Hotel Xidas Garden

My initial concern before leaving home was that I noted in the brochure it did not specify any kitchenette facilities, although I had asked for self catering. Lots of phone calls between myself & travel agent! Still unsure about this when we arrived. This was in place however, although the cooking utensils were very sparse - one pan - no frying pan - no spatula or wooden spoons - no sharp knives or bread board. And no corkscrew. Take your own! Only one drinking glass - had to use bathroom glasses. Not good! The room is very basic, but clean & adequate in self-catering with a very large patio - no complaints there. Must say the hotel was very pretty and close by to some local taverna's and beaches. It is very much up hill, and up steps all the way - so takes it out of you even more when you've spent a day on the beach. Location very limited without a car. I have no complaints about the management - most helpful at all times. If I were to go to Crete again I would choose somewhere more central and definitely with more to see & do other than sunbathing/being bored/lack of decent shops on hand.
Apart from the lack of cooking facilities, the main factor for me was that I'd chosen the wrong location.........

Xidas is owed and run by a German couple, so if you are from Germany this is the place for you, the wife and i were treated like lepers, i will say no more about it, john & donna, grimsby, uk....

As previous reviewer states, this is an underated hotel. We have just returned from a 2 week stay and found it to be the best hotel/apartment/room we have stayed in on the Greek islands, for the price The self catering room we had was clean, large, good shower(suprisingly for Greece) and most importantly quiet at nightime. We had a problem with the air-con one night but were offered another room until it was repaired. We never ate at the hotel so cannot comment on the food. The pool is excellent and location is great with good parking. The main fault we had was the resort. A not very inspiring man made resort with no atmosphere. There are good tavernas...try the one on Evita beach. The owner looks like the Yorkshire ripper but more sociable... the food is good and cheap. The Nest is good at the harbour, although the waiter is a pain....thank you very mooorch(if you go you'll understand). The best one for excellent good value food is the one on the cliff with blue railings around, looking down on the beach. The shrimp sagenaki starter is to die for. Hotel/resort is good for visiting Rethymon and further afield to Chania.......Hope this helps!!