Name: Ismini Apartments
Address: Kalyves, Kalyves, 73003, Greece, Kalyves, Kalyves, Kalyves, 73003, Greece
Rating: 10

Air conditioning

Heating

Garden

Outdoor furniture

General

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer

English

French

Languages Spoken

Library

Barbecue grill(s)

Sun Deck

Recreation

Parking

Garage

Beach facilities

Private beach

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Snorkelling

Sports

Babysitting and childcare

Children's playground

Kids' TV Networks

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the apartment

Beach Kalives

Hermans Beach

Kantina Bananas Beach

Kera Beach

Almirida Beach

Kolatsos Beach

Port of Souda

Chania International Airport

Ismini Apartments

Kalyves

Ismini apartments are one of the most private and enjoyable places to holiday. Ismini herself is the incredibly professional and warm owner of the apartment. She stops around with oranges or grapes depending on the season and with the most amazing stories of the history of the house and herself. 
The two-story traditional apt/ house has the perfect private outdoor dining areas and the long garden ensures more privacy and which leads to the private beach. It's such an incredible escape. And when you want to have a glass of wine or snack you walk out the door and you are immediately in the middle of Kalyves and can drop into Stells, which is really cool
If you want to escape and really chill this is a real gem and a pure joy. 

One of the best private hideaways in Greece 

We have just returned from a wonderful week's holiday at Ismini's Apartment (B). We have a 2 year old daughter and the setup is perfect for families, with a large and well maintained lawn/garden which is fully secure with fencing and gates all around, swings, slides etc. and then straight onto the private stretch of beach. A travel cot was provided and there's even a permanent stairgate too.

As such, our daughter was able to run around safely and we had an unencumbered view onto the beach and ocean.

The apartment is basic, but perfectly comfortable with large beds, aircon and a little kitchen overlooking the terrace and sea. It's a traditional Greek property and we learnt that Ismini's family have been in the same house for several generations!

Ismini was lovely, greeting us with freshly picked lemons and oranges, arranging taxi if so desired. It was wonderful to get to know her over the week.

I was a little wary of the 4 x 1 star reviews on Google, but suspect they were all written by the same group of disgruntled clients at the hotel next door looking at the dates of writing and comments - it's true that Ismini does ensure that the parasols and sunbeds are kept free for use by her clientele only (and it is clearly stated on the parasols too!) and she did have to politely ask a couple of people to use their designated area during our stay, but this is only for the good of the guests so I can't complain about that.

The only minor point is that the hotel next door put on entertainment several times throughout the week, some of it fine, some of it less so (karaoke probably being the most grating!), but this was only for 60-90 minutes fortunately so certainly not enough to ruin the holiday. Fortunately the property is double glazed so it didn't disturb our sleeping daughter either.

The location really is unparalleled and asides from the private beach, within a 5 minute stroll, there are numerous tavernas and beach bars with free beds and cocktails - the sea is invariably very calm and sheltered and Kalyves is the perfect combo of authentic Crete with just enough in the way of restaurants/ bars for tourists wanting to eat/drink.

We also loved that there weren't many Brits at all - a great mix of nationalities (including lots of locals).

Overall, we had a wonderful stay and look forward to returning again. Thank you Ismini and wishing you a wonderful summer!

Wonderful family holiday in Kalyves

We can’t wait to return to Ismini Apartments. The owner is lovely and we spent an afternoon chatting with her about her family’s history and childhood memories. She even gifted us a bottle of olive oil from her own harvest to take home as well as endless, delicious grapes throughout our stay. An absolute gem of a lady! A beautiful property, very well kept with love and a spotless private beach at the end of a well maintained, large garden. It’s wonderful to get this private beach access! I saw some negative reviews that compelled me to write this one. Unfortunately, sometimes guests from adjoining accommodations decide to venture onto Ismini’s private beach. Not an issue if it’s done by accident but not great if it happens again and again. We have witnessed this. That is not Ismini’s fault. She is an absolutely lady and only looking after her guests. Anyway, to us, this is a little slice of heaven. We have already booked our next visit! 

My brother and sister-in-law also booked here on our recommendation and are also coming back again in 2023 for their second stay. We count ourselves lucky that we discovered Ismini Apartments and are sure this second trip won’t be our last.

A little slice of heaven

If an owner with an attitude problem is what you are looking for on a holiday then by all means stay here. If rude owners with terrible customer service are not what you are looking for, stay elsewhere. The Kalyves beach hotel next door is much nicer and has a way better plot on the beach

Rude owner. Stay elsewhere

This was a dream vacation at Mrs. ismini we were here with the whole family (six adults and a baby) here... the facility is just a highlight and Mrs. Ismini is such a lovely person - we were just happy and satisfied (especially our little granddaughter) here

A Greek dream

3 lovely apartments with secluded, shaded verandas and a huge, beautiful lawned garden for kids to play games in, with a gate leading right onto a private section of beach. An oasis of calm. Ismini is the kindest host. Can't recommend it enough.

Unique way to enjoy Crete

Just returned home after spending a few nights at the Ismini Apartments. Clearly those who have stayed here don't want others to know, but that is unfair on the charming lady -  Ismini, who owns the 2 apartments and house. The location of these properties is unparalleled in this traditional small Cretan town of Kalyves. Bang in the centre, yet with its own private garden (must be 30m x 30m) together with a private beach with sunbeds and sunshades. Just check it out on google maps. Front of the properties back on to the busy village main road, but we found the noise minimal. Lovely private patio / terrace overlooking the garden and beach / sea. Ismini has her own bungalow on site, so is available if required. You will see her tending her gardens most days. These properties are a gem if you are considering a relaxing holiday in a lovely town. Price might  a be a little more than some other places, but I considered it very fair, and good value.

Very few reviews on here - now I know why

We have just returned from Crete and would like to go back right away. We were lucky enough to find Ismini apartments and have felt very comfortable there. The owner Ismini is a very nice lady who was always there for us. Most often you find her taking care of the beautiful area. We lived in Apartment A and after a personal greeting found a freshly baked (still warm) cake and oranges from our own farm! The apartment was equipped with a lot of love. The bathroom was renovated only 2-3 years ago. The beds were very good. The air conditioning was in and the beds were pleasant. Of course you hear something after three thirds or early in the morning, but the street has done everything for a good day so that we have not been disturbed by a private bathroom. Yes, you can see everything from the first floor and you can not hear everything from the bathroom and all the questions from the first floor.

It's a wonderful oasis.

We stayed in Ismini Apartments in September this year. It was amazing so clean well equipped and very comfortable. We had the most stunning view from our terrace to our own private beach with sunbeds just a stones throw away. A beautiful spot however, the GEM was the owner and host Ismini she was delightful so accommodating even calling taxi's for us and on one occasion took us in her own car so we could catch a bus on the highway quite a distance away. She provided such useful information on where to go and what to do in this beautiful location, Ismini you are one in a million we hope  to see you again on our next visit. Thank you so much. Zoie and Rosco

"Home Away from Home"

We stayed at Ismini Apartments A and B with another couple in September 2018. We were all thrilled to find the accommodation exactly as represented which was a nice change from some other places we stayed during this trip. The location is 10 out of 10 and Ismini is a real gem. She was so helpful and we all just loved her. The apartments are spotless and well presented. Everything you need is supplied, right down to cold water bottles in the fridge and fresh coffee. One of the best things was being able to walk out your door and straight onto the beach with your own private sun beds and umbrellas. We loved everything about our apartments and Kalives in general. Can’t wait to go back there.

Ismini Apartments

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