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Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi

Family-friendly stay with outdoor pool in Apokoronas

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Photo gallery for Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi

An outdoor café with stone tables and chairs, a large tree, and a building with a pink facade and wooden shutters.
A living room with two brown leather sofas, a wooden coffee table, and a metal lantern.
A villa with a swimming pool, surrounded by greenery and hills.
A bed with a wooden frame, a nightstand with a lamp, a green curtain, and a wooden door leading outside.
An outdoor patio with a wooden table and chairs, a pool with blue lighting, and a view of mountains in the background.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81399 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Old Road, Gavalochori - Almyrida, Kriti
  • Place, Historical - Folklore Museum of Gavalochori
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Almyrida Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Kalyves Beach
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis)
    ‪45 min drive‬

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About the neighborhood

Apokoronas

Seaside stay .Within 2 miles (3 km) of this Apokoronas villa, you'll find Historical - Folklore Museum of Gavalochori and Almyrida Beach. Kera and Kalyves Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).
View more Villas in ApokoronasOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Historical - Folklore Museum of Gavalochori - 3 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Almyrida Beach - 4 min drive - 1.7 miles
  • Kalyves Beach - 7 min drive - 2.9 miles
  • Georgioupolis Beach - 19 min drive - 10.2 miles
  • Lake Kournas - 23 min drive - 12.3 miles

Getting around

  • Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Souvlakerie - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Obrosgialos - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Καφέ Ουζερί Καλή Καρδιά (Kali Kardia) - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Αρισμαρί - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Heliostasi - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi

This property is managed by 'Saint Basil Olive Grove - Rentavillacrete'

GREEK TOURIST LICENCE NO: 1059831

No Stairs! This single story villa has a private pool (9x4m), located outside of the village yet close enough to walk in every morning to collect freshly baked bread. Perfect for families with young children as the pool is fully gated for parents' peace of mind. British plumbing! (no small-bore WC pipes!) Selene is surrounded by olive trees in our own private olive grove of 4.5 acres (that's 4 football pitches!) where we have only 4 other villas so you get lots of space and do not feel overlooked. Satellite/DVD with a 32-inch wall-mounted TV to entertain the kids during the hottest part of the day. Satellite TV offers 4 channels of English language movies 24 hours a day.

Our guests often comment that this villa is in the perfect location: within walking distance from two villages, close enough to enjoy their facilities but not too close to be disturbed by barking dogs, crowing cockerels and noisy human nightlife that happens in any and every Cretan village or town.

The olive grove is secure, being fenced and hedged by colourful oleander, and surrounded by olive trees. It is the perfect base to explore the picturesque Apokoronas area on foot or by car, with its tiny white hamlets nestled on green mountainsides. Apokoronas is a designated area of natural beauty, protected in a similar way to a UK National Park. At all times there are breath-taking views of the White Mountains which are snowcapped until late May. Literally on your doorstep there are numerous foot-trails through this most spectacular area of Crete, a genuine walker’s paradise.

SWIMMING POOL

● Your swimming pool is sanitised with chlorine tablets and other chemicals dissolving in the recirculating water mechanism. Viruses and bacteria cannot survive in this environment.
● Sun loungers. Please use the fresh pool towels provided to place between yourself and the lounger.

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A balcony with a view of the sea, a round wooden table with breakfast items, and a stone archway.
Villa Georgia Kalyves
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  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Soundproof rooms
4.9 out of 5, Exceptional, 10 reviews
Villa Georgia Kalyves

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Outdoor pool
  • Pool loungers
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV with satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,399 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 5:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 8
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 8. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property Registration Number 1059831

We should mention

  • Onsite cash transactions can't exceed GBP 500, due to national regulations. For more details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Almyrida No Stairs Gated Child Safety Free Wifi Villa
Almyrida No Stairs Gated Child Safety Free Wifi
Almyrida No Stairs Gated Child Safety Free Wifi Villa
Almyrida No Stairs Gated Child Safety Free Wifi Villa
Almyrida No Stairs Gated Child Safety Free Wifi

Frequently asked questions

How close is Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi to the airport?

This villa is 21.1 mi (47-min drive) away from the Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this villa.

How close is Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi to the beach?

This villa is 1.4 mi (4-min drive) from Almyrida Beach and 2.4 mi (8-min drive) from Kera. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi offer free breakfast?

This villa does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi?

No, there is no casino at this villa.

What time is check-in at Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi?

Free parking is not available at this villa.

Does Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi have a pool?

This villa features an outdoor pool.

Does Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this villa.

How close is Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi to downtown Apokoronas?

This villa is 5.9 mi away from Apokoronas.

Near Almyrida ☀️ No Stairs! ☀️ Gated Private Pool For Child Safety ☀️ Free WiFi Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely villa in peaceful location

We had a great time in the well-equipped villa, our young children loved exploring the outdoor space, and the surroundings are peaceful, yet only a short drive to the local beach and amenities.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Guarantee for a nice vacation? here you are

Amazing stay with nice house and pool at a beautiful location with very nice hosts. Car is needed as this location is 2km from the next village, but not neighbours close by.
Stayed 13 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Villa

Beautiful spot in great setting, has a rustic authentic Cretean atmosphere. British plumbing, big pool. My family and I had a wonderful holiday at Villa Selene. We would love to thank the owners and hope to visit again! Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Peaceful, Perfectly Presented Villa

This is a very peaceful/Beautiful place with the only background noise being the crickets or the occasional car or goats passing, Just far enough away from the crowds but equally close enough to be involved if you wanted to. Would recommend, especially for families
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic villa in peaceful and beatiful surroundings

We just spend to amazing weeks in villa Selene and everything was just perfect. From the information before arrival to the beatiful villa. John and Tina were incredibly helpful with recommendations and practical help and the villa was all we hoped it would be. It was very clean and both indoor and outdoor was all we needed for a lovely stay in beatiful Crete. We would love to return again some day. We give the villa, the surroundings and our hosts the best recommendatons. Malene Nielsen, Denmark
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

2 week stay August 2022

Wow what an amazing villa this was.view of the mountains was fantastic,villa was very clean,everything as described and working! John (the owner) takes alot of pride in the pool and it shows.(lovely temperature and very clean!) Would recommend having a car for your stay(Just makes life easier!)nice secluded location on an olive Grove with 4 other villas dotted about far enough away to feel private.any problems or questions John and Tina were happy to help Almyrida just down the road has nice Restaurants (recommend Dimitris!) Look up Beanies boat hire (another great outing)would highly recommend this villa to anyone Thank you Sam and Lara
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rural villa in peaceful location

Wonderful location and views, very private, perfect facilities, great pool, all ground level, a big plus. WiFi sometimes unreliable at first but sorted out. No issues re water supply or electric. Manager (John) readily on hand by what’s app and advised clearly on times re pool cleaning and linen changeover. Not far from amenities or restaurants. One of the best villas we’ve stayed in. We hope to come again. Many thanks.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful with great views

We miss the view of the white mountains whilst drinking my morning coffee! It was a beautiful view. My lads miss cooling off in the large pool! The sun beds were good quality and spot on for soaking up the rays. The villa was peaceful with just the sounds of crickets. John was really helpful at all times and very easy to get hold of. We were unsure whether we would be able to fly but John was really kind and understanding. When we arrived Tina greeted us from a safe distance to make sure everything was OK. We had a small problem with the light but John sorted straight away. Marcus from the UK also gave us helpful hints such as local coves to visit for snorkelling and boat trips to go on. John and Tina ensured the safety measures were top notch. All staff in the local town wore masks and so did the majority of tourists when in shops (not required for bars) and we had no concerns. We were given a 10% voucher for 2 restaurants by John and Tina - one in the village which was authentic and one with an amazing view of the sea and both were great - highly recommended. The lay out suited as a family of 4 with older teens. The villa was decorated in a rustic/seaside theme and it looked pretty. The heavy shutters protected it from the sun in the day and made it very safe. At night the aircon and the fans made sleeping easier in the heat. Beds were comfy. We had a few meals and BBQ at the villa and had everything we needed. The DVD came in handy for late night viewing, I brought DVDs from home - the TV was mainly Bollywood but perhaps I missed a channel. The internet ran out during our stay but we were able to top it up for 25 Euros which we were happy with. The villa is a short drive away from the local village and the beach. Parking by the sea was not a problem during our visit. We did walk to the village one day but drove on the evening as very dark. I don't think you could easily walk to the beach unless very fit especially if you had a lot of gear to carry and it was hilly. The local area had a few coves which were azure blue, they were perfect for snorkelling. The roads were quite narrow but we got around without a problem. I wouldn't get a tiny engine if there are a few of you as the roads are steep in places. Johns instruction from the airport were really accurate. We also visited a local lake which was picture perfect - our lads enjoyed diving off the pedalos for hire. In short I wish we were there now!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Villa selene

Merveilleuses vacances à la villa selene, endroit magnifique, propreté, belle piscine nettoyé régulièrement par John tout était parfait, John et Tina sont formidables et réactifs toujours prêts à répondre à la moindre question ,merci à eux pour leur gentillesse.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Was it all a dream

We arrived in the night which didn’t prepare you for the view that greated us in the morning of the spectacular white mountains. This is probably one of the best villa rentals we have had, the location for us was perfect, 3mins down to the excellent beach and exceptional restaurants. We spent most the time at the villa on outside either in the specious pool or in the comfy patio furniture looking over the mountains. The Hosts John andTina are lovely and looked after us fantastical, never intrusive but always helpful. Thanks for having some provisions ready for us when we arrived, the complementary wine, honey and olive oil and the free veg from Tinas veg patch. First time in Crete and will definitely not be our last, I would definitely recommend St Basil and Selene villa and we hope to visit again.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely villa

We both really enjoyed our stay with lovely views of the mountains.i was up at dawn a few times and watched the sun come up and light them up.a nice quite location set in olive groves.but still close to a nice village with taverna. Also close to sea front with many restaurants and shops .All round a lovely place .
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Séjour merveilleux !

Location conforme à la description et aux photos. Environnement très calme. La piscine est grande et très bien exposée. Echanges faciles et agréables avec John. A recommander sans aucune hésitation
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bon

Bien
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Une semaine au paradis

Cette location est vraiment très agréable. Elle est hautement recommandée. La piscine est hyper bien entretenue. Les environnements sont arboré, sans vis-à-vis, calme. Les villages nécessitent une voiture mais de toute façon il en faut une en Crète. Beaucoup de restaurant très agréables à moins de cinq minutes en voiture. Et bien sûr un accueil sur-mesure par les propriétaires qui sont présents si il faut. Bref, nous y retournerions avec grand plaisir et nous vous conseillons d’y aller
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent villa, beautiful area

Superb villa, good sized private pool, peaceful location and close to lots of gorgeous beaches and local sites. Stunning views all around the property and really good outside areas for eating out and relaxing. Very helpful and responsive owners. Loved this villa and loved Crete, we will be back.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Private villa near Almyrida

Very easy contact with owner and manager. Our third visit to Crete - best villa and location so far
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great bungalow, peaceful location, stunning views

When we first booked -in 2011- the single storey accommodation and gated pool were key selling points, as we had family members with mobility issues. After many visits we can confirm Selene’s appeal to all. The -English - owners understand their clientele very well (the dishwasher is a guilty pleasure) and year on year have made subtle improvements and upgrades. Selene’s position and construction appeal to sun worshippers and shade dwellers alike. A point worth making is that 2km into the hills above Almyrida there’s a breeze which takes the edge off the highest temperatures. The private pool will be in constant use during your stay, and the location an olive grove guarantees space and privacy, a refreshing change from the customary crowding of holiday villas. Car hire discounts and introductory discounts to local restaurants are a welcome bonus, as is the comprehensive visitor information folder. And should you ever need him the - English - property manager can fix any problem. (Apart from the traditional Cretan power cuts: you’ll probably get one a week.) One last word: British plumbing. (Enough said.)
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful villa in a fabulous location!

This villa is only a few minutes drive from the local town Almerida. It is one of four villas set in an olive grove, so you are not overlooked by neighbours. It has a lovely pool and lovely well appointed rooms. It was very clean and well maintained. This was not my first visit and I will be going back again. I was able to take part in olive picking (hard work but fun) and then was able to discover how the whole process, from picking to pressing is done. The villa is about a mile from a local shop and tavernas that have lovely food and a great atmosphere. The owners ensured that I was fully informed and were even able to organise booking a hire car as well. I would thoroughly recommend visiting this villa to anyone!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Our return visit

This was our 3rd visit to St Basil's Olive Grove, and our 2nd to Villa Selene. We were looking for a relaxing week, and we weren't disappointed. It's a lovely spacious villa, especially as there were just 2 of us, and clean and well-appointed. We love having the pool just outside and Almyrida with its lovely sandy beach is just 2 km away. If you don't fancy self-catering, there are plenty of restaurants in Almyrida, and a shop and very good taverna in even-closer Gavalchori. I'm sure we'll be back.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Excellent property in ideal location

Well maintained property in excellent location as described on the website.Clean and comfortable inside and out. Local management helpful and friendly and quickly sort out any problems. Beautiful scenery around the villa and surroundings with excellent tavernas nearby.Would definitely recommend and will be returning for a 5th time next year
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Excellent Second Holiday

After enjoying a 2 week stay in the villa Angelos with family we were lucky to get away in September and chose to stay in the Villa Selene just the wife and I this time.The Villa Selene is situated among the olive groves,and it is all on one level like a bungalow its within sight of the other villas but not overlooked at all.It is off the main road down a track which is a little bumpy.It is gated onto the olive grove and there is ample parking. A graveled area through the olive trees leads you to the villa.The villa is very spacious ,the kitchen which is very well equipped with every thing you could want,is open plan to the dinning /sitting room.The 4 bedrooms are also spacious and have plenty of storage space(1 bedroom with safe).1 bathroom with with full suit and one shower room,both with good quality sanitary ware.The towels and sheets are of the finest quality.Outside there is a huge terrace/patio with furniture and dinning table /chairs to seat 8 comfortably,it overlooks the safety gated swimming pool ,which is also a good size with steps down into the water ,there is plenty of sunbeds and parasols for shade from the sun which is on the pool sunup to sundown (brilliant).It is a very peaceful and relaxing villa. Almiryda is a short drive away or a pleasant walk if you feel up to it.Plenty of tavernas/restaurants/bars/Markets etc...and of course 3 lovely beaches.There are also plenty of Tavernas in the surrounding villages .Gavalohori is a short walk away (downhill) if you dont fancy the walk back (uphill) there are plenty of taxis.A car is a must to explore the surrounding area The food is varied and very good.The Cretans are very hospitable and are only to pleased to stop and chat and give information of places of interest .Mark the manager makes sure the pool area and the villa is kept clean as well as bedding / towel changes twice a week,he is also there if you have any problems/ quieries . If you choose to stay at Villa Selene you will not be disappointed any way.The only thing to bear in mind is if visit later in the year or intend staying out late....... you need a good torch.....as it is very dark From booking to arriving and leaving John and his team are exstreamly helpful and make everything run like clockwork Many Thanks Glynn & Janet
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Villa Salene - A wonderful haven in Crete

A villa in amongst an olive grove with views that dreams are made of. Beautifully finished and surrounded by breathtaking views, a place we will visit over and over again. The local travernas are hosted by warm and friendly people and the food is delicious. We will be making Villa Selene a regular holiday for us from now on, can't wait to go again and again. Highly recommended
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Very well designed, safe and comfortable villa

This was our third visit to Villa Selene, which is quite simply the best villa we have ever stayed in. It was important to us to have all the accommodation on the ground floor, with no steps or trip hazards. The gates by the pool also gave us peace of mind. Each time we return we have been impressed by the improvements and adjustments the owners have made to the villa, in response to visitors' suggestions. Selene is always clean and has been very well maintained. The local (ex pat) staff are helpful, friendly and very knowledgeable. Three generations of our family have visited the villa, all have loved it. The location is quiet, with stunning and ever changing views of the mountains. the little seaside town of Almyrida is charming and busy but not brash or over the top. Some of our party were content just to stay on its beach. The neighbouring village of Gavalochori has an irresistible charm, and excellent tavernas. Car hire is essential, but through the recommended local company, is reasonably priced. To our amateur eye, the Cretan economy seemed to be ticking over quietly, not buffeted by storm from Athens.
Archival

8/10 Good

We didn't want to come home...

To start at the beginning, we had no problems finding the villa, the directions were spot on! The villa was well equipped, clean and tidy and the management team were excellent, friendly, helpful and efficient. The only thing missing was the Villa Book [we were the first clients of the season] and it soon arrived. Our only niggle was the disposal of rubbish, the bins weren't where specified in the Villa Book, some appeared on Saturday but were gone again by Monday when we took our rubbish! Hunt the bin wasn't my favourite holiday game... We loved sitting by the pool gazing at the mountains so much that we didn't need to make many sightseeing trips, but Chania was delightful, get there early if you want to park by the Fortress to the west of the harbour. There is an excellent book shop just round the corner facing the harbour, good maps and guide books. We liked the restaurant Portes on Portou. We had to go to Aptera as we could see the castle from the patio. It was a thoroughly enjoyable [free] visit, especially the fantastic views all around and the enormous Roman water cisterns underground. The location of the villa was gorgeous, we enjoyed the flower-lined walks to Gavalochri, both the top road with its mountain views and the shorter route past the amazing venetian wells, and the taverna by the war Memorial was just perfect.We strongly recommend the stuffed courgette flowers and the red pepper and feta dip, but everything was delicious. Do visit the museum while you're here. Almyrida was charming and sitting in a beach taverna here was a great way to spend several hours at lunchtime, when we visited in May there were no crowds. The Pear Tree Supermarket here was excellent, we can recommend their own wine, and they stocked lots of really local produce and always had time to explain and advise on cooking techniques and recommend things to try. We love cretan food... Thank you John for your help and advice, it was altogether a great holiday, it was all we could do to tear ourselves away. And the olive oil was really delicious too!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

A perfect place to stay

What's not to like about the Villa Selene? First, its location in the hills above Almyrida, 15 minutes walk from the delightful tavern in Gavalochori, with only the sheep bells and ciccadas breaking the silence, is wonderful. Second, being all on one level, the villa is ideal for the elderly, infirm or toddler. The gated pool is lovely, the bedrooms well appointed. A big kitchen / living area, two bathrooms and a flat screen TV are key features. Third, Almyrida is attractive, friendly and not overcrowded. Local car hire is reasonable, and the larger supermarkets have everything you need. Fourth, the local staff are friendly, efficient ex pats, who have the answer to every question. If you haven't fallen in love with Crete yet...be prepared to be smitten.

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