I tried my first all-inclusive hotel — this is my honest review

I got my first taste of Greece on a scorching day last summer, jostling with hundreds of people for a spot on a cable car that would take us up to the streets of Santorini. It was chaos.

And while I was glad to have seen one of the country’s most popular islands, I was desperate for my next Greek experience to feel less like being stuffed inside a sardine can.

With more than four million Brits now travelling to Greece each year, it’s difficult to imagine there can be many hidden gems left. But rest assured, they do exist.

I found a well-kept secret in the form of two all-inclusive hotels, an unlikely discovery for someone who has always been suspicious of the package concept. Part of the same hotel group but offering very different experiences, I escaped the crowds at the Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa and Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay last June — these are my honest reviews.

Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort

Getting there

Before flying into Thessaloniki, I knew next to nothing about Greece’s second city, a seaside showcase of ancient history that was once the domain of Alexander the Great.

A 90-minute drive brought me to Halkidiki, northern Greece’s most popular destination, known for its lunar-like beaches and bays sheltered with pine forests.

One of the latest additions to the region is the recently opened Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort, a sprawling five-star property perfect for ‘fly and flop’ holidays where you do, well, nothing.

The remote location could easily be a turn-off — the nearest village, Pefkochori, is 9km drive away. But having never stayed in an all-inclusive, for me, the novelty was real. I was quickly sold on the luxury of being a few steps to my private pool, with a selection of eight bars and restaurants not much further away.

The biggest win, however, was the proximity of the hotel’s private beach, where the dread of battling for sunbeds was never a problem.

Facilities

Ajul has everything you could want for a relaxing trip: a spa, an open-air cinema and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

But there are also plenty of activities on offer nearby.

From visits to local villages like Afytos, a charming spot with stone houses and cobblestone streets, scuba diving classes at the Triton Scuba Diving Academy and sailing, fishing and mountain biking excursions ideal for exploring the local landscape, boredom is never a concern.

Food and drink

While the daily buffet breakfast and lunch will satisfy everyone with its selection of staples (bacon, eggs, hash browns and sausages), it’s the specialty restaurants at Ajul that shouldn’t be missed.

Ambrosia serves up classic Italian fare, but it seems wasteful to spend even a single meal in Greece not enjoying local delicacies. Although the food is delicious, you could give this a miss.

At Thimari, the standout is the Greek salad, Dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice) and decadent meat platters, finished with sweet baklava (several were secreted in my napkin to enjoy later).

The service is impeccable, with waiters eager to explain the origins of the dishes and which ones cannot be missed when in Greece.

Rooms

My previous accommodation in Greece consisted of a ferry and a city centre hostel, so Ajul’s Prestige Villas (complete with a private pool) felt like a luxury I could get used to.

The modern, spacious room had everything you might need, with housekeeping just a call away if any extras were required. And for those staying in villas furthest from reception, a lift around the grounds in a golf buggy is a welcome touch.

Perhaps the strangest critique of a hotel room in history, but the toilets in the bathrooms were extraordinarily high off the ground. Myself and several guests couldn’t help but discuss how it took us a shimmy or two to hoist ourselves on.

Verdict

After visiting Ajul I finally understood the appeal of all-inclusive resorts. While the thought of being ‘stuck’ in a hotel always put me off, I discovered they can be the perfect place to enjoy holidays at a slower pace.

I should say, Ajul was far from remote, and although it did take a little while longer to get to some of the activities, seeing more of the area was a welcome addition.

Construction was underway on what looked to be a waterpark for kids of all ages while I was there, so this summer could be a good time to see what more the resort has to offer.

Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort: 7/10

Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay

Getting there

After four days on the mainland, I headed to Crete to see if island life was less chaotic there than I’d found on crowded Santorini.

As the country’s biggest island, spanning 161 miles from east to west, it enjoys a healthy flow of tourists, but its size provides breathing space you don’t get on smaller islands.

About an hour’s drive from Heraklion Airport is Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay, a beachfront resort that opened in 1972.

Located in the largest bay of the Greek islands, the resort is just a six-minute drive to the port city of Agios Nikolaos, but still feels private and has plenty to see and do nearby if you feel like venturing out, from local villages to ancient ruins.

Facilities

The Wyndham has such a vast range of amenities and activities you won’t have much reason to leave the resort.

From waterslides to water sports including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis, the only issue was finding time to fit it all in. Two tennis courts, beach volleyball and mini soccer are also on-site, as well as a playground for kids and a spa for adults.

Food and drink

Nine restaurants and bars serve up the best of local delicacies including saganaki (fried cheese) and kaltsounia (cheesy stuffed pastries), plus all the fresh seafood you can eat.

The standout is the Kafenion Cretan restaurant on one of the outdoor terraces. Here they celebrate Crete’s culture and cooking with an unmissable night of traditional dancing (be warned, you’ll be pulled up to join in).

A post-dinner visit to the shisha patio is a nice way to wind down, as is the Spilia wine tasting which takes place in a natural cave on the edge of the resort.

Rooms

With the temperature hitting 45 degrees during my stay at Mirabello Bay, stepping into a villa with both a sea view and a private pool was sweet relief.

Little touches like a bottle of wine and fruit platter on arrival confirmed exactly why this hotel has been running for decades, with loyal guests returning again and again.

Things to do

While it was hard to peel myself off my sun lounger, learning more about the region’s history was something I didn’t want to miss.

A visit to Spinalonga was an eye-opening experience. Not far from the resort by a 20-minute boat ride is the small island whose history was detailed in Victoria Hislop’s acclaimed 2005 novel The Island, which tells the story of its use as a leper colony in the 20th century.

Verdict

There’s a clear winner. I have no hesitation in saying that Mirabello Bay is the best place I have ever stayed.

The group I travelled with all debated how we could extend our trip — a surefire sign of a perfect holiday. Months later I’m still desperate to return.

Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay: 9/10

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Pierra Willix was a guest of Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa and Wyndham Mirabello Resort.

Rooms at Ajul start at £373 per night during peak season, with airport transfers available for around £127 for two people.

At Wyndham Mirabello, rooms start from £207 a night during peak season; airport transfers around £93.

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