The villa is rustic but our group of three families and a grandma had a fantastic time. Fabulous views, really lovely countryside and we found it a lot cooler than the towns we visited. There’s shops/tavernas a 20 minute walk away/5 minute drive away. The beaches on the south coast were calmer and better for swimming, and were about 40-50 minutes drive. Chania was just over an hour and Rethymno about 45 (the nearest Lidl). We did end up doing a lot of driving and the roads are very mountainous and winding!
The villa is described as being six bedrooms, but it would be more accurate to describe it as six sleeping areas. Only two of the bedrooms are en suite and completely private (one of which accessed by some very precariously leaning ladder stairs). This meant that only the master suite was suitable for the single grandparent in our party when really it should have been for a couple. Theres one more private double room (not en suite) but to get to it you have to go through two other sleeping areas and the shared bathroom is open without a door (remember to lock the front door as if it opens when you’re on the loo you WILL be in full view!). You have to be very close with your friends to make this property work for you! There’s another bedroom above the living area but it’s also a through-room to the other sleeping areas so I can’t describe it as private. I would strongly suggest you limit your group to 2-3 families max as it does get a bit on top of each other otherwise. I slept in the private double with no bathroom and there was no bathroom that we could use in the night without disturbing other sleeping areas. We made it work but if you’re used to being able to shower when you like, this could be an issue for you.
Kitchen is basic, but we were able to cook lots of meals and the BBQ area was fantastic.
Minor niggles - there really should be fans in every sleeping area (currently in only two rooms), and every sleeping area needs a place to hang and store clothes. My kids don’t mind living out of a suitcase so I borrowed the rail from their sleeping area.
We had a great time and the owner was very helpful, dropping in to help and bringing bread on occasion. I’d definitely return, but this time with fewer people.