I've never stayed in Kalives itself so can't recommend specific apartments but Meltemi, Pure Crete and Kosmar all offer apartments that would fit the bill. Kalives is not that well placed for getting into Chania by public transport - it's quite a way to go of an evening for a meal because of needing to go round Souda Bay and when I was there the buses weren't that frequent even during the day let alone the evening. Chania is a beautiful city and well worth a visit for at least one meal at one of the harbour side restaurants (pricey but what a view!) but you'll find that Kalives offers a very good selection of tavernas and places to eat within walking distance of most of the beachside apartments. And if you have a hire car, then Almerida has some good ones too, as does Megala Chorafia just inland from Kalives.

sM

The only ones on the seafront are Mistrali (Kosmar) or Volakakis (Manos)

The others are mainly on the back streets with quite a steep hill to climb.

Flamecat, you might be interested in the following apartments which couldn't be closer to the beach!

http://thamiris.georgioupoli.net/acc/thamiris/thamirisgb.htm

They look tempting enough to get me back there!

It's worth remembering that Kalives can also be spelt Kalyves in the roman alphabet so if 'googling' you need to try both spellings.

SM

Thanks for all suggestions. Will look at sites recommended. Next year seems a long way off sadly! Flamecat.

First time we have visited Crete - opted for Kalyves and loved it to bits [once we got there after a 7 hr delay and visiting four airports en route - EMA, Gatwick Santorini and Xania]
Stayed at Zourpas studios which were convenient and quite pleasant, only 5 mins from the beach.
Got there in the dark, wandered round hungry and happened on O Gyalos taverna on the beach. I'd highly recommend a visit if you want traditional greek atmosphere, free raki and cake, and great bouzouki music Thursday and Friday nights. Nikos is the new owner and has brought many customers with him from when he worked at Mistrali's. Liked it so much we went back every night and several lunchtimes. Prices were good and lots of locals came in.
I thought Kalyves was great as it is a proper town not just a tourist trap. I couldn't get over the huge rainbow trout in the stream by our apartment!
I look forward to going back next year.

Thanks again for responses. We have actually booked now to stay near Chorafakia on Akrotiri peninsula. Anybody got any views on this?

Hi SM are the studios you highlighted with a tour operator or for independant bookings, do you know the distance from the airport? thanks

Hi yraunaj,

I've never seen them offered by a tour operator and the owners seem to let them independently. In the end we've actually booked to go to La Gomera which is one of the smaller, quieter islands in the Canaries and so returning to western Crete will have to wait a little longer but I;ve still got them bookmarked! I do know the location though and they are around an hour's drive from Chania, possible less - I actually can't remember how long it took us to drive it. It would be longer from Heraklion though - probably nearer 2 hours depending on the traffic and time of day.

SM

Hi everyone,

Just joined the forum and would greatly appreciate any information about Kalives and suitable accommodation there as we are thinking of going in September. We have looked at The Twins Studios & Zourpas Studios.

We wondered if anyone who has been to Kalives could tell us if it would be suitable for us as my Husband has walking difficulties and we take a wheelchair or small electric scooter with us for him to use while on holiday. (ie. would it be too hilly and is the approach to the beach accessable by wheelchair. (He is not confined to a wheelchair he can walk short distances).

Looking forward to your replies.
Pennykat

Hi

We have stayed at the Zourpas Studios on many occasions, and always found it very good. Not stayed at The Twins, but looks good from the outside, but rooms look smaller than at Zourpas. The Twins are also on a bit of a hill.

There are steps leading up to entrance of the Zourpas, and I don't know if that would be a problem for you. Plenty of space around ground floor for motorised wheelchair.

While Kalives is not designed for wheechairs, my impression was that it was OK. Not really got any pavements, so everyone has to walk on the road.

Access direct to the beach from the road, so that won't be a problem.

Lots of really good tavernas in Kalives.

Hope ypou enjoy it.

Alan