I really want to recommend this place to you. Comfy beds, very clean, good facilities (even had a sandwich toaster and a coffee maker), big balconies and a good pressure in the shower. The restaurant next to the beach/pool has some of the nicest, most accommodating staff I’ve ever met. Always delivered with a smile The pool area was super well kept and very close to the beach.
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First holiday to visit Crete , wer placed in wrong room , room was poor , had some issues with staff being rude an abrupt , deffo would not go back for holiday , food was not great on site either , very over priced in bars around the area
We were here last time on may 2013. We became friends with the employees and have contact all year. Best service and lovely people that work here. I ve found a good friend in Dina and we will stay in touch all ways <3
OK room - but VERY cold, even it was 28 celcius degrees outside.
We had to use the aircon as heater.
Almost no sun on the balcony - just aprox. half an hour late afternoon.
Our view from our room was a view to a container.
The dining table was a low coffe table, where there was no room for our legs.
The blankets on the beds was very dirty
We tried to get a new sheet in reception on sunday morning, but we had to wait until monday afternoon to get one - as "the cleaning was closed".
Cleaning was good, lots of warm water and staff was friendly.
Internet was only available inside the reception area.
AND... the reception was closed (locked) all afternoon.
On the hotel next to Sofia, we could buy a weeks internet for 30 EURO.
Checkout time was noon, but as bus pickup was early evening we were able to stay in the room.
By paying 30 EURO - lovely but a little bit expensive - we think.
We were lucky with the weather, only 1 cloudy day, 1 day the temperature reached 36. Sofia apartments are a friendly place to stay. The apartments are set close to the beach and you are on the edge of town but they are very peaceful and there were no nights of disturbed sleep. You can eat at the Sofia which was about average price for the town. The town itself is quite busy with lots of places to eat and drink and shop. Shops consist of bakers, little supermarkets, clothes, hand made shoes and bags... etc. Two of our favourite places to eat were Liothyto (its wrote in Greek and thats my translation!) which is a short walk from the apartments towards town on the opposite side of the road. Also, Horiatiko which is in the next town Agia Marina. We had bread and dips, 2 main meals, chocolate cake and a carafe of wine for less than 20 euros. Agia Marina has a nicer beach than Planatania with pink tinted sand. You can walk here it takes about 20 - 30 mins or take the local bus. We also went to Chania for the evening which took about an hour. It is best to go here in the afternoon and stay until early evening. Chania is a big working city once away from the harbour and its easy to get disorientated in the dark but worth a viist. The guy that runs the bar and sunbeds is called Victor and he has a very funny sense of humour. Very nice man.
Just having the holiday blues come down from a fantastic stay at Sofia Beach in Plantanias...
The location of Sofia Beach was amazing, a few steps away from the pool and you are on the beach, which was lovely, a few steps away from the front reception and you are on the main restaurant road with lots of shops and places to eat. Never heard of Plantanias before, think its a little gem!
Wasn't lots of brits abroad types around there either, lots of Swedish and Scandinavians tourists which was a nice change! The resort itself was lovely, lots of nice places to eat, our favs were the Mylos (the old water mill - just across the roads from Sofias) The restaurant directly to the right of Sofias - Ariediens? The food is also nice at the rooftop place called Karma - nice decor etc very modern but the service when we went was a little lacking. Loved having the odd Gyros every now and then also - its a local dish of pork in flatbread - costs about €2! Bargain and tasty!
Most of the restaurants serve similar food but all with plenty of choice on the menu - Would defo recommend Mylos though - most places tend to bring you fresh melon at the end with a small ouzo. Like most places abroad now they bring you bread to the table and add a small fee prob 1-2€ on your bill - we didn't mind but you could always say no when they 1st bring it to you?
Coming back to Sofia's - the rooms where a lot better than we expected for a 2* - When staying in Greece we have always been warned to expect basic - the rooms here could be described as that, but I think basic is a little harsh - we stayed in room 110 which seemed to be newly decorated or built, bathroom was nice, the room was spacious, airy and bright. We found the beds to be comfy and always slept well. We had a balcony which we normally like to use on a holiday but found it to be a little to in the open - It was directly overlooked by the room across us and also to the side - so would have liked it to be a little more private. But never mind.
We did pay an extra €45 for the air con + €15 for the safe key, the air con leaked at first which was a pain but we reported it and it was fixed quickly. The only downside to the room for us was the kitchen area - it was well equipped in our opinion to cook the odd meal - which I wanted to do to save a few pennies. There was 2 hob rings but not really any pans big enough to actually cook anything. There isn't a microwave either or a toaster which would have made things a lot better. we tried the toastie machine one day but it wasn't non stick so it all went a bit messy!
The food in the pool bar was nice, had a greek salad one day €4 and a chicken toast another €4 - really enjoyed them - they have greek special dishes advertised each day also. The bar had a happy hour on each day from 1.30pm till 2.30pm - with local beer Mythos costing €2 for a large bottle and cocktails costing €4. Service was always good - Victor was a character! The pool is shared with a swedish / scand hotel next door - pool isn't massive but big enough for having a leisurely dip, don't expect to be doing any serious lengths / swimming!
The bar and food area for the hotel which Sofia shares the pool with is also really nice! Great menu and also another happy hour from 4pm - 5pm - think all the drinks are half price - we timed our happy hours well! Good atmosphere and service from the staff there also.
We had one day out on our week stay to Chania - it cost €1.70 each to get there and the same coming back. Chania has a lovely harbour which is in a Venetian style as it was invaded years ago by italy - lovely bars and places to eat with a sea view - great little rustic back streets oozing culture and charm. Would defo recommend a trip out there - word of warning! Its a bit of a free for all getting the bus back from the station - the people who worked there were quite rude and unhelpful so be prepared!
The aim of this last minute 7 night break for us was to relax, chill and get a good tan - which was achieved greatly!! We booked it last min and it cost us with flights from Manchester for both of us £520, which we think is a good price for what we got. I personally wouldn't pay any more than £600 if we went again. Wouldn't recommend this holiday for young group of lads / girls wanting some bar / clubby type nightlife - It is more for couples and families who enjoy a nice meal out at night.
