Ismini Apartments

Originally we (my wife and me) went to Crete to travel around. We looked for a convenient place to stay which will be close to tourist attractions. When we entered this wonderful house and garden we decided to spend most of our time there, and actually gave up most of our travelling plans. As Israelis, who live just 10 minutes from the beach, it is relatively difficult to impress us with beaches, but this was outstanding. The direct access from the appartment to the garden and from there straight to the beach is just fantastic. But above all we found great people who made every possible effort to give us an unforgetable holiday. We shall be back.

Ismini was a very welcoming host (we even received a freshly baked cake on arrival!) and the property was just perfect! It felt like a home rather than a holiday apartment, it was super clean and had beautiful antique furniture and wooden features. The garden was beautiful and led directly onto the beach where we could use private loungers. We have a one year old and he loved playing in the garden on the toys provided and also felt very at home here. Can’t recommend highly enough.

The location was brilliant, so close to the beach and yet in the centre of Kalives. and set in a beautiful garden. Ismini is such a lovely lady! She made us two cakes while we were staying! She was so friendly and helpful. We hope to return with our family at some point.

I have stayed several times at Ismini's many times over the years and cannot recommend it highly enough. The main "apartment" is really a house, not an apartment, but Ismini is reluctant to reflect that in her prices up and charge the market value because she is a generous soul and feels loyal to her repeat customers (of whom there are many). The house is spotless, the situation is absolutely idyllic and Ismini is charm and kindness personified. This is just a gem of a place and we hope to go back again and again...

We spent two weeks at Ismini's apartment in April 2015 with our 19 month old son and had a great time. The big garden and the many toys and swings kept out son busy. Ismini was very generous with her time and advice on where to eat and shop. The local tavernas delivered to our apartment. The apartments have been recently renovated and look very nice. There are nearby mini markets with very good local products. We would recommend this place for families with young children.

We planned to stayed in Ismini's apartments for a week, and stayed 1 week more because it was so perfect. We came with our baby girl and it was amazing for her too. The house and the apartments have everything you need, They are clean, and beautifully decorated. It looks even better than the pictures. the house is big and elegant, the apartments are more beach house style. but the best thing for sure is the great yard, in front of the sea, all nourished with love by Isminis. Ismini is great, and helped us with all the information, the restaurants around are good and not very expensive, besides the playground in the yard, there are 2 more playgrounds very close so its a perfect place for the kids. the beach is also great, one the few beaches in crete the relatively do not suffer…

The garden and the proximity to the sea. Very quiet.

All in all a perfect stay. We stayed here with our one year old for a small week at the end of April. The apartment had everything we needed. We had lunch and breakfast at the apartment, dinner we had outside most of the time. What the other reviews forget to mention is that the beds are brand new and very comfortable. Ismini was, as you can also read in other reviews, very friendly and helpful. The garden and direct beach entrance are all you need. We definitely recommend this place and would come again.

Ismini's place was so relaxing! The complex consists of two small houses with "balcony" bedrooms for 3 people each, a bigger 2-storey house for 4 people, and the house where Ismini herself stays. The buildings share between them a huge lawn that is surrounded by flowers and trees. The apartment complex is located between a restaurant and a hotel, but due to the tall trees and bushes along the perimeter you don't notice these neighbours. All of the buildings have terraces facing the lawn and - beyond that - the beach. We loved that we could cross the lawn and go directly out on to the beach, where Ismini has set out umbrellas and sunbeds - exclusively for her guests and at no extra charge. We (my husband and our 5-year-old) stayed in one of the small houses. The house has good and sturdy furniture - loved the beds! - and beautiful old lamps. The terrace was wonderful: we ate all our meals there. The staircase to the bedroom and the bedroom floor are not creaky, so you don't have to worry about waking up your child when you go to bed later at night. The house has a window (and an extra door) facing the main road - but you don't hear any noise due to excellent sound isolation; and there is a blind and a pretty curtain that together shut out the road also visually. There is cleaning twice a week, when you also get clean linen and towels - we appreciated this very much. The air-condition works well, and so does the cooking stove. We absolutely recommend this place. Thank you for being such a nice host, Ismini, and of course - for your delicious cake :)

Homely atmosphere and breathtaking view! Greek hospitality at its best... Ms. Ismini is a kind-hearted and a warm person and truly cares about her customers and went out her way to make our stay pleasant and comfortable. We had a great time and would love to visit again! :)