We enjoyed our stay with Valia. The house is located in a small village in a mountain region. You need to plan an hour to reach Rethymno and 30 minutes for the nearest beach. The house is fairly well equipped, but space to prepare meals is rather limited (workspace-wise, there's a stove and an oven and everything you would expect from a kitchen).
Valia was very supportive the whole time we stayed with her. She reacted immediately to questions we had and organized a repair service when a thunderstorm knocked out the water heaters on night.
Unfortunately the tavern next door disturbed us most nights while we were trying to sleep. We heard people (supposedly) screaming at each other, moving furniture around, beating at stuff (preparing meals?) and listening to music until 2 A.M. If you prefer a quiet night and go to bed before 12 P.M. I suggest you bring earplugs.