Yiannis Cottage

Already missing the views and sounds at Yiannis Cottage after our yearly visit. Mornings start with the birds, then dogs and motorbikes in the valley, while the church bells ring at 7. We often sleep through them in the dark bedroom. Opening the shutters brings the olive tree and pool into view, then it’s coffee on the terrace, a swim, and breakfast with local fruit, Greek yoghurt from Crete, and honey from the welcome pack. The house is cosy, comfortable, very clean, and well organised. It was refreshed regularly during our stay. Shutters make the bedrooms quiet and dark, while insect screens keep bugs out when the windows are open. There’s the indoor dining area plus three outdoor spots with views and shade at different times, including poolside loungers and a parasol. Cooking is easy in the well equipped kitchen, which opens onto the pool area so you can chat while preparing food. Manolis and his family make you feel warmly welcomed. Manolis offers advice on where to go depending on the wind, and if Yiannis is working his land, he may greet you with a ‘Kalimera’ and share oranges, other fruit, or treats. Manolis’s wife tends the colourful gardens, where butterflies gather. The pool uses salt water, so there’s very little chlorine, and the kitchen drinking water comes through a filter, avoiding plastic bottles. Solar panels heat the water, with electricity as a backup. There are plenty of outings nearby: a harbour walk and calamari in Kolimbari, the pink sand and blue water at Elafonissi, the ancient port at Falasarna, or a boat trip to Balos Bay. In Kolimbari, about 3 km away, there’s a supermarket called Synka, fishmonger, butcher, bank, post office, garage, and a Friday morning market for local produce, cheese, and olives. Melissa is a chocolatier worth visiting, and Rosmari’s cafe by the supermarket is nice for coffee, drinks, or sandwiches while watching Cretan life at the crossroads. In Spilia, Plateia taverna serves Cretan food and salads with friendly service and is open most of the year. In summer, another family run taverna opens under the plane trees in the upper square. To Faragi taverna by Deliana gorge is another good meal option, though you need to book on weekends. The marked “K4 Chania Trails The Cave Path” begins at the Yiannis Cottage driveway. From there you can walk up to the atmospheric historic Cave church and return by the shorter loop via Spilia Panagia church, take the longer route through Nochia to the west, or retrace your steps. Can’t wait for next year.

We booked at the last minute and had a really pleasant stay. The villa is beautiful, comfortable, and warm, with a lovely pool that the owner keeps in good condition. Manos welcomed us with lots of thoughtful touches and suggested a good place to eat and things to do. We’d happily come back.

Manolis was such a good host, striking a nice balance between giving us space and checking that everything was going well. When my wife became ill, he went out of his way to find medicine and have it delivered, then checked whether we needed anything else. He even offered to help during our second week after we moved on to Kissamos. He’s the best host we’ve had, and made us feel more like friends than guests. The cottage had everything we needed for a proper rest, and we’d definitely return. We also loved the private salt water pool, with no stinging chlorine or red eyes to worry about. Manolis left plenty of home grown provisions and a great welcome pack with useful local information, including things to know about the beaches. A perfect stay, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.