After a very busy time at home this year we needed a complete and restful break and on the strength of the tripadvisor reviews we booked the Haridimos in Crete.
After a very easy journey via Ryanair and Resorthoppa, a local transfer company we were greeted warmly by Katerina the owner of the complex. I totally endorse what many other reviewers have said about Katerina. She is an amazing person, always cheerful, funny, caring, hard working and the most amazing hostess. She works long hours running the whole set up but never allows any tiredness to affect her wonderful warm manner towards her guests.
Our apartment was huge. We certainly struck lucky as there were only two of us and we were given an apartment for four people with a small kitchen area, bathroom (with bath and shower) , bedroom with twin beds and a double bedded room with a balcony. Our balcony, as with all of them overlooked the pool and small taverna. The bed was very comfortable and the pillows substantial.
The pool area was lovely with a shallow, small children's area and very clean. It was surrounded by decent sunbeds and umbrellas, plenty for everyone. We spent most of our time here doing absolutely nothing - lovely. There is no nearby beach although the sea is very close, we had one swim there. The water was clear and clean and good for swimming. There was a beach of sorts about 10-15 minutes away with sunbeds and a taverna.
We only walked out to a taverna once as the food at Haridimos was extremely good with several choices each night. As we have been to Greece lots of times we have our favourite dishes and we only had to mention them to Katerina and she cooked them for us. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner there. I have to mention the dips that accompanied the bread basket each evening. We had a pot of tapenade and a pot of Aubergine dip which was made by Katerina's mother and was really delicious.
There is a quiz night each Monday which we found great fun and numbers permitting a Greek night on Thursdays. When the taverna is full Katerina stays open until the last guest wants to leave and it can be a little noisy as the raki flows, however it was only once while we were there and we found it no problem as we had nothing to get up early for and I found it quite nice listening to people enjoying themselves.
We did one trip out, we booked a little shuttle train a bit like the ones you see at seaside resorts in England. It took us up in to the hills, we visited a monastery which had amazing views over of the island and they took us to the olive oil processing plant and explained the processes. We then were invited to taste the different oils and had an opportunity with absolutely no pressure to buy oils and balsamic vinegar. We also were taken to a charming little mountain village where we could explore and buy a coffee.
All in all it was a wonderful, restful, peaceful break. We met some nice people and there was always someone to chat to if you you wanted but plenty of space if you wanted to keep to yourself.
An ideal place for a recharging the batteries type of holiday. If you want to get out and about it is best hire a car.
A big thank you to Katerina and her mother for ensuring that we had a lovely time.