Pardalakis Studios

old block tired room 6 next to bar leaking sewage through the wall,owners not botherd kept on saying next year we give you new block but seeing as olimpic reps pick the rooms beware.
pool good and bar nice reasonable food, beds hard, cooker has 1 ring so beware, not a lot to do around there beach tatty black sand and shingle, was moved to Agai marina much better.
Ther are 10 rooms in old block and only 6 in the new block, wich seamed to be reseverd for long standing custermers.
Reading the reports it was the same last year olympic holidays should be ashamed of yourselves.
Main road to front of apartments noisy bar noisy as well at side.
cooking facilaties almost none exsistant 1 old ring to cook on.
dont be fooled by the pool its alure to get you to book.

We have just returned from the Pardalakis after 2 great weeks relaxing in this wonderful little resort. We were in the old block and yes it is a tad dated, but 2* Greece is what it says on the tin. If you want to cook 3 course a la carte meals (or anything beyond basic) on holiday, book elsewhere, if you want blaring music all day and night, book elsewhere. However if you want a relaxed, friendly, un hurried holiday, shared wth their wonderfully warm and genuine family, then this is the place. A lovely pool, never too busy, a nice, reasonably priced pool bar and lovely home cooked food from Anna if you want at night - Just ask her what she is doing in the morning and after she has peeled and cut the fresh veg picked that morning from their gardens, she'll make you lovely food.
During the afternoons it was lovely to see Anna and Yannis' family sat talking, playing with the children and yet never intrusive, only ever friendly - what a lovely family.
An invite for coffee in the morning with Yiannis and Anna if you're lucky enough!
The old block has no air con, though just ask for a fan and Yiannis or Stelios will hire you one if you need it.
The resort is just perfect if you like things quiet and traditional - 200 yards out of the studio across the road is a small supermarket, although there are 2 or 3 better ones in the village and down on the 'bottom road', down the track next to the bakery or any of the roads leading to the beach. The bakery is beautiful, a 2 minute walk left and up the road or a 5 minute walk and right down the road, will take you to 2 lovely bakeries for breakfast bits/snacks/pastries etc.
A 5 minute walk into the village will bring you to 4 or 5 tavernas - the first one on your right, next to Fazakerleys, we found to be excellent!! Although all were good value.The food was superb, fresh and plentiful and like many of the Cretan tavernas, washed down with 'on the house' raki, melon and a small dessert. Then pop next door to Fazakerleys bar for a couple of drinks and watch the 'working village' life go on around you.
If you walk down to the 'beach road' there are 4 other tavernas all good, all only 10 minute walk from the studios. A couple of minutes further down to the beach takes you to 2 traditional baech cafenions - Kostas and Stavros' both serving good food, drinks and sunbeds - Kostas were 1 Euro only!!!
We walked up to the war museum in Maleme and on the way back visited a cracking little taverna in Maleme called 'The Black Lantern' Ran by an English guy - he does some fantastic food from Greek, English to Thai - all traditional, all fresh and LOTS of it!!
The village is not a typical tourist centre, however there is certainly enough choice for 2 weeks relaxing amongst the locals and 'scandinavians' who escape their 'all inclusive' resorts from time to time.
The village does look to be suffering a bit with the All inclusives on the beach front on the road up to Platanias and I hope that Gerani maintains its 'peaceful' life.
You are only a 25minute walk or 1.60 euro bus ride into Platanias - a busy resort and only a 2 euro bus ride from Chania, with it's lovely harbour.
Yes Pardalakis is set just off the road and like anywhere in Greece, at night you take care walking back to your apartments as in places there is no pavements - take a torch if needed and you'll be fine. It's not dangerous and certainly didn't keep us up at night.
What a chilled out, relaxing holiday - we look forward to going back in the future

Just back from a week at the Pardalakis, found the accommodation very very basic,no window in apartment. One electric point in kitchen, had to carry out a juggling act between kettle,toaster or one ring element.
Toilet/shower very bad, shower tray did not drain away, consequently tray filled up and overflowed making floor very dangerous. Fan in bathroom had a mind of its own, worked when it felt like it. Power point in between beds hanging off the wall. No privacy, if you wanted to sit outside your apartment it would be right outside the next apartments bedroom window embarassing for them and us.
Not impressed on finding out others had paid much less than us, only booked 2 weeks prior to holiday and were booked into the modern block. I think this family needs to take a real hard look at the reviews, and take note. MOST of the excellent reviews are from those who stay in the modern apartments. Believe me you do not have a choice. These people may be giving a very diferent review were they to return and find themselves booked into the old blocked, as the people staying in the apartments next to us found.

I have to say That the gardens, pool area and pool itself are absolutely lovely.
There are plenty of lovely tavernas only a short walk away. spoilt for choice.

2 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at the Pardalakis Studios in August 2010 and would never stay there again or recommend that anyone else did. When we arrived our room was filthy, mould in the fridge and 18 inches up the shower curtain. The walls had not been washed for months and the worst of all was the waste from the toilet leaking into the shower tray! We were moved to much nicer accommodation in Aghia Marina - the Olga Beach Apartments were sheer luxury compared to the Pardalakis. Unfortunately we did have to return to the Pardalakis for the second week and were put into the newer apartments at the back -what a contrast, clean and well kept. Why do the owners not realise that this is how they should keep the front block.
The family were very nice and the pool and bar area are good but walking along the road at night is not for the faint hearted.The beach in Gerani is certainly not suitable for families but there is a very good bus service (provided you wait at the right bus stop) into Platanias and Aghia Marina where there are excellent restaurants, bars and shops.

Had our 5th holiday at Pardalakis & it gets better year on year, the family are warm & friendly & nothing is to much trouble, location is quiet but with Platinas just down the road for night life if you want it, rooms are what you expect for a 2 star, no TV thankgod, big TV in bar if you need to catch up on sports etc,, bakery & shop & beach all within walking distance,, Pool is excellent & well kept,,plenty of sunbeds.
All in all its a great place to unwind,, we will be going again next year.

3 readers found this review helpful

Last minute getaway with mum. Stayed 1 week which I thought was just enough. Nothing around but the bakery 2 minutes down the road. Wanted peace and quite and got it. Reminded me of days gone by when everyone knew everyone and gathered each evening in the pool bar for chats. Owners, Janis and Anna were lovely. Also son, Stelios who worked there. Lovely pool area. 10 minute walk to beach through ginnel across road and via either Kostas beach taverna or Eanthia Village Resort. Kostas was your traditional greek taverna and he has beach beds and umbrellas free to use. Eanthia Village was a bit more modern and they charged 5euros for umbrella and two beds. Both served decent food. Bus stop for Chania was just outside Pardalakis and handy for visits to Platanias or Aghia Marina if you wanted to eat somewhere different. Only 10 minute bus ride to Aghia Marina and they had lots of lovely tavernas. Gerani didnt have very much choice. Only draw back to this holiday was that the apartment we stayed in was very basic. I have stayed in Greece many times so expect this. However, they only emptied the bins every other day and considering the toilet requirements I felt this was inadequate. Also we only had one towel each which was changed just once throughout the holiday as was the bedding. But the friendly atmosphere made up for this.

1 reader found this review helpful

Like you all looking at this page, I was here to check out Pardalakis Studios and see that we had maade the right choose, and we did the place was everything we wanted checkout Facebook " friends of Pardalakis Studios"

To be honest I chose this holiday because it was one of the cheapest at the time and we had two small children and on a tight budget. It was also the 1st holiday I had booked over the internet so was worried about that and also the fact it was a surprise for my husbands 50th birthday (July 2008). I could have not been more wrong with my worries as the welcome we recieved from Anna & Yiannis (sp) the owners was so much more personal than I had ever experienced on a holiday. Also their daughter in law was more than helpful when we needed baby milk for our son etc. In the end a fantastic holiday with great hospitality and we intend to return with our other 3 children this year. Just goes to show that the flashiest accomodation doesn't always make the best holiday experience.

2 readers found this review helpful

Having read previous reviews, we were filled with trepidation, but took the chance anyway as we love Crete. We are so glad that we did. As others have said, this is a wonderfully friendly and accommodating family, running a basic but nonetheless lovely establishment. We were in the old block, and yes, it is basic, but that surely adds to the rustic Greek experience. If we wanted a hotel-type holiday we would have booked elsewhere and gone to one of those large, modern, clinical, soulless complexes that have sprouted up everywhere, and have the company of hundreds of others to share it with. We wanted peace, tranquility and a genuine Cretan experience, and we got this in abundance. I believe there are only sixteen apartments, and the design is such that each one seems to have complete privacy yet no-one needs to feel isolated. Guests here were of all ages, and because of the small numbers it was easy to be sociable. This is without doubt the friendliest place we have stayed at, and our thanks go to all the Pardalakis family for their efforts in making our stay so memorable. We were so impressed that we hope to make a return trip next year accompanied by a few other family members aged from six to sixty. This wonderful place will keep us all happy, and I have to say that the Olympic reps were spot-on as well. Thanks to all.

3 readers found this review helpful

our fourth visit to Crete but the first time in the west of the island.After reading some previous reviews doubts were setting in,had we made a mistake ,in short NO.
Fabulous holiday,certainly go back for more.The older appartments might need updating ,air con for starters,as they are basic but who cooks sunday lunch when in Greece,everything else is 5 star plus,Yannis,Anna and Stellios are superb ,Annas food is as good as any,bar area pleasant, pool area spacious and the surrounding gardens well kept and full of fruit trees and flowers. The main road is not too busy or noisey ,the bus to Chania (25 min )stops outside the enterance. The scenery of western Crete is to be seen to be believed stunning.
Thanks to Sharon and Zoe from Olympic ,Monarch ,but most of all Yannis ,Anna and Stellios, Yammas.