Piskopiano Village

The rooms are simple, but comfortable and had everything we needed. We enjoyed the balcony views and the pool. This isn’t a luxury hotel, but it’s a relaxing place with a real Greek village feel and lovely mountain scenery. Everyone was warm and welcoming. The location puts you close to charming tavernas, souvenir shops, and other essentials, with the beach nearby too. We took a boat trip to some nice caves and went on the little train tour, and enjoyed both. The hotel let us check in early, then offered us another room until 6 PM for a small fee when our flight home was late. That was very considerate. A great base for exploring this part of Crete.

The rooms are damp and dated. Ours had a musty smell, a rotting door frame, and wall tiles coming loose from the damp. Bathrooms need a steam clean, and the shower curtain was too short. There was no Wi-Fi or any sign of it, the TV didn’t work, and the bedspread was torn. The kitchen was a joke, just a one-ring hob. When a toaster finally arrived, it was rusty and full of mould. Most rooms haven’t been renovated, and the electrics feel dangerous. Plug in more than two items and it trips, with loose sockets and bare wires. The hair dryer gets so hot it cuts out. Guests were being moved between apartments because of room problems. There was no light on the patio or balcony, so they weren’t suitable for sitting out. The pool area has old, dirty artificial grass that gets burning hot. The pool isn’t child-friendly, with a steep slope and then a depth of 3.1 metres, and it’s difficult to get in and out. On the plus side, Ben at the pool bar and the cleaners did a great job under difficult circumstances. It’s quiet in the evenings because the bar closes after 6pm, and some rooms have very good views. I wouldn’t recommend staying here. There are nicer complexes nearby for similar prices.

The location and views are fantastic, and the rooms are kept very clean. But renovation and building work was going on during our stay, and the noise was unbelievable. The hotel is far from finished and shouldn’t be open to paying guests yet. Lighting around the property is poor after dark, especially on the stairs between levels, which felt close to dangerous. Check that the renovations are complete before booking. If they aren’t, avoid it.

The main drawback was the steep walk to some of the accommodation, which sits well below reception and the restaurant. I’m reasonably fit and still found it difficult. It wasn’t a problem for me personally, but it could be a major issue for anyone with mobility problems, and nobody mentioned it before we arrived. The accommodation was decent value, clean, and comfortable. Reception and staff were good, and the pool was clean with plenty of sunbeds. It was a reasonably priced holiday, and I’d happily return and recommend the place, as long as you’re aware of that steep walk to the restaurant.