Perla Apartments

If you want a place where the room can double as a simple base rather than just somewhere to drop your bag, Perla Apartments fits the brief. This is a three-star aparthotel in the centre of Agia Pelagia, with traditionally decorated, refurbished apartments and the useful freedom of a kitchenette.

The complex was renovated in 2008 and has 27 apartments. A pool with a sun terrace, loungers and an outdoor bar gives you somewhere to settle between outings, while the resort's seaside venues are close enough for a change of scenery. The hotel's website is available in English and Greek, although the available information does not establish which languages the hotel team speaks.

Perla Apartments sits in Agia Pelagia, in north-western Heraklion prefecture on Crete. The property is in the heart of the settlement rather than out on its own, so you are based among the resort's cafés, bars and seaside places to eat.

Agia Pelagia Beach is about 400 metres away, with Psaromoura Beach around 600 metres away. Mononaftis Beach is roughly 1 mile away on foot, while Ligaria Beach is about 1.5 miles away by road. Golden sand, small coves and the calm blue waters of the Cretan Sea are the local geography here, not a brochure's distant promise.

For a day away from the water, Palaiokastro is about 5 miles away by car and the El Greco Museum around 6 miles. Heraklion International Airport is about 14 miles from the apartments by car.

The useful distinction here is not a long list of room labels but how much living space you want around your kit, bags and travel companions. The Studio suits a couple who want a straightforward base, while the one- and two-bedroom apartments give families or small groups separate sleeping areas and more room to spread out without turning the holiday into a daily game of luggage Tetris.

Every apartment has air conditioning, a kitchenette, a private bathroom, a balcony and a seating area. The kitchenette includes a refrigerator, stovetop, coffee machine, dining table and kitchenware, which gives you the option of keeping cold drinks ready and sorting out something simple when restaurant timing does not match your own. Towels, linen and a hairdryer are included, with daily towel changes and linen changes every two days.

Balcony views vary between the sea, pool and mountains, so choose with the view in mind if that matters to you. A safe, TV and free Wi-Fi cover the practical basics, while the non-smoking policy keeps the indoor air simpler. Daily maid service is available, and room service runs for 12 hours.

Breakfast is served in continental and buffet form, giving you a practical start before heading out for the day. The kitchenette adds a second option: coffee and a simple bite in the apartment, without having to organise a full meal before you are properly awake.

Food and drink at the property are centred on a snack bar, a bar and an outdoor pool bar, with an indoor bar also available. The setup is suited to keeping things easy around the pool rather than promising a formal dining programme. Room service is available for 12 hours, useful when you want food brought in without changing out of the clothes that have already done a full day's work.

For local flavour, Agia Pelagia's seafront has places serving Cretan specialities and cold drinks. That gives you the choice between using the apartment's cooking facilities and heading out for the island's food, depending on appetite and energy levels.

The main non-diving plan is pleasingly uncomplicated: claim a lounger beside the outdoor pool and let the day slow down. The swimming pool measures 86 square metres, with a sun terrace and pool bar close at hand, so you can move from a few lengths to a cold drink without turning relaxation into an expedition.

The garden and furnished outdoor areas provide more places to sit, while the balconies give you a private perch above the resort, pool or surrounding mountains. There is no need to schedule every hour. Some holidays are improved by doing very little with considerable commitment.

When you do want to leave the property, Agia Pelagia's seaside entertainment venues are nearby. The surrounding area also lends itself to cultural sightseeing, with archaeological and religious sites around the settlement and Palaiokastro within about 5 miles by car. Car hire is available if you want to explore further across Crete.

Heraklion International Airport is about 14 miles away by car. Airport transfers to and from the property are available, either as a private transfer or a shared shuttle arranged with the hotel. Car hire is also available, and free private parking is provided on site without a reservation.

Reception operates from 08:00 to 00:00. Check-in runs from 14:00 to 00:00, and the property needs your expected arrival time in advance; check-out is from 08:00 to 11:00. The complex operates from 1 April to 31 October, so this is a seasonal base rather than an all-year address.

Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available, alongside daily housekeeping and wake-up calls. Payment is by card, as cash is not accepted, and a refundable damage deposit is collected by card on arrival. Children of every age are welcome, with cots and extra beds available on request subject to the selected accommodation and availability.