The place is exactly as described. Just move the table out onto the large, covered patio and you’re living on the beach—almost directly on the beach.
The beach itself is mostly rocky, so you may want some kind of “water shoes”—which are available at the local supermarket. There’s quite a little tourist village of shops, restaurants and such about a quarter mile west, with a handy underpass (off the little dirt “service road”) for getting across the busy highway. But the house is far enough off the highway that you don’t notice it when you’re “home.”
We particularly liked the restaurant along the side road behind the BP station. Sorry I don’t remember its name.
One day, starting early afternoon, we drove south, to the other coast, to beaches at Triopetras and Agios Pavlos— dramatic mountain scenery and stunning beaches. There are lots more along that coast.
Another day, starting around 10, we drove into Rethymno, explored it for a couple of hours, then drove to Heraklion/Iraklio to tour the archeological museum (essential and impressive). Then we made it to the Knossos palace about 5:45 for the last tour. A great time to be there. The site closed at 7, though some of the online info said 8.
At the museum, don’t rush through the first half dozen rooms. That’s where most of the artifacts from Knossos are—and some of the ceramics, especially, are quite amazing for that era. Then the frescoes are in room 13, I think—upstairs. If you’re planning to have lunch at the museum cafe, as we were, ask if it’s open before you go in. It wasn’t on the day we visited, but there are plenty of places to eat just outside.
So, if you want to be “away from it all” and be on the beach, this place is great. Do appreciate that it’s a bit isolated— 1/2 hour to Rethymno, an hour to Chania, an hour and a half to Heraklion, but for us, that was a good thing.
Basically, Crete is beautiful!