Sofia Mythos Beach Aparthotel

Just returned from a weeks holiday to the beautiful and picturesque village of Bali with my partner, but what a disappointment the Sofia Mythos apartments were.
Our first gripe is with our travel agent (Hays Travel) who mis-sold the accommodation as being right on the beach with only a few steps to take - how wrong they turned out to be!
When we arrived in the late afternoon, we were dropped off outside the Mythos resturant (not with the rep who had got off at the previous stop), and left to find out where we should go by ourselves. After finding the office, we were handed a scrappy piece of paper with '66' scribbled on it, and told to go down the road and turn left in broken English.
Passing the old man in his chair and his 2 members of staff (who seemed to be the only ones doing anything around the place), no one helped us - only pointing up the mammoth hill alongside the complex. We were baffled as to who had our keys to get in the room!
Struggling up the hill with 2 cases, I had to go back down to ask for assistance as I still had no idea where to go. Eventually one of the lads showed us to our room number 66 at the very top of the hill. Bearing in mind my partner is 6 months pregnant, this was probably the worst place we could have been put, but at least we knew where we should be. The keys were left in the door on the outside.
The room was as disapointing as the climb up to it was. A bed that wouldn't be out of place in a mortuary leaving us both with back and neck ache for the rest of the week, and pillows of the thinnest quality. The shower was just an attachment to the taps that had no where to be placed at height when in use, no TV or radio, and a fridge that woke the dead when it whirred. Our towels were changed on our very last day for the first time, even though we had left a pile near the door making it obvious we wanted them changing. I'm guessing the cleaners couldn't be bothered to do anything in our room by the time they'd reached the top of the hill!
The food, although plentiful, lacked flavour and choice even after 2 or 3 days - like so many people have said, labelling their food trays would have made it nicer and easier. Even though we had paid for half board, we ended up eating out on quite a few ocassions, but the same menus offering chips with most dishes was also a bit of a disappointment as the more traditional dishes were few and far between. All the places we did go to had very friendly staff who offered more than you ordered free of charge - from Ouzo and Raki to Greek yoghurt with honey or fruit a welcome addition!
This was all balanced out though with the sheer beauty of the resort, with the 3 beaches / coves we tried all being clean and welcoming. The water is crystal clear and warm, with snorkeling around the rocks a must watching the fish swim around you.

1 reader found this review helpful

I always make the mistake of being influenced by reviews and I guess I should ask why I am writing this!!
Normally we holiday self catering but did half board this time...a major COUP since this act alone saved us a lot of money.Whenever we come to Greece we try to arrive with no expectations and by that fact are usually pleasantly surprised.The SOFIA accomodation did not dissapoint and did just that.OK so we were at the top of a lot of stairs that each day were a challenge ( especially in the heat) but we coped. We were very happy with the large living space and lovely view from our balcony down over the village of BALI.Maids did a FANTASTIC job of cleaning and supplying bed-linen every 2 days.( even bothering to fold nightwear!!).The food was plentiful and although not always great in variety it certainly was filling and welcome. Staff were very friendly and helpful,The private beach was heaven with REAL sand..NO rocks/stones and lovely warm seawater.The resort was not overdone with just the right balance of tavernas and shops.I would not hesitate in choosing this accomodation again and heartily recommend it to anyone who is not going to BLEAT over petty trivialities.
PS...If you do come here..YOU MUST make the pilgrimage up the hill to 'Georgios' self built 'castle'.. The trek is an absolute killer...BUT >>>> The views are simply unbelievable and he is a fantastic, generous and lovable host ( his cocktails are once seen/tasted..never forgotten!!! ).
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!...I LOVE GREECE..THE FOOD,THE PEOPLE, THE TERRAIN..THE MUSIC...!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

We went with our Grandson in half term last Oxtober. The resort is very pretty and the beaches pleasant but the Hotel Sophia was awful. Basis was an undersatatment thin threadbare sheets on the single beds pushed together to make a double dark and smelly bathoom with hot water occasionally poorly lit and not waht we weere expecting. Luckingly we only had to walk up a couple of flights of stairs. The breakfast was only just edible you had to line up to cut your bread and put it through an antiquated toastser system by the time you had done that there wasnt much else to eat but cold meats or yogurt !!! Evening meals were a deffinate bno no and you had no idea what is was you were meant to be eating so for the whole 10 days we had to eat out every night even though we had paid for half board. Luckily we found a lovely Taverna Akpotiani down by the harbour and went there every evening.
We liked the resort it was quiet but this was the end of the season and alot of things were closed down but the hotel was awful.

2 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at this hotel for two nights at the end of a 17 day holiday in Crete.
The room we had was at the top of the hotel and there were several high flights of steps to climb to get to it. It was OK for us, but if you had walking difficulties it would not be suitable.
The room itself was basic but OK for two nights. There were two single beds, bedside cabinets, dressing table with modern hairdryer, plug close by, large wardrobe with plenty of drawer space. There was also a modern air conditioner on the wall (extra charge) and a safe (extra chrage). Décor was pleasant.
The bathroom was small and dark with a small window. The shower was horrible with a hand held shower that you could not hook high enough up the wall to be of much use. It was the type that you had to cover yourself in water, switch off, then cover yourself & hair in soap, switch off and then hold it over yourself to finish off. If you put conditioner on your hair, it was another palava. Although it did have a shower curtain, this wasn't of much use and the bathroom got flooded. This is the first time we have had the pleasure of this type of shower and hope it's the last. Towels were provided and were of good quality.
The kitchen area was not up to much, although it had a very small fridge for cold drinks etc. So if you intend to do any cooking, I would try elsewhere.
Breakfast was adequate with a good choice, although the ham was definitely spam as another reviewer has already stated. Although we did have HB we did not eat the evening meal. On hindsight this was a mistake as the two meals we had outside were not up to the standard we have had elsewhere in Greece. We got the impression that they were not freshly prepared and were already plated up – just like you see in those pictures outside. Yuk! Never again.
We would not have liked to stay for any length of time here as we have been spoilt by staying in timeshare accommodation for the past two weeks. However, for what we paid it was a bargain - £67.84 for two nights HB - that approx £17 each per night. Booked via Travel Republic.
Although we love the beach at Bali and the beachside tavernas, we would only go back for the daytime beach experience. The one nearest the road was our favourite as this is backed by some lovely places for a drink and a snack and this is what we remembered from our previous visit – 3 years’ ago. We would not want to stay overnight again as we prefer somewhere with more traditional Greek atmosphere.

Bali is a lovely place: it’s a small village halfway between Heraklion and Rhetimnon with small sandy beaches.
However, I would not recommend the Mythos Beach Apartments as the owner favours the “Ryanair approach”: cheap prices when you sign, but then you realize that you will have to pay for a lot of compulsory extras.
For example, breakfast and dinner were included in the price but not the drinks (water/wine) and the staff would not serve tap water. Plus the food quality was medium, a bit like a school canteen and it was certainly not Greek or Cretan cuisine. No desserts or fruits available neither.
We also booked a trip to the Samaria Gorges with the hotel and specifically asked if the boat trip was included in the price (30 euros): the hotel owner answered “yes, everything is included, no worries”…However, once in the bus to Samaria, we were extremely disappointed to hear that we had to pay an extra for the entrance fee and the boat trip (+12 euros/person). When we complained to the hotel, the manager became very rude.
So my advice if you go there is: be careful and check every single bill and ask for receipts.
Cheers,
Clara

Sofia in Bali just keeps calling me back,3rd year on the trot now ive returned and once again,perfect.So nice here,ive read other reviews of people not happy with the hills but thats Crete,its mountainous so to be expected.Such an easy going friendly atmosphere here,almost all the staff speak English which makes life easier for us.The season hadnt started when i visited but many shops were open so no problems in getting provisions.Opposite the hotel is a money exchange and their rates were better than in England so worth a visit with your English pounds,also that way you change what you want when you want & dont end up going home with loads of spare euros! Thanx again all at Sofia for making my holiday go well & i can GUARANTEE i will see you again on many more visits...Frank.

Had a very good 2 weeks here. Weather was lovely. We were in a self catering apartment above the Sofia, which included a hike up a very steep hill but this was worth it for the huge balcony and fantastic view we had across the mountains.
We were half board; food is plentiful, breakfast no complaints, dinner there was not a lot of choice but it was hot and most nights it was lovely. Just would have been nice to have a label on what the meat was etc. Most people would have been happy.
Area is lovely, sea is clean and clear, beach not very big so might be busy in summer and taken up with sunbeds but we found a spot for our towels etc.
Surrounding tavernas and bars were lovely, tried most of them! Posto is very good and friendly and you get free shots nibbles etc.
Quite a walk to the main road about 30/40 mins but you can get the train if you like. We then got the bus to Iraklion, good service and clean etc.
Michael manager of hotel very helpful during our stay and helped us with any questions or requests, tours etc.
Will definitely go again as it is a quiet bolt hole from the madness of the other big resorts. Somewhere nice to relax and charge the batteries! Not for the clubbing type of person but there are a couple of nightclubs and I think one of the hotels did entertainment, but we were happy just to eat our evening meal, have a few cocktails and relax!!

Bali is a resort spread out over a series of small bays. Very pretty. The apartments are on various levels on a steep hillside overlooking the bay but unfortunately there are no lifts. Everywhere you go you have to climb up and down steps - scores.
Our apartment was very basic and fairly clean. Most of the linen was thin and often threadbare. Television and air conditioning cost extra.
Meals are taken in the Hotel Sofia just down the road. The food is unimaginative and served buffet style. One gets the feeling they are cooking 'for the masses'. The outdoor restaurant is a very pleasant place to sit but not when it is a little cool or windy as there are no wind breaks and as a consequence the food quickly cools down.
We got the impression that they were just interested in turning over as many guests as they could in a short period of time with no real pleasantries. We felt they could do more to make their guests feel comfortable, and also felt that they needed to maintain and update the shabby apartments regularly.
We couldn't help wondering how it had been allocated 3 stars! One plus in our opinion.

We stayed here beginning of April, party of seven. Arrived at 3am wanted to leave by 3.15 no way is this place 3 star.
Rooms basic, you get a hot shower occasionally water heated by solar panels no use when hotel pretty full, as you need to make sure you shower early, bubbles from soap, shampoo etc come up from the drain next to the toilet very hygienic.
Cleaner came in everyday but did not leave clean towels; we had to use the towels to dry the bathroom floor as water went everywhere when you had a shower.
If you were self catering at this place you would struggle as cooking utensils practically nonexistent, we had coffee etc with us but after opening the kettle we declined to use it, it was pretty disgusting I can tell you.
Overall it looked like the place had just opened the way it had closed for the season before with nothing done.
If you go half board you have to march 50yds down the road for your meal, which I can only say I am glad I am vegetarian as the meat looked pretty disgusting, food not up to standard.
Maybe because it was off season I don't know will not hurry back to this place.
Practically everything was closed in and around area. Not a place to go if you have kids we were very glad we had hired a car as you most definitely need it.
Food was much better in the restaurant above Aparthotel not that expensive but annoyed us that we had to pay to get decent food. Classic from 1 of the waiters when we asked him what was this dish, he didn't know as it is not something he eats, not the first time we had asked either and got the same answer when we went for our half board meal. (what happened to traditional Cretan food)?
Our 3 year old sliced his foot open first day in the kiddies pool they couldn't understand what we said. So we stayed away from there and went to the beach last couple of days very nice a lot of rubbish lying around.
Not much nightlife but we found a great taverna with a pool table and heating, and great crack with the other hacked off Scots that were staying in this place too.
The rooms we had were at the bottom and had fantastic views but were extremely cold at night as the entrance has no door so the sea breeze was extremely cold and unless you paid extra for your heating think it was 30 Euros.
The manager seemed to be dishing out a lot of blankets, ridiculous as we had paid good money for not a lot back.
If you fancy a holiday with nothing to do and you’re not that fussed about your food then go for this place but be warned I told you so!

I first went to Sofia Mythos in Bali, October 2006 for one week. The weather was fantastic, the hotel was lovely, the staff couldn't do enough for us and the surroundings were beautiful.
I went back in May 2007, and again, I had no complaints. I love this place and plan to go back again October 2007. I may even consider spending seven months over there next year.