General comment about Crete: the roads are quite dirty with trash on the sides, the driving is chaotic and the roads are not good quality, the buildings are not harmonic, meaning you have brand new beautiful buildings right near some old and deteriorating buildings all around. The sea is very pleasant, warm and easy to go in, the food is not very expensive in the restaurants and is tasty, these are the major advantages of the island. About Lirium: The building is brand new, same as the pictures and finished in August 2024. This is an aparthotel, meaning that you have a real kitchen with dining table and a sitting room in each apartment. there are 5 suites, 3 of them are with 1 bedroom and the 2 on the last floor are with 2 bedrooms (nb 106 & 104). the appartments are as described and true to the photos. There is another building under construction near the hotel but during our stay there was no construction activity or noise. The amenities are brand new, there is a solar system for providing the hot water. The surroundings are quite, no noisy roads or restaurants beneath the building. There is a pool with refreshing water and outside couches where you can have drinks and snacks. The building is 7 minutes walk from the beach, and 10 mins from the nearest supermarket. Restaurants are 15 mins of walking distance away, and the Rethmynon city centre would be 20-25 mins away. We were in the duplex Suite 104, situated on 2 last floors of the building. There is shampoo, conditioner, shower gel & lotion, slippers, bath & pull towels and robes, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes provided by the hotel. 4 free bottles of water, a bottle of Cretan wine and a big basket of fruits with everything for breakfast was also provided by the hotel. There is a daily cleaning service in the evening around 5 pm. There is no dishwasher in the apartments, but this did not bother us because we were not cooking, but had breakfast and snacks inside the suite without having a lot of dishes to wash. Everything is there to hand wash and dry your dishes, But if you plan to cook you need to consider this detail, although I think the housekeeping lady can also do dishes for you. Another detail to consider is soundproofing which was clearly insufficient. We were on the last floor, suite 104 and there was no-one above us, but We could hear absolutely everything that was going on in the apartment beneath ours and in the stairs (and I think also in the apartment near ours, but less than the other). One can hear when someone goes in and out of the building and their apartment, and talks on the stairs. The doors of the apartments are not soundproof at all, despite they are brand new, you can really hear very loudly all these noises because of the sound reflection in the whole building, especially when there are families with children. We could also hear walking sounds, baby cries, toilet flush and shower, sound of moving electric shutters up and down, moving furniture and chairs with a very strong and unpleasant sound of metal scratching the tiles, and even normal conversations from the apartment beneath. I would say it is absolutely necessary to at least install the plastic protections on the legs of the chairs and some rugs and carpets under the furniture to avoid metal scratching sounds. regarding the sounds transmitted through the door and the walls/ceiling, I don't think anything could be done at this stage, considering the fact that the construction is finished and that the building is brand new (except of completely replacing the doors and performing an entire soundproofing of each apartment). if you are sensitive in terms of sounds and noise, you will have to follow the rhythm of your neighbours. Obviously most of the people do not respect regular sleeping hours because of the active nightlife, people come in from 1 to 3 am in the morning and you can hear everything they do before they go to sleep. These noises were quite disturbing and have awaken us several times. Maybe in other apartments like the 102 you can hear less...
Read moreBetter than any 5-star hotel – this place blew us away.
We originally booked 11 days and ended up staying for an entire month. And honestly? We would have stayed even longer if we could.
This apartment combines the best of both worlds: 💫 The privacy and freedom of your own space – plus the service and care of a luxury hotel.
✅ Spotless clean, every day. Julia, the soul of the house, is there daily, always kind, always present, always ready to help. Towels are changed, trash is taken out, beds made – and every four days, you get fresh linen.
✅ Insanely well-equipped kitchen – This is not your typical Airbnb kitchen with one pan and a broken spatula. This is next-level, seriously. You’ve got an air fryer, toaster, coffee machine, blender, proper knives, an oven, a stovetop, even a scale to weigh your food. → Whether you want to cook healthy meals, keep your routines, or just enjoy a slow morning coffee – this place supports your lifestyle.
✅ Spacious layout – Even the “standard” apartment has two rooms and a balcony. As a couple, we loved that we had enough space to breathe, work, rest, and reconnect.
✅ Perfect location – You’re outside the tourist noise but only 5 minutes from the beach, 2 minutes from the supermarket, and surrounded by options: two gyms, a CrossFit box, cafés, and everything you need to live well.
✅ Hosts that truly care – Chrysa, the owner, is always available, responsive, and absolutely dedicated to making your stay amazing. You feel looked after – not like a guest, but like someone truly welcomed!
✅ Quiet luxury meets real-life comfort – Only 5 apartments, no mass tourism, just calm vibes, palm trees, a serene pool, and a warm atmosphere that makes you feel grounded.
This place isn’t just accommodation. It’s a lifestyle haven – perfect for travelers who want quality, calm, connection, and comfort. 😍
Don’t be fooled by the few reviews – this is one of Crete’s best-kept secrets. If you get the chance to stay here, take it before the word gets out.
Thanks to Chrysa and Julia for making us feel better than at home. 😍
We can’t wait...
Read moreA Wonderful Stay at Lirium – Truly Felt Like Home
Wow – that’s the best word to describe our experience at Lirium! We (my partner, our one year old and I) stayed here for 11 days and had an absolutely amazing time. From the moment we arrived, Chrysa (the owner) and Julia (our daily point of contact who also keeps the place incredibly clean) made us feel completely at home.
The apartment was immaculately clean and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Both Chrysa and Julia were incredibly helpful and always available to answer any questions or offer local tips.
The pool area was very clean, with comfortable loungers to relax on. And best of all: the photos you see of the pool/garden/appartments online truly reflect the reality. What you see is exactly what you get – and it’s wonderful!
The location is fantastic – just a 10-minute walk to the beach and close to different supermarkets / restaurants. The promenade and the town of Rethymno are full of life, with cozy tavernas and stylish bars to suit every taste.
What stood out most was the genuine warmth of the locals, which you feel the moment you step into Lirium. This isn’t just a place to stay – it’s a place to truly enjoy your vacation. For us, it’s not goodbye but see you again, because we’ll definitely be...
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