The apartment was sparkling clean when we were welcomed upon arrival. The fridge was stocked with essentials, and we spent most nights relaxing on the balcony in the hot summer air.
I would definitely recommend hiring a car, since the best local beaches are about 3 miles along the coast to Heraklion. It's also a must have if you are to properly explore Crete. Since Greece is experiencing a bit of a downturn, most places are not overrun with tourists, and many places are eager to look after a paying customer.