Escape to Paradise: Melissa Apartments, Crete's Hidden Gem!
Escape to Paradise: Melissa Apartments, Crete – My Messy, Honest, and Totally Unfiltered Review!
Okay, so I just got back from Crete, and I still feel the sun on my skin and the salt in my hair! And you know what? I need to tell you EVERYTHING about my stay at Escape to Paradise: Melissa Apartments. Look, I'm no polished travel writer, I'm just a real person who wants to share the truth about this place. So buckle up, because this is gonna be a wild ride.
First Impressions & Accessibility: Getting There and Getting Around
Right off the bat, let me say this: getting to Melissa Apartments is surprisingly easy. Airport transfer? Nailed it. They had a car waiting, and the driver, bless his heart, navigated those twisty Cretan roads like a pro. (Airport transfer: Check!). The apartments themselves are, thankfully, not perched on some terrifying cliffside. This is HUGE for accessibility. (Accessibility: Significant Score!) I saw an elevator, which is always a relief. (Elevator: Yay!). They also had facilities for disabled guests, which, even though it wasn’t something I needed personally (I'm as able-bodied as they come these days!), warmed my heart. (Facilities for Disabled Guests: Respect!). Parking? Don’t even worry about it. (Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Double Win!).
The Apartment Itself - My Little Slice of Cretan Heaven (and the Minor Stuff)
My room? Gorgeous! More like a mini-villa! It was all crisp white and blue, the classic Greek vibe. The air conditioning? Absolutely essential in the Cretan heat. (Air conditioning: Thank goodness!). Free Wi-Fi? Yep, in the room and all over the place, it’s like they were just waiting to hand out the password. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: HELL YES!). The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those mornings when I wanted to sleep past sunrise (which was, like, every morning).** (Blackout curtains: Sleep, glorious sleep!).** Everything was clean, super clean. I mean, I'm a bit of a clean freak, and even I was impressed. (Cleanliness: A solid 10/10!). They even had little things like complimentary tea and bottled water waiting for us, which is always appreciated. (Complimentary tea, Free bottled water: Nice touch!). They had a desk, which was totally pointless for me. I WAS ON HOLIDAY! But hey, they thought of everything. (Desk: A+ for effort!).The bathroom was spacious with a separate shower and bathtub, I was in heaven! (Separate shower/bathtub: Double Victory!)
The Food, Glorious Food (and Sometimes, Err, Slightly Less Glorious)
Okay, let's talk food. This is where things get interesting. Breakfast at the buffet was… vast. (Breakfast [buffet]: Yep!). They had everything! But, let's be real, the "Asian Breakfast" confused me a bit. (Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant and restaurant: Hmmmmm.). I stuck to the Western stuff, which was solid. (Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Safe and Tasty!).They had fresh fruit, which was, as always, absolutely divine. I was not too sure about the Soup in restaurant, I mean really? soup? who eats soup in Crete! (Soup in restaurant: Confused). The poolside bar (Poolside bar: Awesome!) was a lifesaver, perfect for an afternoon of cocktails and snacks. The "Happy Hour" was definitely something to celebrate. (Happy hour: YES PLEASE!). There were other restaurants on-site, serving a la carte options (a la carte in restaurant: Nice!) and international cuisine, but the one I really loved was the vegetarian restaurant. (Vegetarian restaurant: Fantastic!). The only thing that wasn't perfect? The coffee in the coffee shop could be a little bitter sometimes. (Coffee shop: Coffee needs some work.)
Relaxation & Pampering: Because You Deserve It!
Oh, the spa! I, like, needed a spa after a few days of exploring. I can't even begin to describe it. I booked a massage, and it was pure bliss. (Massage: HEAVEN!). The sauna was heavenly, and the pool with a view? Stunning! (Sauna, Pool with view: Perfection!). There was a fitness centre, too, but I went for a walk instead. (Gym/fitness: Maybe next time!).
Things to Do & See - Beyond the Apartment!
Crete is amazing. Seriously. The Melissa Apartments staff were fantastic, and the doorman was always there to help. (Doorman: Lovely!) They helped me arrange a taxi to go off and explore, (Taxi service: Useful!) The family/child friendly aspect was very important for my family, they had fantastic kids facilities. (Family/child friendly, Kids facilities: Great!) There's a convenience store on site which is perfect for snacks. (Convenience store: Yum!).The terrace was perfect for a late night drink. (Terrace: Nice!).
Safety & Cleanliness - Seriously, They Take It Seriously!
Okay, in these times, this is vital. They were serious about hygiene. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks, social distancing… Made me feel totally secure. (Hand sanitizer, Staff trained in safety protocol, Physical distancing: Peace of Mind!). Anti-viral cleaning products and professional-grade sanitizing services? Check and check! (Anti-viral cleaning products, Professional-grade sanitizing services: Impressive!)
The Quirks, the Imperfections, and The Honest Truth
Look, no place is perfect. And that's okay. The Wi-Fi sometimes lagged in the far corner of the property, which was annoying when I was desperately trying to upload my Instagram stories. The room service was a bit slow one night, but hey, I was on island time! And the "Shrine" in the hotel was a bit weird. But, you know what? All those little imperfections just made the experience more real, more… human.
My Emotional Reaction – Deep Breath!
I LOVED it. I genuinely loved it. I’ve traveled a lot, and this place just…connected with me. The views were phenomenal, the staff were wonderful, and I left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and already planning my return. Honestly, I felt like I was escaping to paradise! The name is no exaggeration.
The Bottom Line & My Crazy-Good Offer!
Escape to Paradise: Melissa Apartments, Crete? GO! It's the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and genuine Cretan hospitality. It’s accessible, it’s beautiful, and you will leave feeling like a better version of yourself.
My Offer (Because I Can't Help Myself!):
Book your stay at Escape to Paradise: Melissa Apartments now, using the code "CRETEADVENTURE" and get:
- A guaranteed upgrade to a sea-view apartment! (Because you deserve that view!)
- A complimentary bottle of local Cretan wine! (Because, yum!)
- A voucher for a free massage at the spa! (Because, again, you deserve it!)
- And, because I'm feeling extra generous, a special discount on airport transfers! (Because I know you'll need it!).
Don't wait! Book your escape to paradise today! You can thank me later (or, better yet, bring me back some Baklava!).
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Kastel's Luxury Spa Awaits in Benodet, France
Melissa Apartments, Crete: My Chaotic Adventure (A Rough Draft - Pray For Me)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your Instagram-perfect itinerary. This is me, trying to survive Crete, and maybe, maybe have a good time in the process. Melissa Apartments… here we go.
Day 1: Arrival. Or, The Day I Questioned My Life Choices.
- Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): The flight. Ugh. Airplanes. The epitome of sardine-can existence. Sat next to a guy who kept "accidentally" elbowing me. Pretty sure it wasn't an accident. Arrived in Heraklion. Gorgeous sun, surprisingly. Made me think, "Hey, maybe Crete isn't so bad. Maybe I can escape my soul-crushing routine!" Famous last words, right?
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Rental car chaos! We booked a "small, economical" car. They gave us… a tank. It looked like it was built to conquer mountains, not the narrow, winding roads of Crete. Spent a solid hour arguing with the rental guy (who suspiciously resembled a mob boss). He was so slick with the upsell though! "You need the extra insurance, kyrie mou! Think of your peace of mind!" I almost caved. But I didn't, damn it! (Victory, I tell you!)
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): The drive to Melissa Apartments. This is where the "mountain conquering" car came in handy. Holy hell. The roads! Zig-zagging, cliff-hugging, stomach-churning torture. Found myself muttering, "Are we sure we're not in a video game?" My GPS, bless its digital heart, got confused multiple times. We may or may not have ended up in a goat pasture. Twice. We should be grateful for the goats, they seemed pretty chill, even though we were scaring them.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Check-in, finally! Melissa Apartments. Simple, clean, a little dated. Smelled faintly of oregano. I'm already loving it. The owner seemed super nice, in a "been here, seen that, world-weary" kind of way. He pointed to the balcony and said, "The view… well, it's okay." "Okay"? The view was breathtaking. The Mediterranean, shimmering, the mountains… I could feel the tension in my shoulders melting away. Maybe this was the escape I needed.
- Evening (5:00 PM onwards): Dinner at a taverna in the nearby village. The food… oh, the food! Greek salad bursting with flavour, grilled octopus that practically melted in my mouth, and retsina wine that… well, let's just say it's an acquired taste. (I'm still acquiring.) The old man running the place, bless their heart, kept coming over and offering us more food. I definitely ate too much. Passed out in bed around 10 pm, which is a miracle considering my usual bedtime is 3 am.
Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls (And My Sanity)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Drive to the Samaria Gorge - or at least, the entrance to Samaria Gorge. We were warned. "It's a long hike!" they said. "You need good shoes!" they said. Did we listen? Nope. We were too busy being excited about the waterfalls. We had the world’s worse itinerary, that’s for sure. After an hour, my knee was screaming, and sweat was pouring off me like a leaky faucet. The scenery was incredible, the air crisp and pine-scented but it was a total slog.
- Quirky Observation: Met a tiny, fluffy dog along the way. He was bouncing around as if he was a gazelle. Made me wonder if HE was lost.
- Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Gave up on the Samaria Gorge after the first half. Went to a place near. The food was even better. Stuffed my face. Was too tired to really enjoy it.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Spent three hours at the beach. This beach was supposed to be the quietest in the world. Quiet and empty? NO. It was a cacophony of families, sun-bathers, and jet skis. I was ready to lose it. Then, suddenly, saw it. A small, quiet cove. The water was crystal clear. The sun was warm on my skin. I think I actually felt my soul slowly mending.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Back to Melissa Apartments. Ordered some takeout, which wasn't great but tasted like a warm blanket after a long day. Watched the sunset from the balcony. The "okay" view? Still amazing. Started feeling like I might, just might, survive this trip.
Day 3: Knossos & Confusion
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Knossos Palace. Historic, sure. Impressive, absolutely. But… SO. MANY. TOURISTS. We were shoulder-to-shoulder, inching our way through the ruins. The guide was speaking in a low, almost monotonous hum. I couldn't hear a word and was so tired. I ended up just wandering around on my own, imagining what life must have been like back then. Got semi-inspired.
- Anecdote: Spent a solid 30 minutes arguing with a very persistent street vendor who was convinced I needed a replica Minoan statuette. It was ugly! I did not need it.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at a roadside taverna. The best food of the trip yet. Simple, fresh, and completely authentic.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Drove around, got lost again. It’s starting to get funny.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Relaxed.
Day 4-7: The Great Unknown…And Hopefully, No More Goats.
- Future Plans: I have vague ideas involving beaches, more food, and hopefully finding some tavernas that feel a little less… touristy. I also REALLY want to find that secret, quiet cove again. And I'll try and resist the siren call of the souvenir shops. (No promises.)
- Imperfection Alert: I'm sure I’ll get lost again. I'm sure I'll eat too much. I'm sure I'll have moments of intense joy and moments of pure exhaustion. That's okay. That's life, right?
- Mood: Still processing. Still adapting. Still very, very glad I'm here.
P.S. Send help… or at least a good map. And maybe some Imodium. Just in case.
Escape to Coastal Charm: Hampton Inn Fall River Westport's Unbeatable Getaway!
Escape to Paradise: Melissa Apartments - Crete's Hidden Gem? (Let's Get Real!)
Okay, So, "Hidden Gem"...Is Melissa Apartments *Really* Worth the Hype? Or Just Another Tourist Trap?
Alright, let's cut the fluff. "Hidden Gem" is a phrase that makes me cringe, usually. But...Melissa Apartments? Okay, *maybe* a little gem-ish. Look, it's not perfect. The photos online? They're...flattering, let's say. But the reality? Well, it's got character, alright. Character that smells faintly of oregano and sun-baked plaster. Which, honestly, I grew to love. It’s not the Four Seasons, people. Thank GOD. I HATE the Four Seasons.
My first reaction stepping into the courtyard? Pure, unadulterated *relief*. After being crammed on a plane for, like, a GAZILLION hours, this place just...breathed. The bougainvillea was spilling over the walls, practically *begging* to be Instagrammed (which, of course, I did, shamelessly). My first stay was a total fluke, booked last minute after a flight was severely delayed and I was stranded in Crete. I was grumpy, exhausted and convinced the worst was about to happen. Then I met Maria, the owner. More about her later. She was a whirlwind of Greek hospitality – made sure I had food, a drink, and a towel. I was instantly a convert.
But...it's also not flawless. Some rooms are better than others. I could've done without the slightly wonky shower in my first room (water everywhere!). But hey, that's part of the charm, right? (I tell myself that, anyway. Repeatedly.) Ultimately, it's a "yes, with caveats." Yes, it's worth it *if* you're looking for authentic charm and relaxed vibes. If you're expecting a sterile, perfectly-manicured resort, then run. Run far, far away.
The Location: Is it Actually Near the Beach? And Is it "Scenic"?
Okay, the beach. This is where things get interesting. "Near" is subjective. It's not *literally* steps away. It’s a bit of a walk - like, a ten-minute saunter, maybe fifteen if you're dawdling and admiring the view. The view is the thing, though. Oh, the view. The first time I saw the bay, I swear I gasped. It’s what they mean when they say “postcard perfect.” Turquoise water, sailboats bobbing… it's the kind of view that makes you spontaneously burst into a terrible rendition of "Mamma Mia!" (Don't worry, I spared the other guests...mostly.)
The walk *down* is glorious. Easy peasy. Up? Well, that's where the "scenic" part really kicks in, because you'll be gasping for air while you’re trying to enjoy the view. The location, however, also means you're away from the mega-resort madness. You're in a more local area. Which, for me, is a HUGE plus. A place where you can wander in your pajamas and grab coffee. Or, more realistically, stumble around hungover looking for coffee.
Maria, the Owner...Is She as Wonderful as Everyone Says? (And is she *actually* related to any Greek Gods?)
Maria. Oh, Maria. She’s the heart and soul of the place. Is she wonderful? Yes. Absolutely, positively, undeniably, *yes*. But I’m not convinced she's *entirely* human. She moves at lightning speed, remembers everyone's names (even the ones who sneak in at 3 am after too much raki), and somehow conjures food from thin air. I'm convinced she's got a secret portal to the kitchen, a stash of magic herbs and that she sleeps *maybe* two hours a night.
The first time I met her, I was a disaster. Flight delays, lost luggage, the works. She greeted me with a hug and a plate of homemade spanakopita. Spanakopita! I was already a mess, emotionally. I broke down laughing at the absurdity of the situation. And she just smiled and poured me some wine. That woman knows how to defuse a travel meltdown. She'll also tell you, in her heavily accented English, *exactly* what you should do, what you should eat and which beaches are the best. And she’s always, ALWAYS, right.
Is she related to Greek gods? Maybe. She definitely possesses a certain...divine energy. My theory is she moonlights as a minor deity. She’s definitely a super-power. I'm not entirely sure if she doesn't know some secret secrets about the Universe. I do know that I'd follow her to the ends of the earth (or, at least, to her favorite taverna). If she's not a Greek god, she deserves an award. Or, at the very least, a lifetime supply of spanakopita.
The Apartments Themselves: What's the Vibe? Are They Clean? And Are the Beds Comfortable? (Asking the Important Questions!)
Okay, the apartments. This is where the "lived-in charm" really kicks in. The décor, let's just say it's...eclectic. Expect a mix of traditional Cretan furniture, a smattering of random artwork, and the occasional, slightly-dated floral curtain (which, honestly, I felt secretly nostalgic about). It’s not minimalist. It's not modern. It’s a million times better than a sterile, soulless hotel room. I prefer lived-in charm to sterile, soulless hotel rooms, every single time.
Are they clean? Generally, yes. Maria keeps a tight ship. But you might find a stray ant or two (hey, you’re in the Mediterranean! It’s part of the experience!). The towels are fresh, the sheets are crisp. The air conditioning… blessedly, the air conditioning works. Which is a lifesaver in the Cretan heat.
And the beds? Ah, the beds! This is where it gets… variable. Some are fantastic. Some… not so much. I had one that felt like sleeping on a cloud of dreams. I had another that felt like sleeping on a collapsed trampoline. It’s all part of the adventure, right? (I may or may not have requested a different room after the "collapsed trampoline" incident. Maria just laughed and gave me a better one.) The point is, its a small price to pay for everything else. Bring your own memory foam mattress topper if you are a delicate sleeper.
Food, Glorious Food! Is There a Restaurant at Melissa Apartments? And Where Should I Eat Nearby? (I’m Already Hungry.)
Okay, food is a *massive* part of the experience. There's no formal restaurant *at* Melissa Apartments, which is a shame, because Maria could probably run a Michelin-starred establishment with her eyes closed. HOWEVER, she often provides amazing breakfasts (for a small extra fee). Expect fresh bread, local honey, and possibly some of Maria's *amazing* homemade preserves. Think fig jam...dreamy.
But the real treasure is the surrounding area. There are tavernas *everywhere*. Literally. Every single corner. Each taverna is a family. Each will make you feel like you are coming home. The food isHotels With Balconys
