Crete's Hidden Gem: Margarita's Villas - Your Dream Island Escape!
Crete's Hidden Gem: Margarita's Villas - My Dream Island Escape (and a Few Hiccups!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the Cretan beans on Margarita's Villas! This place… well, it’s been billed as a “dream island escape,” and honestly? They’re not entirely wrong. But, like any good dream, there are a few… let's call them bumps along the road to paradise.
First Impressions: Smooth Sailing (Mostly!)
Let's be real: getting to Crete itself is the first hurdle. The airport transfer (thank god for the Airport Transfer service offered) was a lifesaver. After the soul-sucking experience of baggage claim, bleary-eyed and exhausted, the friendly driver, blasting Greek music, felt like a literal angel. The villas themselves, nestled amidst olive groves, are undeniably gorgeous. Think whitewashed walls, sun-drenched patios, and – gasp – air conditioning in all rooms. This is huge. I mean, Crete in July? You need that. And a refrigerator to keep those Mythos beers ice-cold, which, of course, Margarita’s has. Bonus points for the free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – crucial for Instagramming those perfect sunset snaps. (Yes, I'm that person.)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
Now, listen up, because this is where it gets a little… nuanced. The website claims facilities for disabled guests, and while the villas appear to be generally accessible, I didn't personally test them for wheelchair access. It looked like some villas might be more suitable than others, and I’d definitely recommend contacting them before you book if you're traveling with specific mobility needs. The elevator (which, let's be honest, is probably non-existent in most Cretan villas, which, to note, did exist, as a facility) and the layout of the grounds are something to inquire about directly to avoid any surprises.
The Good Stuff: Blissful Relaxation & Pampering
THIS is where Margarita’s truly shines. Forget your daily grind, people. Here's where you can REALLY unwind.
- The Pool with a View: Oh. My. God. The swimming pool [outdoor] is stunning. Infinity edge, blue as the Aegean, and overlooking vineyards that roll into the sea. I spent hours just floating, staring at the sky. I heard they have a Poolside bar - (didn't try it, sadly)
- Spa Day, Baby! Seriously, treat yourself. The Spa is delightful – yes, let's call it that. I indulged in a massage, and it was pure, unadulterated bliss. They also offer body wraps and body scrubs, but, I'll be honest, I was in such a Zen-like state after the massage that I was barely conscious of any other treatments. But even a quick visit to the Sauna after a swim, felt so great!
- Things to Do: The fitness center (I peeked in, I swear!) looked decent, and there are plenty of ways to relax, from simply lounging by the pool to exploring the nearby villages. The terrace in my villa became my personal sanctuary for evening cocktails and star gazing.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Feast for the Senses
Okay, so the food situation at Margarita's is a bit of a mixed bag. The option to have Breakfast in room is ideal for a lazy start.
- Breakfast Buffet: The Breakfast [buffet] each morning was decent, very traditional. There was a good selection, certainly an Asian breakfast, (which could be more plentiful), but the quality varied day to day.
- Restaurants in Restaurant: I was thrilled to find that they offered International cuisine in restaurant, as well as an Asian cuisine in restaurant. There's also a Vegetarian restaurant - but to be frank, I didn't feel like I had options. I loved the Coffee/tea in restaurant, and it was a great place to take a break from the heat.
- Snack Bar: The Snack bar was a lifesaver for midday cravings and the endless thirst that comes with basking in the sun.
Service & Convenience: What to Expect
The staff at Margarita's are generally lovely – friendly, helpful, and eager to please. They have a Concierge, and for the most part, they are great at making recommendations and arranging outings.
- Hygiene & Safety: On the COVID front, they were pretty good. Plenty of hand sanitizers, staff wearing masks, and evidence of the daily disinfection in common areas. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available, and staff trained in safety protocol.
- Check-in/out: They have a Contactless check-in/out process which was quick and efficient.
- Convenience: The daily housekeeping was a blessing, and I especially appreciated the daily housekeeping. I also liked the Safe dining setup, and the option of Breakfast takeaway service. Having a Coffee shop nearby was also ideal for when I was feeling energized.
The (Minor) Imperfections: Just Being Honest
This is where I get to be brutally honest. Because, let’s be real, perfection is BORING.
- The "Missing" Extras: I heard they have laundry facilities, but I never saw staff in action. The Babysitting service was also available, but I don't have kids!
- Noise Concerns: Now, this is subjective, but my villa was unfortunately a bit close to a road, so some nights, the traffic noise was a little distracting. The soundproof rooms could have been better, I think.
- The "Mysteries": There's a Shrine on-site. No idea where. I guess I just didn't find it.
Overall: Book It! (With a Few Caveats)
Despite a few minor hiccups, I loved Margarita's Villas. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and a perfect base for exploring Crete.
Here's the lowdown:
- Pros: Stunning villas, incredible views, amazing spa, generally lovely staff, good on COVID safety, great pool.
- Cons: Accessibility needs verifying, occasional road noise, some food inconsistencies.
My Recommendation: Book it! But do your research beforehand, especially if accessibility is a concern. Pack your swimsuit, your sunscreen, and your sense of adventure. You won't regret it!
Margarita's Villas: Your Dream Island Escape Awaits!
Special Offer: Book your stay at Margarita's Villas before [Insert deadline here] and receive a complimentary bottle of local Cretan wine upon arrival, a free spa treatment upgrade, and a discount on car hire! Don't miss this chance to experience the magic of Crete!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Apartment Awaits in Fazana, Croatia!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Crete adventure. Forget perfect travel blogs! You're getting the raw, unfiltered, frazzled-yet-exhilarated me in all my glory… and let me tell you, Margarita's Villas are about to get a serious workout.
Crete: Margarita's Villas & My Sanity (or Lack Thereof) – A Totally Unplanned Itinerary
(Pre-trip Chaos - Totally worth mentioning)
- Weeks Before: Obsessive Pinterest boards – "Dreamy Crete," "Infinity Pool Goals," "Sunset Taverna Vibes." Reality? Panic buying insect repellent I'd inevitably forget to use and wondering if I packed enough bikinis (the answer, of course, is always no). Also, a sudden, intense fear of being eaten alive by some mythical Cretan mosquito species. Note to self: Maybe learn some basic Greek phrases beyond "Yia Mas" and "Efkharisto". Seriously, I need to do this.
- Days Before: The real nightmare. Realizing I'd forgotten to book a rental car. Cue hyperventilation and frantic emails. Found a sketchy "deals" website. Praying the car wasn't held together with hope and duct tape. Packing – a glorious mess. Shoes? All of them. Practicality? Out the window.
- The Flight: A screaming baby, a guy snorting way too loudly, and turbulence that made me question every life choice. But hey, free biscuits, so… silver linings, right?
Day 1: Landing in Paradise (and Immediate Overwhelm)
- Morning: Arrived in Heraklion. Breathe. Smell the…salt air? No, probably airplane fumes. Collected the car. It was…a slightly dented, older model. Okay, deep breaths. Made it out of the airport without causing a collision. Success!
- Afternoon: The drive to Margarita's Villas. Okay, the roads are twisty. And the scenery is stunning. Okay, I’m lost, but… whoa, that view. Finally arrived. Margarita herself (or someone incredibly like her) greeted me with a smile and a shot of raki. Considered declaring her my new best friend immediately. VILLA! Absolutely gorgeous. Infinity pool? Yup. My own little slice of heaven? Potentially.
- Evening: Attempted to unpack. Gave up. Went straight to the pool. Sun, water, utter bliss. Then, promptly got a sunburn. Note to self: Reapply sunscreen. This is important! Tried to find a local taverna. Wandered, got lost (again), and finally stumbled upon a place with fairy lights and the sound of Greek music. Ordered tzatziki and souvlaki. Best. Meal. Ever. Seriously, those flavors! Almost cried. Almost.
Day 2: Exploring…and Getting Lost (Again)
- Morning: Woke up to the sound of cicadas and the most incredible sunrise I've ever seen. Ate breakfast on the balcony: yogurt with honey and fresh fruit. Tried to figure out the map. Failed. Decided to embrace the "lost" feeling."
- Afternoon: Drove towards Chania, a beautiful Venetian harbor town. The drive was, shall we say, "eventful." The car is fine. I'm slightly traumatized but in a good mood. Chania is AMAZING! Wandered the narrow streets, got lost in the back alleys, and stumbled upon a little shop selling handmade leather sandals. Bought three pairs. Judgment welcome.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna overlooking the harbor. Ordered the seafood platter. It was overflowing with octopus. I’ve never met an octopus before. Now I'm best friends with one, apparently. Enjoyed some local wine and watched the sunset. Felt ridiculously content. And ridiculously full. Considered rolling back to the villa.
Day 3: Beach Day & A Reckoning with the Sun
- Morning: Decided it was a beach day. Headed for Elafonisi beach. Photos. Pure bliss. The pink sand! The turquoise water! The sheer, unadulterated beauty of it all! Spent hours in the water. Forgot about sunscreen. (See, I told you this was a messy itinerary.)
- Afternoon: Realized my mistake. Sunburn. Pain. Regret. Rushed back to the villa, slathered myself in aloe vera, and vowed to be more responsible. (This never lasts.)
- Evening: A quiet night at the villa. Spent the evening in the pool. Watching the stars. Feeling incredibly grateful for this adventure, for Crete, and for Margarita's villas. Also, praying the sunburn eases up.
Day 4: Rethymno and The Search for Real Cretan Coffee
- Morning: More aloe vera. Managed to pry myself away from the pool and drove to Rethymno, another charming town. Checked out the Venetian Loggia, the Rimondi fountain and the old harbour.
- Afternoon: Got lost, again. Found a tiny coffee shop. Ordered "Greek Coffee" but the barista just understood English, and I realized I didn't know what real Cretan coffee was. Felt like a fraud. Watched the locals, and learned a bit about the process, and sipped the strong, dark, slightly gritty coffee. It was perfect.
- Evening: Sunset dinner somewhere with more tzatziki. More wine. More Greek music. More bliss.
Day 5: The Knossos Ruins & The Aftermath Of History and a Great Meal
- Morning: The famous Knossos ruins!. Holy hell, that was incredible. Mind blown, completely. I had no clue about Minoan culture before this and it was utterly fascinating. I'm now somewhat obsessed with ancient stuff.
- Afternoon: Trying to process everything. It's a lot of old walls and stories, but really damn interesting.
- Evening: Back into the village, seeking a little bit of "real" Cretan food. Stumbled into a truly tiny taverna. Seriously, the most amazing lamb I've ever. I'm not usually a lamb kind of person, it was unreal. Met some locals, and laughed until my sides hurt.
Day 6: The Highs and Lows of a Day Trip to a Gorge
- Morning: Ok, I decided to do the Samaria Gorge hike, which sounds great. I'm sure it'll be beautiful. (it wasn't like the rest of the week.)
- Afternoon: I was wrong. It was long. The hike was long, hot, and challenging. Lots of slippery rocks. My feet hurt. I saw an amazing view and I was happy, but I was truly knackered.
- Evening: Dinner. Sleep. Aloe vera.
Day 7 (Departure Day): The Sad Farewell (and a Promise to Return)
- Morning: Woke up. Tried to pack. Failed. Had a last, mournful swim in the infinity pool. Ate a final breakfast on the balcony, staring out at the stunning view. Said goodbye to Margarita (who, by this point, I did consider a friend).
- Afternoon: The drive back to Heraklion airport. Trying not to cry. Realizing Crete has completely stolen my heart.
- Evening: On the plane. Reflecting on all the memories, the sunburn, the laughter, the delicious food, and the utter, glorious, messy chaos of it all. Planning my return. Already.
Final Thoughts:
Crete, you magnificent beast. Margarita's Villas, you beautiful sanctuary. This trip was imperfect, messy, and utterly unforgettable. Did I get lost? Yes. Did I get sunburned? Absolutely. Did I eat enough tzatziki to last a lifetime? You bet. Would I do it all again in a heartbeat? Hell, yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to start planning my next adventure! And maybe, just maybe, actually learn some more Greek this time. Yia Mas! (And thank you, Crete, for everything!)
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Margarita's Villas: Your Crete Adventure – Finally, Some Answers! (and a Few Gripes!)
Is Margarita's Villas actually *that* good? The photos look staged…
Okay, *that's* the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? The photos are… well, they're definitely prettied up. Like influencer-level prettied up. But here's the truth bomb: **They're still bloody gorgeous.** I spent a week there, and yeah, the infinity pool does look *slightly* smaller in reality (and, full disclosure, it’s not *actually* an infinite pool from every single angle, you can see the edge from the corner of your eye, which felt a bit… cheated, I’ll be honest).
But the *feeling*? That’s real. Waking up to that view, the bougainvillea spilling everywhere… it’s like living in a postcard. Just… be prepared to take your own photos to counter the Insta-lies. I spent more time in that pool than I care to admit. Don't judge.
What's the location like? Is it as secluded as it seems? (Because I *really* want peace and quiet…)
Seclusion level: pretty darn high. It’s in the hills, a bit of a drive to get there. Think winding roads, the scent of wild thyme, and the occasional goat casually strolling across your path. (That actually happened to me. I'm not kidding. I nearly soiled myself with laughter and awe - the goat was HUGE).
Peace and quiet? Mostly. You'll hear the cicadas in the day – they're relentless, honestly, almost hypnotic. And at night? Heavenly. Just the chirping of crickets, the distant rumble of the sea... **BUT**… and this is a big but… on my trip, there was a family, who, bless their hearts, had children that clearly hadn't heard of a volume control. Sound carried. I wanted to scream. I wanted to move villas (but I just suffered in silence and lots of wine). So, consider earplugs as a possible pre-holiday investment, just in case you get the screaming kids next door. You've been warned.
The villas look luxurious. Is it all just a big, overpriced facade?
Luxurious? Yep. Overpriced? Maybe a *little*. But here's the deal: you're paying for the view, the privacy, and the sheer escape-ness of it all. It's not like, say, a Ritz-Carlton kind of luxury. It's more… rustic-luxe. Think comfy beds, well-equipped kitchens (though, I burned the toast one morning), and beautiful, traditional decor. The bathrooms are really nice, especially after a long day of hiking.
The welcome basket? Lovely touch. Local wine, some olive oil, a few snacks. I devoured all the wine by like, 4 pm on day one. I was *that* relaxed. I think the staff is super friendly. I mean its the Crete way, to be kind and give service. They’re helpful, but don't always expect *instant* gratification. This is Greece, after all. Things move at their own pace. Embrace it. (Unless, like me, you're used to living at 800mph. Then you need to adjust. Slowly. With wine.)
Is there anything *bad* about Margarita's Villas? What's the catch?
Right, alright, honesty time. The biggest catch? The drive back to civilization! Grocery shopping requires a bit of forward planning. (I ran out of coffee halfway through the week, the horror!). And the wifi… it's generally fine, but sometimes I was staring at the spinning wheel of death, wanting to fling my laptop off the balcony. It’s not as bad as some places, but definitely not lightning-fast.
And, as I confessed earlier, the screaming kids. (Shudders). Also, the mosquito situation. Bring repellent. Seriously. Or you will get EATEN ALIVE. I looked like I'd contracted chickenpox after a particularly enthusiastic evening. Another small annoyance: I found a small, but a slightly unsettling, spider in my shower. It was tiny, but it freaked me out for a good hour. So, yeah. There is a catch. It's called real life, and it sometimes includes spiders.
What's the best thing about staying there? Give me the *real* highlight!
This is easy. The *best* thing? The sunsets. Oh. My. God. I'm not even a "sunset person," usually. But every evening, the sky turned into this *explosion* of colour – oranges, pinks, purples... I’d pour myself a glass of wine (or two… or three…), sit on the balcony, and just… breathe. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. One particular evening, a storm rolled in at the same point, and the lightning against the sunset was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I nearly cried. It was that powerful.
I still remember the feeling of pure *awe*. It was truly magical. That alone made the whole trip worth it, even with the screaming kids, the slow wifi, and the potential spider situation (I'm still twitchy about that). It’s the kind of memory that sticks with you, like the scent of the herbs, the warmth of the sun, and the feeling of being utterly, completely, wonderfully… away. That’s the **real** highlight. The heart of it all.
Are there any good restaurants nearby? Or should I prepare to cook every meal?
Okay, don't expect a Michelin-star experience on every corner. You’re in the hills, remember? There are a few tavernas within a reasonable drive – maybe 15-20 minutes. Some are fantastic, serving up authentic Cretan cuisine. Others… well, let’s just say they’re *fine*. Do your research, read reviews!
I'd recommend a car, for sure. You will need it. And learn to make a *really* good Greek salad. You'll be eating a lot of them. The olive oil is incredible. Seriously. Even if you only eat olives and salad for a week, it's worth it. Consider making the effort to go to a local supermarket but be prepared for a language barrier, (google translate is your friend!) but mostly, just enjoy discovering places and trying places at your own speed.
What should I pack? (Besides the insect repellent)
Bug spray is a MUST. Seriously. Sunscreen (obvious, but IYour Stay Hub
