Kritikos Asteras

Breakfast was enjoyable, and the little pool is pleasant. The place looks lovely in photos too, with olive trees all around it. But sleeping here was almost impossible for us. The rooms facing the sea might be quieter, but we were told all of them were occupied. The tap water isn't drinkable either. There's a highway just 50 metres away, and the traffic is loud around the clock. We thought it was a local road, but it isn't, and the rooms have no soundproofing. Planes also pass over the village to land every five minutes. In August, the cicadas were so loud we could barely hear each other. At check-in we were told, "You're at the seaside; people only sleep in hotels!" In practice, we could only get a decent night's sleep with earplugs and our heads under the pillows. Air conditioning also costs extra. WiFi is available, but the internet is VERY slow. The taverns downtown have much better connections. I'd look for somewhere a little farther from the road. The village centre is fairly quiet, without the highway noise, and you can't hear the sea there.

Breakfast was good and hard to beat for the price if you want something filling in the village. I did find a tastier option, but it cost more. The room was noisy, particularly with the windows facing the road. Aside from that, the interior, shower, grounds, and distance from the sea all seemed fair for what we paid.

It's now called Elia Hotel Apartaments. The staff are friendly, and while the food isn't anything special, it's fine to eat. The pool looked much bigger in the photos, as pools tend to, but it's there and the water is clean. The rooms feel like a late-Gierek-era place. They're clean, though a little neglected. There are quite a few shortcomings even for this price. With a bit of work and money, the place could be a lot better. You might expect a little more, and a little better.

For a budget holiday, this worked out well for us. The price suggested a basic three-star stay, but it was low even by that standard, so we felt we got more than expected. We were nervous after reading the bad reviews, but things went well once we arrived. We checked in late after dinner had ended, and the hostess still welcomed us warmly. The grounds are lovely, with olive trees, flowers, and lights in the evening. The adult pool is surprisingly deep, with a separate pool for children, plus a shower and loungers around it. Our room was clean and recently renovated, simply done in white and blue. We booked in a rush and ended up with a two-room apartment: three beds, a kitchenette without a stove, a fridge, and dishes. The second room has a vanity, two beds, and a nightstand. There's also a corner balcony with two sides, a plastic table, and two chairs. We had no electrical issues, despite what earlier comments said, so perhaps those were fixed. Air conditioning costs extra, and we paid 30 euros for the week. The food has a Greek touch. There wasn't the usual oatmeal at breakfast, but that didn't bother us. Dinner had plenty of variety and there was even soup. It's a bit of a walk to the sea, though public transport nearby goes to Heraklion and Hersonissos. There are local travel agencies for excursions, cheaper than our tour operator, as well as souvenir and grocery shops, taverns, and restaurants. You can hear the nearby highway, but we slept fine with the windows closed and the air conditioning on in July. There's no shower holder, so you have to turn off the water while washing your hair, which may help save water. If you drain a lot from the sink at once, as I did while doing laundry, the floor drain starts gurgling. The toilet doesn't cause this. There are some faults, but they didn't get in the way of our holiday, and the price makes them acceptable. Don't expect five-star quality from a three-star hotel. We were happy with what we paid and recommend it for a budget trip.