Iraklis Apartments

The perfect base for a budget holiday, I’ve stayed for a week and it was less than £400 to come here, I paid 10.50€ for the island tax and 15€ for a safety deposit box the day after I arrived, I got to the apartments about 2am and there was a note on the door to tell me my room number(19) and how to find it! It was very basic but clean and the towels were perfectly white and fluffy! A bottle of water in the fridge arriving at that time would have been nice! I’ve enjoyed my stay so much that I’m coming back again in June next year for two weeks….. Travelling solo I felt safe and comfortable here on my own, the menu consists of light snacks and I had eggs on toast a couple of times for breakfast and it was good and just 4.50€….. Really don’t want to go home tomorrow!!

It’s important to note these are apartments not a hotel. We arrived around 3am due to delays and there was a note on the door with directions to our room and the key in the door. Happy to not need to speak to anyone however we had to go on quite a walk to find somewhere that sold water at this time to see us through the night. There are two separate beds pushed together, a single pillow and a single sheet, the beds slip apart all night if you try and sleep together. The next morning at the pool (which is rather small) the lady at the bar didn’t acknowledge us or get off her phone so we could get a drink, when she did she wasn’t very friendly so we had a drink and left for the beach. Upon our return we were asked to pay the tax or whatever it is along with the air con which came to 60 euros. Later we got 2 vodka red bulls round the pool which was 18 euros and we were looked upon with disgust for laughing, we didn’t return to the pool. The room is fine for changing and sleeping but the shower didn’t stay on the wall so we had to hold it. The location is excellent however and a 2 minute walk from the Stalis strip/ beach front. There are lots of restaurants that offer free sunbeds if you buy a drink. The price is likely a lot cheaper than a hotel on the beach front.

My boyfriend and I have just returned from two weeks staying at Iraklis Apartments and although we enjoyed our stay, there are some improvements needed. Downfalls First impressions weren’t great. We arrived around 10:30 at night and no one was there to greet us, instead there were written instructions on the door for people to find their rooms. This wasn’t a big problem but I would have liked to check in when we arrived. I asked to check in the next day and was told to wait as the owner was making breakfast. This was kind of frustrating as we wanted to start the holiday and felt we had to wait. When we had checked in I then had to explain we had breakfast included and asked how this worked as the owner didn’t realise this when checking us in. Breakfast is very simple. There were no options just what we were given which was a lot of bread. Some days we had different spreads, maybe a toastie, ham and cheese on separate plates or fried eggs to accompany a basket of bread. Personally, I don’t think this is worth the extra cost of including breakfast as this isn’t what I expected. We didn’t order from the menu as we were put off by breakfast so not sure what food they offer. Whilst the pool area is nice, there are only three umbrellas on one side which need updating. Each one is falling down or slanting and not very sturdy. The rooms are fine but we had a dirty kettle filled with bits that we couldn’t get rid of and there were a few missing lightbulbs. Also it took a week for our bed sheets to be changed. We knew this because one bed sheet had a rip in it. Positives Despite the not good stuff, Iraklis Apartments aren’t all bad. We stayed in Room 1 and it was basic but had everything we needed and was clean. The WiFi worked in our room which was a bonus. It also had a really lovely view down to the sea and the mountain behind. It’s a good location away from town but a short walk to the restaurants. There is a road to cross but this is easy with two underpasses near or the road is fine to cross when it’s quiet. It can be a little loud around the pool with the cars/bikes going past though. The pool area is clean and there are two pools of good size but we only used the one. There are plenty of sunbeds so no need to save them early. The owners were nice and seemed that they would help if there were any issues. We didn’t feel pressure to stay for food or purchase from Iraklis Apartments. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay just for a room and the pool then Iraklis Apartments are a good choice. I know it is a two star hotel but I did expect some things to be different and we wouldn’t be rushing to stay again. Breakfast let it down for us. It is a nice hotel with everything you need and the owners were good but it depends what you’re looking for.

Location particularly good, accommodation typical of this class of Greek apartments, air conditioning and safe available in addition to holiday fees. Two pools, one nearer for tourists and one for local trade. Inexpensive coach stops (twenty-nine) to Malia, Heraklion, and the rest of the Island outside. Beach, taverna, restaurant, supermarket, and bars close nearby. The locals are very friendly and helpful. Apartments run by Maria, who has fluent English and Greek. Her husband Stavros has some English. You can still get access to your room if you arrive outside hours, go to the reception door to see your welcome notice. Be aware the road outside compares to a UK double carriageway road, cross with care looking left first

another cracking stay with maria /stavros at iraklis apartments bus stop 29 ,stalis,great pool ,lemons on the tree,we always have upper floor 1 bedroom apartment ,self catering ,we have been going since 2018,,bakery next door for bread ,and supermarket /butcher shop,just over the road ,,also very good supermarkets in malia a 5 min bus ride to get more variety ...we go to babel beach bar for swimming in the sea and wi fi /reading when sunbathing ,back for lunch in apartment and swim in pool or off out some where on the bus ,,maria always able to assist you what ever you need we love it there we get left alone to do what we want ,and we will go again and again ,,hope this october too we normally go 3/4 weeks april may and sept /oct ...weathers good over 3/4 weeks ,,22c-35c

I arrived after 11 pm and the wonderful host Maria was waiting to check me in. I had booked a twin studio room for 12 nights at £12 a night including tax. Maria offered to show me better apartments if I wanted better but once I saw the room I had booked I was happy to stay in it. I explained I was a first time solo traveller and she put my mind at ease by explaining 2 solo travellers arrived the previous day and were now friends I was fortunate to join their company the next day. Everyone who was staying had time for each other exchanging their experiences and anything that needed more information was soon attended to by Maria. Apparently a group of solos who met there last year are all due back for this year's meet up soon. The pool area has been completely refurbished for the season and new sunbeds , tables and chairs had arrived but weren't in use yet . My room was on the ground floor and had a table and 2 chairs outside it but didn't get much sun which to me was a bonus as the pool and bar are better to sit near in the sun while the room stays cool a big bonus as the main season arrives and could save paying extra for air con. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom fine, best to turn the shower on prior to going in it to run off the cold water in the pipes with the hot water coming from the external roof tanks. Food and drink is available, I gad tea every morning and enjoyed a special omelette on 3 ir 4 occasions . Speedy the 121 year old resident tortoise created alot of conversation. I didn't miss not having a TV and think some reviews are unfair as there is a massive choice of rooms and prices and some operators only show certain ones hence the confusion. Speaking to Maria they upgrade some rooms every close season. Like any accommodation if you have an issue mention it to the host and hopefully they ll sort it but if you haven't done so it's unfair to complain from home. Bus stop 29 was outside the apartments with Malia to the right and Hersonissos to left doable on foot or just a 2 euro coach journey away. There us a nice bakery/ cafe, butchers,supermarket, Italian Restaurant very close and the nearest pub Goodfellas which is only a year old was excellent value for food and drinks with very friendly staff , large screen tvs and any music you wanted them to play. I m unsure if it ever closed and is one of a few year round pubs. All in all I wouldn't hesitate in rebooting and I m sure the majority if the people who were there at the same time would do the same. With it been the start of the season the resort was quiet but all the premises that were open gave excellent service to the early arrivals and the atmosphere was very relaxed, the weather was amazing