Villa Elite by Checkin

Anthoula's delicious food made the stay even better. We felt at home from the first moment at Villa Elite, thanks to the lovely welcome and outstanding hospitality. A big thank you to Julie and Dimitris for making everything so easy. We'd love to return.

We were very disappointed and frustrated by Villa Elite, and I strongly recommend looking elsewhere if you're staying in this area of Crète. The room we were given didn't match the website photos. The light in the room, bathroom size, cleanliness, missing amenities and furniture all differed significantly. The host on-site confirmed other guests had experienced this too, but blamed Booking.com. We had to find another hotel urgently and were left to manage on our own, which was especially difficult because we don't speak the local language. Given the rooms and the overall establishment, the price was unreasonably high. The online photos and description set expectations the hotel absolutely didn't meet. This was the worst hotel I've seen in a while, and I'd avoid “Villa Elite” because of what felt like a scam.

There's a lovely rooftop bar, though it was quiet when we visited. The rooms lose a few points if you get one that hasn't been recently renovated, as those are quite basic. The location is fantastic, with lots of nice local restaurants nearby. Check out nikos the fisherman. It's an easy 15-minute walk down to the busier main strip if that's what you're after.

Koutouloufari was a charming find, with picturesque streets, traditional buildings and a warm, relaxing feel. Villa Elite added lovely views to the experience, especially from the bar, where we enjoyed a morning coffee and evening drinks. Julia was a talented bartender, with great cocktails, a warm smile and an engaging presence that made our nights there memorable. Our room was a pleasant surprise, beautifully renovated and equipped with modern comforts. The owners clearly take pride in keeping the accommodation to a high standard. There was an initial booking problem because TUI hadn't processed our reservation properly, but manager Kostas went above and beyond to find us a room. His reassurance and proactive approach helped us feel safe and valued during what could have been stressful. We're very grateful to Kostas and his colleagues for their hospitality, professionalism and genuine care. We had a wonderful stay, and Villa Elite in Koutouloufari is an excellent choice for beautiful accommodation, great views and exceptional service in a charming Cretan village.