We have stayed at Alantha every year for the past 3 years (family of 4 - children aged 4 and 8). We've found everyone at Alantha to be so friendly. The rooms have everything that you need and are cleaned everyday, with the towels being replaced every couple of days. The location is great as it's just a short walk from the lovely tavernas and bars. There are some hills and steps, but they're not that bad and it's better to come back from a holiday fitter than you were at the start!
Ag Nik is a fantastic place and has a lovely atmosphere. There are some great restuarants hidden away (and much better than the ones around the lake). The beaches are great for children, although we would recommend hiring a car to travel to some of the more picturesque beaches on the island.
Crete is an absolutely beautiful place, and the people are so friendly. There is plenty to do on the island.
I really recommend Ag Nik and Alantha.

....beware if you can`t tackle hills/steps. I assume if you intend to get there by hire car or taxi you will be ok as you can drive direct to the hotel, however, if you are transferring by coach then be aware you will be dropped at the bottom of a steep hill and steps. When you inquire of the coach driver where your "digs" are he will probably say "up there". When you reach the top you will then need to turn right and walk a further 150 yards UP the road, you will then find it on the left.Now to the apartments....as others have mentioned, great friendly, helpfull staff. Christine is a great asset. Hotel/rooms are kept superbly clean. Our linen was changed 3 times in a week! As some have sent perhaps a little tired looking but it was the end of the season. One of the best equipped apartments we have stayed in in Greece. The plumbing was excellent and the best shower I have experienced in Greece. A great location for everything but bear in mind Ag Nik. is quite hilly. Unfortunately for us our room was on the second floor directly above reception. Alantha is situated right in the middle of a residential area and right across the road there is a dog that barked nearly all the time we were there. We could have asked for a move but we were only there for a week and using the room just as a base so were not really bothered. The hotel was not too busy and I feel if we had of requested a move they would have accomodated us. I do not think the hotel is suitable for children really. The pool area, which is lovely and has great views, is rather compact and there is very little room between the beds and pool edge so you would have to keep a constant eye on little ones. Overall, excellent apartments, shame about that hill!

The Alantha Apartments are near enough to the town centre for convenient access but far enough away to offer a quiet location. You can reach the town in 10 minutes but the walk back is up a long hill or some stairs from the promenade, pleasant enough if you are fully fit & mobile. The Apartments have a nice pool area and a good pool bar. The rooms are spacious, well appointed and kept very clean but a little dated now and need a bit of attention here & there. The staff are fantastic, Christine will keep you cheery all day long at the pool bar or in reception and Lisa will keep your room nice & clean - both of them are real gems and will do everything they can to make sure you have a great stay. The location of these Apartments means you are not stuck with the overpriced tourist restaurants at the port & lake, turn left at the front door and go down past the police station to find a host of good tavernas including Knossos, Kri Kri and many more. For kids & grown ups alike, spent an evening in the Bar Bistro Obelix, it will be unforgettable.

This hotel was brilliant, only negative point there are loads of steps from the main road to hotel I was knackered by the time i reached the hotel! Also we got there at past midnight and were just directed to go straight up (where you had to go right after some steps) so we could not find the hotel other people said the same, so could do with a sign as in the pitch black down a backstreet it wasnt clear! we ended up entering the hotel the back way.

Anyway...
Rooms- really spacious and had everything you needed, nice large balcony with nice seating (rather than cheap white plastic you usually get), beds were firm but i found them fine and slept well! TV in room, had all utensils needed we just made breakfast couple of times, shower great, no problems whatsoever with rooms-Cleaned daily (except on the sunday) whilst we were there for a week to a great standard, fresh sheets/towels everytime which was great!

Staff- some of the most helpful, friendly and polite staff Ive met in a hotel on holiday, cleaners did a great job too and again always friendly.

Pool/snack bar- lovely pool area with great views from up there very relaxing! Again great seating the loungers were wooden and had nice cushions on. Only eat at snack bar couple of times which was ok just usual baguettes, jackets, toasties, burgers etc. Could have just done with a bit of salad with the burgers/jackets! Theres a terrace too which was gorgeous would be lovely to have a drink up there at night but its closed, which is a shame as it was lovely! Pool was freezing!!like an ice bath!! I dont want it to like bath water but it did help wake me up when hungover!

Location- Like i said Oh god the steps!! Im only young so I dont know how an older person would cope!! But Ag. Nik like this anyway so you'd need to climb a hill wherever you stay. Only 5 mins to centre and beaches theres a 'beach' facing straight down the steps but its all pebbles and tiny just a small strip really and no facilities on there, to the left is a small sandy beach with tavernas and left the harbour/lake and pebbly beach with tavernas/snack bars etc.

Eating I recommend Obelix, Avra and a place on the beach near the lake end-cant remember name (it has a bbq where they cook the food on outside) amazing it was only chicken souvlaki but was so tasty with nice home made chips and rice lovely! Avra had a nice meze for 2 which was cheap but really nice! Yummy cheese pies!

If I went to Ag Nik again no doubt I would stay here, but for me there wasnt enough going on in the area I love going away for 2 weeks but I couldnt have done two weeks here, I went 27th Sept for a week so I dont know if it was the time of year or because of the euro? I also found it the most expensive holiday ever! 7€ for a cocktail! I couldnt wait to go to the lake as in the brochures said it was lively/bustling, what a disappointment!! there was never anyone in anywhere!! puts me off going in a bar/restaurant when there is no one in! it was busy in the day so I dont understand where everyone dissappeared to at night?!? I suppose it just wasnt for me and I prefer a livelier resort! (although the brochures/web said lively!??) Its a shame as a couple of bars sorrento/alexandros roof bar would be great just no atmosphere only people in were us and bar staff!

Bit of a disappointment Ag Nik after all the great stuff I read.