Villa Kitron: the 40 m² first-floor veranda, with the sea in the distance.
Plan Your Stay · Amazing Villas in Crete
Plan Your Stay in Crete
Plan the stay, not just the booking.
A good villa stay in Crete begins before you arrive.
It begins with choosing the right villa for your group, knowing how you will get there, understanding whether you need a car, thinking about the first evening, and having a few local ideas before the holiday starts.
Amazing Villas in Crete are private houses in real Cretan settings: village, garden, coast, olive groves, terraces, pools, families, friends, children, grandparents, shared meals. A little planning helps the stay feel easy from the first day.
This page brings together the practical questions guests usually ask before and after booking.
Each of our villas has a different layout, outdoor area, view, rhythm and best use. Some work beautifully for families with children. Some are better for couples or friends. Some make more sense for groups who want to stay close together. Others suit guests who want privacy, views or a quieter coastal base.
Villa Asteri from above: the stone house, both pools and the enclosed garden.
Before choosing, think about:
how many people are travelling,
whether children or teenagers are coming,
whether grandparents or older guests are joining,
whether everyone wants to stay in one villa or close together,
how important bedroom layout and bathroom privacy are,
whether pool layout matters for your group,
whether you are travelling in peak summer or a quieter season.
Rethymno is positioned between Chania and Heraklion, so both airports can work well for a stay at Amazing Villas in Crete.
The best airport is not always the closest one. It depends on your flight times, group size, luggage, whether you plan to hire a car, and whether you arrive late or with children.
For most guests, a car is recommended. It makes beaches, villages, Rethymno Old Town, supermarkets, tavernas and day trips much easier. If you prefer not to drive, ask Argyris before booking so you can understand what is realistic for your stay. Ask Argyris and he can suggest a transfer company. Availability, vehicle type, price and booking terms are confirmed separately with the provider.
Asteri Village from the air, with olive groves running down to the north coast near Stavromenos. Photo: Argyris Skordilis, Amazing Villas in Crete.
After a flight, luggage, car pickup and the drive to the villa, most guests want the same things: something simple to eat, a calm arrival, and a clear idea of what to do the next morning.
It is worth thinking about your first evening before you arrive. You may want to ask about your arrival time, where to eat nearby, whether shops will still be open, what to buy for breakfast, what to keep simple on the first night, and whether a late arrival needs extra planning.
For guests staying in Asteri Village, a first evening can be as simple as dinner nearby and time on the terrace. At Villa Argiris, the rhythm is different: panoramic sea views, olive-grove quiet and a setting near the coast.
Any private dining, food experience or other special arrangement must be requested and confirmed separately before the stay.
Planning becomes more important when more people are travelling.
A family with young children may care about pool areas and outdoor visibility. A group of friends may care about bathroom privacy and shared dinners. Wedding guests may need villas close together but still private. Grandparents may need a clearer idea of bedrooms, steps and daily movement around the villa.
Children must be supervised by a parent or accompanying adult around all pools at all times.
For larger groups, MAZI combines two or three of Villa Asteri, Villa Kitron and Villa Myrrini in Asteri Village, for up to 20 guests, subject to availability. Each remains an independent villa with its own entrance, kitchen, private main pool and outdoor space. MAZI is intended for accommodation, including wedding guest stays; ceremonies and organised events are not hosted at the villas.
If room allocation, stairs, children’s ages or mixed arrivals matter, ask Argyris before booking.
Villa Asteri: a game of chess in the outdoor lounge.
Amazing Villas in Crete are a good base for guests who want to explore without changing accommodation every few days.
You can keep some days slow and local, and use others for beaches, old towns, villages, monasteries, food routes or the south coast. The best plan depends on your group, the season, the weather on the day and how much driving you want to do.
Preveli beach, where the river meets the Libyan Sea on the south coast. Photo: Argyris Skordilis, Amazing Villas in Crete.
pool layout and children’s supervision matter to you,
you are considering MAZI,
guests arrive at different times,
you are travelling in spring, autumn or winter,
you are unsure whether to hire a car,
you need help thinking through the first evening.
From Argyris
You do not need a perfect plan. Send your dates, who is travelling and what matters most. Argyris can help you decide what to confirm before you book.
Argyris Skordilis · Owner and host, Amazing Villas in Crete · usually replies within 12 hours
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should we plan everything before arrival?
No. Leave space for slow mornings, local suggestions and weather on the day. But it is worth planning the big practical things: villa choice, arrival, transport and the first evening.
Do we need a car?
For most guests, a car is recommended. It gives much more freedom for beaches, villages, food shopping and day trips. If you do not want to drive, ask before booking so you can understand the alternatives.
Which airport is better?
Both Heraklion and Chania can work for a stay near Rethymno. From Asteri Village, Heraklion Airport is approx. 73 km (about an hour) and Chania Airport approx. 79 km (about 75 minutes), without stops. The best choice depends on flight times, group needs and arrival plans.
Can Argyris help with planning?
Yes. Argyris can help you understand villa choice, arrival timing, local options and what should be confirmed before your stay.
Is MAZI right for every group?
No. MAZI is designed for groups who want two or three nearby independent villas in Asteri Village, but it depends on availability, group size, room allocation and how the group plans to use the villas. It is accommodation only, not an event venue.
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 15:30 and check-out is by 11:00. If you arrive earlier or leave later, ask Argyris; it depends on the villa being free and is never guaranteed.
Is the climate resilience fee included in the price?
Yes. Our prices include VAT and the Greek climate resilience fee (€15 a night April–October, €4 November–March). The fee is part of your total price, but by law it is paid at the villa during your stay, not with the deposit; if you do not arrive, it is not charged.
Do we need ETIAS to visit Crete?
Not at the moment (checked November 2026): ETIAS has not started. Travellers from outside the EU do go through the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on their first entry, so allow extra time at passport control. Check official sources before you travel.
More practical answers (money, tipping, plugs, health, emergency numbers, sea safety): Good to Know in Crete.
Plan the parts that matter
Tell Argyris your dates, who is travelling and what kind of stay you want. He will help you plan the parts that matter before you book.
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Amazing Villas in CretePrivate villas near Rethymno
By Argyris Skordilis, owner and host · Updated 
