Elia Platanias

The Wi-Fi was good and there was free parking. We stayed eight days, and the beds were fine, but the pillows were so hard they felt like logs. Our kitchenette worked, though it was missing useful things like spoons and forks. I was told the rooms had good soundproofing, but that wasn't true. My wife and kids slept in the bedroom and I spent the week on the sofa. The overall cleaning on arrival was so-so. The trash can was filthy, there seemed to be dirt or poo on the inside of the door, and there was mold in the shower. After each visit the cleaner did a good job, though those things were still there. The toilet seat was broken and replaced on day two, so we went the whole day without one. When it was installed the next day, it was very dirty, and I had to go down and ask them to clean it.

The apartment was tidy and clean, and its location was handy. Having underground parking was a real plus. A few small things could make the stay better: a curtain that covers the whole window, a sponge along with the dish detergent, and somewhere convenient in the shower to set shampoo and body wash.

The staff were helpful when we brought problems to them, and they accommodated our request for an early breakfast before our morning tour to Balos beach. The apartment was modern, renovated and spacious, breakfast was free, and there was private parking near the road. We had a deluxe room with a Jacuzzi, but I wondered whether we'd been given what we'd paid for, and I never used the tub. There were several problems on arrival, even though we checked in four hours after our scheduled time and had communicated that in advance. The room wasn't ready, the AC didn't work and the Jacuzzi hadn't been cleaned, with soap from the previous users still visible. Staff responded well once we complained, but I spent two hours trying to figure out what worked. Noise was a big issue. You could hear nearly everything, including neighbors in rooms that weren't attached, and even the toilet flushing and showering inside our own apartment. A nearby bar held late-night parties, which disturbed my sleep as a light sleeper, though my daughter slept fine. Rooms 301 and 302 were especially exposed and directly accessible to anyone. The layout wasn't user-friendly either. Rooms 301 and 302 are on the third floor with no lift access, while the lift only serves rooms 401 and 402. To get to breakfast, you have to go downstairs and then take the lift back up to your own level, which is ridiculous. The polished granite stairs look nice but can get wet and slippery in rain, so they don't feel safe. The parking area is narrow and awkward. With a larger car, you'd need great maneuvering skills to avoid scratches. Overall, it’s a poorly designed property with insufficient soundproofing and basic amenities for the price.

Reception called to say we could check in early, which was lovely. The hotel was amazing, with cozy, very clean rooms that mix traditional style with modern facilities, and such nice staff. It's a little way from Chania town, but there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops nearby.