Escape to Paradise: Crete's Pegasus Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Crete's Pegasus Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Crete's Pegasus Hotel Awaits! - A Hot Mess Review (and a Promise!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the Cretan beans on the Pegasus Hotel. This isn't just a review; it's an experience. I'm not going to lie, after spending a week here, I'm still trying to shake the sand from my… well, from everywhere. But hey, that's Crete, right? A little bit of chaos, a whole lotta beauty. And did the Pegasus Hotel deliver? Let's find out.
(Note: I’m not a robot, so I'll jump around a bit. Bear with me. And apologies in advance for any tangents. My brain is still on island time.)
Accessibility & My Tiny Triumph:
Right off the bat, HUGE props. The Pegasus does try. They list "Facilities for disabled guests" – and I saw what I could, a pretty easy walk to the lobby, even with my dodgy ankle. Elevators are present (a HUGE plus, given the Cretan hills!) The entryways were mostly straightforward, (thank heavens, I can’t be lugging around a wheelchair or anything.) I appreciated the thought, even if perfection isn't quite there yet. They also mentioned a "Doctor/nurse on call" (thank goodness)!
Cleanliness & Safety - My Germaphobe Friend Would Approve (Probably):
Jesus, the paranoia is real still! But the Pegasus… they tried. "Daily disinfection in common areas", "Anti-viral cleaning products", etc., etc. And yes, hand sanitizer stations everywhere. I got a proper tour of their sanitizing methods, and I have to say, they aren’t slacking on the work! I did my own check-in of the room-- they’re doing their best with their sanitization services . And the "Room sanitization opt-out available"… hey, I’m a fan of the peace of mind! They took "Hygiene certification" seriously. Honestly, even my germaphobe friend would probably give this place a thumbs-up. The other guests even gave a good response.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Food and My Relationship with it:
Okay, food is a HUGE part of any vacation. This is where Pegasus… well, it's a mixed bag.
The Buffet (and My Regrets): Okay, let's be real. Buffets are the Wild West of eating. The Pegasus's buffet? International cuisine, with a smattering of Greek classics. The breakfast buffet, with the "Asian breakfast" choices. But the truth is, I dove in headfirst on many days and maybe went too hard. The selection was vast, and yes, there were "Buffet in restaurant" offerings throughout the day. I have to admit, the coffee was… well, functional. I was super happy about the fact that I did have access to "Breakfast in room" on a few occasions.
A La Carte Adventures (and my favorite dish): There's an "A la carte in restaurant" option. I’m a sucker for a good salad. The “salad in the restaurant” was great, like a proper Greek salad, with that tangy feta. (And I can eat a whole bucket)
Poolside Bar & Happy Hour (My Happy Place): My absolute favorite aspect of the Pegasus? The poolside bar. The drinks were good, the view was stunning, and "Happy hour" was a blessed ritual. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" was also a good thing to have!
Restaurants & Snacks (the other stuff): The "Restaurant" section was decent. They did have a "Vegeterian restaurant". They do have a "Snack bar."
Room Service (24-hour): I also ordered room service a few times. (Don't judge me; I’m on vacation!). The service was prompt, and hey, sometimes you just want to eat in your bathrobe.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - My Spa Shenanigans:
Now, here's where the Pegasus absolutely shines. This place is built for relaxation.
The Spa (My Big Splurge): Okay, so I'm not a spa person usually. I’d consider a "Body scrub" or "Body wrap," but I always thought it a bit pretentious. But, dammit, I was on vacation. So I indulged. The spa itself was gorgeous, a veritable oasis of calm. I went for the full shebang. "Massage" was divine. I’ve never felt so relaxed in my life. Seriously, that whole "Body scrub" part? Pure bliss. And the "Sauna"? Yes, please. They even have a "Spa/sauna" combo, which is genius. There were "Steamroom" areas. I was in heaven (or at least, a very well-appointed spa version of heaven).
The Pool & View (Instagram Worthy): The "Pool with a view" is what Instagram dreams are made of. The "Swimming pool" is amazing. The "Swimming pool [outdoor]" is incredible! I'm not going to lie I spent most of my time there. Floating, staring at the mountains, and occasionally sipping a cocktail. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Fitness Center & Gym (Yeah, Right): They had a "Fitness center", and a "Gym/fitness" area. I saw it. I looked at it. I considered it. After the spa? Yeah, no. But if you're into that sort of thing, it exists! But there's a "Foot bath".
Other Tidbits: They have a "Terrace" (perfect for sunrise coffee), a "Shrine" (a nice touch!), and a "Smoke detector" and "Fire extinguisher". A "Couple's room" (not for me!).
Accessibility - The "Getting Around" Tango:
Okay, real talk. Crete is hilly. Hilly as hell. They have "Elevator". Getting around in the Pegasus was manageable. "Car park [free of charge]", which is a huge plus. They also offer a "Taxi service".
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms:
I didn’t get a "Couple's room," but I did get a great room! The details:
- Comfort & Amenities: "Air conditioning," "Air conditioning in public area", "Bathrobes," "Bathtub," "Blackout curtains," "Closet," "Coffee/tea maker," "Desk," "Free bottled water," "Hair dryer," "In-room safe box," "Internet access – wireless," "Ironing facilities," "Laptop workspace," "Linens," "Mini bar," "Mirror," "Private bathroom," "Refrigerator," "Shower," "Slippers," "Smoke detector," "Soundproofing," "Socket near the bed," "Telephone," "Toiletries," "Towels," "Wi-Fi [free]," and "Window that opens."
- The View (My View Was Boss): I lucked out with a room on one of the "High floor" with an incredible view of the mountains.
- Internet Freedom: "Internet access" with "Wi-Fi [free]" in the room!
- Other little things The "Additional toilet" comes in handy!
Services & Conveniences - The "Stuff" They Offer:
The Essentials: "24 hour front desk," "Daily housekeeping," "Doorman," "Laundry service," "Luggage storage," "Meeting/banquet facilities," "Projector/LED display," "Safety deposit boxes," "Cash withdrawal," "Currency exchange," "Safe dining setup," "Breakfast [buffet]," and "Breakfast service."
Business Traveler Stuff "Business facilities," "Meetings," "Meeting stationery," "Audio-visual equipment for special events," "Xerox/fax in business center".
Everything Else: "Concierge" service, which was helpful. A "Convenience store," always handy. And "Dry cleaning" is available. They also did provide "Invoice provided".
For the Kids - My Observations… From a Distance:
Okay, I don't have kids. But I saw the "Kids facilities." There's a "Babysitting service" and "Kids meal" options. It seemed "Family/child friendly."
Bottom Line?
The Pegasus Hotel isn't perfect. It has its quirks. The food can be hit-or-miss. But the location is amazing. The spa is worth every penny. The pools are gorgeous. And the staff really do try.
Here's the offer for you:
Escape to Paradise: Crete's Pegasus Hotel Awaits! (And You'll Be Glad You Did!)
Imagine this: You, sun-drenched and utterly relaxed, sipping a cocktail by a stunning pool, the turquoise Aegean Sea glistening in the distance. Forget the stress, forget the everyday grind. At the Pegasus Hotel, it's all about escape.
Here's what you get when you book:
- Unbeatable Views: Wake up to breathtaking mountain vistas or panoramic ocean views. (My room was high up, and the view was heavenly).
Pegasus Hotel, Crete: A Messy, Glorious Adventure (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Gyros)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t just a schedule, it’s a feeling. This is my Crete diary, the messy, sun-kissed tale of a week that involved more ouzo than sleep and a truly epic battle with a rogue beach umbrella. Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (and Greek Salad)
- Morning (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM): Arrival at Heraklion Airport (HER). Ugh, the flight. Don't even ask. The crying baby? The guy hogging the armrest? Pure, unadulterated chaos. But finally, finally, we're on the Aegean. I feel the sun even before I get off the plane. Immigration? Surprisingly painless. Found the Pegasus Hotel shuttle. (Note to self: Next time, spring for the private transfer. The shuttle driver took "scenic route" quite literally, and it involved a lot of goats.)
- Mid-morning (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Check-in. Pegasus Hotel. It's… charming. Okay, it's a little…tired. The lobby smelled faintly of chlorine and…promise? My room? Perfectly adequate. View of the pool? Yes! Also, some other guests. Definitely a lot of other guests. Panic starts to set in.
- Lunch (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM): Found the Taverna overlooking the beach. Needed fuel. Ordered a Greek Salad. You know, the basic. And it was… transcendent. Seriously, the feta was so creamy, the tomatoes so ripe… it was the first moment I felt truly happy. Followed by the most delicious bread I have ever eaten.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Beach! Tried to find a spot. Beaches are crowded. Realized the hotel umbrellas are free to use. Attempted to set up my umbrella and failed. Wind gust, umbrella flies, and I look like a complete idiot. Managed to get it down, but it was a close call. Settle down, and stare at the ocean, try to do the "inner peace" thing. Didn't quite work, but the water was gorgeous.
- Evening (4:00 PM-7:00 PM): Poolside cocktail o'clock. Learned about the "magic" of a Margarita, and how it dissolves the fear of the world. Or maybe that was the second Margarita.
- Dinner (7:00 PM onward): Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Moussaka. Delicious! Watched the sunset. Felt a flicker of something…hope? Followed by a strong urge to go to sleep. So, I did.
Day 2: Ancient Ruins & Ouzo-Fueled Revelations
- Morning (9:00 AM -1:00 PM): Knossos. Visited the Minoan Palace. Wow. Seriously. Amazing. So, old. The stories… the history. Tried to imagine life back then, but kept getting distracted by thoughts of air conditioning.
- Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Found a tiny taverna near Knossos. Gyros. Okay, I might actually be in love with gyros. The meat, the pita, the tzatziki… pure perfection. Ordered a second. No regrets.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Decided to try and be "cultural" and take a little bit of time to read a book. Yeah, that didn't last long. So, I went back to the beach. Wind still hostile. My umbrella still standing (mostly). This time I went for the second margarita.
- Evening (6:00 PM – onwards): Dinner at a local restaurant in a nearby village. Discovered the joys of fresh seafood and the "magic" of fresh herbs. More ouzo. Much more ouzo. Started attempting to speak Greek. Mostly failed. Managed to successfully order another plate of calamari. Felt good. Staggered back to the hotel.
Day 3: A Day of Unadulterated Beachside Bliss (and My Umbrella's Revenge)
- Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Decided to abandon all pretenses of being "cultural" and embrace the beach. Sun, sand, sea. Bliss. Finally got the umbrella to behave. Victory! Read a book. Slept. Got a bit of a sunburn. Totally worth it.
- Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Back at the Taverna overlooking the beach. Gyros again. And a Greek salad. And a Mythos beer. Becoming dangerously predictable.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Realized my dreams became real. I spend the most of the time at the beach.
- Evening (6:00 PM – onward): Dinner at the hotel. Tried something different (fish). Was… okay. Definitely missed the gyros. Wandered around the pool at the hotel. The air, the palm trees. It felt surreal. Almost cried. Maybe it was the ouzo.
Day 4: The Hike from Hell & the Most Delicious Lemonade Ever
- Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Decided to be sporty. Hiked a local gorge. It was… ambitious. Steep. Hot. My legs ached. I questioned all my life choices. But the views were… spectacular. Totally redeemed the aching legs.
- Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Tiny cafe at the end of the hike. Made the most perfect lemonade I have ever tasted.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Swam in the pool. Felt the relief of the cold water after that hike.
- Evening (6:00 PM – onward): Another dinner in the nearby village. Realized that "nearby village" means more ouzo. Developed a very friendly relationship with the owner of the taverna. Learned a few more (badly pronounced) Greek phrases.
Day 5: The Market & My Personal Shopping Hell
- Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Visited a local market. So many colors. So many spices. So much pressure to buy useless souvenirs. Ended up buying a ridiculously large jar of honey. And some olives. And a t-shirt that says "I Heart Crete" in a font that looks like it was designed by a toddler.
- Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Found a hidden taverna in the backstreets. More gyros! Obsessed.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Beach. Beach. Beach. Sun. Sand. Sleep. The ocean is my new best friend.
- Evening (6:00 PM – onward): Packing. Attempted to pack my giant jar of honey. Almost broke it. Ordered one last Moussaka at the hotel. Felt a wave of sadness at the thought of leaving. Damn you, Crete!
Day 6: The Departure (and the Promise of Return)
- Morning (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM): Devoured a giant breakfast at the hotel. Last stroll on the beach. Played with the sand. Cried a little.
- Afternoon (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Final farewell to the Pegasus Hotel. Actually felt a little bit sad to leave. Okay, maybe a lot sad. The "charming" aspects of the hotel had grown on me. The staff were lovely. The pool felt…homey.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM): Shuttle to the airport. Farewell to Crete. Said goodbye to the sun.
- Evening (3:00 PM – onward): The flight home. Already planning my return. Because, seriously, Crete. Gyros, sunshine, the turquoise water, and that darned umbrella. It's all part of the messy, glorious magic. And I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.
P.S. Must. Learn
Escape to the Tatras: Family Paradise in Smokovec's Cozy Apartment!
Escape to Paradise: Crete's Pegasus Hotel Awaits! (Or Does It?) - A Messy FAQ
So, is Crete actually paradise? And the Pegasus Hotel...is *it* heaven on earth?
What's the vibe at the Pegasus? Is it family-friendly, romantic, or purely for party animals?
The rooms… what are they like? Clean? Spacious? Anything… *memorable*?
Food! Tell me about the food! Is it all Greek salad and souvlaki? (Not that that's a *bad* thing...)
What about the beach? Is it a long walk? Are there sunbeds, etc.?
Okay, so… what was the WORST thing? Be honest.
What are the staff like? Helpful? Friendly? Mysterious?
Bottom line: Should I go?
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