcony.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +30 2818100100
Hotel address icon 2, Ygias Street
Free wifi
Free parking

Traveler Reviews

9 total ratings, 7 with reviews
4.2
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
3.9
Location
4.3
Staff
4.3
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.3
Kelly
Kelly M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 24, 2024
Right in the heart of the city. Perfect location. Balcony view of the Rocca mare fortress. Read more

Right in the heart of the city. Perfect location. Balcony view of the Rocca mare fortress.

Authenticity & Character
Modern rooms
Location
Location to shops and restaurants
Staff
Friendly and eager to help with questions
Cleanliness & Comfort
Parking maybe an issue
Stayed in September 2024
Erica
Erica S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024
We had a nice time here! It is close to the downtown area for walking, and had free parking (we rented a car). The rooftop pool was a hit. Our room was nice and big, and had a balcony, so it worked very well for our family of 4. The breakfast is delicious!! Very nice help from the staff with parking. Read more

We had a nice time here! It is close to the downtown area for walking, and had free parking (we rented a car). The rooftop pool was a hit. Our room was nice and big, and had a balcony, so it worked very well for our family of 4. The breakfast is delicious!! Very nice help from the staff with parking.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2024
Heidi
Heidi G.
Puyallup, WA | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
This is a very standard business hotel. The rooms are nice and clean but nothing special. But we had two bedrooms, which was fabulous for giving us some space. Although it isn't right in the middle of the action, the pedestrian area is only about a five minute walk away and the harbor slightly further. Read more

This is a very standard business hotel. The rooms are nice and clean but nothing special. But we had two bedrooms, which was fabulous for giving us some space. Although it isn't right in the middle of the action, the pedestrian area is only about a five minute walk away and the harbor slightly further.

Authenticity & Character
It's your standard business hotel.
Location
It's not as central as I had grown accustomed to. On the plus side, it has a driveway/loading area out front which was a very nice change.
Staff
Staff were very nice and a receptionist agreed to take our extra car seat (we had had to buy one during the trip after the airline lost our luggage, but we weren't going to need it after that) to a charity shop (or organization) which was so helpful and made us feel a lot better.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2023
Eva
Eva W.
Saint George, UT | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2023
Heraklion seems like more of an industrial town and so the hotel exemplifies that description.
The hotel, however, is adequate for a quick visit to the Palace of Knossos with its museum in walking distance.
Excellent breakfast.
Read more

Heraklion seems like more of an industrial town and so the hotel exemplifies that description.
The hotel, however, is adequate for a quick visit to the Palace of Knossos with its museum in walking distance.
Excellent breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Nothing really. A modern hotel in keeping with the more industrial flavor of the town.
Location
Close to the port. Walking distance to the old town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Lisa
Lisa B.
Ivins, UT | Reviewed on May 30, 2023
Just okay. Adequate. Good location to walk to the square and close to the port. Read more

Just okay. Adequate. Good location to walk to the square and close to the port.

Authenticity & Character
Just okay.
Location
Close to the port from the ferry. Quick walk to the square for restaurants and shops.
Staff
Just okay.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean. Just okay on comfort.
Stayed in May 2023
E
Eric R.
Arvada, CO | Reviewed on May 19, 2023
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel exceeded our expectations. After staying in Airbnbs in Athens and Crete, this hotel was a pleasant surprise. The quality of the hotel was superb - the room was extremely nice and the bar and food downstairs were great. The hotel was in a terrific area of Heraklion, allowing us to explore the city easily. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the included breakfast was appreciated before catching our ferry. Read more

The Aquila Atlantis Hotel exceeded our expectations. After staying in Airbnbs in Athens and Crete, this hotel was a pleasant surprise. The quality of the hotel was superb - the room was extremely nice and the bar and food downstairs were great. The hotel was in a terrific area of Heraklion, allowing us to explore the city easily. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the included breakfast was appreciated before catching our ferry.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Lee
Lee D.
Apex, NC | Reviewed on May 18, 2023
Good location.
Nice rooms and comfortable beds
Breakfast buffet was had a lot of variety.
Read more

Good location.
Nice rooms and comfortable beds
Breakfast buffet was had a lot of variety.

Authenticity & Character
Nicely decorated and comfortable
Location
Close to the ferry
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean and comfortable
Stayed in May 2023

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +30 2818100100
Hotel address icon 2, Ygias Street
Free wifi
Free parking