Hotel Ariti

On arrival at the apartments - early evening, the 4 of us were tired from the 4 hour plane ride and then a 2 and a half hour coach transfer journey! The apartment was o.k, cleanish but not very comfortable. The bed mattress had seen better days with a huge dip in the middle - had bad back after every nights sleep. The cooker was knackered (and we were self catering). The window shutters were broken, there was a great big hole in the bathroom ceiling, and the one bedroom window was 2 foot by 1 foot in size, and 6 foot in the air, so there would be no escape in case of fire!
Nikos was lovely - but it annoyed us that every time my partner wanted something to eat they would say "only dinner time" or "only tea time".
The eating times were 9 - 11pm for breakfast, 12pm - 2.45pm - lunch and 6pm - 11pm - dinner. There is no other place to eat between these times on site - so we starved some afternoons. The walk into the centre of Aghios is not 1.2kms it is more like 3 - 4 kms. This walk is not recommended for children at all and do not walk it at night, it is a walk along the national highway in the dark, dodging the traffic, which goes a lot faster than the speed limit.
The walk to the nearest beach is also further than advertised, either along the national highway again - dodging the traffic. Or not advertised is the walk up and over the mountain behind Ariti, which is along very rough terrain and this is also a dumping ground for anything! - looks a bit like a gypsy site!
The swimming pool was o.k, but very dated with broken tiles on the bottom of the pool, one girl cut her foot twice on the bottom of the pool, they told her parents to keep her out of the pool! The pool is far too deep for children and those that do not swim to well. My mother only went in the pool once - she was too frightened as she could not touch the bottom!
If you want night-life - do not go to Ariti, its too far to walk and taxis are 5 euros each way, we spent a fortune.
I enjoyed the sunshine - and that was about it! I went for two weeks as well and just wanted to come home!

What a place! Clean, friendly, a delight to stay at. The weather was very hot, which you would expect in August, but we coped.
We ate there most evenings, and also some mornings. Very good value for money and really good food. I have just been sat reading the reviews for the Ariti, and cannot believe some of the negative attitudes.
If you don't want basic, clean accommodation, then pay the price and stay at a hotel where you may get a chair that’s a bit more comfy, and you may get better food (although I doubt this very much), but you certainly won't get looked after like we did.
The staff are brilliant. Maria visited each day to do her chores, change towels, change bedding (at least twice a week) clean our bathroom etc. The waiters leave absolutely nothing to be desired! Chirpy, cheeky, friendly, helpful, a bad influence, especially when the stainless steel teapot appears on their table!
We had the most amazing time. We went for a switch off holiday, and certainly got it here. We sat at the restaurant, on the terrace, most nights, and it was so pleasant and peaceful, and friendly. We made some good friends.
We will certainly return. Nikos, Pablo, Manos, and all the rest of you laid back Cretans, we love you and thank you for making our holiday what it was.

I booked our holiday from 27th July to 11th August 2007. There were quite a lot of us, infact, 24 to be precise (7 Families).
Overall, as a group, we had a fantastic holiday. Our children’s' ages ranged from 10yrs to 18yrs and they all got along brilliantly. As did the parents, one of the good points about Ariti Apartments was the Taverna, the food on the whole was excellent. Jorgos was lovely and very sweet, Pablov was helpful, although I do think we confused him at times. But the Chef, whose name I've forgotten (Sorry Chef) was brilliant and food good value for money.
The pool was very nice and quite deep from end to end. There is a paddling pool for toddlers and babies. Also a minimarket where you can get most things and for more choice a Lidl supermarket is up the road. Our older children, the 17/18 yr olds, all went into Ag.Nik to the Sorrento Bar and loved it. I myself, visited an old friend of mine George, who owns the Roof Garden at the top of Alexandros Studios - well worth a visit.
The trek to the beach was a bit gruelling in the heat at first, but by the second week we were doing it in 15mins. The walk in to Agious Nikolaos was 30mins, don't walk back, a taxi is only 5 Euros for 4 people.
Our first week was very hot a couple of days it reached temperatures of about 44oC. Luckily the previous week had seen those temperatures every day. So it had cooled a little.
The following week was a bit cooler and we slept a bit easier at night. I think at times our group probably confused Pablov, it didn't help that all the children wanted to sit with one another and so we did get stung for a rather hefty drinks bill. After that, we paid as we went along.
I didn't get the free water and Milk that a previous guest had got or the welcome drink from our Olympic Rep. Steve. It was so hot that a bottle of water would've been nice. Our apartment number was 40 and it was very large and spacious and clean.
The only downside was the noise from the road at night, although you do get used to it. We were right by the drop off point for taxis. Also the motorbikes and scooters used it as a short cut, so sometimes it was like a speedway meeting! However the other members of our party stayed in various types of apartments. Some half way up the hill others by the pool and other areas of the Ariti.
Upon booking this holiday, I did ask for Air Conditioning, which we definitely needed. If Ariti upgraded their apartments to include Air Con, I would go back year after year, as it is a nice place to stay. I'm sure other members of our group would like to add their comments. We had an issue with lack of hot water, but never complained about it until the day before we were leaving, I'm sure if we had mentioned this sooner they would've been able to sort out, which Irena did immediately. We borrowed fans and they never charged us for them, so that was good.
On the whole for my family, it was a very nice place to stay and we did have a wonderful holiday with all our lovely friends. Lots of laughter and lots of fun, which is what it's all about.
And just to let you know they sell Strongbow and Magners now in Greece (for all you Cider drinkers).

Excellent time! The weather was variable, no rains all winter - then storms, heavy rain and even dust storms from the Sahara in May (combined with a six hour electrical storm - so it rained ochre coloured mud) - at least it cooled the place down after the first two days of excessive heat.
The apartment, right at the top of the steep hill, was splendid - and yes - I did need my walking stick, but refused an apartment change, as at my age things may be a challenge, but as yet, never an impossibility. The views and the peace, and the early morning birdsong were fantastic.
The apartment was spotless and very well serviced. For Greek accommodation, it was the best equipped apartment I have ever stayed in. It had everything one needs, and was very spacious. The bathroom shower is yet another challenge as the curtain does not fit inside the shower tray, but a little initiative allows one to overcome most difficulties.
Never once did I see any sign of vermin in the apartment - just the harvester ants over the balcony doing the fascinating things harvester ants do.
The pool was very well maintained, with a charming young caretaker cleaning it out daily at about 7.00am each day. He was also most willing to help with luggage and so on, though he spoke very little English.
The staff were superb - helping in every way possible to make you feel part of a Greek family. Pablos in particular deserves a gold star. George in the mini-market too! To the person who said that they would not even phone a taxi for you and that they were rude, I would say, "Politeness breeds politeness!"
The restaurant food is superb, and not at all expensive. I heartily recommend the spinach pies and the mousaka, though the kebabs, and the lamb chops etc,
They are all superb too!
Such kind, sharing, generous friendly staff and fellow guests made this Greek holiday top of my charts - and I have been to many Greek Islands before.
Yes - I will return!

We stayed at the Ariti apartments in May 2005 early in the season (booking through Olympic holidays) and had a great time.
The apartments were basic but clean, and although there was a steep climb to most of the apartments we were lucky to be only half way up the slope. The journey from the UK and then from the airport to the resort was long, but we were able to sleep on our first day relaxing by the pool.
The staff at Ariti were absolutely fantastic and nothing was a problem to them. Aghios Nikolaus is a lovely town with a great choice of restaurants, shops and bars. The taverna on the complex however also provided a good selection of food .The trips to Spinalonga and Knossos are very interesting, as is the visit to the co-operative where the wine and olive products are produced. Other holidaymakers raved about their gorge walking experience.
We are so looking forward to our return trip -long bus journey and all - because we found the climate in May exactly right for us. We were impressed by the scenery, the friendliness of the Cretan people and just can't wait to once again enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this island. Manos & Nik here we come!!

Stayed at the Ariti in June 2006. It was our first visit to Crete and we booked this holiday to Aghios Nik - this on the advice of our local travel agent, who got the choice absolutely right.
Two girls wanting a summer holiday in a place not too rowdy, but with some nice restaurants, good weather and some culture.
The Ariti is on the outskirts of Aghios Nik and it takes about 15-20 mins to walk in, which my friend and I did most nights. Would not recommend walking back as the road is very dark and in any event the taxi is only 5 euros.
The apartments are situated on a steep hillside, but don't let that put you off. The brochure does warn you and it is correct how steep it is.
My friend and I were at the very last apartment at the top of the steep hill and must confess we thought about moving, but in the end we stayed and it was a great choice as the views were spectacular.
There is no need for air con up there as there is a pleasant breeze. After a few days, the climb gets easier and just think about shedding the pounds you are putting on after all the Greek food!
However, if you do suffer from mobility problems, it would be worth asking for an apartment lower down.
The accommodation was in typical Cretan style. The apartments were clean and I certainly saw no evidence of any vermin.
The family who run the Ariti are very friendly and helpful. The staff working there (Nikos and Manos) are there morning until night and will go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. They never stop and I have not come across such hard-working people, but they always have time to recommend places to visit etc or give you some advice/tips.
Would recommend the Greek night which consists of good food, Greek dancing and a disco. The gentleman who works in the on site mini-market is also lovely.
One tip, I would recommend is to book your excursions in the town as it is cheaper than going through the rep. Would recommend trip to Knossos.
I returned to Crete in August (but unfortunately the Ariti was fully booked). Nevertheless, I was invited to their Greek night and my friend and I had a brilliant time, we were made so welcome, even though we were not staying there!
If you stay at the Ariti you will make some good friends, who will make you welcome if you ever return again. Brilliant!

Ariti apartments is a great place for families but I would recommend hiring a car out for about 20 $ a day it is a mile walk into the centre.
There is lots of entertainment going on and Nikos and Manos were very helpful. If there’s no entertainment there are lots of great restaurants to eat at in the centre.
The rooms are basic but get cleaned every day, I do agree it is a bit in the middle of no where but not far from the centre.

Myself and my partner my best friend and his wife stayed at the Ariti from the 2nd to the 15th of September and had a brilliant time. The apartments we had were spacious very clean and comfortable. We were made very welcome by Manos and Nikos and they looked after us very well. The facilities onsite made things very easy to have a relaxing holiday it was nice to have a mini market so close at hand which made stocking
Up with provisions no problem. The BBQ nights were great fun the food was excellent and there was plenty of it and the party games made for an enjoyable evening.
The only negative comment we have to make is that the swimming pool could do with a shallower end allowing nervous swimmers access to the water and the sun beds could do with a revamp. George in the mini market was very helpful and very cheery, also the cleaner in our part of the complex was a delight very helpful and always smiling.
Our thanks to all at the Ariti for making our holiday one to remember we hope to return one day and meet all our friends again.
Dale Janet Mark and Jo

Hi we have been back a few weeks now after a really relaxing chill out at the Ariti my husband & I went for 2 weeks with our 2 children aged 11 & nearly 18 they had a great time & made lots of friends. From previous reviews don’t be put off this is Greece & yes it is basic but it was clean & after all it is only a base!
I have never come across such hard working staff as there were at the Ariti Manos & Nikos were the best nothing was ever a problem & they are a pair of mickey takers. Food at the taverna is brill we ate there most nights as you could eat in peace & enjoy good cuisine the Greek night & barbie are well worth it but you do have to join in if you want to enjoy it!
It is a fair walk to the centre not great if you do have small children as it is in a main road but you can get a taxi for 5 euros.
We hired a car from the town much cheaper we found some lovely beaches & we went to the Water park water city a fair way out but well worth it. The shop at the Arti is not bad value there are other shops up the road.
We met some really nice people here you know who you are! Had such a good laugh most nights. We saw a Greek wedding & a christening whilst we were here it was good to people watch when they all turned up, poor Manos & Nikos were knackered after but still got up to see new arrivals with a smile on there faces.
I had my birthday whilst out there & had a wicked time, thank you Nikos for those great cocktails Yes, yes, yes.

The apartment we had was at the very top of the complex! The tour operator had asked did we have any walking difficulties, not when we arrived, they didn’t ask us had we any climbing equipment or oxygen masks with us!
The apartment itself had obviously been refurbished as it was freshly painted, new kitchen and new windows and doors with traditional Cretan stone seating in the living area, had it been on a much lower level, ideal, and no we are not a couple of OAP's, we are both fit and in our early 50's.
I would go back to the complex if I was guaranteed a lower apartment, we were going to hire a car for a few days but when we thought about it we hired it for the duration of our stay just to get up and down that steep incline.