Livikon by the Sea

We stayed here overnight last year before we caught the boat to Loutro and had thoroughly enjoyed it - so we made a beeline to return this year for 1 night on 3rd September. On arrival my husband literally abandoned the hire car with me inside behind the bakery whilst he set off to ask the hotel where we could park. There were signs threatening to tow your vehicle away and signs for parking for guests of another establishment. The guy at the Livikon kitchen stories - who also allocates your room key advised we could not park there and told us to put a Livikon business card on the dash board which he had signed, stated it was prepaid and to park anywhere just not behind the bakery. There literally is no where to park- seriously. Not a space to be had - there was a space by a tour company hut near the restaurant and my husband parked there, leaving me in the vehicle whilst he returned to the same chap at the Livikon to check if this would be ok - he said not. So we followed other vehicles that were parked along the roadside towards the port and found a space there. Put the card as instructed in the window and set off for the hotel. My husband advised the guy where we were parked and he said it would be ok. Only it wasn’t - after check out the following day the port Police had put a ticket of 40 euros on the car, no one knew where we could pay this and proceeded to waste more valuable time if our trip being sent to the police station up the hill, the police tossed the Livikon business card across their desk and said it was “worthless” then we were sent to the post office - all didn’t know so my husband abandoned the car with me in it very close the the hotel and returned to speak to the hotel. The same guy then advised we shouldn’t have parked there. Sort this out Livikon - be courteous to your guests by offering some parking somewhere in the vacinity- this is ridiculous and spoilt our stay. We were then sent to the Port police in Rethmyno who also wouldn’t accept payment resulting in us liaising with the car hire company who happily took it off us. Unnecessary expense enforced on us all because the Livikon cannot provide some spaces for their guests or even direct them properly to where they can park. The room itself wasn’t as nice as our stay last year albeit the neighbouring room but it was tired. Small balcony overlooking the bay and you could just catch a glimpse of the sea from the bed unlike last year. There is a kettle in the room with milk cartons and sugar - where is the coffee and tea?? Complimentary water? Had to purchase our own from the shop. Wouldn’t stay the night again from this experience, it will be for lunch on any future visits only.

One of the better places to stay in Hora Sfakia if you are looking for touches of luxury. The rooms are well furnished, with that unusual feature in Crete villages - a shower cubicle! Our room was actually disappointing because it looked as if it had the smallest balcony in the hotel (room 11). Hospitality was good.

We just spent 3 days and 2 nights at this wonderful hotel managed by Giannis "Yannis" Magelakis and his extended family including his lovely wife Maria and their 2 children. As soon as we arrived, Maria greeted us warmly at the reception and Yannis offered us a cold local beer as we sat down to check-in. The hotel and restaurant are quite modern in what is a very traditional Cretan town like Sfakia. The hotel and restaurant occupy a large part of the main street which overlooks the ocean. Their restaurant is cozy chic, a great place to grab a drink and a wonderful meal. The two nights we were there, we ate at their restaurant as their menu was extensive compared to the traditional taverna menu we found on the "*****". The Chef and his team did a wonderful job. Our room was big and very clean with a modern bathroom (the toilet and the shower are separate which is a bonus). We strongly recommend that if you are in Sfakia, you try out this wonderful hotel and restaurant. You won't be disappointed. We will definitely be back! Jennifer and Nathalie (Montreal, Canada)

Excellent hotel with fabulous customer service. Ferry was late, very few taxis on Easter, driving an hour and a half in the dark on winding roads on a very long day by myself. I was due to arrive late and I called to tell them that. They did not have my reservation. They worked with me to get a room after hours. Rooms are renovated, cute balcony, ocean side, very peaceful in this cute town. Would absolutely stay again.

Easily the most wonderful place to stay in Chora Sfakion. We spent the 4 weeks of April in this charming, unpretentious and beautiful hotel, run by the most hospitable owners, who were constantly helpful and generous with their attention to our every need and expert advice on the whole area. We felt part of their family within a short time. The hotel rooms are spotless and kept that way, and every room opens to a balcony looking over the sea. Each night one is lulled to sleep with the sound of the waves on the shore and by day, there are endless places of historical interest and extreme beauty to enjoy. We swam every day in the pristine sea, either at the beach right there or one nearby. The hotel also has a taverna which serves delicious food from breakfast to dinner. We cannot recommend this place highly enough and were very sad to leave.

I stayed with my girlfriend for five days. We booked the junior suite. We had a balcony facing the sea but we didn’t have to use it because we could see the sea from the bed. We had an amazing staying it became our favourite place for holidays. We will definitely be back. It was our third time visit, And this time we decided to stay some days in the hotel, we used to come and dine in the restaurant, the other times which we definitely recommend.

Don’t miss a chance to visit this wonderful hotel and charming town. The people are wonderful, the hotel very special and the village super! We only stayed for three nights but wanted to change our entire trip and stay longer. If you like quiet and charming, this is for you.

- Room: very clean with a fantastic view of the ocean and a nice and modern interior - Bed: comfy mattresses and pillows, clean sheets - Lavatories: Modern multifunctional shower, clean toilet, nice tiles, much space for toiletries - Staff: Friendly and familiar with the goodest of dogs ＜3

Hotel is right in the center of town and a great location for waking around and beach access. Our ‘double room with sea view’ had a balcony that looked out on the quaint harbor with views of fishing boats and ferries coming and going. Room was clean and comfortable with strong air con. Breakfast was enjoyed literally seaside in their adjacent restaurant. Parking *please read if driving here* The initial plan was to pay for parking in the municipal town lot and cross fingers there was a spot available. A few days before our departure, we received a map from Livikon surprisingly showing “Hotel Parking” in a very small lot by the old port. Long story short, this parking was nearly impossible to find and not marked beyond what was on the map. Key take-away -- To access this lot you will have to drive down the main pedestrian zone (essentially through all the restaurants) and come out on the other side. The photos may help, and study Google maps ahead of time. From this lot, we had to drag our luggage to the hotel (5-6 min walk) and then back again in the morning. Getting to this hotel was a lot of effort for just one night. That said, Chora Sfakion is a charming sea-side hamlet that won’t disappoint. We enjoyed our quick stay and this town is a good staging point for Imbros Gorge hike, which we did the next day.