Hotel Capsis Kladissos Sofitel

With a rather difficult access, the hotel is located outside of the very touristic village of Aghia Pelaghia, a few miles away from the Angel Village. In this area largely invaded by concrete, the Capsis Cladissos-Sofitel benefits from the fact that it entirely occupies a peninsula, which isolates it from the neighbouring buildings. Built on 120 hectares, it is located 15 miles west of Heraklion and its international airport.

The hotel is open year-round, contrary to most Cretan hotels. The hotel includes one of the largest conference centres in Crete and belongs to a very old Greek family of hotel owners. The absence of a proper beach is notable.

The Capsis Cladissos-Sofitel is almost like a small town. Everything is immense: the large marble lobby, gardens that are not really gardens since they can only be crossed with a shuttle service, and the main restaurant, only accessible if you have a breadcrumb trail! This gigantism is, however, compensated by the presence of numerous animals in the gardens. You may very well encounter a donkey or an ostrich on your way to breakfast.

Among its 656 rooms, the majority of which look out on the sea, the hotel, with 4 storeys in some buildings, offers standard rooms, suites (with or without garden, royal or presidential...) and bungalows with several rooms. All accommodations have a balcony or a terrace. They have air conditioning, television (15 channels and programs on request), a safe (for rent), a direct international access telephone, and a refrigerator. The bathroom features a tub (sometimes with a separate shower) and a hair dryer. The interior design is varied and well-done.

The hotel has six restaurants and seven bars. Among the outside or inside restaurants, the main restaurant, with a capacity of 500 guests, offers international cuisine, with few Greek specialities, in a disappointing decor compared to the hotel's level. Open in the first or second part of the day, and until the departure of the last guest, the bars are scattered on the site, by the pools, at the beach, or in the lobby. Some also offer snacks.

The beaches of the hotel are very small and appear disproportionate for a hotel of this size. One is private, the other is a city beach. Both beaches lack charm and quietness. However, they are reassuring for parents of young children, because they are sheltered from the wind and waves.