Reluctant review! I really don't want to write this as I don't want other people to find this true gem of a holiday home! Marilena's villa is absolutely beautiful and both her and Manos are the perfect hosts! From our initial booking to the end of our holiday they communicated clearly and quickly with us, whilst preserving and respecting our privacy. We visited at the end of May until early June and the weather was gorgeous, perfect for families with children. This was something that we had worried about before travelling but it was lovely and warm in the day (warm enough to want to swim to cool off) and pleasantly cool in the evenings. The following is information which you may find useful about the house. Arriving was easy, We flew in to Iraklion and drove up. Google maps brings you right to the door and it takes just over an hour. There is plenty of parking on the driveway for 2/3 cars and this is accessed through fob controlled gates. Marilena and Manos met us on arrival despite it being past midnight (they live in the next town). They had thoughtfully provided breakfast items (milk, juice, pastries, bread, honey, preserves, tea, coffee and sugar) There was also other store cupboard essentials (flour, condiments, herbs, spices, oil). There was cleaning products such as dishwasher tablets, kitchen spray, fly spray and bin bags. Loo rolls, shower gel, cotton buds and wet wipes were in every bathroom and replaced by the cleaner every third day. How amazing is that for a list to get started?!! Ok, so the house. It is split over three levels. You can enter on either the lower ground (from the car) or on the ground floor. The lower ground floor has a huge open plan area and incorporates the gym, pool table and tv lounge. In addition to this there is a large double room and a large shower room with w/c. Contrary to earlier reviews we found that this bedroom now has doors and because of its position is very private. There is also a wooden cot available down here (I would say that this is the only bedroom it could feasibly fit in). Though there was a/c throughout the house the lower ground bedroom is naturally cooler and would suit anyone that is heat sensitive. It was also useful to have an adult(s) use this room as if you are socialising late in the games area, you could potentially disturb children. From this floor there is a wooden staircase leading up (this is a little narrow and one of our party wouldn't use it after a few glasses of wine, the alternative is a standard staircase on the outside with leads to the pool area). On the ground floor is the kitchen, There are plenty of pans, utensils, crockery etc. In addition there is a washer, dishwasher, gas oven, microwave, Tassimo machine, blender, electric juicer (for fruit from the villa's orchard), filter coffee maker, toaster, George Forman. We found it well stocked but cooking for 10 took a little planning with a single oven. There is a full sized fridge freezer. The large open plan lounge and diner has a huge table and sofas and there is also a cute snug where you could sit and read. The wifi was on this floor but signal was good throughout (even with several children streaming at the same time). We took our Echo dots for playing music, which worked well. The two bedrooms on this level are the twin and small double. Both have balconies and small fitted wardrobes. Between them is a further w/c with shower. This floor provides direct access to the gardens and pool (I'll cover these in a sec). Stairs take you up the third floor and a galleried landing leads to the master bedroom 'the red' room ;-) and a further small double. This is where the main bathroom is with the tub and the 'throne' toilet. Both bedrooms have balconies (they can be locked if with small children). The outside area is beautiful (better than the pics). Just outside the door is a terrace with a pergola and comfy sofas. We sat here catching the morning sun whilst having a cuppa (bliss). There are laden fruitless dotted around which Marilena encourages you to pillage. There is also a fresh herb garden. The bbq area is well equipped and Manos had left us some charcoal to get started. The pool is amazing, our kids lived in it! It is not heated but warms up in the sun. The size was great and all 10 of us were often in at the same time with inflatables (you can get a good supply of these reasonably priced at the shop next to Lidl). The salt water was not irritant at all but take plenty of hair conditioner! Pool towels are provided. The lawned area next to the cars is plenty big enough for ball games. Days out - basically do everything that Marilena recommends! We did and def did not regret it. Rethymno is the local town and is very pretty as well as great for shopping and eating. The gyros are to die for! We travelled to beaches on the south (think pretty, rural, rocky and great for snorkelling) and beaches on the North (fav was episkopi - chilled out beach bars, free sunbeds and flat sand into the sea). Everywhere you drive is breath taking! Our youngest loved the snow topped mountains. In Prines (the local village) we def preferred Taverna Veranta, Giannikos (the other taverna) was a bit of a let down and more expensive. There are several local supermarkets and the Lidl is less than 10 mins in the car. All in all we had a completely amazing time, much of which was due to Marilena and Manos. I can see why they are superhosts! They went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and even visited us...