The taverna is owned and run by truly local people of Sfakian origin. At times four generations can be encountered in the business; Papous (great grandfather) Georgus can be seen while he prepares the Zuchini flowers for their feta/rice filling local dish; his wife still tends daily to the watering of the cultivated flowers; Eleni, their daughter is very much a "hands-on" chef in the kitchen as she ensures that the traditional local foods are cooked using the same recipes handed down through the generations; her husband, Manolis, is busy with the farming of animals and produce to supply Paralia guests with organic food like it used to taste in the past; their son, Theodo, when not in charge of the grill has taken over the fishing task from his father using the same sustainable techniques as of old and resulting in really fresh fish on the menu dependent, of course, on the weather and an element of luck for the fisherman: Manolis' brother, the charming Nikos, is the person with whom most guests of Paralia will come into contact as he tries to ensure their every wish is met and they enjoy the experience of genuine Sfakian hospitality.

Agia Roumeli is located at the foot of the Samaria Gorge as it exits into the Libyan Sea. During the afternoons from 14.30 till 17.30 the village tavernas are occupied by often exhausted walkers who have descended the gorge and require refreshments/sustenance to revive low energy levels. As the last ferry leaves at 17.30 the atmosphere in the village changes from one of commerciality to a much more relaxed and tranquil scene where visitors and locals can enjoy the peaceful and quite atmosphere in beautiful natural surroundings. There is no road connection and access is only by sea , the gorge, or a long arduous walk along the coastal path of the Cretan Way (part of the trans Europe E4 pathway system stretching from The East of Crete into Spain). This provides the perfect setting for those seeking escape from the much more commercial and hectic nightlife in the North Crete tourist resorts. Walking and sports related to the sea are the major activities in the area but many guests come solely to relax away from the stresses and strain of modern life. The high number of repeat visitors to Paralia over many years pay tribute to a successful formula.