Knossos Royal formerly Aldemar Knossos Royal

🏖️ Beachfront setting with direct access to the sand
🤝 Warm, attentive Greek hospitality and great service
🍽️ Fantastic dining choice with 6 restaurants and All Inclusive Plus
🎾 Huge range of pools, waterslides, sports and family facilities
♻️ Certified Sustainable Hotel meeting a GSTC-recognised standard
📶 Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rooms: 413 | Blocks: 23 | Floors: 2 (no lifts)
Board options: All Inclusive Plus, Half Board, Bed & Breakfast
Child age for pricing: up to 12 years

Set on Crete’s popular north coast, Knossos Royal enjoys a prime beachfront position just outside lively Hersonissos. From the resort you can step directly onto the sand for lazy beach days, or head 3km down the road to the resort centre for a change of pace – think waterfront tavernas, family-friendly bars and a buzzing main strip after dark.

Hersonissos is also perfectly placed for discovering Crete beyond the sunloungers: traditional villages in the hills, waterparks for the kids, and the legendary Palace of Knossos – home of the Minotaur myth – all make easy day trips.

Beach: beachfront (direct access)
Hersonissos resort centre: approx. 3km
Waterparks and local attractions: within short driving distance
Heraklion city & Palace of Knossos: around 30–40 minutes’ drive

Approx. transfer time from airport: 1 hour

Hersonissos, Crete (Heraklion Area), Greece

Knossos Royal is a great option if food is high on your holiday wish-list. You’ll have six restaurants and four bars to graze your way around, with everything from relaxed buffets to refined à la carte dinners by the beach.

Main Restaurant – The hub of the resort, serving buffet-style breakfast and dinner with show cooking, a wide choice of international dishes and a dedicated kids’ buffet.

Snack Restaurant – A casual buffet restaurant by the pool for lunch and daytime snacks, ideal when you don’t want to stray too far from your sunbed.

Beach Restaurant – À la carte lunches just steps from the sand, with international, Greek and local specialities and a kids’ menu.

Fontana Amorosa – An atmospheric à la carte venue dedicated to Italian favourites for dinner – think pasta, risotto and Mediterranean classics.

Rizes Gourmet – Beachside gastronomy that blends international, Greek and French influences, including show cooking in the evenings.

Taverna – A traditional-style Greek and local restaurant on the terrace, perfect for Cretan specialities under the stars.

Bars include a Beach Bar, a daytime Pool Bar, the garden-set Kafenio for a more local feel, and the elegant Main Bar for pre-dinner drinks and after-dark cocktails.

Smart dress codes may apply at selected restaurants (no beachwear; long trousers requested for gentlemen in the evening). Reservations and supplements can vary by season and board arrangement; details may change from year to year.

What All Inclusive typically includes.

With three outdoor saltwater pools (including a children’s pool with slides) plus an indoor heated pool, you’re spoilt for choice. One main pool is all about lazy days with plenty of sunbeds and parasols, while another focuses on family fun, with slides and a lively feel in high season.

The children’s pool is set near the beach, so little swimmers are never far from the sand. The indoor freshwater pool – heated between April and October – is ideal if you’re travelling at the very start or end of summer and want guaranteed swim time regardless of the weather.

Right below the resort lies the beachfront area, where you can stretch out on sunbeds, take a dip in the Aegean or try a range of watersports run by an external provider, including canoeing, pedalos, snorkelling, windsurfing, motorised watersports and more (most at extra charge). Facilities and operating dates can vary between pools and by season.

If you like to stay active, Knossos Royal has a long list of ways to move. The gym comes with cardio machines, free weights, a stretching zone, fixed strength equipment and a sauna (minimum age 17, opening hours usually 10:00–18:00).

On top of that there are aerobics and aqua aerobics sessions, mini-golf, petanque, table tennis, darts, volleyball and more. Tennis, squash, snooker and certain activities may carry an extra charge.

For downtime, the spa offers massages and beauty treatments plus a sauna, alongside an on-site hairdresser (charges apply; spa typically open April–October, age restrictions may apply).

Elsewhere around the resort you’ll find a children’s playground, a mini-market and a well-organised entertainment programme that shifts up a gear from mid-June, with everything from team games and water-based activities to evening shows, live DJs, live music and mini-discos for the kids (programme varies by season and occupancy).

Double Bungalow with Garden View
Sleeps 2–3. Village-style bungalows set amid the gardens, located on ground or first floor. Each offers a balcony or terrace, flat-screen TV or TV, Wi‑Fi, safety deposit box, hairdryer, fridge, coffee-making facilities, air conditioning and a bathroom with bath and shower attachment or shower. Daily cleaning; towel change on request. Also available for sole use for solo travellers.

Double Bungalow with Sea View
Sleeps 2. Similar to the garden view bungalows but positioned for sea views, and located on either ground or first floor. Facilities include balcony or terrace, TV, Wi‑Fi, safe, air conditioning, coffee-making facilities, fridge and full bathroom with bath and shower or shower.

Double Bungalow with Sharing Pool
Sleeps 2–3. These upgraded bungalows enjoy access to a shared pool with selected rooms. They also add bathrobes and slippers, turndown service and in-room sunbeds on the terrace or balcony, alongside flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe, fridge, kettle, coffee-making facilities, air conditioning and a shower bathroom.

VIP Seafront Double Bungalow with Shared Pool
Sleeps 2–3. Premium seafront bungalows in prime locations, again with access to a shared pool. Expect bathrobes and slippers, turndown service, coffee-making facilities, fridge, hairdryer, balcony or terrace and a modern shower bathroom, plus standard amenities like air conditioning, Wi‑Fi and in-room safe.

Family Room with Garden View
Sleeps 2–4. Designed with families in mind, these rooms offer a balcony or terrace overlooking the gardens, flat-screen TV, safe, kettle, fridge, bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer and a bathroom with bath and separate shower. Wi‑Fi may be limited or chargeable in some room types.

Family Room with Sharing Pool
Sleeps 2–4. Combines family-friendly space with access to a shared pool with selected rooms. Facilities typically include flat-screen TV, safety deposit box, balcony or terrace, bathrobes and slippers, kettle, fridge, hairdryer, shower bathroom and air conditioning.

Knossos Maisonette with Shared Pool
Sleeps 2–4. Split-level accommodation ideal for families or friends, with direct access to a shared pool with selected units plus private sunbeds. You’ll have a balcony or terrace, two bathrooms (both with whirlpool bath and shower), flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe, coffee-making facilities, kettle, minibar (charge), bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, turndown service and air conditioning.

Junior Suite with Shared Pool
Sleeps 2–4. More spacious open-plan suites benefiting from shared pool access and sunbeds, with a balcony or terrace. Facilities include flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe, coffee machine, kettle, minibar (charge), bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer and a bathroom with bath or shower. Turndown service and daily cleaning are included.

Knossos Suite with Shared Pool
Sleeps 2–4. High-comfort suites with shared pool access, private sunbeds and whirlpool bath with shower in the bathroom. Expect flat-screen TV, Wi‑Fi, safe, coffee machine, kettle, minibar (charge), bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, air conditioning and turndown service.

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.

⚽ Daily daytime activities in season (team games, sports & water-based fun)
🏊 Aqua aerobics & pool games
🏋️ Gym workouts and fitness sessions
🏌️ Mini-golf & petanque
🏓 Table tennis, darts & volleyball
🎾 Tennis & squash (extra charges for some courts/equipment)
🌊 Wide range of beach watersports (external provider, seasonal & chargeable)
🎭 Evening entertainment including in-house shows, live DJ sets, live music, quizzes, karaoke and mini-discos (programme varies across the season)

🛎️ Reception with concierge-style assistance and luggage storage
👶 Equipment hire such as bottle warmers, kettles and pushchairs (charge for some items)
🧴 On-site spa with sauna, massages and beauty treatments (charges apply; age restrictions)
💇 On-site hairdresser (extra cost)
🛍️ Mini-market for holiday essentials and snacks
👨‍👩‍👧 Children’s club (4–12 yrs, typically 10:00–18:00, seasonal)
🧒 Children’s playground with swings, slides and shaded areas
💶 Currency exchange service
📶 Free Wi‑Fi throughout the hotel (speeds may vary)

Resort & island
Hersonissos is one of Crete’s best-known resorts, blending long days on the beach with a lively waterfront and plenty of family attractions. Expect banana boat rides, nearby waterparks, aquariums and an open-air museum that offers a glimpse of traditional Cretan life.

Good to know
• Country: Greece
• Island: Crete – Heraklion Area
• Language: Greek (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Time difference: GMT +2 hours
• Average flying time from UK: around 4.5 hours
• Typical transfer time to Hersonissos: about 1 hour

Many facilities at Knossos Royal are seasonal and weather-dependent, with some services, entertainment and restaurants operating to specific dates or subject to minimum occupancy. Watersports and spa treatments are usually at extra charge.

For entry rules and health guidance see the UK FCDO Greece advice.

Knossos Royal formerly Aldemar Knossos Royal Prices & Book
Choose your dates in the search box for live availability and offers. Book with low deposits. ATOL Protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Knossos Royal a beachfront hotel?
Yes. Knossos Royal enjoys a true beachfront position in Hersonissos, with direct access from the resort grounds to a sandy beach and a dedicated sunbathing area by the sea.

2. What does All Inclusive Plus include at Knossos Royal?
All Inclusive Plus typically covers buffet-style breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant, lunch at the snack restaurant, snacks at selected times between meals for at least three hours per day, and a selection of local wine, beer, local and international branded spirits and soft drinks served for a minimum of 12 hours daily. Guests staying 7 nights or more can usually enjoy one à la carte lunch at the Beach Restaurant and unlimited set-menu dinners in selected à la carte venues such as the Taverna, Fontana Amorosa or Rizes Gourmet (reservations required; second visits or certain dishes may incur a supplement). Exact details can change between seasons.

3. Is Knossos Royal suitable for children and families?
Very much so. There’s a children’s pool with slides, a kids’ club for ages 4–12 years, a playground, highchairs and kids’ menus in several restaurants, plus family rooms and maisonettes with sharing pools. The organised entertainment programme also includes daytime activities and evening mini-discos during the main season.

4. How far is Knossos Royal from Hersonissos and the airport?
Knossos Royal is around 3km from the centre of Hersonissos – a short taxi ride or a longer stroll depending on your pace. Heraklion Airport (HER) is approximately 1 hour away by coach transfer, depending on traffic and the number of stops en route.

5. Are there quieter areas at the resort if we don’t want entertainment?
Yes. While there is a strong entertainment programme in peak summer, the resort’s village-style layout, multiple pools and extensive gardens mean you can usually find quieter corners, especially around some of the more relaxed pool areas, the beachfront and bungalow sections away from the main activity zones.

6. Does Knossos Royal have a spa and fitness facilities?
Yes. There is a well-equipped gym with cardio equipment, free weights and a stretching area, plus a sauna. The on-site spa offers massages and beauty treatments, and there is an on-site hairdresser. Most spa services and some wellness facilities incur an extra charge and may have age restrictions.

7. What is meant by Knossos Royal being a Certified Sustainable Hotel?
Being a Certified Sustainable Hotel means that, at the time of assessment, Knossos Royal met a sustainability standard that is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This typically covers energy and water management, waste reduction, supporting the local community and protecting the local environment. Hotels are periodically reassessed, so certification can evolve over time.

8. Is Wi-Fi free at Knossos Royal?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, including public areas and guest rooms. As with many large resort-style properties, signal strength and speeds can vary depending on your exact location and time of day.

9. Are there many steps at Knossos Royal?
Knossos Royal is laid out in a village-style format with two-storey buildings and no lifts. This creates a charming, low-rise feel but does mean there are steps and level changes around the property. If you have reduced mobility, it’s worth requesting a room in a more accessible area and checking suitability before you travel.