Stavros is an excellent host. His communications early on were very helpful in my selection of his property. While his unit does not have an ocean view (we are hardly ever in the property anyway), it is just a few steps to the beach, tons of bars/restaurants/beach shopping etc. if you are into the touristing thing, the apartment is a 5 minute walk to old town, shopping, the harbor and pretty much access to any activity you might want. The little grocery store next to the apartment building was perfect for that shopping needed to start the vacation and pick up bits of whatever you forgot later. This morning I dropped by the bakery to get a few Greek goodies I hadn’t tried yet but wanted to.
Parking was an initial concern for me (spoiled Californian) and each day we’d return from touristing, we’d have to scope out the street parking openings. However, we always found something convenient and nearby - albeit fit for only tiny Greek vehicles. In the end, I think that if you are going to rent by the beach and have to have a car, prepare yourself for the Cretan parking experience and embrace it as living the Greek life. It really wasn’t a problem.