When we discovered Villa Vasia on Airbnb we were weighing it up against two other properties - one had more bathrooms, one had a bigger pool - the thing that swayed it in the end was the excellent outdoor space with a grass-side pool, two dining areas, a BBQ grill and a pizza oven.
We cooked a number of meals here - all in the local style: grilled meats, greek salads, flatbreads and dips, and enjoyed these moments immensely. We could relax in our own space, cook our food at our own pace, and eat/drink until we could barely move. Just what holidays should be about!
We were met at the villa by Manolis who was very friendly and immediately offered us help with our bags. He showed us around and then left us to settle in - a dream check-in.
The villa itself was clean, fresh and modern and served us very well. We were travelling with a 5-month-old and had kindly been provided with a baby monitor and high chair - little touches that added to our enjoyment.
The local area has everything you could need - Bali beach a short drive away was our favourite beach, while Rethymnon offered buzzy nightlife along with old-school charm. However, there are some gems even closer to the villa: we had a fantastic evening of music and dancing at Poliou House, a 10 minute drive away, which is a folklore museum by day, and a traditional taverna by night. Just down the road is also an amazing olive wood workshop, and an organic farm (with taverna), both of which are well worth a visit.
Overall, we really couldn't have asked for more from this villa. The only problem..? It has set a very high standard for future holidays!