Anissaras, Lida Maria Apartments

Hi

Let me tell you of my experience of staying at Lida Maria apartments in Crete with Olympic Holidays for one week from 21st July - 29th July 09. Firstly I'm 24yrs old and my girlfriend is 21, weve gone on many holidays together including mainland Greece and Corfu and we are always looking for quiet tranquil destinations of which we were completely satisfied with in Crete. However, never have we been so disappointed with a hotel weve stayed at and I say that with complete honesty.

The reason I am writing this review (having never written a review about a hotel ive stayed at before) is because I don't want anyone else to go through the same amount of disappointments as we did, and it all could have been prevented if we stayed at a different hotel. We know it wasn't just us with problems because our neighbours had everything stolen when they were out and others at the rep meeting (with Olympic Holidays) were put in temporary rooms to begin with because their actual rooms were not vacant yet!

Anyway, il tell you the amount of problems we had in the form of a list because if I went into detail this review would take on the form of a novel (and I am not one to complain or be fussy about anything)! The list is as follows:

. Flush didn't work

. Enough hot water to last 3 minutes in shower (for both of us)

. No shower head holder (but we coped with this)

. Sink in toilet leaked heavily making it a slipping hazard

. Asked manager for a fan 3 times to no avail (1st we were given a broken one, 2nd We were given another broken one, 3rd he said ok, walked off, answered his mobile and didn't come back) no air con so resorted to dampening bed to stay cool

. Put in a temp room for two nights because another couple was put in our room in error

. Temp room was just as bad if not worse than our permanent room

. Permanent room was not cleaned when we finally went in (still had unwashed cutlery in sink)

. Bins were cleaned regularly, but bedding was not replaced at all, only folded!

. 2 or 3 ant nests on door to balcony (didn't bother me but bothered my girlfriend as their was a lot of them)

. Had a power cut (which can only be fixed by the manager which comes and goes as he pleases)

I am an easy going sort of guy, my parents are greek so I am aware of the greek laid back attidude towards things, but do not stay at this hotel, that is the only reason I am writing this review, fair enough it is owned and run by one guy, but clearly he is not enough for this place. Also the beach is supposedly 1 mile away but there is no direct walking route, only a zig zag road which took bout half hour, and the nearest but stop is about 45minute walk away. We had to hire a car to travel because of this. Anyways I'm sure you will enjoy crete if you are lucky enough to go, just hopefully not to this hotel.

We arrived at Lida Maria just after midnight. The guy who more or less runs the place, met us and helped us to our rooms. We were the only people staying there. We had asked for a quiet room! Despite being just the two of us, they couldn't have been more helpful and friendly and provided excellent food and company when we stayed in.

We decided after a couple of days to hire a car and travelled around a bit. We had excellent meals in the hill villages of nearby Old Hersonisos, Koutouloufari and Piscopiano. There were also very good tavernas and mini-markets in Anissaras itself. The beach - about 15 mins walk away - is quite gravelly but there are some sandy areas. We walked into Hersonisos in around 30 minutes and used the beaches there. The best beaches in the area are at Malia.

If you are wanting a laid back relaxing holiday, the Lida Maria is the place to stay.

My girlfriend and I visited the Lida Maria in August 2007. We booked last minute and got an excellent deal. We stayed the same time as another couple who have reviewed the apartments in detail below and I agree completely with their review. If you are a family who are looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday, or a couple who want a quiet holiday with an option of a lively night out a short distance away in Horsonissos (10 minutes away by taxi) this is the place for you.

The staff are excellent, and both myself and my girlfriend had a wonderful time at the Lida Maria.

Nothing happened here at Lida Maria Apartments, it's great for a basic stop if you want to go into Hersonissos every day but the TV room is locked and you only see it open when people are departing and have to leave their bags after checking out at mid day for an am flight. Same applied to lounge.

There is a lovely worker there who is a one man band, he should have shares in the place, he is the cook, cleaner, domestic, adviser, saviour of the Lida Maria!

If you like very basic living and have grown up family then this is for you but be prepared to be your own best company.

English people in Crete have picked up the annoying German habit of reserving sun loungers early in the morning by putting towels on them. Normally done by their kids maybe staff should put a stop to this.

On arrival at Crete we were given our welcome pack with a sketch map of Lida Maria and our room number, which meant once we got to the apartments we did not have the hassle of booking in at 05.30hrs in the morning with young children, we just let our selves into the room and went to sleep.

We have travelled to many places around the world and this was a last minute deal for some quality time as a family. We found all the other guests very friendly and in some cases an extension of our own family.

On the Beach front there are some small restaurants and bars with mini markets and water sport facilities and a ATM cash point.. These go on for approx 1km then you come to a large restaurant called the Captain which is a good reference point, from there if you carry on walking approx 700m past all the large hotels the sea front opens up again to a lot more very good restaurants that is definitely worth the walk. The food is exceptionally good and very reasonable in price.

The sea is very good for all types of water sports and very clear for snorkeling with lots of fish clearly visable once you enter deep enough from the jetty.

Hersonisos is approx 10 min by taxi from Lida Maria resort and cost 7 Euro. A good tip is to negotiate a price before getting into the taxi, as they like most countries will chance their arm if they think they will get away with it. After the 10 min drive you think you are in a completly different part of Crete, very lively Lots of Bars, Night clubs, shops, medical facilities very commercialised and built up.

If you fancy a day out further afield then we can strongly recommend Spinalonga the former Lepar Island. This works out quite expensive if you go on the organised trip but if you hire a car and drive to Plaka it only costs 7euro to cross on Giorgio boat.

If you want a relaxing, peaceful holiday then we highly recommend Lida Maria.

I booked for us to go to Lida Maria apartments because it was the only holiday I could find leaving the next day! When I got home from the travel agents I read some of the reviews and decided not to tell my partner about them - if the reviews were true I thought I would wait for him to moan once were were there rather than on the way. It felt a bit odd to arrive and find your own room but we got lucky and had a nice room right by the pool that had views of the sea and the amazing sunsets. Once our 3 yr old had recovered from the nights travel we headed straight for the pool and, apart from a brief excursion in a hire car to see a few sights, that was where we stayed for the rest of our week. Despite being in high season the hotel didn't ever feel overly busy and there were always enough sunloungers etc. The staff in the pool bar this year were fantastic and I almost let them off their bad taste in music (take your own CD and I am sure they will put it on) once I'd had a few of their sparkly cocktails. I would recommend going to these apartments as they are great value for a cheap last minute getaway.

Pool staff very helpful but have no control over repairs, but do communicate with the owner who tends to do very little.

I shed a tear when I left the Lida Maria Apartments in Crete. In 2 weeks I met so many amazing people in Anisaras and Hersonissos. They are very, very nice people and it was a pleasure to be there enjoying the holiday with these people.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for some of the older couples and family holiday-makers, who spoil holidays for others by moaning and making unnecessary comments.

Greece is raw, and different to back home. The accommodation is very nicely presented, but quite basic compared to England, but going on holiday is about adapting to your surroundings, and fitting in with the Greek way of life. Unfortunately, there are always people who complain. I even heard people complaining about the weather BEING TOO HOT!!

Unfortunately, the Lida Maria can attract families who moan at the slightest problem. The amount of people I heard complaining about trivial things was unbelievable. The main complaint was MOSQUITOES! The thing is, everyone knows Crete is a very hot climate and has a lot of mozzies at nigh time. It is the norm, so to complain is ridiculous. If you don't want them then go to Cornwall! I also find that families see the self-catering as "we should be able to cook a 3 course meal every night" - in Greece self-catering means eating out! Yes, the Lida Maria has 2 hobs, sink, kettle and the basic essentials, but it is for morning snacks and lunches, not gourmet dinners. The bars, restaurants and tavernas serve lovely food at good prices, so why anyone would want to cook inside in the heat is beyond me!

Maybe people should consider the above two points before going, and it would save a lot of hassle.

It is an ideal holiday for young couples, at an affordable price. The bar-man this year (2006) is a legend. Happy hour drinking throughout the day, and he cooks you his special 'toasties' if you ask, and he will also keep the bar open at night on a last-man standing basis! He is a very funny man and very welcoming. He also really has the hots for black women, so beware :)

Located at the top of Anisaras, it is the perfect location for going out to explore the neighbouring towns. A bus stop is a ten minute walk to the national road, where you can get to Hersonissos for 1 Euro 20, and also to the capital of Crete, Heraklion. There are also bus services to Malia for the more thicker skinned party animals. Obviously you can get taxis, and there is an excellent service running from Hersonissos. This year it is 6 Euros to Hersonissos and 16 Euro to Malia, which is better value for money than cabs in England.

I can honestly say, if you are a couple - young or old, who wants a lovely relaxing, chilled-out holiday, lounging around the pool all day, strolling down to the beach at the bottom of the hill and going out to Hersonissos in the evening, then having a laugh in the bar after; you will have a magical holiday like me and my girl-friend. Would I return to Anisaras? Definitely! I will visit the area next year when I return to Crete!

If you have booked, enjoy!

When we booked the Lida Maria, I was nervous after reading some of the reviews, however, they could not have been proved more wrong. The complex is in a quiet town of Anissaras just outside of Hersonnissos, but is much quieter during the day as there are few holidaymakers around, so you can feel at ease.

Lida Maria is really nicely presented, the gardens are landscaped really well and is very welcoming.

The apartments themselves are probably the cleanest you will get in Crete, we had hardly any problems with mosquito's either.

The pool area is lovely and really clean, especially if you just want to soak up the sun and feel relaxed, you can get on and do your own thing...plenty of sun loungers so ignore the other reviews!!

Demitri will ring a cab for you as and when you want it, 6 euros to town centre which is much better tham Malia! Loads of bars to choose from, Kelly's is wicked to start in and Temple Bar, Status and Hollywood are the best!! (free shots on your way in usually!!)

Symbol bar and restaurant is a 2 minute walk from the Lida Maria and does a lovely fry-up for 5 euros!

Everyone in Crete seems to speak better English than we do and are definitely the most friendly people.

I loved my stay in Herssonnisos and would definately return and stay in the Lida Maria apartments.