Ok, we've just got back yesterday from a week at the Hilltop Hotel in Hanioti and here's our thoughts.

Hotel:
Hilltop is on the hill top, therefore a short walk outside the town. Part of this walk is a mildly steep hill, but only about 50 meters worth! Some of the elder folk there did struggle a little with it. The pathway can get a little boggy after rain (and boy did we have some rain!!). But there is a free shuttle downtown and back in the evenings, so no worries there.
The staff were very friendly and did all they could to make our stay a good one.
We had a clogged drain and they came up to sort it within 10 mins of being told.
Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, you will be affected by the Greek Night & Disco. The hotel is in the shape of an H and the bar/dance area is in the middle, so all rooms are within easy sound of it. You can also hear the general chat and laughter that goes on late into the night.
Obviously this wasn't every night, but it was a little annoying on 2 or 3 nights. I guess it's just people having a good time, and in a hotel you need to expect that.
We stayed B&B and the breakfast buffet was very good. Especially the chocolate pancakes!
The dinner was cheap too, only 7 euros, but we didn't try it though!

Fire:
The recent fire has had a big effect in the area surrounding the hotel. I was told you weren't able to see the sea beforehand, nor see the hotel from the main road below. There are great views now but the flora and fauna surrounding the hotel is very badly damaged, scorched or just no longer there having been JCB'd away. We knew it was going to be bad, but it really is quite bad. However this didn't spoil our holiday, but made us glad we could bring more taurist money into the area. Over the hills there was apparently 50,000 acres of land damaged, and yet you can find untouched places right in the middle of it all.
We travelled around the peninsula on Sunday and saw some damage right over the other side near Loutra, but the hills around Fourka looked ok (Jeff - your special place will hopefully be OK).
There is still quite a bit of ash on the beaches and in the sea, but nothing that would spoil your day really. Patches of ash would float by, but then it was clearer after that.

Hanioti:
Lots of great places to eat out. Dionysis was the best for us. Try the flaming Kleftiko!
Pancakes from the Blue Cafe were fantastic. Try the Vanilla Pancake.
Hanioti town comes to life in the evening, but not in a 'clubbing' way, more a 'cafe, restaraunt' way.
Better beaches if you walk out of the town, we went to the right as you look at the sea.

Other places & hints:
Fourka looked a lot quieter and had a really nice beach.
We went to see our new friend Sakis who owns The Akropolis in Kriopigi. He's a star and really looked after us.
Polychrono beach looked nice, until we got the car stuck in the mud of the car park!
Book your trips downtown rather than with the rep to save lots of money.
Book car hire downtown. We went with Sun Car Hire at 40euros a day, as opposed to 58euros through the rep.
Have a go at the Mini Golf. 5 euros each for as much as you like in a day.
Watch out for Sea Urchins, my wife stepped on one and had a painful foot the last 3 days of the holiday. Suggest beach/sea shoes.

Overall we had a good time away. The weather wasn't great (24 hour thunder storms), but on the whole we enjoyed our time in Hanioti.
Might try Fourka next time if we can be quick enough for the cheaper deal!

Photos can be seen at www.garyandmichellebirch.co.uk

We have been to the Hilltop, have some great memories. How are Pat, Bill and Chris. Is Gianni still there, what a character. Was he still after all the women?

yes the're all still there, including Giani.
He had a different football shirt for each day!
they're very friendly.