Palatia Village

The village-style setting was so peaceful, and the free air conditioning worked well. I slept really well here, and the Wi-Fi was excellent. I visited at the end of September and would happily stay again. George, Maria and the rest of the family made my first trip to Crete memorable. They were friendly and thoughtful, and George went especially far out of his way to help me. The little gestures meant a lot. It’s not a big corporate chain, and I felt that personal care made a real difference. I booked through TUI as a solo traveller, and given how expensive things are lately, the apartment seemed like a good deal. I emailed the owner George beforehand about room requests, and he promptly said he’d try to accommodate them. I arrived late at night and the night security guard met me, helped with my bags and showed me to the room. Communication was difficult, but we managed. Reception closes at 10pm rather than being open 24 hours, which bothered me at first, but it turned out fine. I had no problems and felt very safe on my own. My superior studio was quite small, and I’d say it’s best for one person, though that’s personal preference. The large corner balcony wasn’t overlooked, and I loved sitting there in the mornings. There were lots of windows and beautiful views of the sea and mountains. The apartment was very clean, with simple decor that felt Greek, all white and blue. The shower room was tiny and dim, but did the job. My phone didn’t work in the room. I reported it, but it wasn’t fixed during my stay. I didn’t really need it, and when I wanted anything, George, Maria or another family member could help at the bar or reception, just a short walk away. The property is on a hillside, about a 20-minute walk from the main beach and town centre. There’s a great supermarket there. The beach is long and narrow, not very big, and the sand isn’t golden, but I still enjoyed spending the day there. Loungers are available to rent at a reasonable price. Restaurants on the beach play fairly loud music, so it isn't the quietest spot, but I still liked it. You can order food and drinks to your lounger with waiter service. The staff were pleasant, and prices weren't too high. There are lots of seaside places to eat, cafes, fast food and shops. The town is busy but still relaxing. The kitchenette was basic and not really suited to cooking a meal, but that didn’t bother me. A kettle was enough for me. The hotel also serves food at the lovely, quiet pool or for takeaway, at cheap and reasonable prices. I booked a Santorini tour through get your guide, but because of the location they couldn’t pick me up at the hotel. I had to walk 15 minutes to the supermarket for pickup. Even in the dark, I felt safe walking around the hotel area. Tours can also be booked at reception. The old town is in the opposite direction from the beach, about 20 minutes on foot, and I highly recommend it. It’s charming and traditionally Greek, with lots of tavernas and shops. A must-visit.