Luxury rentals in Decentralized Administration of Crete

I have stayed in many luxury villas around the world, including others in Crete. This is by far the most lovely, wonderfully managed and enjoyable villa I have stayed at. We were a group of 8. The owner went out of her way to accommodate our many and varied requests. She was patient with our occasional mishaps with her property, generous with her time and always friendly, kind and gentle in her approach. Georgia the housekeeper speaks fluent English and Yiannis the property manager was available 24/7 with anything we needed a hand with. The views from this property are exceptional, the comfort level is at the level of a Four Seasons Hotel, the private chef was extraordinary. I cannot recommend this property highly enough. Magnificent.

We had a wonderful 5 nights at this property, accompanied by our two teenaged children and my parents who are 79 & 81. It has panoramic views of the sea and surrounding Cretan landscape that are gorgeous, as are the grounds themselves. The house is accessed by an automated gate, so private and secure. The outside amenities are amazing and no detail has been spared, especially for families, as described in the listing. There is an elevator, which we predominantly used for luggage but is handy with older family members as the bedrooms are on the 2nd and 3rd floors. There are three bedrooms on the 2nd floor, all with their own en suite bathrooms, two with showers and one with a soaking tub. The top floor is its own suite with the stairs open to below so great if you are traveling with a family but maybe less so if you are four couples. The communication was excellent, with Roy responding to WA messages within moments, regardless of hour and the housekeeper came daily. We loved our stay!

The property is amazing, very well kept, super clean, and built to a high standard. The rooms are spacious and the ones on the top floor offer beautiful views of the area and lovely sunsets. The kitchen has everything you can think of, from appliances to utensils, and our hosts even left wine and other goodies for us to enjoy upon arrival, which was a wonderful touch. The pool is large and can be heated upon request (with an extra fee), and it was needed as it was a bit cold at times and the area can get very windy since it is high up on a mountain. The caveat - the house is in a pretty isolated location, and expect to drive 15-25 minutes at least to any point of interest. You will need to rent a car to fully enjoy the rest of Crete. However, for us the isolation was a blessing - it was quiet, peaceful and beautiful. The hosting company is professional, easily reachable and eager to help. All in all, one of the best AirBNB experiences we've had.

The villa was exceptional, exceeded our expectations and even more beautiful than the photos. Everything was perfect and could not have asked for a better experience. I look forward to staying here again in the future.

The villa here was incredible. It look incredible in the images however in person it was even better. Great private location and very chilled. The host was possibly one of the best I’ve ever had. Super responsive, friendly & extremely helpful. The host even brought round snacks for us and little gift bags before we left. Definitely recommend. Thank you so much for everything and wish you all the best!

Overall, I would highly recommend staying at the Thalassa Residence. Valia promptly addressed our inquiries, provided us with the necessary information, and delivered excellent services at the villa. Dimitris, the property manager, was readily available on-site for any immediate villa needs or questions. One of the highlights of our stay was booking Chef Kostas, whose professionalism, charm, and culinary skills made our dinners at the villa truly enjoyable. It's worth noting that there is ongoing construction behind the villa which obstructs the view, contrary to what is shown in the photos. This development, while relatively new, was unfortunately not communicated to us upon arrival. Although the area was quiet during weekends, we felt uneasy during weekdays due to construction activities near the villa. Although disappointing, it did not significantly detract from our overall experience as we found activities to do in town and around Crete. Would recommend ThinkVilla as a company.

We loved our stay at Olives and Thyme and wish we could have stayed forever. We arrived very late into the night on our first night and Lydia was there to greet us with some snacks and beverages and helpful information. The house was beautiful and great even for our young kids (ages 3 and 5). The proximity to sightseeing and beautiful beaches and supermarkets and restaurants was ideal. Lydia was available at all hours and such a kind and helpful human.

The villa is set in a stunning natural environment, offering peace and breathtaking surroundings. Inside, it’s both highly functional and beautifully designed, with every detail carefully thought out. The host is extremely kind, helpful, and responds very quickly — you can really feel that guests’ comfort and satisfaction are his top priorities. The villa meets the expectations of even the most demanding travelers. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a quiet, exceptional place to relax and recharge. Highly recommended!

Absolutely everything was amazing during our 5 night stay at Epalvi Villa! Stavros was so amazing- from the quick & thorough communication before arriving, to being at the villa when we arrived…he was fantastic! He even went above & beyond & drove us into town one day, so that we could get some cash at the ATM. We can’t say enough about Mary, the housekeeper who came daily. She was the kindest and hardest working woman ever! She was such a sweetheart! And our personal chefs Dimitris and his son George… (I know I’m butchering the spelling- I’m sorry!) These two were unbelievable. They cooked us breakfast & dinner every day & night. They also prepped a charcuterie platter each morning & left it for us in the frig, for each evening. The meals were phenomenal!! I can’t say enough about them both!! Not that ANY of them expected it, or anyone even mentioned it- but bring cash to tip them at the end! They all 3 deserve it!!! They really made our trip! Best week EVER! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!