Our experience staying at House Zambia was excellent and we would highly recommend it.
After booking, our communication with Anastasia was very thorough and welcoming. The detailed driving instructions with pictures were very helpful and once we arrived at the meeting point, Giorgos (Anastasia's husband) came to join us very promptly and escorted us to the property. We were greeted with fresh fruit, salad, bread and a wonderful homemade pasticcio (thanks to Giorgos' mother who lives a couple of houses away) along with a bottle of delicious raki, wine, tea, coffee, milk and chilled water which were very welcome after an early flight.
Everything in the house was well thought out and equipped and we never felt we lacked anything. The outside kitchen with large barbecue area was great to have and the extra bathroom with shower meant the children weren't in and out of the house when they were wet from the pool. Towels and shower gel were provided which is very useful for travellers who are only taking hand luggage. The beds were comfortable and there are a good selection of books and leaflets about the local area. The garden is beautiful with lots of different areas to relax depending if you want sun or shade and balconies for both rooms catching the sun at both ends of the day.
The village is small with one (excellent) taverna and a couple of mini markets that stock pretty much all the essentials and a prtty square to sit in and admire the view. Atsipopulos the bigger village is a 2 minute drive and Rethymno itself only 10 minutes where there is a Lidl close to the crossroads and some lovely restaurants and bars. One thing we did not realise but which was very useful is that there is a private parking space with the house which saves the worry of where to leave the car in small streets.
My children thought this was the best place they had stayed and we were all very sad to leave but intend to go back again.
Thank you Anastasia and Giorgos!