Galaxy Iraklio Hotel, Heraklion

Pros

• Guests can enjoy a variety of amenities, such as the pool, an in-house spa, and two restaurants.
• There’s a parking lot, which is a major convenience in Heraklion, where parking can be quite difficult and isn’t offered by many hotels.
• Folks in wheelchairs can book the hotel’s ADA-compatible room and move around common areas easily thanks to ramps and two elevators.
• All of the rooms have balconies and either city views or pool views.

Cons

• The location feels a bit removed from the charm and liveliness of Heraklion’s old center, as it’s on a main thoroughfare with more industrial businesses. Guests can easily reach Heraklion’s center in 20 minutes walking or 10 driving or even rent a bike from the hotel to explore the city.
• The style feels a bit dated and like a conference center that doesn’t quite live up to the hotel’s luxury status, but the rooms are clean enough that it may not matter.

Authenticity

Enter the Galaxy Hotel and travel back in time a little. The hotel was built and opened in 1978 by a local Heraklion family and it remains a family-run business today. While the Galaxy has modern amenities like wifi and flat screen TVs, there’s a bit of an old school feeling here, which has its charm. The staff is friendly and hospitable, as they want to make sure that you have the best experience in Crete that you can.

Location

The hotel is on a main street that takes you to the port in five minutes driving or 20 walking. Overall, this is a location that’s best for those who want to be outside of the touristic Heraklion. The neighborhood feels more industrial than quaint, as the streets are lined with franchises and big stores. However, Old Town is just 20 minutes away walking or 10 driving. The Palace of Knossos is 10 minutes away by car, which makes this ideal for people just spending a night in Heraklion to go visit its most famous site.

Rooms & Bathrooms

A variety of travelers can enjoy the 127 rooms, which include connecting options for families or groups of friends and can sleep up to four people. There’s also a triple room option that can accommodate three people. All of the rooms have balconies, which offer either city or pool views and the latter offers a bit more peace and quiet. The design of the rooms feels a bit business-like but overall, they are simple and clean.