Escape to Paradise: Sun-Drenched Chania Beach Apartments (Crete)
Escape to Paradise: Sun-Drenched Chania Beach Apartments (Crete) - A Review That's Actually Real (and Messy!)
Okay, so I just got back from Crete, and I need to tell you about this place. Escape to Paradise: Sun-Drenched Chania Beach Apartments. Seriously, the name alone makes you want to book, right? Let me tell you, it's a mixed bag, like life itself. But mostly… mostly it's pretty darn good. And I’m going to tell you EVERYTHING, the good, the bad, the slightly-meh. Buckle up, buttercups.
First Impressions: Sun, Sand, and… Finding the Right Apartment?
Getting there was a breeze, thanks to their airport transfer service. After a long flight, that's GOLD. And the elevator? Thank goodness! My knees are… well, let’s just say they appreciate elevators. The 24-hour front desk was a lifesaver when my flight was delayed and I arrived at 2 AM. The check-in was efficient, with contactless check-in/out – a definite plus in these Covid times. They even had a doorman, which made me feel a little fancy.
Now, the apartments themselves… they’re gorgeous. Seriously, non-smoking rooms, air conditioning, a refrigerator to keep your Mythos cold, and a coffee/tea maker for those early morning wake-ups. My apartment had a balcony with a window that opens – essential for that salty Cretan breeze! I even had an extra long bed, which was a godsend for my restless sleep. The complimentary tea and free bottled water were a nice touch. There was a desk for working (ugh), but also a seating area for lounging. The bathroom was clean and modern, with a shower and a bathtub, and a hairdryer that actually worked! The slippers and bathrobes were a nice touch too, if a little… hotel-y.
But here’s a confession: I had to navigate the exterior corridor to get to my apartment, which felt a little… motel-ish at first. And I did initially struggle to find my apartment. Maybe a little more signage would be helpful? But hey, I eventually found it, and the view from my high floor apartment was worth the initial scramble.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
This is where things get a little… complicated. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, but I didn't personally experience them. I didn’t see a lot of overtly obvious wheelchair access, and I'm not the expert on that. The elevator is a huge plus, and the front desk is easily accessible. But I’d recommend reaching out directly to the hotel to confirm specific accessibility details if that's a major concern.
Cleanliness and Safety: They're Trying (and succeeding!)
Okay, this is important. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, especially now. The hotel is very serious about hygiene. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere. They use anti-viral cleaning products and have daily disinfection in common areas. My room was definitely sanitized between stays. They even offer room sanitization opt-out available, which is cool. I saw staff trained in safety protocol, and they were all masked up. I'm not sure about the anti-viral cleaning products, but I saw them cleaning everything. The safe dining setup was reassuring. They're trying hard, and I felt safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (with a Few Hiccups)
The food! Oh, the food! There's a restaurant and a poolside bar, which is pretty much all you need. They had a breakfast [buffet] with everything from Asian breakfast options to Western breakfast. The coffee/tea in restaurant was plentiful. I had a killer salad in restaurant one day. And they had desserts in restaurant – which, let's be honest, is the most important thing.
Here's the messy bit: the service in the restaurant was a little… uneven. Some days it was amazing, other days it was a struggle to flag someone down. The a la carte in restaurant was a bit pricey, but the quality was good. I did enjoy the poolside bar and the happy hour. And, bonus, the bottle of water was always readily available. I didn't try the room service [24-hour], but it's a nice option to have. I didn't see any vegetarian restaurant but the options at the buffet were pretty good.
Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (and a Gym That Needs a Little Love)
Okay, the spa! This is where they really shine. They have a sauna, a steamroom, a massage, and even a body scrub and body wrap. I indulged in a massage and it was pure bliss. Forget all your worries, just melt into the table. The pool with view was stunning. The swimming pool [outdoor] was perfect for a dip after a long day of exploring.
The gym/fitness center, however… let's just say it could use a little TLC. It was a bit cramped, and the equipment was a bit… dated. But hey, they have a gym! And if you're really dedicated, you can get a workout in. The foot bath was a cute touch.
Things to Do: Chania and Beyond
The hotel is perfectly located for exploring Chania. It's close to the beach, close to the shops, and close to the harbor. They can arrange car park [free of charge] and offer airport transfer, making it easy to get around. They don’t have a ton of activities onsite, but that’s fine, you’re in Crete!
Internet: Wi-Fi and All That Jazz
The free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a godsend. The Internet access – wireless was reliable. I'm not sure about the Internet [LAN] because, who uses LAN anymore?
Other Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They have a concierge, a laundry service, and daily housekeeping. The luggage storage was handy for my late checkout. They even had a convenience store for those late-night cravings for snacks. They provided an invoice provided when I checked out. The currency exchange was useful.
For the Kids:
They have family/child friendly options. I didn't see a ton of kids facilities, but I did see some families having a great time. They also offer babysitting service.
The Verdict: Worth the Escape?
Absolutely. Despite a few minor imperfections (exterior corridor, uneven restaurant service, slightly sad gym), Escape to Paradise: Sun-Drenched Chania Beach Apartments is a fantastic choice. The location is perfect, the staff is friendly, the spa is divine, and the overall experience is incredibly relaxing. It's not perfect, but it's real, and that's what I loved about it.
My Offer (Because You Deserve a Little Paradise):
Book your stay at Escape to Paradise: Sun-Drenched Chania Beach Apartments now! Use code "CRETEESCAPE" for a free welcome drink at the poolside bar and a complimentary 30-minute massage at the spa. Seriously, treat yourself. You deserve it. You won’t regret it. Now, go book your escape!
KL's BEST Studio: Mall-Top Luxury in SS15 Courtyard! (Studio #22)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is me in Crete, and frankly, it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess. We're talking Sun & Beach Apartments in Chania, Greece. Prepare yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival & the "Holy Guacamole, I'm in Greece!" Factor
- Morning (or, let's be honest, probably early afternoon): Arrive at Chania Airport. Get through customs. Try not to embarrass myself by attempting to speak any Greek beyond "Yassas" (hello). The airport is smaller than my local grocery store, which, honestly, is a relief. Less chance of getting lost and crying.
- Afternoon: Taxi to Sun & Beach Apartments. Pray the driver doesn't think I'm a complete idiot for not knowing where I'm going. (Spoiler: I probably am.) Check in. The apartment… well, it's clean. And the balcony? Oh. My. God. The view. I almost cried. Seriously. The turquoise water, the little boats bobbing… I'm officially in love.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Okay, time to actually do something. Wander around the Old Venetian Harbour. Get completely overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of it all. Take a million photos. Probably trip over a cobblestone (it's inevitable). Grab a souvlaki from a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place. I'm pretty sure the guy running it was judging my pronunciation, but the food was divine.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna. Order way too much food. Probably order the wrong thing. Accidentally become best friends with the grumpy old cat that's lurking under the tables, I have no idea why. Stare at the stars. Feel a weird mix of exhaustion and pure, unadulterated joy.
Day 2: Beach Bliss & the Great Sunscreen Fiasco
- Morning: Beach day! Head to Elafonisi Beach. Everyone raves about it, so I'm bracing myself for crowds, but the pink sand and crystal-clear water had me saying, "Okay, I get it now." The water is so clear you can see the fish, it's insane.
- Mid-morning: Sunscreen. Crucial. Or so I thought. I swear, I applied it. Maybe I missed a spot. Maybe I didn't apply enough. Either way, I ended up looking like a lobster by the afternoon. (Note to self: next time, bring the industrial-strength stuff.)
- Afternoon: More beach time. Swim. Float. People-watch. (The Greeks are stylish people, I swear.) Try to build a sandcastle. Fail miserably. Blame the sand.
- Late Afternoon: Head back to the apartment. Attempt to soothe the sunburn with copious amounts of aloe vera. Feel like a walking, talking tomato.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna closer to the apartment, I'm too sunburnt to go far. Attempt to order something simple, but the waiter keeps bringing me free shots of raki. (This could be a problem.)
- Night: More raki. More laughing. More… possibly questionable decisions.
Day 3: Exploring & The "Lost in Translation" Saga
- Morning: Attempt to recover from the previous night's raki-fueled adventures. Realize I have a slight hangover and a terrible sunburn. Curse myself for not drinking more water.
- Late Morning: Rent a car. This is a terrible idea. I drive on the left. The roads are narrow. The Greeks drive like they're auditioning for a Fast & Furious movie. I'm pretty sure I almost killed a goat.
- Afternoon: Drive to the Samaria Gorge. Realize I'm not prepared for a hike of that magnitude. Decide to do a shorter, easier hike in the area. Get lost. End up on a goat track. Swear a lot. Eventually, find my way back to the main road.
- Late Afternoon: Drive back to Chania. Attempt to park the car. Fail. Park it anyway. Worry about it the rest of the evening.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna. Try to order something other than souvlaki. Get completely confused by the menu. End up with a dish that looks suspiciously like… octopus tentacles. Take a bite. Actually, it's not bad! Surprise!
- Night: Wander around the harbor. Listen to live music. Feel incredibly content, despite the questionable food choices and my questionable driving skills.
Day 4: Cooking Class & The Olive Oil Revelation
- Morning: Finally get my act together and sign up for a cooking class. Learn how to make traditional Cretan dishes. The chef is amazing, and I actually manage to make something edible! (Okay, it might have been mostly the chef, but I helped!)
- Afternoon: Visit an olive oil farm. Learn about the process of making olive oil. Taste the olive oil. Realize that the olive oil I buy at home is basically… motor oil. Buy way too much olive oil to take home.
- Late Afternoon: Relax on the balcony. Drink some iced coffee. Watch the sunset. Feel incredibly relaxed and at peace.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna. Order something fancy. Actually pronounce the name of the dish correctly! Feel like I'm finally starting to get the hang of this whole "living in Greece" thing.
- Night: Stargazing. Again. This time, with a bottle of local wine. Pure bliss.
Day 5: Farewell, Chania! (And a Few Last-Minute Shenanigans)
- Morning: One last leisurely breakfast on the balcony. Soak up the view. Realize I don't want to leave.
- Late Morning: One last walk around the Old Venetian Harbour. Buy a few souvenirs. Try not to spend all my money. Fail.
- Afternoon: Pack my bags. Try to squeeze all the olive oil and souvenirs into my suitcase. Realize I'm going to need a bigger bag.
- Late Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. Say goodbye to the beautiful Sun & Beach Apartments. Vow to come back as soon as humanly possible.
- Evening: Fly home. Spend the entire flight dreaming of Greek food, sunshine, and the sound of the waves.
- Night: Arrive home, exhausted but exhilarated. Immediately start planning my return trip.
Minor Categories:
- Food: Souvlaki, gyros, Greek salad, fresh seafood, olive oil, raki (too much raki).
- Drink: Iced coffee, local wine, raki (again!), water (wish I'd had more).
- Transportation: Taxi, rental car (a mistake), walking.
- Things I Regret: Not bringing enough sunscreen, not learning more Greek, not staying longer.
- Things I'd Do Again: Everything. Absolutely everything.
Final Thoughts:
Crete is magic. Chania is a dream. The Sun & Beach Apartments were perfect. I came expecting a vacation, and I got an experience. A messy, imperfect, glorious experience. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go start looking at flights for next year… and maybe invest in some better sunscreen. And a crash course in Greek.
Bali's Bisma Suite: 5-Minute Paradise to 66 Beach!
Escape to Paradise: Sun-Drenched Chania Beach Apartments (Crete) - Oh, My God, Let's Talk About This!
Okay, Seriously, What *Is* This Place? Like, Give Me the Lowdown.
Is it *Really* On the Beach? Because Websites Lie.
What Are the Apartments Actually *Like*? Are We Talking Luxury or… Rust?
Are There Any Hidden Fees? Because I *HATE* Hidden Fees.
What's the Food Situation Like? I Need My Gyro Fix.
Is it Family-Friendly? I'm Traveling with a Tiny Human (or Two).
How Easy is it to Get Around? Do I Need a Car?
Okay, Okay, You've Convinced Me. But What's the Absolute BEST Thing About This Place? Spill!
