GG Villas

The host was kind and attentive from the start. He was waiting outside the villa when we arrived, explained things, and gave us a written list with nearby shops, restaurants and a pharmacy, plus local medical contacts and basic house information. Cleaning was available if we wanted it. He was also flexible about our departure time, which meant we could leave just in time for our flight. We found groceries, fruit, olive oil and local wines waiting in the kitchen, and the goodbye gifts were a lovely surprise. The villa sits on a hillside, and the last 100 meters of the drive is quite steep, so I’d strongly recommend renting a car. Everything was new, with 2023 being its first season, according to the host. We were four adults using the two upstairs bedrooms, and there’s another bedroom downstairs for two more. Each bedroom has a bathroom. The place was clean and spacious, the mattress was comfortable and on the firmer side, and the AC above the entrance didn’t blow straight onto the bed. There were mosquito nets in every room, toiletries in the bathrooms, and a washing machine, vacuum cleaner and iron. The kitchen had all we needed for cooking, including an oven, ceramic hob and large fridge with a high-capacity freezer. There was a capsule coffee machine and another for filter coffee or tea, as well as a toaster. No dishwasher, though. The area was quiet. There was occasional construction noise, but it was subtle and not disruptive. A fence and small trees separate the neighboring villa, and ours was slightly elevated, so we couldn’t see the other guests. The pool was very clean and warm at the end of August. We don’t know if it’s heated in cooler weather. There’s also a shower by the pool and a gas grill in the backyard. Platanos has several small supermarkets within five minutes by car, and there’s a larger one in Kissamos, about 10-15 minutes away. Bakery Coffee Boulangerie (Tsatsaronakis Michalis) had good coffee and tasty fresh pastries, bread, cakes, pizza and croissants. We ate at The Five in Chania (4.7/5), Motakis in Platanos (4.5/5), Spilios just around the corner (3.5/5), and Gramboussa in Kaliviani near Balos beach (3/5). Falassarna beach is the closest, about five minutes away by car. It’s very nice, though a bit crowded. Elafonissi beach is 49km away, about 1h 20 minutes by car; Balos beach is 18km, about 45 minutes. Seitan Limani is 76km away and takes 1h 20 minutes, and shoes are a good idea because flip flops aren’t recommended. Stavros beach, from the Zorba the Greek movie, is 72km and 1h 15 minutes away. You can visit Seitan Limani and Stavros on the same day since they’re in the same direction and reasonably close to each other. Chania is 50km away, a 56-minute drive.

I would give zero stars if I could. We had booked the house for six nights in August 2024 through a well-known booking site in March, and paid in full in mid-July, just weeks before the trip. Five days before we were due to arrive, the host called and said there had been “an issue with the booking system” and the house was double booked, so he couldn’t host us after all. We were traveling to Crete with two kids and a one-year-old baby. His proposed solution was another of his houses at no extra charge, but it was nowhere near the same quality. It looked hideous, and online prices showed it was 30% cheaper. I’m shocked someone can cancel on guests five days before arrival and think that’s okay. Don’t trust this owner.

We really appreciated how warm and professional Giannis and his brother were. The villas are new, tastefully furnished and have great amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen and a big gas grill outside. The terrace and pool are gorgeous, and the bathrooms are top-notch and well lit, which mattered to us women. They’re in a fantastic spot with a breathtaking view over Falassarna Bay. Thanks so much for everything, we’d love to return! ❤️

The view was lovely, and it was quiet, spotless and just right for us. The host was really friendly.