hi, if you havent read them yet we have some members review in the resort reports forum

wizard

Hi, we stayed in Maleme a couple of miles along the coast from Platanias but we visited Platanias a couple of times in the evening. Depending on what sort of holiday you are looking for I think you will be fine there so long as you are not looking for a quiet "Greek Village" type atmosphere. The beach looked nice, the main strip through is very busy with shops restaurants, bars, crazy golf, little amusemnet parks etc... There is a water park near Chania and you can travel by the little road train which picks up in the centre of Platanias or buses and taxis are cheap and plentiful. Only ate there once so can't comment on the restaurants. We would have been happy staying there with our 11 year old though. It does get very busy in the evenings.

I stayed in Maleme in July 05 in a large AI hotel. We went into Platanais on a number of occasions, sometimes to eat/snack and sometimes just to look round the shops. The atmosphere is lively in the evening.

I agree that it's a bit 'British' but it's got everything you would need for a holiday with kids of 7 and 5. There are bars and resturants of all different kinds to suit all sorts of budgets. There are the usual bucket, spade and postcard type shops, plus those selling the usual items of jewellery and leather goods. It's not the 'genuine greek village' type of resort, but I am sure you could fine them close by should you want to. You also have Chania 20 mins away on a bus.

It's a good place for an apartment type holiday as you will be in walking distance of many places to eat, drink and get supplies.

Platanias is a place with many taverans bars shops and restaraunts! its live! Has sandy beach and not far from Xania!! also Agia Marina is very close. sure its not s city bit not "dead" place. and it has one great taverna which is really worth visiting and whicj i can recommend u if i am not mistaken its called Milos and it has great design!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll be fine because western Crete is by far the most exciting part of the island. You have on your doorstep the best mountains, wildlife, vegetation, beaches and you're a short distance from orange groves, real Cretan villages etc, etc. Unlike one of the other comments it is certainly not British! Rather Scandinavian. It used to be German (cemetary nearby where the famous parachute landings happened). The authorities have moved the Brits to the east of the island so very few tour operators from England now cover west of Chania. So you won't see drunken fights every night....but if you want clubbing and bright lights there's plenty in the region.
You'll love it!

Richard

We loved Crete the first time we visited about 7 years ago. We stayed in Ag. Marina a number of times and we have friends that live there now and then Kolimbari once on a DIY holiday. We have been to the East Coast but prefer the North/South West as the beaches are lovely and the scenery of the Gorge is breathtaking. We have only ventured into Platanias about three times in all those holidays. It can get very busy and lovely at night and the traffic can be busy too so watch the children with the road. There is a little train that takes you into the hills for a trip and seems to be going all day and night. Loads of shops, some very nice for gifts if you dont want to go into Chania. Fantastic restaurant that does a brilliant grill on the cliff in Platanias, you can see the lights from the road. The bus to Chania goes through regularly and is worth a trip, straight to the bus station.

It has changed a lot since we first went and the last time we were there was about 3-4 years ago now and it had changed. Ag. Marina is smaller, has an older part of the village to wander around. There is a putting green on the front which wasnt there when we first went. The beaches are busier due to the big hotels being built on the old brick works. I think for children its great as the water park is nearby. There is also a cinema in Chania which is worth a visit, its a great experience very different to the UK (In English with Greek subtitles) if you fancy something different other than sitting around a dinner table and drinking and watching tv. There is an open air cinema in Platanias but it was never opened when we went. The beaches are good, but the current can be strong. All in all I think you will have a great holiday, the kids will love it! There are the usual boat trips. If you dont want to go into Chania for one drive along the coast for about 15 mins to Kolimbari and off the jetty you can pick up a boat there which takes you along the coast towards Platanias and the Island and back, doesnt take long about 1 hr which is good enough for kids. Falasarna beach is fantastic as is Elafonisos for children with pink sand and lagoons.