10/10 Exceptional
Aug 9, 2017
Superb villa, incredible location
We had a fabulous stay at Cretan Hill Vineyard. The clue is in the name, it's set in a stunning vineyard in the hills above Heraklion. A wonderfully peaceful retreat from the bustle of Heraklion city with complete privacy. The villa is beautifully appointed and spacious, more than enough for our family of 5. The pool is gorgeous and set off a lovely patio with accompanying barbecue area. The location is within touching distance of Gazi which has several excellent bakeries/ice cream parlours. Within touching distance is Heraklion, which on the face of it is a little run down but scratch away the surface and you'll find a city full of life and traditional Greek hospitality with some amazing places to eat and drink. However, without doubt the best thing about this villa is the wonderful hosts, led by Kostas and Lefteris. We were made to feel welcome from the second we arrived to the moment we left. They really could not have done any more - sharing recommendations for local places to visit, allowing us to sample their Cretan wine made from the vineyard's grapes, joining us for dinner in Archanes (a must visit) one evening and even escorting us to the airport on departure. Thanks guys, it's not everyday that you receive such warm and genuine hospitality. You helped make our stay really special.
Ian
Ian, 10-night trip