VILLAGE HEIGHTS RESORT – CRETE

There’s a beaten track of resorts and locations in Crete, and then there is Village Heights Resort. It’s not far from the beaten track, but somehow it’s managing to keep its immaculate boutique self just under the radar.

Village Heights is a 4* resort, about 30 minutes from Heraklion airport and 20 minutes drive inland from Hersonissos and Malia. In the past few years it has changed ownership, renamed and rebranded and is now being run by Phaea hotel group who have a number of boutique hotels operating across Crete.

We aren’t really resort people, we normally stay in rural villas like Jacopo and Dimokritos, booked through Think Villa. But Bertie is seven and we were worried he might get bored with just us for company! We chose Village Heights because I wanted to get the benefits of a villa, with those of a hotel too. We also like to get away from the coast in Crete – away from the busier spots and into the hills where the cooling breezes are welcome. Village Heights has a beautiful view into the mountains, as well as down to the sea.

We felt like a rare set of english voices too, which was lovely, but we were there before the main school holidays started so could have been why? We stayed in a 3 bedroom villa with its own pool and it gave us the perfect mix of space and privacy, alongside everything we wanted of a hotel. They have a great mix of room types – and all are spacious – and I think many have views too. Definitely something for every family or group.

I’m a hotel snob, unashamedly – I like my hard-earnt money to be spent soundly. I spend hours pouring over hotels and reviews. We tend to book 5* but there wasn’t a jot missing for us here. Going boutique rather than big was a win. This really felt like a hotel at the top of its game which made it a pleasure to stay at. In many ways nicer because the staff didn’t realise what a gem they worked at!

Village Heights is a sprawling property on a hill above the coast. All the accommodation is dotted around in small 2 storey buildings, in amongst verdant grounds and wide pathways. As you amble around it does have a village feel to it, with rooms grouped in small clusters. Every room has a view across the gardens and many down to the sea. What you notice most though is the space – whether it is the room sizes, the balcony sizes or garden sizes – there is oodles of space and this makes it calm and relaxing.

Our villa was elegant and simple, no fuss. Very comfortable and big beds and great quality linens including beach towels. Quiet air conditioning, good black out curtains. A well fitted kitchen with everything we needed. Big bathrooms. The balcony spaces were large, our villa wanted only for its own sun loungers on one balcony, such was the size of the balcony. This hotel isn’t precious about the use of clothes airers on balconies. They don’t look pretty dotted around but so valuable! The buildings here aren’t new – so what you get in room size definitely makes up for the older looking style.

There are 4 hotel pools. One is indoor but we didn’t find it, we didn’t spend time indoors. Two of the pools are joined together by the main restaurant and reception. The 4th pool is on the far side of the resort and is the calmer pool. All of the pools can be used by adults and children alike. We also had a little pool attached to our villa. The pools are open from 10-6 and are surrounded by plenty of loungers, no need to lay towels down. There are lots of loungers dotted around on the grass underneath olive trees. My one gripe is that the pools weren’t warm enough – definitely a gasp as you get in temperature which was a shame.

Dotted around the resort there is plenty to do, although we didn’t do much such was our need to relax! There is crazy golf, volleyball, tennis, a kids club and play area and a Mitato (for cooking lessons) and botanical garden. Bertie used the play area a few times as it is near the main pool, but wasn’t in the mood for kids club! Kids club have a full schedule with hourly activities – no need to book, easy to drop off.

Dining is a wonderful experience. We like to dine out in ‘real Greece’ but we did eat in each of the restaurants too. The main breakfast is served in the restaurant by the main pool – a splendid buffet and slightly different offerings each day. You must also have a traditional Cretan breakfast at Rodies on one morning of your stay. For lunch there is Citrus bar near the other pool for simple quick options. A la carte supper is then either at Rodies for traditional fare or at Elia which is finer dining with glorious views. We enjoyed both and loved trying new things – not a burger or chip in sight. I assume there are kids menus but we ate family style so that Bertie could try all the local cuisine. There is also a little shop on site with a selection of drinks and snacks, ideal for lunch at the villa.

The hotel whilst not near the beach, happily has a partnership with Beachcomber beach bar – in fact if you don’t have a car it will shuttle you there too. So you truly get the best of both worlds. It’s a great beach, the right sort of vibe for the hotel type of person and the bar and restaurant are excellent too. We actually returned later in the week after we had moved hotels.

Given the close distance to Heraklion the hotel is in a good location for Knossos Palace which we visited one day. We also drove up into the mountains to the Lasithi platueau which was spectacular. Our favourite moment of the holiday was a yacht charter to Dia island which was wonderful – with Cretan Sailing Cruises.

Village Heights is the sort of place I would love to bottle, it reminds me so much of our adored Martinhal. It is quietly getting on with being excellent in a very modest and unassuming way. I’d love for the pools to be warmer and I’m sure there will be ongoing updates across the property now it is under new management – perhaps it will sneak its way to an extra star soon. It has the beauty of real space and with that tranquility, there are no neighbouring resorts. The staff are superbly trained, attentive and helpful. We really couldn’t have asked for more and in my view it was excellently priced.