Solimar Ruby in Malia

Booked a junior suite in the “ruby royal” part of this hotel. Jet2 were well aware that my husband is disabled as I had booked “special assistance”. So back to the beginning. We landed in Heraklion, to absolutely no wheelchairs at all, security told us to take a seat and they’d find us a chair, 30 mins later, still no chair so walked to baggage claim. Booked private transfer, which was another 5 minute walk to the taxi, needless to say, my husband STRUGGLED! Got to the hotel, woman on reception was lovely and made us feel very welcome. She said we had been left some food and drink in our fridge for our arrival which was very sweet. Our “suite” was situated just past the splash pool, so walked over, to my absolute horror that our room was on the second floor (top floor), 4 flights of stairs, no lift, no handrail. I finally managed to get our 2 cases, backpack and medical device bag up the stairs, my husband REALLY struggled climbing even one flight of stairs, but got there in the end. The room was cute, separate living room and bedroom, walk in shower which was perfect for my husbands needs. Opened the fridge to grab a drink- 1 x 750ml bottle of water between the pair of us. The sandwiches were wrapped in clingfilm, both ham and cheese, no butter, no sauce etc, disappointed because I don’t eat pig, so they went in the bin. The yogurt was nice though. I went to reception to explain to the room wasn’t good for us, and she promised it would be sorted by morning 11am. The bed itself was comfy and clean. Slept ok, went for breakfast then spoke to reception again, receptionist told us (we are fully booked (bear in mind, this is the second week of October), and the only room we could have would be a standard room). As this room was ground floor, we accepted it. Asked jet2 about a refund on the “suite”, to be told “no, because we CHOSE to downgrade, the hotel won’t refund us! Anyway, the room was good, clean, decent size, but an over bath shower (not good for my husband). We just made good with what we had. We were able to gain access to the “royal” pool where the Sunbeds were a lot better than the ones at the splash pool. Good drinks offered, although some had to be paid for, even though we had paid for all inclusive “plus”, which I found odd. The snacks were absolutely woeful! Ham and cheese sandwiches and wraps, ham wraps, pork souvlaki, ham and cheese pizza, so needless to say, I was a bit gutted. The main restaurant wasn’t massive, but had seats for everyone. The food choices again, very odd (peas in tomato sauce), pork, pork, pork, “meat”, Pork, etc etc, so we ate out most nights. These would be my only moans, because this place has so many redeeming qualities, it’s spotless, the staff are all so, so lovely and are more than happy to chat with you, offer you advice on things to do etc. would we return? Yes, if we would be guaranteed the food was friendlier to people’s diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free), and the smokers should have a designate