"Pros: The location is great! It is a bit challenging to find, so be sure to contact the host Elena prior to your arrival so that she can send you a picture of what the front door looks like. Hint: you have to drive in about 5 minutes into Bali, it's not near the entrance to the village; turn right into a very steep downhill and (if you're driving), car park is a little bit down further to the right. If you arrive in the afternoon, CALL (don't SMS!) the number on your reservation info to speak with someone to let you into the unit. Otherwise, the nice lady who's on duty at the Aitidis Travel desk can check you into your apartment. The view of the Varkotopos Beach from the large balcony/deck (where you would come in and out of your apartment) is amazing - you can also walk down the hill (about 5 minutes) to the beach front, filled with good restaurants/bars. Sunbeds available for rent (from those restaurants/bars) 10 euros/day. There are two mini-marts about 2-3 minute walk away - the bigger supermarket is 15 minute walk away (or just drive to it, if it's easier). If you want a full-blown supermarket a la Lidl, you will have to leave the village and drive towards Rethymno (about 35 minutes drive away). We don't feel this part of the beach is too rowdy, unlike the Livadi Beach (which is closer to the entrance to the village) Apartment was large enough (we got the larger unit) for 4 people, 1 master bedroom with a queen size bed and drawers/closets, another smaller bedroom with 2 single beds, and a sofa bed in the living room. The 1 bathroom is relatively large with a bath tub, a sink and a washing machine inside. (I don't think this is in the pictures). Being in Greece, you can just dry your clothes out on the balcony on a provided clothes drying rack, and they dry beautifully within one afternoon. The kitchen is also large enough. For those of you who love cats (you're in Greece! Cons: The location is not the easiest to find (so be sure to get clear instructions prior to arriving), There is also NO address (which is very common for houses in Crete) to type into your Google Maps. A few guests have complained about the beds being too hard (but it's all relative, I like hard beds!) as well as the sewer smell from the bathroom (which I don't think is the owner's fault, as I've stayed in luxury hotels elsewhere with the same smell) and thankfully the smell is not constant either. We thankfully did not encounter ants during the summer (inside the house) but be sure to put sweet stuff away (in the refrigerator). The refrigerator seems a bit too large for the frame so be sure to close properly if you want your things to stay cold. There is no A/C in the living room, but there are in the bedrooms. Oh and there may be noise from the nearby dance club but it's not obnoxiously loud (and they get done by midnight usually!)." ~James

"Pros: The view from the balcony Cons: The stairs" ~Marcel