Villa Kalypso is an outstanding property set in the idyllic grounds of Vederi Estate. In the days leading up to our stay, George was available via Airbnb and SMS to answer any questions I had and make sure I was well-prepared for arrival.
The route from Chania to Vederi Estate is a little difficult to navigate for the first time, but with George's written directions and a sat-nav it's not impossible to get there. After driving to the main road and back a couple of times it's straightforward by memory.
Upon arriving at Vederi Estate we were greeted by Elini, George's wife, who welcomed us with open arms and a the warmth of a long-lost friend, despite us being held up and arriving well past our ETA. Elini showed us to Villa Kalypso and gave us a comprehensive tour of the property, its facilities and made sure we had everything we needed to settle into our stay.
George and Elini were kind enough to stock the fridge and cupboards with some Cretan essentials... cereal, wine, the Estate's own olive oil and honey, and basic bits like butter and milk in the fridge. In addition George's mother Meni was going to make us her famous moussaka, which was delivered later in the holiday and was absolutely stunning!
The property itself is immaculate and of beautiful stone construction - every surface, appliance and furnishing is clean and well looked after, with comfy beds, two well-equipped bathrooms and air-con in every room. While we never used the TV during our stay, it's of a decent size in the main living area, and a strong WiFi signal is available across the entire estate. The pool area is clean and partly shaded throughout the day, with a large olive tree overhanging the outdoor patio area and a giant parasol top open above any of the sun loungers provided.
On our first morning the cleaning staff presented us with a large, madeira-style ring cake which was big enough to last us the entire fortnight! We learned that they come to clean and tidy the outdoor area and pool every morning before we even wake up!
George then informed us that their partnered masseuse Maria would provide two 20-minute massages free of charge, which was a fantastic surprise! We paid to upgrade to two 60-minute full-body treatments for my parents, which were later judged the best massages they'd ever had, having experienced similar treatments around the world in different countries, hotels and leisure centres / spas... so much so that they booked Maria again for the following week!
Myself and my family would like to extend our utmost gratitude to George, Elini, Maria, Meni and the staff at Vederi Estate for making our stay in Crete an unforgettable experience. We hope to return again one day and will recommend Villa Kalypso and its neighbouring properties to all our friends and family!