Escape to Paradise: Kri Kri Village's Unbeatable Crete Apartments!
Escape to Paradise: Kri Kri Village's Unbeatable Crete Apartments!
Escape to Paradise: Kri Kri Village - Crete’s Most Un-Paradise-Like Paradise? (My Honest Take)
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from Kri Kri Village in Crete, and let me tell you… it’s complicated. This isn't your sanitized travel blog where everything sparkles. This is my experience, warts and all, and it involves a lot of sun, a questionable amount of ouzo (thanks, Happy Hour!), and a deep dive into whether this place truly lives up to its “Escape to Paradise” billing. Spoiler alert: it's a good escape, but paradise? Let’s see…
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof…):
Getting there was fine, the airport transfer (yes, they have it!) was smooth, thankfully. But the true test began with the village itself. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I noticed the accessibility situation right away. The website, while promising, doesn’t quite reflect the reality. Accessibility? Let's just say it's limited. The uneven cobbled streets of the village, even to the apartments themselves. Forget navigating easily, especially on the stairs. It’s a genuine shame, because the potential for everyone to enjoy that Cretan sun is clearly there.
The Apartment: A Whirlwind of Amenities (and My Struggle to Use Them):
The apartments themselves? Pretty impressive. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (essential in August, folks!), Complimentary tea (a lifesaver for my caffeine addiction!), Free Wi-Fi, and Internet access – wireless – a Godsend, considering I was trying to work a little (failed). Air conditioning was the bomb. No argument there. Additional toilet? Score! Though, I’ll admit, I didn't need a separate toilet, but hey, it’s there. It's the little things, you know?
Rooms themselves were clean, with Daily housekeeping on point. The Desk was nice, though, again, my work ethic was questionable. Free bottled water? Always appreciated, you get thirsty in the sun. Satellite/cable channels? Honestly, I didn't turn them on. Crete is gorgeous, why would I watch TV?
Then came the Bathrobes and Slippers. Now, I’m a bathrobe guy from way back, but these were luxury. Felt like I was living in a fluffy cloud. The Coffee/tea maker was great… until I realized I was out of coffee at 7 AM.
The Internet Saga: Wi-Fi woes and LAN dreams:
The constant promise of Internet access – LAN, which I, being a technological dinosaur, tried to use, but couldn't get it working. The Wi-Fi [free] did work, eventually. Not the speed of light, but enough to keep me from screaming. And hey, the Internet was, you know, there. The Wi-Fi in public areas? Mostly okay. Needed to give me my social media fix.
Dining & Drinking: From Buffets to Buzzing Happy Hours:
Food, glorious food! Let's start with the Restaurants. They did a good job. The Breakfast [buffet] was a morning ritual. Asian breakfast? Interesting. International cuisine in restaurant made for a good variety - and the Western cuisine was good too! The Restaurants included a place serving up Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was key.
The Poolside bar was a magnet, and I felt compelled to visit it as much as possible. The Happy hour? Oh, the Happy Hour. Lets' just say it was a good time and an easy way to get involved in their Poolside bar.
Spa, Sauna, and Swimming Pools: (More or Less) Blissful Escapism:
The Swimming pool was stunning, the Swimming pool [outdoor]. The views were epic, I could hardly believe it! Pool with view? Absolutely. I spent more time in the pool than I care to admit.
The Spa/sauna promised some relaxation. And though the Sauna was a good one, The Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, and Massage? Yes, yes, and triple yes! I wish I'd gotten a massage every day.
Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic Protocols (and the Human Touch):
Look, I was a bit nervous about traveling, but Kri Kri Village really tries. They have Hand sanitizer everywhere, the staff wears masks, and thankfully, there were Staff trained in safety protocol. There was Daily disinfection in common areas. The Rooms sanitized between stays gave me some peace of mind. The Anti-viral cleaning products were great. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Mostly. The hotel's dedication to Hygiene certification made a big difference.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Did not check that.. Wheelchair accessible: Not Really, but I'd like to believe that if you tell them you're coming, they could help.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax:
The Gym/fitness, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t go. I'm on vacation. Sauna and Spa definitely helped. The Fitness center offered a gym, which I didn't touch.
For the Kids:
I didn't have the kids, but they have Babysitting service and Kids meal options. They're definitely Family/child friendly.
Services and Conveniences:
The concierge was helpful, but a bit slow. The concierge and luggage storage was super helpful. They have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site], which is great.
My Verdict:
Kri Kri Village? It’s a win. It’s clean, comfortable, has great food, and a genuinely nice vibe. Accessibility could be a major issue for some, and it's not a perfectly polished paradise. More like a cretan village? But it's beautiful, charming in its slightly imperfect way, and gets you a long way towards a relaxing holiday. If you're looking for a comfortable base to explore Crete (and indulge in some serious relaxation), then absolutely give it a shot. Just maybe manage your expectations a little… and bring your own coffee.
Escape to Paradise: Minas Garden Hotel's Unforgettable Poços de Caldas Getaway
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is my Kri Kri Village Holiday Apartments, Crete survival guide, and trust me, it’s gonna be a ride. We're talking REAL life, not some perfectly-curated Instagram feed. Prepare for the mess.
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Cretan Unraveling (And My Luggage’s Disappearance)
7:00 AM (ish): Wake up in a haze of pre-trip anxiety and lukewarm instant coffee. The coffee's already a bad omen.
8:00 AM: Depart from [Starting Location] after a last-minute scramble to find my passport (seriously, where do they hide?) and a heartfelt goodbye to my cat, Mr. Whiskers, who gave me the cold shoulder, as usual, because I'm leaving him.
10:30 AM: Arrive at Airport - I swear, airport security is just a modern-day version of the Spanish Inquisition. I'm pretty sure they’re judging my footwear (flip-flops, naturally) and my general air of perpetual chaos.
12:00 PM (ish): Finally, FINALLY, on the plane. Breathe. Try to ignore the crying baby three rows back. Pretend to read a book. Fail.
5:00 PM (Crete Time): Land in Heraklion! Sunshine! Breathe again! Then, the horror. My luggage. Gone. Vanished. Poof. Cue the internal meltdown. This is going to be fun. It's the classic "Me vs. the Airline" scenario, and frankly, I'm already losing.
6:00 PM: Haggling with the car rental people. This is where my (admittedly rusty) Greek comes in handy. Learn a new Greek word, 'katastrofi' which means disaster… I knew this vacation was going to be good.
7:30 PM: Check into Kri Kri Village. The apartment is… well, let's call it "rustic." The "sea view" is partially blocked by a very enthusiastic bougainvillea bush, but hey, it's clean-ish and the pool looks inviting (we'll get to that later).
- Anecdote: The woman at reception? Sweet as can be. Her English was iffy, my Greek worse, but we managed to communicate with a combination of pointing, frantic hand gestures, and a mutual love for Greek coffee (which I haven’t yet had, dang it).
8:00 PM: Dinner at a nearby taverna. The food? Fabulous. The tzatziki? Divine. The portion sizes? Homer Simpson would be proud. I ate everything. Regrets? Zero. Except maybe the extra garlic on the grilled octopus. Oh, the garlic.
10:00 PM: Attempt to unpack what little I have. Decide to go to bed instead after a day from hell.
Day 2: Beach Day – Sun, Sand, and the Mystery of the Missing Trunk
- 9:00 AM: Wake up with a burning desire to find my luggage. Seriously, where is my toothbrush?! I've tried to contact the airline, but the hold music is torture and I just want a decent shower.
- 10:00 AM: Head to the beach! (The one they call "Stavros Beach") The water is unbelievably turquoise. The sand is soft. This is what I needed. Oh, and I only have a bikini, because the luggage, remember? Embrace the look.
- 11:00 AM: A little sunbathing… ok, a lot of sunbathing. I start regretting the pale skin.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a beachside taverna. More seafood! More deliciousness. I think I'm officially getting addicted to Greek food.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer number of cats roaming the beach is impressive. They're all sleek, confident, and clearly ruling their sandy kingdom. I think I saw one order a fish.
- 1:00 PM: Attempt to swim, realizing the last time I jumped into water was probably when I was 10 years old and a bit of adrenaline junkie. The water's surprisingly refreshing.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the apartment to start the laundry (because I’m basically living in the clothes I wore to the airport)
- 4:00 PM: Decide to take a nap because everything in my body is tired.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the apartment. I made some pasta and a very basic sauce. I don't know why I was so ambitious.
- 9:00 PM: Stargazing from the apartment balcony. The night sky is breathtaking. I close my eyes, breath, and actually start to relax.
Day 3: Knossos – The Minoan Labyrinth and My Own Lost Weekend
- 9:00 AM: Finally! Got luggage.
- 10:00 AM: Drive to Knossos. The ruins? Impressive. The history? Mind-blowing. The crowds? Overwhelming. I managed to get lost in the palace, briefly convinced I'd stumbled into the Minotaur's lair.
- Emotional Reaction: Standing there, surrounded by the remnants of such a vibrant civilization, is humbling. I can almost feel the history radiating from the stones.
- 12:00 PM: The crowds, the heat, the history - I'm starting to wilt. Time for a coffee break!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Heraklion, the big Crete city. Ordered a Greek salad. Was not disappointed. The food is so cheap and fresh, I could cry.
- 2:00 PM: Wander Heraklion, get lost in the narrow streets, and stumble upon a tiny shop selling handmade jewelry. Bought myself a tiny silver pendant, a souvenir to remember this journey.
- 4:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Pool time! Finally. The pool is cold and refreshing. Settle in for a sun soak and the pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and a sunset view from the balcony. Time for a drink.
Day 4: Sailing and the Melancholy of Mondays
- 9:00 AM: Start the day with a quick swim in the apartment pool.
- 10:00 AM: Head to a local fishing village and jump on a sailing tour! The wind in my hair, the sun on my face, the sea stretching out endlessly before me… pure bliss.
- Doubling Down: The best part? Feeling the sea breeze on my skin and the water sparkling… and actually catching a fish with my bare hands. The chef cooked it up, and even though it was small, I felt like a proper sailor.
- 1:00 PM: Swimming again! More bliss, this time with the group, and diving into crystal clear waters.
- 3:00 PM: Start the journey back. I don't want this to end!
- 4:00 PM: Shopping for some snacks.
- 7:00 PM: Back at Kri Kri to rest. I have no plans.
Day 5 Onwards: (The Unwritten Chapter - Because Adventures Don't Always Have Endings)
- To be determined… Hiking in the mountains? More beach time? Maybe finally mastering the art of Greek cooking? The possibilities are endless. Who knows, I might even attempt to learn to dance the Zorba. Or, I might just spend the next few days sipping wine on my balcony, watching the sun set, and letting the magic of Crete work its way into my soul. Whatever happens, I have a feeling it'll be a story worth telling.
Escape to Paradise: Kri Kri Village - You HAVE Questions, We (Maybe) Have Answers...ish.
Okay, spill. What *actually* is Kri Kri Village like? All those photos are starting to feel... curated.
Alright, alright. Let's be real. The photos? Yeah, they're *pretty*. Crete is gorgeous, and Kri Kri Village, nestled up in the hills by a village called Plaka… well, it's trying. I mean, it *is* trying to be paradise. It’s… a work in progress, okay? Think sun-drenched villas, bougainvillea practically exploding off the walls (which, honestly, is the BEST part), and views that’ll make you want to weep with joy (and maybe a little bit of the cost of the trip, let's be honest).
It's not some sterile, perfect resort. There are tiny imperfections, the paint might be faded in a couple of places, the occasional rogue goat might wander past (seriously, happened to me!), and the Wi-Fi? Let's call it 'Mediterranean intermittent.' But that's part of the charm, isn't it? It's real. And that reality? It’s freaking beautiful.
Give me the lowdown on those apartments. Like, are they actually CLEAN? That's kind of important.
Clean? Okay, this is where it gets a little… subjective. Look, I'm a bit of a clean freak myself. I'm that person who packs extra Lysol wipes. And honestly? They're pretty clean. Like, proper clean. Not "hospital sterile," you know? More like "lived-in, comfortable, and the cleaning ladies clearly care" clean. You'll find all the essentials – towels that *actually* dry you (a miracle!), clean sheets, and a kitchen stocked with the basics. I mean, I did a deep dive when I got there. (Judge me, I don't care). Found one tiny speck... and almost lost it. My fault. They're good. Relax. Breathe.
One small thing though, some of them seem to be a little more loved, so don't expect a brand new anything, but it’s well kept and cared for. And let's be real, you're going to be spending most of your time outside enjoying the views, not inspecting grout lines.
What's the deal with the location? Is it really *that* close to the beach and shops?
Okay, this is important. Kri Kri is nestled in Plaka, which is a *charming* little village. Think authentic tavernas, friendly locals, and the kind of laid-back vibe that makes you instantly forget about your to-do list. The *closest* beach? Well, it's not *right there*, like, walk-out-your-door-and-splosh-in-the-sea close. It's a short drive, maybe 10 minutes tops, to a beautiful beach. The drive itself is stunning, mind you! Winding roads, breathtaking views… you'll be driving, and you'll be happy about it.
Shops and restaurants in Plaka? Yes! Plenty. Seriously, tons. I spent a week there, and I barely scratched the surface of the food options. From traditional Greek fare to more modern fusion, you'll find something to tantalise your taste buds. You can walk to several shops, tavernas and cafe, which is great. However, because it is a village, expect the shops to have different hours, and even close down now and then! Get used to it, and enjoy the siesta. Be prepared to explore! This isn't a "resort bubble", it's a portal to Greek life.
I heard there's a pool. Is it any good? I'm a pool snob. Fess up!
Alright, pool snob. Let's talk pool. Yes, there is a pool. Is it Olympic-sized? No. Does it have a swim-up bar with a full cocktail menu? Also, no. But… it's lovely. Seriously. It's a good size, clean, with those amazing views. It’s generally pretty quiet – no screaming kids doing cannonballs non-stop (at least when I was there – your mileage may vary, obviously). The water is refreshing, the sunbeds are comfy, and I spent a solid afternoon there reading a book and pretending to be incredibly sophisticated. A solid, well-kept pool. You'll be happy. Trust me.
What about the food? Any recommendations (besides "eat everything")?
Oh, the food. Prepare. Prepare your stomach. Prepare your willpower to say "no, I *can't* eat another piece of baklava." (You'll fail, by the way). Okay, top tip: *eat at the tavernas in Plaka*. Seriously. They're amazing. I wandered around one evening, and there were so many choices that I got quite overwhelmed and panicked, then I just chose… something. It was probably the best meal I ever had!
Try the local specialties: fresh seafood, the Greek salad (it's not just a salad, it's an *experience*!), moussaka (layers of deliciousness!), and anything with olive oil (because it's Crete, everything has olive oil!). And *definitely* try the local wine. It's cheap, it's cheerful, and it'll make those sunset views even more magical. You can't really go wrong, honestly. Just... pace yourself! (I'm still regretting those extra gyros, two years later...)
Is it family-friendly? Or more suited to couples/solo travelers?
Honestly? It can be both. It’s flexible. I saw families, couples, and solo travelers all happily coexisting. The apartments offer enough space for a family to spread out, and the pool is definitely kid-friendly (although do watch those little ones!). Couples? Romantic sunsets and a taverna on every corner? Perfect! I think it’s actually good for solo travelers as well. It’s the kind of place where you can easily strike up a conversation, meet friendly locals, and feel safe and comfortable. So, yeah, it’s got something for everyone. It’s about what you make of it, really.
Tell me about the BEST thing… like, what's the one thing that still makes you daydream about Kri Kri Village?
Okay, this is easy. And it's not the pool, and it's not the food (although, the food… oh, the food!). It's the *sunsets*. I am telling you, they were something else. Every evening, I'd grab a bottle of wine (the cheap stuff, remember?) and sit on my balcony, just… watching. The sky would explode with color – oranges, purples, pinks, every shade imaginable. The sun would sink behind the mountains, and the whole world would just…glow. Escape to Paradise: Stunning Pool Views in Hua Hin's La Habana
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