Red Havana Premium — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

I first came across Red Havana on TikTok and, like many people, I thought, wow, that looks like a stunning beach club. The kind of place where you imagine yourself sipping a drink, lounging in the sun, and feeling like you made the best vacation decision of your life. Well… turns out TikTok forgot to show the reality.

When we got there, we didn’t have a reservation (our bad, I guess) — but they were kind enough to “find us a spot.” At first, I thought, how nice of them. Except that the “spot” was a pair of bean bags awkwardly placed not too close to the pool but not that far away, because apparently all the sunbeds were “fully booked.” You know, the same sunbeds that I watched sit completely empty for most of the time we were there. It’s a little strange how “fully booked” can mean “reserved for invisible people.” But fine, bean bags it is.

There’s also a 25 euro per person minimum spend, which I can understand if you’re offering an amazing experience. But before we even had the chance to sit down and settle in, a staff member came over to remind us (again) that we needed to start ordering right away. Nothing says “relaxing beach day” like someone breathing down your neck with a menu before you’ve even put down your bag.

The pool was, unfortunately, not the sparkling paradise from the videos. It was cold. Not refreshing cold, but why is there ice in my veins cold. I dipped my toes in and instantly decided, nope. The music was loud, repetitive, and the exact same vibe all afternoon — like someone pressed play on one playlist and forgot about it.

We tried the food, and here’s where it gets… well, interesting. The fried zucchini? Absolutely no flavor, but yes, there were a lot of them. I suppose that’s their idea of generosity — give you plenty of something bland so you feel like you’re getting value. The cheese fries? Fine. Not great, not terrible, just… fine. Honestly, you could get the same thing at a cheap snack bar for half the price. Sure, the portion was big, but so is a portion of disappointment.

The cocktail I ordered was another experience. I’m no stranger to a strong drink, but this one tasted like someone poured alcohol straight into a glass, swirled it once for formality, and called it a cocktail. Not mixed, not balanced, just strong for the sake of being strong.

The atmosphere was also a little odd. There weren’t many guests at all, yet somehow everything was “fully booked.” Out of the entire staff, maybe one person smiled and actually seemed happy to help. Everyone else seemed stressed, rushed, or just uninterested in being there.

In the end, we lasted about an hour before deciding we’d had enough. For the price you pay just to exist there, plus the fact that you’re required to buy things on top of that, it’s just not worth it. This is the kind of place that looks good in photos, which is probably why influencers love it — take a few staged shots, pretend you’re having the best time, and then leave before the disappointment sinks in.

Oh and also, when we were leaving after a such a short time, suddenly the sunbeds at the beach were not ”fully booked” anymore, but it was too late for that now the vibe was already ruined.

If you’re thinking of going, I’d say save your money and your mood. Unless, of course, you enjoy sitting on bean bags while empty sunbeds “belong” to imaginary guests, drinking cocktails that taste like straight liquor, and wondering why you came in the first place.

We left after 60 minutes. If that doesn’t tell you enough, then by all means, go see for yourself. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re back in your hotel an hour later, wondering what...

UPDATE: So we went yesterday one more time, the inflatable minionin was not working , they still charged us for the kids acces to the pool 10 euros/kid and nobody was there to keep an eye on them. So why do you charge this 10 euro then???? ( and you dont even get a receipt for it)

Red Havana was our favorite place for years, last year i was almost daily there with my kids for 3 months in a row( you do the math) , these year we been there 3 times and it took me so many times to convince myself its not anymore the place for us. The place has improved alot, the staff is super friendly and the food amazing. The managment has to choose whether is for kids and family or youngsters, and adults only, because now its something in between and nobody has a good time. The music is great but is so loud( guess for the youngsters) that you have to yell at your kids and its more than they should be exposed to. All the greek families have dissapered from Red Havana you only see tourist and some whealty young teenergers. the pool and water slide is 10 euro per kid/ day but last year they had staff member, one at the pool and one at the water slide, which is not the case anymore. Last year were were paying only 5 euro for the water slide as the pool was free of charge, they increased the pay but downgraded the service. I really wish you good luck and hope you will focus on a certain type of customers as right now Red Havana cant be called a child...

During a relaxing weekend getaway to Crete, my partner and I stumbled across a gem on TikTok that turned out to be the highlight of our trip—Red Havana in Ayia Marina. We were in search of a laid-back spot with great food, an open sea view, and good music—and this place delivered on all fronts.

From the moment we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly and helped us find the perfect seating. Pro tip: If you're visiting during peak season, definitely book ahead! The vibe was everything we’d hoped for—peaceful yet lively, with chill beats spinning in the background courtesy of the talented DJ Tony.

The food and drinks menu was extensive, offering something for every taste. Service was top-notch throughout; we didn’t have to lift a finger. Nikos, who looked after us all day, was incredibly attentive—taking our orders, refreshing the ice bucket regularly, and even going the extra mile to surprise us with a custom mix of raki and watermelon shots to celebrate my partner’s birthday. A seriously thoughtful touch!

If you’re heading to Crete and want somewhere with a relaxed atmosphere, top-tier service, and beautiful seaside views, I highly recommend adding Red Havana to...