I'll begin by saying that the photos and description are totally accurate: the apartment is located in a charming little village about 30km outside of Heraklion; and the rooms are made from beautiful wood and stone, wonderfully clean, attractively decorated, and exactly what we expected from the listing. I'd give our stay five stars based on this alone, since it's all my wife and I really expect from an Airbnb rental. That said, the additional hospitality that Manolis and his wife, Nopi, showed us so vastly exceeded our expectations that the time we spent with them was what made our stay in Crete truly wonderful and unforgettable.

Since space is limited, just two examples:

1. We'd rented a car, but rather than just let us find his house in the village, Manolis offered to meet us at the ferry terminal, drive us to the airport (where the rental agency is located), and guide us back to the house. This was useful because the roads are small and winding, and the last few turns to the house are obscure and were not well marked on our GPS. Due to a minor miscommunication (probably my fault), he arrived at the terminal about two hours early. We didn't bother to get a phone/text plan for our time in Greece, so there was no easy way to reach us to clarify details. Even so, he stayed the whole time and kept looking for us, and when we eventually arrived, he was there. . . waiting patiently, in good humor, and making us feel welcome and cared about as he drove us into town.

2. Every evening, Manolis & Nopi prepared a meal with local vegetables, cheese, olives, breads, and wine, and they (and their two sons) entertained us with conversation and companionship out on the deck of their house, which is just up the hill from the guest apartment. In the morning, they also provided us with yogurt and honey, snacks of all kinds, wine and oil, even coffee, so we could jump in the car with a full picnic lunch at the start of each day.

Neither of these things was described or implied in the listing—they just gave them because they're kind, generous, interesting people who wanted to share their lives and their pride in their village with guests. 500 words doesn't give me space to describe the many other thoughtful touches, gifts, and stories, so let me conclude by saying that they provided, purely from their big-hearted nature, the concierge service of a five-star hotel combined with the hospitality and loyalty of old friends. We liked them, and their place, immensely and wouldn't even consider looking for other accommodations in Crete as long as they're willing to host.