Laplaya Beach: Crete's Hidden Paradise? (You HAVE to See This!)
Laplaya Beach: Crete's Hidden Paradise? (You HAVE to See This!)
Laplaya Beach: Crete's Hidden Paradise? (You HAVE to See This!) - My Raw, Unfiltered Take!
Okay, so "paradise" is a big word, right? But honestly, after my recent trip to Laplaya Beach in Crete, I'm inclined to… well, almost agree. This place is… different. Let's dive in, because I have opinions. And some sunburn.
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Right, that's out of the way. Phew. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, Laplaya Beach.
Arrival & Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the "Wait, what?"
First impressions? Stunning. Seriously, the photos don't do the Aegean Sea anything like justice. Crystal clear, turquoise… it almost hurts to look at. Now, for me, accessibility is paramount. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I’m always looking at these things because I know so many people who are.
- Accessibility: They say accessible. There's an elevator (thank GOD - who needs stairs?!). But the ramps… well, let's just say they could use a little… smoothing out. And the pathways to the beach, while technically there, weren't exactly wheelchair-friendly. It was doable, just barely, with my very able-bodied friend. But someone truly dependent on a chair would have a much, much harder time. Overall - needs improvement, but they are trying.
- Check-in/out [express & contactless]: Smooth as butter, especially with the contactless check-in/out. Always a win in my book for speed and avoiding germy pens. BUT they could have also just offered a welcome drink as a little extra.
- Airport transfer: Super efficient and a lifesaver after that long flight. Worth the expense.
Rooms: My Little Aegean Fortress
I booked a room with a view – and boy did I get it. Waking up to that panorama every morning? Priceless.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yes! And it worked! Everywhere! A godsend for a digital nomad like myself.
- Air conditioning: Needed! Especially during the Cretan heat.
- Blackout curtains: Essential. Sleep is precious.
- The little extras: Bathrobes, slippers (loved!), mini-bar (convenient, but my wallet suffered).
- Bathroom: Separate shower/bathtub. HUGE plus. Plenty of hot water.
- Rooms sanitized between stays. Made me feel safe, even though I'm never sure how much to trust these things anymore post-pandemic.
- Wake-up service: Worked like a charm, even on the days I didn't want to wake up.
Now, the little niggle of the "extra long bed" - my feet still hung off the end! A little deceiving, if I am honest.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly a Delicious One)
Okay, this is where Laplaya REALLY shines. I mean, I'm a foodie. And this place? Delivered. Mostly.
- Restaurants: They brag about "restaurants". Plural! But it was more like a general restaurant, pool bar, and a slightly fancier restaurant.
- Breakfast [buffet] & Asian Breakfast: The breakfast buffet was epic. EVERYTHING you could want, from fresh fruit to omelets made-to-order. And the Asian influences were a surprise and a delight – the miso soup was amazing.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Free-flowing caffeine! Essential for me.
- Poolside bar: Cocktails! Views! Sunshine! What's not to love? Happy hour was a definite highlight (though, I’m pretty sure they short-changed me on my mojito one day! Grr!).
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect for those late-night cravings. And yes, I totally ordered fries at 3 am. Don't judge.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Gluten-free options available, for those who need it.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Made you feel safer - which is always good, especially with all the pandemic stuff.
One major gripe: The main restaurant could get a little chaotic. I mean, queues. People hovering over food. It was almost a contact sport.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone?
This is where the "paradise" feeling really kicked in.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Stunning. Overlooking the sea. Enough said.
- Spa: The Spa/sauna and Spa/sauna offerings were pretty good. The massage was fantastic.
- Body scrub/wrap: Really good, actually. Definitely needed after all that sun.
- Fitness center: I intended to use it. I really did. But… the beach. The pool. The cocktails. Exercise fell by the wayside.
- Pool with view: Stunning.
The little weirdness: The sauna was a bit small. I felt a bit… sardined in there with a few other guests.
Cleanliness and Safety: Trying to be Safe in the World
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: You could tell. They were taking it seriously, but without being overbearing.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly followed.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know, though I (thankfully) didn’t need it.
- Individually-wrapped food options: A necessary evil, unfortunately.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless.
- Laundry service/Ironing service: Essential for a messy traveler like me.
- Convenience store: Basic supplies.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Smoking area: Good.
For the Kids & Couples: Thoughts and Prayers
- Babysitting service: They offer it. I don't have kids. Can't comment.
- Family/child friendly: Seemed it. But I went for a RELAXING break. So I didn’t really pay too much attention.
- Couple's room: Romantic, I guess? I was solo, so…
- Proposal spot: Maybe. I saw a couple looking very happy on the beach.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: Awesome.
- Taxi service: Available, if you’re not driving.
My Honest Verdict - The "Hidden Paradise" Reality Check
Okay, so Laplaya Beach isn't perfect. There are minor accessibility issues, a bit of food chaos, and the sauna felt a touch claustrophobic. But… overall? I loved it. The location is breathtaking. The staff are friendly. The food is, for the most part, delicious. The spa is a real treat. I left feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and already plotting my return.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Yes, with a few caveats for the accessibility-conscious among us. It’s a damn good slice of Cretan heaven, no doubt. And maybe, just maybe, it is a little piece of paradise… after all.
Escape to Parisian Elegance: Aerotel Versailles' Secret Oasis
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your pristine, Instagram-filtered travel blog. This is real life, LaPlaya Beach, Crete-style. We're talking sun, sand, questionable gyros, and the distinct possibility of me losing my passport AGAIN. (Don't judge.)
LaPlaya Beach, Crete: Operation "Get a Tan Without Becoming a Lobster" - The Diary of a Slightly Flustered Tourist
Day 1: Arrival and the Great "Find My Luggage" Debacle (and a Really Good Smoothie)
- 8:00 AM: Arrived at Heraklion airport. Which, let me tell you, is a blast. Like, pure chaos, beautiful chaos. Smells like olives and existential dread (maybe that was just me).
- 9:00 AM: Luggage? Nope. Just my slightly horrified expression staring back at me from the baggage carousel. Apparently, my suitcase decided to take a scenic route. Great start, universe. Great start.
- 9:30 AM: Managed to snag a taxi (negotiation skills = zero, paid way too much) to LaPlaya Beach. Driving on the side roads in Crete. The driver looked a bit like Zeus, or at least a slightly sunburnt version. The sheer hills here are something else. I kept thinking "What if the brakes…" NO! Okay, deep breaths.
- 10:30 AM: Finally at the hotel. Check-in? Smooth. The view from my room? Spectacular. The missing luggage? Still missing. I'm already regretting that "pack light" mantra.
- 11:00 AM: Found the best smoothie place down the street. Thick, fruity, and possibly containing the tears of small, happy Cretan gods. It brought me back from the brink of total meltdown (thanks, Passion fruit, you beautiful thing). Consider this place my new church.
- Afternoon: Beach time! Attempted to recreate a glamorous magazine pose (failed), got sand in places no sand should ever be (success!!), and watched a couple of boisterous seagulls fight over a discarded tiropita (cheese pie). I'm starting to love this place.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna. The octopus was amazing, but honestly, the raki was the star of the show. That stuff? Dangerous. Ended up chatting with a family from Yorkshire for hours. We’re now basically life-long friends. My emotional connection to this island is already… strong. Very strong.
Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls, Missing the Bus, and the Unbearable Lightness of Being (Hungry)
- Morning: Okay, plan was to hike to a waterfall. That was the plan. Woke up a bit… foggy. Let’s just say the raki from last night hadn't completely lost its grip.
- 10:00 AM: Managed to get a bus ticket (again, negotiation with a bus driver? A sport that requires serious dedication).
- 11:00 AM: The bus? Missed it. Totally missed it. Apparently, "Greek time" is a thing. Realized that I am also a thing. A sweaty, slightly disoriented thing.
- 12:00 PM: Decided to embrace the chaos. Found a tiny, tiny taverna. The owner looked like he'd seen some things (probably me, now). The food was incredible. Simple, fresh, perfect. Ordered an extra portion of bread to soak up all the deliciousness.
- Afternoon: Finally made it to a waterfall. It was stunning. Truly, breathtakingly stunning. I sat there for like, an hour, just staring. Thinking, "This is why I travel." And then, "I'm starving again".
- Evening: Tried to find a "romantic sunset spot." Got lost. Ended up in someone's (very friendly) olive grove. Ended up chatting with the owners who were making oil. Got invited to the family celebration which was amazing and made me feel like family. Best. Day. Ever.
Day 3: The Deep Dive (Literally and Figuratively) and the Legend of the Lost Swimsuit
- Morning: Scuba-diving! Yes! (Actually, more like: "Scuba-diving?! Oh Lord, please don’t let me drown." The instructor, bless his heart, was patient. I was less so. My descent was… a bit frantic.) The underwater world was incredible. The biggest fish I've ever seen. The colours! The silence! Absolutely worth the near-panic attack.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant. Delicious. Tried to pay, found out I forgot my purse. Luckily, the staff was very understanding. Went quickly back.
- Afternoon: Beach time again. Needed to cool down after the underwater frenzy. Oh, my swimsuit! I swear, it was right here! …gone. Vanished. Swallowed by the sea or the sand, I'll never know. This trip and I are forming a special connection, I feel it.
- Evening: Tried to find a replacement swimsuit at the market. Failed miserably (everything seemed to be either tiny-bikini or full-body wetsuit). Decided to embrace the "no swimsuit" life and went for dinner. Tried to convince myself it was "liberating. It… kind of was. The food made up for it. Again. Everything makes up for the food here.
- Evening: The most amazing thing. I went to a live music session and ended up in the middle of a traditional dance. Everyone joined. No words. Everyone was smiling and happy. The music the food and drinks. I lost myself in the movement. I lost myself in myself. It's an eternal moment.
Day 4: Knossos, Culture Shock, and the Quest for the Perfect Gyro
- Morning: Knossos! The Minoan Palace! Prepare for culture shock! I. Was. Mesmerized. But also, hot. The sun in Crete is a force of nature. Learned more about ancient civilizations than I have in my lifetime.
- 12:00 PM: A proper lunch in Heraklion. The gyro. The search for the perfect gyro continues. This one? Not bad. More research is required.
- Afternoon: Wandered through the Heraklion market. Got completely lost. Bought way too much honey (it was amazing honey though). Almost lost my passport again. Briefly considered changing my name to "Professional Passport Loser." Regreted it soon, though.
- Evening: Back to LaPlaya. Tried the sunset spot again, with the intention of finding a good view this time. Success! The colours were insane. Felt that all the emotion went back to previous days. This truly is paradise.
Day 5: Departure, The Missing Luggage Update, and the Promises I'm Making to Myself (Mainly Involving Food)
- Morning: Said goodbye to that beautiful beach. The view from my hotel room. The friendly owner. The smell of baking bread. It hurt. I'm not ready for my luggage back.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast at the church. Again. (Because I'm addicted to their special smoothies, I told you!) Got the call! My luggage! It arrived! Joy!
- Afternoon: The airport. The end. The last of Crete.
- Evening: The flight. As I looked back on my trip, I realised that it wasn't perfect. It wasn’t smooth. It was messy, a little bit chaotic, and at times, I was a complete mess. But…it was amazing. I made friends. I saw incredible things. I ate food that changed my life. And I learned that maybe, just maybe, I'm not totally hopeless. (Except when it comes to packing light.)
- Promises:
- Learn some Greek.
- Find a way to get that recipe for that honey.
- Come back.
- And most importantly, never, ever, ever – under any circumstances – pass up a chance to try the octopus.
- I'll be back.
- And maybe next time, I'll even remember my swimsuit. Maybe.
Okay, Lay It On Me: What IS This "Laplaya Beach" Everyone's Raving About?!
Alright, alright, buckle up. Laplaya Beach... Think of it as Crete's dirty little secret, the anti-glam beach. It’s not on the main tourist drag, which, frankly, is a HUGE win. It’s... well, it's glorious. Think: turquoise water so clear you can practically taste it (don't actually try that, probably tastes of salt and seagull poop), soft sand that doesn't get scorching hot (thank the gods!), and a general vibe of laid-back bliss. I mean, *bliss*. You might struggle to find it though. Google Maps? Might lead you astray – it did for us. We ended up taking a dusty, bumpy track that felt like it would swallow our rental car whole. Worth it? Absolutely. My god, *absolutely*.
Sounds Picturesque! But How Do I *Get* There? And Is the Journey Actually Worth the Agony?
Okay, so the getting there… Let’s just say it’s an *adventure*. We almost died. Okay, maybe not *died*, but our poor little Fiat certainly considered it. Expect a drive down a winding, unpaved road. Someone, and I'm pointing fingers at you, Google Maps, led us astray. It was closer to a goat track than a road. I was convinced we'd get a flat tire, and the thought filled me with a dread I haven't experienced since my high school prom night. But, even then... the scenery slowly unfolds. The mountains! The olive groves! It’s the kind of beauty that makes you forget you're currently gripping the steering wheel so hard your knuckles are white. Was it worth it? YES. The closer you get, the more the anticipation builds. You can *smell* the sea. Then you see it… and you know, yes, you have made the right choice. Bring water. Seriously. And a sense of humor.
Beach Facilities? What's the Deal? Is it Like Those Tourist-Trap Beaches With the Loungers Everywhere?
Thank. The. Gods. NO. This isn't a soulless, plastic-fantastic mega-beach. Laplaya is refreshingly *un*developed. You'll find a small, very basic taverna (more on that later), and maybe, *maybe*, a few sunbeds for rent (very few!). Pack your own towel, your own sun umbrella (unless you enjoy resembling a lobster), and definitely your own snacks. This beach is about embracing the natural beauty, not being surrounded by screaming children and overpriced cocktails. The lack of development is honestly a huge part of the magic. Ah, the tranquility! Pure bliss. Except... that one time I got a massive sunburn because I forgot sunscreen. Ouch. Learn from my mistake. Apply sunscreen religiously.
The Taverna – Is It Any Good? And Is There Anywhere Else to Get Food?
Okay, the taverna. This is where things get... authentic. Don’t expect Michelin star cuisine. Expect simple, fresh, and delicious. We’re talking grilled fish, Greek salad that actually tastes like the sun, and some of the best tzatziki I've ever had. The owner, a gruff but kind local, looked like he'd wrestled a bull that morning. The service is, shall we say, *leisurely*. But who cares? You're on island time! Order a Mythos, soak up the atmosphere, and let the waves lull you into a food-induced coma of contentment. Seriously, the food is amazing. The grilled octopus? *Chef's kiss*. There isn't really anywhere else to get food, so... just embrace the taverna. And tip generously. They deserve it. I still dream of that tzatziki...
Snorkeling/Swimming? Any Good?
Oh, the swimming! The water is crystal clear. You can see right to the bottom. Seriously, the visibility is incredible. We saw… well, we saw a few fish. Not exactly a coral reef wonderland, but still, plenty to keep you occupied. Snorkeling is definitely worth a try. Especially if you're into seeing the underwater world without, you know, a scuba tank. I went snorkeling and nearly swallowed half the Aegean Sea when I saw a particularly bright blue fish. It was spectacular. Just… try not to swallow the sea. It's salty.
What's the Vibe of the Beach? Is it a Party Beach, or More Relaxed?
Relaxed. Deeply, profoundly relaxed. Think: families, couples, a few solo travelers lost in thought. There are no blaring speakers, no hordes of rowdy tourists. It’s a place to escape. A place to breathe. My first trip there, I just sat on the sand for hours, listening to the waves and staring at the turquoise water. It was pure, unadulterated *zen*. I nearly fell asleep. And when I did, I woke up covered in sand, but it was still amazing. Because, Laplaya. It's a vibe, man. A good one. This is NOT a beach for spring breakers. Thank god.
Is Laplaya Beach Safe for Kids?
Generally, yes. The water is relatively calm, and the sand is soft. However, keep an eye on them, as always. The sun is *strong*, so sunscreen, hats, and shade are essential. And the journey... well, that bumpy road could be a bit much for little ones. But that's just me being cautious. The beach itself is perfectly safe.
Let's Talk Imperfections: Anything I Should Know Before I Go, That Isn't All Sunshine and Roses?
Okay, honesty time: Laplaya isn't perfect. The drive, as mentioned, is a killer. The "facilities" are basic. There were, on our last visit, a few flies buzzing around the taverna. The sand can get a little crowded, especially at peak season (but it still feels spacious compared to some beaches). And, and I really hate to admit this, I got stung by a jellyfish. Once. Small one, didn't hurt that much, but it was still a jellyfish sting. There aren't any lifeguards. Oh! And the signal on my phone was atrocious. Complete digital detox. But honestly? These are minor quibbles. The beauty of Laplaya far outweighs any of the downsides. Just pack some after-bite and embrace the chaos.
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