From the moment we booked with Manolis, it was clear we could expect the highest possible level of care and attention to detail during our stay.
The room is in a small, beautifully-designed complex in Atsipopoulo, and is a ten-minute drive from Rethymno. As soon as you step into the Calergi, you feel like you've entered an oasis of calm and tranquility.
Our room bore the hallmarks of the style and taste of the owners. It was beautifully furnished to a very high standard. The bed was really comfortable and the recently-installed bathroom was amazing. The powerful and high-spec shower was especially welcome. There is an effective fan in the sitting room/kitchen and an air conditioning unit in the bedroom, and there are screens which keep out mosquitoes.
The kitchen comes with a fridge, sink, a small cooker with hotplates and there is plenty of crockery and cutlery. It is suitable for preparing light meals and snacks.
We enjoyed an evening glass of wine at the table and chairs on the balcony immediately outside the apartment. This is a shared space with the room next door. There are plenty of other lovely places to sit and relax including a stunning rooftop terrace, with great views to the sea and mountains. There is a small and well-maintained pool you can also sit around.
There is a well-stocked supermarket just yards from the door, and the village has a small number of cafes and restaurants. The food in the two tavernas recommended to us by Manolis was of a very high standard, and great value. If you want more range though, Rethymno has a wealth of choice.
The biggest selling point though of staying here is the amazing hospitality of Manolis and Felizia. They are warm and friendly hosts and went above and beyond to make our holiday as special as possible. They provided some great local information when we booked, and were always on hand with advice and recommendations for where to visit and dine. One great touch is the complementary coffee, juice, cake and local pastries they provided every morning. This really set us up for the day ahead and is a great example of the care and attention Manolis and Felicia put into their hosting.
It proved to be a great base for exploring Crete. We had a car, and you probably need one to get the most out of the location. Rethymno is a beautiful place, and there are a range of fantastic beaches within a short drive.
It is a measure of what lovely people Manolis and Felizia are that we were sad to say goodbye, as within a week they had become friends as well as hosts.