We had a great four days staying at 'Faistos' in Pombia.
The Airbnb description of the house emphasises that Faistos is old and not luxurious. While that description is honest and absolutely accurate, I would prefer to describe the house as interesting and quirky. If you don't mind a wonky staircase, a bed in the kitchen, huge barrels of raki in the hall, a small shower/toilet and a living room which is basically a family museum of photos, certificates and memorabilia, then you will love the place.
Because the house is both old and authentic, it retains many original characteristics which are very endearing such as the wooden floorboards, the heavy metal locks and rough stonework. Nevertheless, the house was very clean and easy to keep warm with an excellent open fire supplied by a huge pile of tinder-dry wood, and supplemented by efficient electric heaters in all rooms. Hot water is provided by solar panels and a water-heater.
As you would expect with any old property, we did encounter one or two problems, but these were instantly sorted out by Rollou, the host, and Gregoris who manages the house and bookings. Gregoris is great to talk to about local history and politics.
Pombia is a small town with plenty of food shops, bars and restaurants although we chose to cook for ourselves and enjoy a drink by the fire (it was December!) rather than go out.
You would need to be a close-knit group of friends to accommodate six people in a four-bedded room plus a double bed in the kitchen, but it worked perfectly well for the three of us who were there to walk and rock-climbing in the remote hills of southern Crete.
This is a new listing on Airbnb and it deserves to be a success because it offers something different and something rather special ..... something genuinely Cretan.