The journey in Crete did not start well. There were no direct buses from the Chania airport to Kissamos (distance less than 50 km) unlike the host had told me. Her quite unconvincing excuse later on was that I was her first guest flying to Chania.
You first need to take a local bus to Chania and then another one to Kissamos. Both run twice per hour, and when you miss both departures, the waiting + travel time from CHQ airport to the flat is c. 3 hours. A taxi from the airport costs +/-70 euros (July 2021). Thankfully the host's husband picked me up with my puppy and luggage from the local bus station at my request (the host being unavailable).
The 2nd bummer was renting a car: the host had told me that she could help me with everything as "she is in the tourist business". I assumed that she has deals with local car rentals. All the help I got was a business card of a local firm that didn't have cars available. The flat is located high on a hill, and hence a car is a must especially in near 40° C heat. Arrange a car in advance! Around 500 m to the nearest, very nice Maria sandy beach, 2 km to town centre.
Flat - Positive points: lift to the 3rd floor (when not turned off); great views to the sea and hills; large & nice terrace (for my puppy to play & run); clean and tidy; A/C (in the living room); washing machine (in the 3rd floor corridor); 2 sunbeds on the terrace, got an umbrella at request; reliable wifi.
Host's family has a mini-market downstairs of the attractive-looking house. Adequate street parking.
Flat - Negative points: a bit dated, shower and kitchen in particular; only salt provided in the kitchen; mattress quite hard; A/C was turned off by the host every time we left somewhere ("big brother watching" feeling), twice even at night; the re-cooling of the flat probably costs more than keeping the aircon running; feel that not worth the price paid. Did not use the living room.
Host: not responsive within an hour as announced, not available or reachable once you had arrived; not honest in all aspects; a refund claim ongoing due to early departure (due to the obsession to turn off the A/C etc.).
Area: The house is located high on a hill in a small village type of community, which was nice for walks with my puppy to see domestic animals and local life.