We loved staying at the Paralos Lifestyle Beach Hotel in Ammoudara. What makes this place so special is its exceptional location, literally on Ammoudara Beach, near Heraklion.
In this article, you’ll find all the details of our stay, along with lots of photos , so that you too can be seduced by this delightful establishment!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why stay at Paralos Lifestyle Beach?
This upscale, adults-only hotel offers a unique setting for your stay. In fact, it’s one of our picks for the best establishments in Heraklion. Here are its 3 main assets, in our opinion:
- Privileged setting: Its location directly on Ammoudara beach is ideal for enjoying the Cretan coastline without having to leave the hotel, thanks to the establishment’s Private Beach.
- Several swimming pools: our many pools refresh the atmosphere, allowing you to take a dip right outside your room, day and night.
- Facilities and services: with its spa, gym, restaurant and bar, Hotel Paralos Lifestyle Beach has thought of everything to offer a relaxing and rejuvenating stay with your feet in the sand.
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Is Paralos Lifestyle Beach worth it? Our review
Absolutely! Paralos Lifestyle Beach is a hotel with a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for recharging your batteries or exploring Heraklion’s surroundings. For us, it’s one of the best hotels in Heraklion. We appreciated its quality service and extremely pleasant setting. What’s more, its proximity to attractions such as Knossos Palace, and all the gems of Heraklion’s old town, make it an ideal choice for travelers wishing to discover the region while staying in a rejuvenating setting.
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- Choose a car with a decent engine for greater comfort on the few mountain roads.
- Book early for choice.
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Decoration and atmosphere
The Hotel Paralos Lifestyle Beach won us over with its decor featuring natural materials and colors: wood, stone and light fabrics. The decor creates a cosy, relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The architecture is modern, the common areas well-maintained, and the overall setting inviting. The friendly, unobtrusive staff are always on hand to help.
The room
Our room was uncluttered, elegant and cosy. We particularly liked the wood used in the decor, as well as the rattan pendant lights, which added a warm ambience. The room’s light, natural colors helped to create a soothing atmosphere, conducive to letting go.
We found a kettle, coffee maker and bottled water in the room, which was very handy for enjoying a relaxing coffee or tea break on our little terrace with a small table, chairs and hammock, bordered by the room’s private pool.
We also really appreciated our private access to a Balinese bed on the edge of an almost private pool (we shared it with only the neighbors), at the foot of our room.
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The bathroom
Our small but functional bathroom featured a shower and hygiene products from the Olive Care cosmetics brand. The gray and sandy tones of the bathroom gave it a pleasantly uncluttered look.
We also found a bathrobe and slippers at our disposal, which made us feel right at home when we got out of the shower, so that we could make the most of our room and its little terrace after a tiring day’s sightseeing.
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The breakfast
We were very impressed by the breakfast on offer! The establishment offers two restaurants for morning service: one with a traditional buffet, the other oriented towards a healthier approach, including numerous gluten-free alternatives. We opted for the latter, and were pleasantly surprised by the richness and variety of what was on offer. We were also delighted by the breakfast setting: the terrace offers a magnificent view of the beach.
The buffet combines local specialties with homemade products. In particular, we tried the loukoums with mastihahalva, rice pudding and fried pineapple, served with honey or fresh fruit. The sweet section was well-stocked: cakes, muffins, cookies, pancakes, jams, fruit juices, cereal bars, cereals, candied fruit… everything to get the day off to a good start. On the savoury side, we enjoyed croque-monsieur, eggs and omelettes prepared to order, charcuterie, crudités, olives, vegetables and Cretan cheeses.
Finally, the “healthy” options were also on offer, with a variety of smoothies, seeds, fresh fruit, and several oilseed butters and of course Greek yoghurt, perfect for a balanced breakfast.
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Equipment and common areas
Swimming pools
The Paralos Lifestyle Beach hotel has 2 large outdoor swimming pools, equipped with deckchairs for relaxing by the water. Depending on the room you choose, you may have access to a private pool, all to yourself for the duration of your stay.
Sports hall
We also liked having access to a gym divided into two parts: the first part is dedicated to street workout, with pull-up bars, dips, a espalier, a monkey bridge, high bars, yoga mats, dumbbells, kettlebells, deadlift bars, elastics, etc. The second part is dedicated to the gym, with a gym, a barbell and a kettlebell.
The second part is indoors, equipped with an elliptical trainer and Matrix bikes. You can also sign up for a group class, such as yoga, to get your day off to the best possible start.
Spa
Finally, for the ultimate in relaxation, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s spa, which offers massages and body treatments to fully recharge their batteries during their stay.
The restoration
We loved the hotel bar, offering a selection of wines, beers and spirits, as well as snacks and cocktails to relax and enjoy convivial moments with your feet in the sand.
In the evenings, you can dine in the hotel restaurant, which offers a buffet of Cretan and Mediterranean dishes made with carefully selected local and seasonal produce. For example, you can enjoy fresh meat and fish cooked on site. But the buffet also makes room for vegetarian dishes, with a wide variety of vegetable preparations to suit all tastes!
Practical information about Paralos Lifestyle Beach in Ammoudara
Type
The Paralos Lifestyle Beach Hotel is a 4-star establishment ideally located on the shores of the Aegean Sea, on Ammoudara Beach.
See current offers at Hotel Paralos Lifestyle Beach
Where the hotel is located
The establishment is located in the Ammoudara district, at 110 Avenue Andrea Papandreou.
- 15min drive from Heraklion Airport,
- Less than 1min walk from Ammoudara Beach,
- 15min drive from Heraklion town center.
How to get there
To explore the island, we strongly recommend renting a car as soon as you arrive at the airport. The hotel is easily accessible by car. Just take the main road 90. Then head towards Ammoudara Beach, before joining Avenue Andrea Papandreou, where the hotel is located, just 2 steps from the sea.
RENT YOUR CAR IN CRETE
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car with a decent engine for greater comfort on the few mountain roads.
- Book early for choice.
See our tips (coming soon)
Parking
The hotel does not offer parking. Parking is available in the surrounding streets. Parking is free.
For people with reduced mobility
We did not find the Paralos Lifestyle Beach hotel suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Is Paralos Lifestyle Beach family-friendly?
No, this hotel is for adults only and has no family rooms.
