The hype
Guests are blown away by the aesthetics and the private pools but often let down by the service and cleanliness details.
Abaton Island Resort & Spa
$200-500/ night
Book this if You want a Mykonos-style party vibe and a private heated pool without the Mykonos price tag.
Why People Love It
- 71 rooms have private heated saltwater pools
- Buddha-Bar Beach brings world-class DJs and sushi right to the water's edge
- Stunning Cycladic architecture that is undeniably Instagram-perfect
Quick Take: A visually spectacular influencer paradise that struggles with 5-star service basics like housekeeping and maintenance.
Reviewed by @Ninetoflyclub: I stayed in a private pool suite here and it was pure magic. Spending the day lounging by the water and watching the sunset from the infinity deck was the highlight of my trip to Crete. It's the perfect spot if you just want to relax and disconnect.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
You are paying for the 'vibe' and the hardware (pools, views), not for white-glove Four Seasons-level service.
- You prioritize having a private heated pool over everything else
- You enjoy a lively beach club atmosphere with DJ sets during the day
- You want a romantic, adults-oriented vibe (though kids are allowed)
Cleanliness & Maintenance
6.5
- Housekeeping: Inconsistent. Reports of missed refills (water/coffee) and ignoring 'make up room' signs.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally clean surfaces, but complaints of flooding showers and 'sewage smells' in some blocks.
- Maintenance: Ant infestations reported in multiple reviews. Broken lights and loose fixtures also mentioned.
- Linens & towels: Mixed. Some guests reported stained towels and sheets, which is unacceptable for this price point.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells amazing (spa scent), but occasional sewage whiffs in corridors/rooms.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Bass from Buddha Bar DJ sets (afternoon and evening)
- Corridor noise due to echoey hard surfaces
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel is seasonal and closes from late October to late April.
- You need water shoes for the beach; it is rocky and difficult to enter directly.
- Valet parking is available, but self-parking is free and convenient.
What to pack
- Water shoes (the 'beach' is rocky and slippery)
- European power adapter (standard Type C/F)
- Bug spray (just in case the ant issue persists)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Luxury Seafront Guestroom with Private Pool (pool is heated, worth the splurge)
- Abaton Collection Suite (top floor, best privacy and views)
Rooms to avoid
- Deep Blue Deluxe (weird layout with shower right at the entrance, prone to flooding)
- Loft rooms (narrow stairs can be annoying for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am celebrating a special occasion and kindly request a room away from the main pool/Buddha Bar area to ensure quiet. Please also ensure the room has been double-checked for ants, as I have seen recent reviews mentioning this issue.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the main pool heated?
No, the main infinity pool is unheated and can be very cold. However, the indoor pool and many private room pools ARE heated.
Is it adults-only?
No, but it feels like it. There are no dedicated kids' clubs or slides, and the vibe is very grown-up.
How is the beach?
It's a rocky coastline with a man-made sandy sunbathing area. You enter the water via ladders or a pier, not a soft sandy slope.
Is the food expensive?
Yes, very. Buddha Bar and the steakhouse are priced at international luxury levels. Half-board plans can offer better value.
Can I walk to town?
Yes, Hersonissos is about a 15-20 minute walk, or a very short taxi ride.
Is there a gym?
Yes, but it's small ('cute') and lacks heavy weights (max 14kg dumbbells reported), though it has a Smith machine.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Walk 10 minutes to 'Vegera' (David's place) for incredible, authentic Cretan food at a fraction of the hotel's prices.
- ✨
The 'Spa' access (sauna/hammam) is NOT free unless you book a treatment; otherwise, you just get the indoor pool.
- ✨
Request a room on the upper level if you want to avoid people walking past your 'private' terrace.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Deep Blue Deluxe' room has a shower literally at the front door—zero privacy if someone opens the door.
💡The 'private' pools in some lower-category rooms are actually separated only by low walls, so you can hear your neighbors splash.
💡You have to pay for water at dinner even if you're on the Half Board plan.
💡The bathroom lighting is notoriously dim, making makeup application difficult.
💡Ants have been reported invading welcome sweets left on tables—put food in the fridge immediately.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Abaton Island Resort & Spa is located and what's nearby.