Mala Villa

Niko and Sophia made us feel very welcome, and the taverna felt wonderfully local. There are nice rooms and apartments, with the sea and mountains both easy to reach. We enjoyed the homemade wine and olive oil. Thanks for a great stay. David and Kathy

The balcony had sublime views, and the hostess was friendly. The room itself was spacious, though dark and a bit dated. The bath, described as a “jacuzzi,” was dirty, and we had to put the bed sheets on ourselves. The square bed was oddly tucked into a corner. Breakfast was average and served in the restaurant that’s part of the hotel.

The village people were friendly, especially when we tried speaking a little Greek. They corrected us with a smile, and everyone made us feel welcome. At Villa Mala, all the staff, including the owner, were helpful and kind. They also accommodated our requests for alternatives to the menu. The bed linen and towels were always fresh and clean. Thanks to Sofia and the ladies in the kitchen and housekeeping. The drive to Villa Mala is tricky, and I’d avoid doing it in the dark. We stayed for 10 days, so there was time to notice problems in the room. The bathroom extractor fan came loose, water came up through the floor, the bathroom door handle fell off more than once, and wires stuck out of the wall near the dining table. For 151 Euro per night, we didn’t find the advertised “Luxury” or the fully fitted kitchen and luxury bathroom products we expected. I’d read negative comments from guests going back about 2 years, but it didn’t seem like improvements had been made. A flat screen T:V: doesn’t raise the rating. Some things were disappointing for us.

The breakfast was delicious and filling, and the morning view was like something from a fairy tale, with the peaks glowing in the sunrise and the blue sea behind them. Villa has a very friendly feel from the start. The owners and staff cared about giving good service and helped whenever I needed anything. I was impressed by the room’s high standard. I’d gladly recommend a relaxing stay in this picturesque Cretan mountain village. Greetings to Nico.