Crete is for me a paradise on earth for it combines mountain and sea and has a wild exotic beauty. That’s why it has been for many years one of the most popular holiday destinations both for the Greeks and foreign visitors. Most of its places are quite well-known. One of its little “gems “ is Plakias, a popular resort only 26 kms from the city of Rethymno. It is known for its fertile valleys and olive groves, as well as Kotsyfos river crossing the place . Well, there is a family accommodation there, which has been operating since August 2021 and has already managed to obtain excellent reviews on booking that reach 9.8! Its owner, Andreas Papastephanakis, knowing what Greek hospitality means, offers the ideal accommodation to anyone who loves nature, and seeks relaxation and tranquility during his vacation.
Plakias River Apartment: This is the house for relaxing holidays in Crete rated 9.8 in booking.com
The “Plakias River Apartment” is just 100 meters from the center of Plakias and promises its guests a comfortable stay, next to nature, providing them with all the essentials that will make them have a wonderful vacation. After all, this accommodation has been created with great love and was a goal of a family that was realized after many difficulties. And as we know very well, what is made with love, bears fruit. “My stepfather, Charalambos Kouris, originally from Imbro Sfakion, having inherited this plot from his father, had an idea to create a hotel unit at this particular spot. However, due to some difficulties that arose, he did not succeed and so he decided together with my mother, Antonia Chalkiadakis, to build a complex of houses for private use. In recent years, my brother, Stavros, timidly started the short-term rental with 2 accommodations, Charalampos and Antonia apartment, and then I followed with Plakias River Apartment, in fact we managed to fulfill this goal”.
Plakias River Apartment: The name and the philosophy
On hearing the name of the accommodation, one can easily conclude that it got it because of the river that exists in the surrounding area. “The name came from the Kotsyfos river that crosses the exterior of the apartment. This particular river starts from the Kotsyfos Gorge and ends at the sea of Plakias”.
Cretans are famous for their hospitality and for how giving they are to those who visit their island. So, the philosophy of Plakias River Apartment is primarily based on this but also on its unique location. “We want and try to make our guests feel at home. Their stay at the accommodation automatically gives them what each of us wants during their vacation. Calm and relaxation. Indeed, due to its special location, which is far from the noise and crowds, visitors can, among other things, relax in the green outdoor area, which, combined with the sound of the running water of the river, gives them the opportunity to enjoy calm during their summer holidays”.
Contact with nature is one of Andreas Papastefanakis’ requests. “In our outdoor space we have built a small garden growing various vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, turnips, lettuce, etc. while at the same time we breed chickens and rabbits. The visitor will taste the vegetables that our Cretan land offers us, but each visitor will also eat fresh eggs”.
Plakias River Apartment: The place and its amenities
Plakias River Apartment is located on the first floor and can accommodate up to five people. The air-conditioned apartment has two bedrooms, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom. “It is fully equipped with electrical appliances, cooking and cleaning supplies as well as towels and bed linen. There is a large terrace with a dining table for 4 people and a view of the garden, and free 50 Mbps wi-fi internet is provided. Netfix and air conditioners in all 3 areas. The back balconies have a view of the Kotsyfos Gorge”.
In the apartment there is a library that will be the joy of bookworms, since there they will find books from different countries of the world. It will also become the favorite place of small children, since they will have the choice to play the most famous board games, as well as other types of games.
The minimum stay in the apartment is 3-4 days and guests have everything necessary to take care of cleanliness. “Throughout the stay, whether it is 3 days or 28, no cleaning service is provided. However ,the accommodation has all the necessary supplies, so that there will be no issue of lack of cleaning and hygiene items. For example, washing machine, detergent and fabric softener are provided. In every stay there are extra towels and sheets (from 7 days or more), stick vacuum cleaner and of course all cleaning supplies”.
Because Cretan hospitality is widespread, in every stay the owner takes care and provides his guests with local products. “These products are raki and olive oil produced by us, local pastries, fresh eggs, handmade soaps produced by us, fruit, jam, honey, butter, coffee (Greek, French, nespresso capsules) and tea”.
The outdoor area is with natural grass. There are 2 outdoor dining rooms in 2 different places under the huge carob trees, where the visitor can enjoy his breakfast or lunch. In addition, there is a hammock for moments of relaxation, a children’s swing, a children’s house and many toys.
Excellent reviews from foreigners and Greek tourists
The best advertising is by word of mouth and even though Plakias River Apartment has not been operating for many years, it has managed to have repeat customers, as well as reviews that have highlighted it as one of the best accommodations with the highest rating on booking. “Almost all the reviews have been excellent, with no complaints so far and that certainly makes us very happy. This has been achieved with a lot of effort, trying to provide the visitor with comfort, tranquility and of course a clean and welcoming home for him/her. “
“Very beautiful outdoor area next to the river. The apartment is beautifully decorated and ideal for a family”, one guest wrote on the accommodation site. “Great location, beautiful outdoor area and close to the beach”, was the review of another guest.
Apart from the Greeks, who visit the Plakias River Apartment, the foreigners who book their holidays there ,are from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France, England and also the USA.
Location and surrounding attractions
The apartment is located in Plakias and is only 350m from the sea, while at 100 meters one can enjoy his food in one of the taverns and buy everything he wants for the house from the mini markets. “Plakias is a coastal village, south of Rethymnon, with a significant tourist increase in recent years. It is 33 kilometers from Rethymno and for this route you will have to cross the imposing Kotsyfos or Kourtaliotis Gorges”.
Among the most famous attractions of southern Rethymno are the Palm Forest of Preveli and the beach of Preveli. It is one of the most famous beaches of Southern Crete and receives thousands of visitors every summer. “Other attractions that one can visit are Preveli Monastery, Schinaria beach, Souda beach, Kalypso beach, Damnoni beach and the panoramic villages of Myrthios and Sellia“.
*The apartment is 400m. from the beach of Skinos and 2.3 km. from Fotinari beach. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, at a distance of 84 km.