Villea Village Aparthotel

Practical accommodation, a convenient location in the heart of Makriyialos and a wonderfully relaxed holiday atmosphere are the key attributes that make the Villea Village such a popular choice. Arranged around a large central garden, which incorporates a 25-metre swimming pool, the two-storey buildings are designed in classic Greek style, with whitewashed walls, blue shutters, and climbing bougainvillaea adding vibrant splashes of colour. Care was taken to retain as many of the old olive trees as possible, which provide shady areas where guests can enjoy a relaxing snooze.

The Villea Village operates as an Aparthotel, so the rooms are in fact spacious studios or apartments with basic self-catering facilities. The studios have either twin or double beds, a sitting area, a simple kitchenette with a fridge and two-ring hob, a bath or shower room and either a balcony or terrace, most facing the central garden. All are equipped with direct-dial telephones, TV (local channels only) and the all-important air-conditioning. For families, there are also a number of 1-bedroom apartments with a separate living room available, as well as pairs of inter-connecting studios.

Depending on your preference, the accommodation can be booked on a room-only basis or with breakfast included. Those who prefer the independence of self-catering will find the village bakery just across the road, so it's just a minute's walk to fetch fresh bread, pastries or cheese pies. For the evenings, there is an excellent selection of restaurants and tavernas, as well as a few welcoming bars, within easy walking distance.

The B&B option represents excellent value, as it includes the hotel's "Mini All-Inclusive" concept: whilst the hotel does not serve lunch or dinner, the Mini-AI option includes a buffet breakfast served until 10:30, as well as complimentary drinks between 11:30 and 22:00 (soft drinks, house wine, beer, tea, coffee, water and selected spirits) and small snacks (sandwiches and cookies) between 16:00 and 18:00. Please note that in the high season, from 15 July to 15 September, the B&B/Mini-AI package is obligatory.

With such a lovely pool on site and the long sandy beach of Makriyialos less than two minutes' walk away, many guests simply come to relax, but for the more actively minded there is excellent walking terrain on your doorstep, and a regular bus service links the village with the larger harbour towns of Ierapetra and Sitia, so it is possible to explore further afield without hiring a car. Those who prefer to have their own transport can collect a hire car on arrival at the airport and thus take advantage of our special rates.

The hotel also offers an informal programme of activities (subject to occupancy levels and demand) such as herb-gathering walks in the rural hinterland (stout shoes required) and informal evening events ranging from a talk on olive oil by a local farmer, a local wine tasting or even a quiz night. The atmosphere is always convivial and relaxed and quite unlike that in a mass-market hotel.