Petra Nova Villas

We were so disappointed that we left on the day we arrived. The property didn't match the impression created by the listing, and the price, photos, and actual place felt wildly out of line. We wanted a peaceful, stress-free break and tried to sort things out, but quickly decided three unhappy nights weren't worth it. The villa felt more like a small block, with little natural light coming through the small windows. Its split-level rooms were cramped rather than cozy, and the terrace had noise from the electrical system, little greenery, and a busy road right beside it. There was construction debris along the access road too. The villa options were misleading to us. We hadn't realized there were different types, and apparently you need to choose the very overpriced option with a private pool if you want one. Eleni showed us that version when we arrived, but its pool was tiny and didn't seem worth the extra cost. Eleni wasn't helpful when we raised our concerns. She tried to stop us from leaving a comment and wasn't willing to discuss a refund.

Mochlos has lovely tavernas and a relaxed pace, and this stay was a peaceful, quiet escape from Crete's main tourist areas. Our hosts were amazing and so helpful. It felt like a little piece of heaven.

Really beautiful place. I did have one small disappointment: I fancied a swim on our departure morning, almost two hours before checkout, but the pool man had arrived, so I couldn't.

Lovely spot.