Maritimo Beach Hotel

7 readers found this review helpful

We are still having difficulty with being back home!
On arrival we were very disappointed at the lack of a real beach despite the wonderful position of the hotel overlooking the sea. There is a very small harbour beach just a hop and skip from the hotel but the 20 minute walk through the village to the Kalimera Kritti hotel beach is well worth the effort - beautiful golden sand and hire of sunbeds at 3 euros if required.
The Maritimo Beach Hotel staff were very professional, friendly and eager to help. Andreas and Ann on reception never failed to greet our comings and goings with a cheery smile. The hotel appears to be particularly popular with German holidaymakers, but there were also French, Italian and Dutch staying whilst we were there - this all helped to maintain the "away from it all" and different feeling.
We were not very impressed with our tour operator before or during our holiday hence the 8 out of 10 score - we will either book independently or with another agent when we revisit.
Sissi is quiet and relaxed and takes on a different aspect at night time when the lights from the harbour bars and Tavernas are reflected on the water. We discovered The Hemingway Cocktail bar and its host Roger who makes the most amazing cocktails complete with sparklers - he also has a website with a photograph gallery of visitors. The Sissi Arms holds Karaoke and quiz evenings and has the decency to close the doors after 11.00 so that neighbours are not disturbed - it also generates a family party atmosphere rather than a raucous and rowdy "Brits on hols pub”.
We booked several trips (with Dimitrious at STOP) the Water Park, a Sailing boat, snorkelling and barbecue trip to the island of Dai, The Lasitthi plateau, Knossos and Zeus's cave. We also walked a lot - into Malia...UGH! And out again.....around the headland to Milatos and up into the old village and then on to Milatos Cave - don't go there without doing that! Fantastic views and if you have read the history of the cave you will understand why we were nearly moved to tears.
Cars, quad bikes, scooters and pushbikes are readily available for hire but we found the bus service to be perfect for our trips one way to Heraklion, Hersonossis or the other to Agios Nicholas.
I could go on but I won't - I just wanted to jot down somewhere how I feel now and thank you to everyone we met on Sissi.