Booking: We booked direct with the hotel using the online tool and confirming by email. We found this a simple and efficient process. About half of the other UK guests had booked through an agency, preferring to have the convenience of a complete package. We did notice that when the hotel got busy, several guests had to move between different types of rooms during their stay and this did not always seem to have been clearly communicated in advance when booked through an agent.
Getting there: We flew to Heraklion and hired a car for 2 weeks. Chania airport is about 45 minutes closer but there tends to be more flexibility in flights to/from Heraklion. The drive from Heraklion is quite straight forward, the only part that needs a bit of extra concentration is the junction from the National Road (east to west) to the north to south road at Vrises. The junction is not very clear and is easy to miss. Tip: take a note of the car mileage as you pass Rethymnon. The distance from the western Rethymnon junction (the road changes from duel to single carriageway at this point) is 22.5 km. There is no slip road at Vrises, just a sharp right hand junction. After about 100 metres turn left at the T junction then take the second road on the left signposted for Sfakia. I recommend getting at least a class c car (1.3-1.4 lt engine). If you are on a tight budget I am sure that a smaller car would be OK but the extra power is useful on the hills. It can cost 3 Euros to park at Hora Sfakion but if you tell the attendant that you are staying at Vritomartis you will be allowed to park for free.
Hotel: To focus on the naturist aspects detracts from the fact that this is primarily a very good, medium sized hotel. Good quality accommodation, good food and helpful staff. Dyed-in-the-wool nudists might find it frustrating to have to put a little clothing on in the hotel but it seems to suite most people. The guests range from first timers to those who are paid-up members of naturist clubs. If you are unsure about taking your clothes off, this would be a great place to start. Unless you intend to swim in the pool or the hotel beach, you would be able to enjoy your stay here whilst wearing a sarong or something similar and probably no one would ever notice (very few people are nude all the time). However, I guarantee that you would soon feel so relaxed that you will be wearing no more than flipflops and sunglasses.
The hotel WIFI is only reliable in the reception area but you can borrow a cable to connect in your room. This tends to lead to a display of laptop and smart phone activity in the restaurant and lobby , especially over breakfast. It would be better if the wireless was available in the rooms.
Activities: There is a welcome meeting on your first evening where all the activities and excursions are explained. The meeting and the activities are a great way to socialise with other guests if that is what you want. I suggest that you at least try some of the activities early in your holiday. Irini, the previous animation organiser was great. Jeanne, the current organiser is just as good and really helped to make our holiday.
The other reviewers have accurately captured this hotel. A very relaxing environment, a great team of staff and a lovely location.
