Platanias Paradise: Your Stunning 1-Bedroom Athina Suite Awaits!
Platanias Paradise: Athina Suite Dreams… and Real Life! (A Thoroughly Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I’m about to spill the Cretan beans on Platanias Paradise and its much-hyped Athina Suite. They call it Paradise, right? Well, let’s see if the reality aligns with the marketing fluff. I've spent more time researching hotels than I've actually spent living in them lately, so you know I'm bringing the true goods.
First, the Basics: Accessibility & Practicalities
Okay, let's NOT bury the lede! This is important. Accessibility? The website says "Facilities for disabled guests"… but it's vague. Elevator? Check! That’s a huge win. Wheelchair accessible? That's where things get murky. I didn't see it explicitly advertised, so call ahead if accessibility is your main priority. Don't make the same rookie mistake I did and assume.
Internet? Thank the Gods! Because, seriously, how do you survive these days? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And, crucially, it works. I mean, I'm online right now, aren't I? The option to use the Internet [LAN] is there, too, but who these days? Old school. Plus, they offer a range of Internet services, but I couldn't get the 'Internet services' to make me a coffee…maybe they're still figuring out that tech. Wi-Fi in public areas – Yep! You could Instagram your lounger by the pool… which I did (more on the pool later).
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Edition!
This is where Platanias Paradise really shone – and it's crucial in 2024, the weird, lingering-COVID era. They actually seem to care. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available, which is a sweet little touch, I reckon. The staff are definitely trained in safety protocol. And seeing the hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere was oddly reassuring. They even have Hygiene certification. So, yes, they're taking it seriously, people. Feel free to relax a little more – it's safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Let's Get Personal!
This is where things get interesting. The A la carte in restaurant is spot on, and they also have a Buffet in restaurant which is always a win. They really hit it out of the park with the Breakfast [buffet], because it has a little bit of everything. There's Asian breakfast and Western breakfast, and you can get your coffee fix at the Coffee/tea in restaurant, or at the Coffee shop. The Poolside bar is actually on the pool (or adjacent, anyway) which is important. And, look, I'm a soup guy so I was happy to see that there's Soup in restaurant.
BUT! Don't get your hopes up too high for the Vegetarian restaurant. I'd say it has "vegetarian options," but not a full-blown restaurant. And the Snack bar? It’s “snacky” enough, but don't expect Michelin-star quality snacks. Overall, the food is decent, but don't come expecting culinary fireworks. (Unless the fireworks are in the pool - which, honestly, wouldn't surprise me.)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Good Stuff!
Now we are cooking! This is where Platanias Paradise really shines.
The Pool with a View: Okay, I'm going to gush. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is as gorgeous as the pictures suggest. Crystal clear, perfect temperature, and the view… that's the money shot. I spent an entire afternoon just… floating. Bliss. (Bonus points for the poolside bar, as previously mentioned!).
Spa/Sauna: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! The Spa is divine. I treated myself to a Massage – and oh, the relief! They offer a Body scrub and Body wrap too, but I’m not brave enough for that. I’m a simple man. The Steamroom and Sauna are also top-notch for a little sweat-box therapy. There is a Foot bath too, which, honestly, is so simple, but so good.
Fitness Center: The Gym/fitness is actually pretty well-equipped, if you are into that sort of punishment. I peeked in and saw some serious lifting going on. Good for them. I’ll stick to the pool, thanks.
For the Kids: They have Family/child friendly so you can bring the whole gang! There are Kids facilities and a Babysitting service to help burn their energy if they are getting too crazy!
The Athina Suite: My Home (Briefly!)
Okay, so, the Athina Suite. This is what you're here for, right? The star of the show? Here's the deal:
- Space: It's huge. Seriously, way bigger than I expected. You’ve got a Seating area, a Sofa, a Desk, and a Laptop workspace, so you can actually spread out.
- The Bed: Extra long bed means you'll feel like a king (or queen). The Blackout curtains are absolute gold for sleeping in, which is essential because, you know, Wake-up service.
- The View: Depends on which side you're on. I got a decent view.
- The Bathroom: Separate shower/bathtub is a luxury you didn't realize you needed. The Slippers and Bathrobes are a nice touch.
- The Little Things: Free bottled water, Coffee/tea maker, Mini bar, and a Refrigerator are all welcome details. The Air conditioning worked perfectly (crucial!).
My Quirks, My Imperfections, My Truths
Listen, this isn't a flawless hotel. It's a real hotel. I had a few hiccups.
- The Internet access – LAN was like a blast from the past! Who even HAS Ethernet cables anymore?
- The Room sanitization opt-out available is nice, but maybe a little too much detail, you know? I went with it anyway.
- I’m not going to lie, I did miss some of the extra long bed when I needed it the most.
Overall Vibe & The Verdict
Platanias Paradise is a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it has a lot going for it. The convenience of the Elevator, the Free Wi-Fi, the stunning Pool with view, and the generally chill atmosphere make it a great place to unwind.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Definitely recommend.
**Now, The Pitch! (My Totally Honest Offer) **
Okay, so, here’s the deal. Are you dreaming of a sun-drenched escape, a place where worries melt away like ice cream on a Cretan beach? The Athina Suite at Platanias Paradise is calling your name!
Here's what you get:
- Breathtaking Views: Wake up to sunshine and the azure sea. Your Instagram feed will thank me!
- Luxury & Comfort: The spacious Athina Suite offers everything you need for a perfect getaway, from fluffy robes to a perfectly clean bathroom.
- Relaxation Guaranteed: Dive into the sparkling pool, indulge in a massage at the spa, or simply soak up the sun on your private terrace.
- Safety First: Enjoy your stay with peace of mind thanks to their incredible commitment to cleanliness and health protocols.
Book your stay at Platanias Paradise today!
Special Offer: Book the Athina Suite for a minimum of five nights and receive a complimentary bottle of local Cretan wine upon arrival, plus a discount on spa treatments! Use the code ATHINADREAMS at checkout!
Don't wait! Your Cretan paradise awaits!
ST Parking: Premium Spots Near City United & Stadium! (Ref.s2 Studio)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is my attempt at wrangling eight gloriously messy days in Platanias, Greece, specifically at those Athina Suites. And let me tell you, I'm already picturing myself blissfully ignoring the meticulously planned "schedule" and just winging it. But hey, a suggestion of a plan is better than total chaos, right? (Famous last words, I'm sure.)
Athina Suites, Platanias: The Almost-Plan (Subject to Immediate and Unending Disruption)
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic. Or, "Where Did I Put the Sunscreen… Again?"
- Morning: Arrive at Chania Airport (CHQ). Pray the transfer is smooth. I'm notoriously terrible with directions, even with GPS. Imagine the mental breakdown if it involves a windy road and a grumpy rental car. (Already sweating. I need a cocktail.)
- Afternoon: Check in at Athina Suites. (Fingers crossed it's as gorgeous as the pictures. Oh, the internet!) Unpack. Briefly consider organized luggage. Give up immediately. Discover I've packed four pairs of sandals and zero pairs of socks. Sigh. The eternal conundrum.
- Evening: Explore Platanias. Wander aimlessly. Get hopelessly lost in the charming (and probably tiny) backstreets. Find a taverna. Order whatever smells good. (Probably moussaka. I'm a sucker for the classics, even though my arteries are not.) Try to remember the Greek phrase for "another glass of wine, please." Fail. Wave frantically at a waiter. It's all part of the charm, right? RIGHT?
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and Maybe a Slight Tan? Please?)
- Morning: Finally! The glorious outdoor pool at the suites! Spend a solid three hours doing absolutely nothing besides floating around like a glorified rubber ducky and cursing myself for not buying a better swimsuit. Sunscreen application is crucial. (See Day 1's impending sunburn anxieties.)
- Afternoon: Beach day! Maybe. Probably. If I can pry myself away from the pool. Find a decent beach. Plunge into the ocean. Gaze into the bright sunlit water.
- Anecdote Alert: Once, in Italy, I got a sunburn so bad I resembled a boiled lobster. Learned my lesson… kind of… (I’m a slow learner).
- Evening: Sunset drinks at a beach bar. (See, this is where the "planning" falls apart.) Get lost in conversation. Maybe meet some other tourists and make friends. If not, I'll be perfectly content people-watching and over-analyzing their conversations. Don't judge me.
Day 3: Cooking Class! (Or, "How to Make Greek Salad Before My Flight Home")
- Morning: A cooking class, supposedly. I signed up! Apparently, I'll learn how to make some authentic Greek dishes. Pray I don't burn the kitchen down. Actually, really pray. My culinary skills peak at "toast with butter."
- Quirky Observation: I have this suspicion that most travel cooking classes are just a conspiracy to make tourists feel superior to their lives. Just kidding (maybe).
- Afternoon: Stumble out of the class, hopefully with a full stomach and not a visit to the ER. Hit up the local market. Marvel at the mountains of fresh produce. Try to replicate my "masterpiece" from the morning. (Spoiler: It will probably be a disaster.)
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant I didn't accidentally set a fire in! Enjoy the sunset. Contemplate the meaning of life (naturally).
Day 4: Exploring the Mountains (Maybe I Should Rent a Car?)
- Morning: This is where the "flexible" part of the itinerary really kicks in. Decide whether to rent a car (terrifying, but offers freedom) or take a bus tour. Or, walk in one direction and see where that gets me. The mountains look majestic from my balcony, but they also look very far away.
- Afternoon: If I'm brave enough, I'll venture into the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) above Platanias. Scenic drives, small villages, and hopefully, not a single, panicked, reverse-gear moment.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm excited and slightly terrified! Mountains are amazing, but I'm a city dweller. This is the "adventure episode".
- Evening: Dinner in a local taverna. Sample the local cuisine. Drink more wine. (See Day 1's note on Greek phrases.)
Day 5: The Samaria Gorge (Okay, Full Disclosure: This is Ambitious)
- Morning: Early start! The Samaria Gorge hike is a full-day affair. This is where I decide whether I am a 'hiker' or a 'someone that sits on a beach'. Research tells me it offers jaw-dropping landscapes. Also, according to my research, it’s like, super challenging.
- Opinionated Language: Okay, let's be honest. This is going to be either the most amazing experience of my life or the worst. There's no middle ground.
- Afternoon: Hike, hike, hike. Pray my knees survive. Take a thousand photos. Constantly question my life choices. Try not to fall off a cliff.
- Evening: Collapse. Eat everything. Sleep for 12 hours.
Day 6: R&R Redux (The Post-Hike Recovery Day)
- Morning: Sleep in. (See above.) Nurse my sore muscles. Lie by the pool. Read a book. Actually, fully, truly relax.
- Afternoon: Explore Platanias again. Maybe visit a local shop for souvenirs. Find a gelato place. That mandatory gelato stop.
- Messier Structure & Rambles: Oh, the gelato! The different flavors! It's like an art form. I was in Rome. There was a gelato place… and the line was forever. I waited for a solid hour, and it was worth every single melting second.
- Evening: Relaxing dinner. This time, I am going somewhere with a low-key vibe.
Day 7: Chania Town (A Day Trip Delight)
- Morning: Take a bus (or, if I’m feeling brave/crazy, drive) to Chania, the capital of the Chania region. Explore the Venetian Harbor. Wander the narrow streets. The harbor looks stunning.
- Afternoon: Browse the shops. Find a cute cafe. People-watch. Maybe buy that ridiculously expensive scarf I definitely do not need. But will have.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Chania is so beautiful! I'm already planning my return. Maybe I should live here. (Famous last words, again.)
- Evening: Farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant with harbor views. Celebrate the trip. Contemplate future travel plans.
Day 8: Departure. And the Sweet Taste of Regret (and Sunburn)
- Morning: Pack. Sigh. Realize I haven't worn half the clothes I brought. Curse my poor packing skills.
- Stream-of-consciousness Rant: Why do I always pack so much? And then wear the same three shirts the whole time? It doesn't make sense! I'm a travel packing disaster!
- Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Frantically try to use up Euros. Wish I had stayed another week.
- Afternoon: Transfer to Chania Airport (CHQ). Say goodbye to beautiful Crete.
Final Notes:
- This is a loosely structured suggestion. Do what feels right. (And don't judge my terrible organizational skills.)
- Remember to drink ALL the wine. (Or not, responsible drink for me.)
- Eat all the food.
- Embrace the chaos. It's the best part.
- And, most importantly: HAVE FUN! (Seriously. This is the only rule.)
Platanias Paradise: Athina Suite FAQ - Let's Be Real, Alright?
Okay, so you're thinking about Platanias Paradise and, more specifically, the Athina Suite. Smart move... or maybe you're just browsing, caught in the web of online travel porn. Either way, let's sort this out. Fair warning: I'm not sugarcoating anything. This is about *real* experiences.
1. What's the vibe of Platanias Paradise in general? Is it, y'know, *paradise*?
Paradise? Look, it's not a Disney movie. It's Platanias. Think: sun, sand, and a whole lotta tavernas. It's lively, sometimes a bit *too* lively, especially at night (more on that later). Platanias Paradise itself is a cool spot. It's well-kept, which is a massive plus. But "paradise"? Depends on your definition. If paradise equals easy access to a cold Mythos and a decent beach, then, yeah, it’s pretty close. If you're expecting total isolation and a silent retreat, you might wanna keep looking.
2. Okay, the Athina Suite itself. Is it actually nice or just, like, *pictures* nice?
Alright, the Athina Suite… the pictures are pretty accurate, *mostly*. I walked in, and my first thought was, "Wow, this is actually bigger than my New York apartment... and cheaper!" (Seriously, I nearly choked on my own laughter. Rent in NYC is barbaric.) It's modern, clean, and the balcony... oh, the balcony. That's where you'll spend 90% of your time, watching the sunset. Seriously considering making that the entirety of my life's purpose now. The décor is tasteful, maybe a *little* generic, but who cares when you're staring at that view? (Small quibble: The shower pressure could use a boost. More like a gentle drizzle than a revitalizing cascade. Worth it for the view, though, I'm telling ya.)
3. What's the deal with the kitchen? Is it useful? I like to cook. Or at least, *attempt* to cook.
The kitchen? Yeah, it's functional. Not a Michelin-star chef's dream, but perfectly fine for whipping up some simple meals. I managed to make passable pasta one night (after a minor flour explosion, but hey, it happens). There's a fridge, a hob, a microwave… the basics. Don't expect to be roasting a whole lamb, but salads, breakfast, and casual dinners? Absolutely doable. Pro tip: Hit the local market for fresh produce. The tomatoes alone are worth the trip.
4. The balcony! Tell me more! Is it as dreamy as it looks?
The balcony. Oh, the balcony! This is THE highlight. Seriously. It’s spacious, it has a table and chairs, and the view… the view is what you're paying for. Picture this: You, a glass of local wine, salty air on your face, and the shimmering Aegean Sea stretching out before you. Sunsets that genuinely make you gasp. I spent entire afternoons just *staring* at the horizon. One time, I even teared up. (Don't judge me, okay?)
Now, the *one* downside... the pesky seagulls. They're relentless. They'll try to steal your food. They're loud. They're basically tiny, feathered pirates. But, I mean, you're in Greece. Embrace the chaos. Keep a stern eye on those little buggers and you’ll be fine.
5. What about noise? Is it loud at night? I'm not a big partier.
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. Platanias is a lively town. Sometimes, *too* lively. The Athina Suite, depending on its location within the complex, might have some noise. It's not blaring techno until dawn every night, but you *will* hear music, chattering, and the occasional boisterous group stumbling home. I suggest earplugs. Seriously. Pack 'em. Or, embrace the vibe and join the fun. But if you are a light sleeper, be warned. I, personally, am not a light sleeper, but even *I* noticed it one night.
6. Is the Wi-Fi decent? (Gotta stay connected, unfortunately...)
The Wi-Fi... it's there. It works *most* of the time. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds for streaming movies, but it's generally fine for email and browsing. Think of it as a chance to *disconnect* a little, which, honestly, might be what you need. I did miss a really important Teams meeting once, but, hey, it was the best vacation of my life, so not much to lose. (Or, you know, maybe invest in a mobile hotspot. Just saying.)
7. How close is it to the beach? Important question!
The beach? It's *close*. Really close. Like, you can practically roll out of bed and onto the sand. Maybe a five-minute walk, tops. The beach itself is long, sandy, and lined with tavernas. Expect to be tempted by sunbeds and umbrellas. And the water? Crystal clear, perfect for swimming. I spent *hours* just bobbing around. Honestly, that was the best part of the whole trip. The sheer ease of access to the beach is worth the price alone.
8. Are there good restaurants nearby? Or am I stuck with tourist traps?
Okay, the food situation. Platanias delivers. You'll find *plenty* of tourist traps (avoid them!), but also some seriously good, authentic tavernas. Wander around, explore the side streets, and look for places packed with locals. Ask your host for recommendations. Don't be afraid to try the local specialties. I had the best grilled octopus of my life at a little place a few blocks from the beach. Seriously, melt-in-your-mouth amazing. And the prices are reasonable. You can eat like a king (or queen) without breaking the bank. One word of warning: watch out for the portions. They're *generous*. Pace yourself. Or, don't. Your call. You're on vacation!