We are a family with 2 kids, and stayed 10 days in apartment #5 at Alkionis Beach, at the end of June 2011. Our overall experience is positive. Our apartment was on 2nd floor, and we'd recommend taking apartments on the 2nd, or at least 1st floor too. We haven't spent too much time throughout the day in the hotel, as we've been spending the time all over Crete, but Alkionis Apartments are on a sandy beach, which is not much developed, but still nice for occasional swim; there is also a small pool in the complex, which our kids find great for an early morning or late evening bath. Our apartment itself was very spacious, and with 6 beds actually; there is double bed in the bedroom, and 4 more beds in living room - but note these 4 beds are somewhat narrow, and while they served our kids great, these probably would not be comfortable for an adult for longer stay. Depending on weather, mosquitos could be a problem during the night, so be sure to get equipped with electric mosquito repellents, or something alike. Besides bedroom and this huge living room/dining room/kitchen, our apartment had very large terrace, and a bathroom. The bathroom is also rather large, but the problem is that it is not possible to open bathroom window, so the ventilation was only through two round holes in the wall; also, bathroom ground, as well as shower curtain, was not particularly clear. While the apartment is very spacious, there is actually only one wardrobe, which was somewhat of a problem also - several adult persons staying for week or longer certainly would not be able to unpack their clothes there. There is plenty of parking space in the yard of the complex, and in the vicinity of it (just across main Rethymno-Heraklion road) there is good supermarket, great bakery, as well as an excellent tavern, so in these regards Alkionis is good place to stay (also, overall the position of the village of Sfakaki is very good for exploration of Crete). Alkionis owners are unobtrusive and in general OK hosts, however we had sort of negative experience at the end of our stay: There is a piece of plastic, a key pendant, to be inserted into a wall slot to activate electricity in the apartments (hosts in Crete typically go long way towards making it sure that you don't use too much electricity, for example by having air-conditioning turned on while you're out of the apartment), and we were really careful with it - when going out, we'd just put the key into car cassette, but seems like some of previous guests brought it on beach with them, so pieces of plastic would just drop off from this pendant. As we've been typically back in our apartment late, and would leave early, we were using duct tape to keep it in one piece, and thus be able to activate electricity. That was mistake, as wall slot was obviously rather fragile, and eventually our next-to-last day in the apartment, it broke too. We've been able to connect the switch ourselves, and thus activate the electricity, and on the other side owner was also prompt to replace both the wall slot and the plastic pendant; however, eventually he charged us EUR 20 for this. So - be careful with this thing, and report any sort of issues immediately to the owner; on the other side: suggestion to owner to maybe try to fix this (we've seen metal pieces, and much more robust wall slots, used at other places), as well as other issues mentioned above - these are not big deal, but still annoyances, and fixing them would really make Alkionis perfect place to stay on Crete.

A very warm welcome on arrival.
Friendly and informative family.
Large clean,well equipped and spacious apartment with the option
of air conditioning. Breakfast & snacks available all day. Felt safe, as a lone traveller i had had a bad experience the year before(different hotel) and had viewed this hotel at that time with the intention of using it.

Good size and well maintained swimming pool.
Hotel adjacent to the sea which as lovely.

Numerous shops and tavernas nearby.If looking for a livlier nightlife there is a bus top outside the hotel for nearby Rethymnon.

The family were very helpful,ensured i had a comfortable stay and organised my airport taxis on my behalf.

The last years we spended our holidays in Alkionis Beach Apartments. Sometimes twice a year. The reason is simple: it has all we need, to have a perfect, relaxed three weeks holiday. First of all, the family. Their Cretan hospitality and friendlyness make us feel at home. The apartments are very good an clean, well kept, for a reasonable price. The location is unique: within a few (literally) steps you're on the (quiet) beach! The view is really marvelous. Because of it's central position on the north coast, it's a perfect starting point to explore Crete. The surrounding area is quiet, and within a few kilometers you find nice villages. To put it briefly: it's the best you can get. We'll be back!!! Bart & Linda

I would strongly recommend the Alkionis Apartments, because we've spent wonderful, unforgettable holidays there.
We took a C apt. for two weeks at the end of Sept/the beginning of Oct and my review is just about that apartment .There were four of us - from 5 till 70 years old and for everyone it was the great time. Our apartment was very roomy (80m), clean and well furnished with 2 sleeping rooms, large living room with kitchenette, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies and a huge terrace, more spacious than an average apartment in other hotel, having an extraordinary view over the sea. My lazy wife was sunbathing on a terrace and taking pics of me and our kid swimming just underneath in the Mediterranean or a pool. The beach is directly at the hotel, so that was quite easy anyway.
The service was ok, the owner friendly and helpful. There are several taverns (ask me about my favorite), shops and bakeries in a short walk distance so self catering makes a great opportunity of choice (the kitchen in the apartment was properly equipped).
We rented a car at the airport, what i recommend, since Stavromenos is a great starting point for visiting as much of Crete, as you could be able to within 2 weeks, which we've done.
To recapitulate - it is not a place for clubbing, "nightlifeing", plushing or the other way of showing off, and thanks God it is not. It is a good choice for a family with children or seniors, renting a car, self catering, expecting a wonderful, quiet, sunny vacation for a good price.