FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LOCATIONWhat is the nearest International Airport to Grecotel Meli Palace?
“Nikos Kazantzakis” International Airport (HER) is the nearest international airport.
How far from Heraklion and the International Airport is the hotel located?
- To Heraklion city: 40 km (approx. 45 minutes)
- To “Nikos Kazantzakis” Airport: 38 km (approx. 40 minutes)
What are my transfer options from the airport to the hotel?
Guests staying in Grecotel Meli Palace can book a private transfer (taxi or mini van) at an extra charge.
Reservations department would be pleased to assist. E: [email protected]
What is the weather like in Crete?
Crete enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. The climate of Crete is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot, sunny summers. The daily average temperature ranges from 11 °C (52 °F) in January to 26 °C (79 °F) in August.
In spring, the weather is very pleasant with an average temperature between 16°C (61 °F) and 23°C (73°F), with a low chance of rainfall.
From June to August, it almost never rains and the weather is very warm. The sea is nicely warm with the average temperature reaching 30°C (86 °F), especially in July and August. Nevertheless, the heat is often relieved by the cooling “Meltemia” winds, which blow in from the north or northwest.
In September and October it is generally warm and sunny, with comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. The average temperature is 22°C (72 °F) and the sea remains warm, making it perfect for water activities. Some evenings can be cooler, and there can be occasional rainfall (particularly in October)
What are the parking options at the hotel?
There is a parking area in the hotel premises, free of charge.
What Time Zone is followed in Crete Island?
Greece’s Time is +2 GMT.
BOOKING & PAYMENT
Will I get the same benefits as mentioned on the website offers, if I book directly with the resort?
You will get the same offers, benefits as well as inclusions as what is mentioned on the website if you prefer to book directly with resort. To contact the resort directly, please send an email to: [email protected] or call: +30 28410 71502.
What is the payment and cancellation policy of the resort?
Pre-payment is required in order to guarantee reservations. How far ahead the payment is required and how far ahead you can cancel the reservation free of charge will depend on your stay dates and the offer under which you have booked.
How do I pay for my reservation?
Once your reservation is complete, the reservations team will send you a secure online payment link though which you can settle the payment via your credit card. Alternatively, we do accept bank transfers as well.
What are the payment methods while on the island?
Credit card, debit card, and cash payments are accepted. For credit cards, we accept VISA, American Express, MasterCard, Union Pay, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club. Guests must present the same credit card used for the booking, along with a photo ID or passport of the cardholder, upon check-in at the hotel.
Please note, according to legislation, partial or full settlement of invoices exceeding €500 in cash is prohibited. All payments exceeding this amount must be made by credit or debit card, or via bank transfer.
TRANSPORTATION
What is the standard mode of Airport transfer to Grecotel Meli Palace?
The hotel organizes private transfers for Arrival & Departure, from and to the Heraklion or the Chania International Airport. The journey to access the resort is approximately 40-minutes from the Heraklion airport and 2 hours and 40 minutes from the Chania airport.
What is required to arrange a transfer?
What we need from you is your flight number and the arrival time to the airport. Please inform us in case you travel with children and you need specific seats to be arranged. Payment is made to the driver directly.
What sights can be visited in the nearby area?
Things to see and to do on Crete are numerous. As Crete was the center of Minoan Civilization, you will find many Minoan sites with the most famous being the Ancient Palace of Knossos, close to Heraklion city.
Further sights are the Minoan Palace of Malia and Phaistos, the Spinalonga fortress, the town of Agios Nikolaos, the Samaria Gorge and many more.
DINING AND MEAL PLANS
What is included in the All-Inclusive package?
The day starts with a rich American breakfast buffet with local products, fitness, food, lunch with Mediterranean dishes, dinners with live show cooking and weekly theme evenings.
Soft drinks, water, beer, wine, alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks, hot & cold beverages are included in the all-inclusive concept.
What are the meal options for Children?
Children up to 12 years can use the All-Inclusive package for free. Both restaurants have available kids’ menus.
Do you have Baby food meal plan?
We will be more than happy to arrange baby food on request. Please contact the Restaurant Manager or Guest Services Manager to order in advance.
Do we need to book the a la carte restaurant in advance?
Yes, a reservation is required in advance. It is recommended to book your table a week prior to the arrival date in order to ensure the availability. Kindly be informed that the operation is weather permitting.
Is there any dress-code for the Restaurants?
Cover‐ups are required for breakfast and lunch. Footwear is required in restaurants & bars at all times. During dinner, gentlemen are kindly requested to wear long trousers. No beachwear or shorts are allowed in the evening.
ACCOMMODATION
What are the Check-In and Check-out Hours?
Check-out: 11 AM
Check-in: 3 PM
What should I have with me upon the check in?
Your ID card or Passport and the credit card you have used to book your reservation.
Is it possible to enter my room prior to check-in?
If the room is unoccupied, the hotel may approve earlier entrance. However, if you are planning to arrive early in the morning and you want to ensure that the room is ready, we suggest that you book an additional overnight prior to your arrival.
May I use the Hotel’s Facilities before my check-in or after my check-out?
All the Hotel’s Facilities are available the hotel’s guests to be used by the time you arrive in the hotel. On your departure date, all services end at 17.00.
If I arrive before my check-in time, can I drop my bag somewhere?
Meli Palace provides you a luggage area where we will safely store your luggage and personal belongings.
Is it possible to have a confirmed late check out?
A day before your departure a late check-out may be confirmed at the reception. There are different options with applicable charges to choose according to the availability the resort shall have. However, if you are planning to depart rather late and you want to ensure that the room would be possible to be kept, we suggest that you book in advance an overnight with your reservation.
What is the environmental tax am I obligated to pay it?
An environmental fee, defined as Climate Crisis Resilience Fee, of € 7,00 per room per night is applicable by law, payable by the guest directly at the hotel, upon check out.
Are there coffee or tea facilities in the room?
All rooms are equipped with Tea & Coffee Facilities, which are daily refilled.
What is the size of the extra bed?
All our extra beds are 1,90m (78 inches) in length and 90 cm (35 inches) in width and can accommodate an extra person should the room occupancy allows to be accommodated.
Can you confirm a certain room number or location?
A request can be made once the reservation is confirmed. We shall do our utmost to accommodate the request as per availability; however a specific room number cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Does the hotel provide Iron & Ironing board in the room?
Iron and ironing boards are available for our guests on request and can be delivered in their room for a limited length of time.
Ironing Service is also available with an extra charge.
Is there a safety deposit box in the room?
All room types offer a safety deposit box (deposit required)
What plug adapter do I need to bring with me?
The power plugs and sockets in the hotel are of type C. Type C consists of two round parallel pins while the wall plug has two holes where it is connected, the standard voltage is 220 V.
Is there an exchange office at the reception desk?
No, you may exchange cash notes in Euros at the airport or the nearest bank.
Where is the closest ATM machine?
The closest ATM machine is in the village of Sissi, approx. 2 km from the hotel.
Is the hotel accessible to Mobility Impaired Guests?
Due to hotel’s layout most departments and rooms are not accessible to persons with mobility problems. There are no specific rooms for mobility impaired guests.
Are pets allowed in the hotel?
No pets are allowed.
Service animals are allowed in all the public areas of the hotel, however, they must behave well and be under control at all times.
WELLNESS
Do we have to book the spa in advance?
It is recommended to book Elixir Beauty Spa treatments in advance in order to guarantee the preferred timing.
Do you have a Sauna, do I have to book?
We do have a sauna room in our Elixir Spa, our staff will be happy to assist you with the reservation.
Do you have a Gym?
Yes, our Gym operates daily from 10:30 until 19:00.
Is there a doctor at the resort?
A doctor is daily at the resort for approx. one hour. Extra charges may apply depending on guests’ travel insurance. The nearest medical center is located 6km from the resort.
KIDS CLUB
Do you have a kid’s club?
We have a very well-equipped Children’s creative and educational facility called Grecoland.
What age is allowed in the kid’s club?
Children between ages of 4 – 12 years old have free access to the Grecoland kids club. Children who are 3 years old and below also have access to the Grecoland kids club with the presence of a parent or a guardian.
Is it possible to book babysitting service?
Babysitting service can be booked with the below prices and terms and conditions:
From 07:00 – 22:00:
For 1 child: 15 Euro per hour
For 2 children: 25 Euro per hours
From 22:00 – 07:00:
For 1 child: 20 Euro per hour
For 2 children: 30 Euro per hours
• Guests are required to book baby-sitting services 24-hours in advance, and they may do so via the Guest Services Team.
• All bookings are for a minimum of 1 hour and follow with 1-hour increments. For example, if the babysitting lasts for 1.30hrs the guest will be charged for 2 hrs.
• For children below the age of 2, we allow one babysitter per child and for children above the age of 2 years, 2 children per babysitter at a time.
• Rates and taxes are subject to change without prior notice.
• The babysitter is chosen on best availability. We are not able to guarantee any specific requests such as gender, language or a specific Teammate. Teammates from Grecoland are available for babysitting duties outside of operational hours.
ACTIVITIES
What Types of Water Sports Activities do you have?
At the resort, all hotel guests have free access to our canoes and pedal boat.
Further water sports activities, such as scuba diving, banana, rings, Jet Ski are provided in a nearby area by external partners and can be arranged with our Front Office team on an extra charge.
Do you arrange excursion boat trips?
We can arrange different types of boat trips to enjoy the sea and secluded beaches of the Cretan shore, snorkeling excursions, sunset cruises, fishing etc.