Petra Village Apartments

just returned from a 2 week break with our 2 kids 7 & 3.
We all had a great holiday, the apartments were basic but kept clean and we were provided with clean towels and bedding freqently by a lovely maid called Ula.
The staff were excellent and great with the kids, we found the mixture of staying in the apartments and going down the hill to star beach kept the kids and us happy although be prepared for a big hike with kids or a 7/8 euro fare to return by taxi, also worth a visit to the aquapark and the crete aquarium.
Overall a great holiday and if you do visit i highly recommend a visit to a restaurant in the village of koutoulofari - follow the signs for the greek dancing and plate smashing restaurant (which is worth a visit also) and just before you reach that restaurant on your left is a roof top garden restaurant where we were greeted by a lovely lady called Wendy and served by the nicest staff in the duration of our stay

1 reader found this review helpful

just got back today from petra villiage, very basic,could be cleaner, pool area too small so went down hill to beach busier after lunch when the younger people got up! lots of younger people around the area during the day, no trouble think they went in the lively resorts at night. koutouloufari is lovely day or night the choice of where to eat is huge the staff so friendly the chinese was good but go to Galini the food excellent the staff entertaining and friendly we went thursday was so good went back friday as it was my birthday we had a vip table upstairs with view over the bay they gave me a bottle of bubbles and a necklace also sang to me an unforgettable night no extra cost. On monday night go to the old town of Hersonisos the have greek dancing in the street just walk thru Koutouloufari and carry on going about 20 min walk. cant wait to go backto this lovely village with its mix of old and new but wont stay at petra unless eveywhere else was booked up.

We went here on the recommendation of a friend who likes the same kind of resorts as we do. Our apartment was basic but clean, and although we only used the kettle, the fridge and the toaster, people we met there did cook meals and snacks in their rooms. We loved this place, and people we spoke to had no complaints either. Some people were there for the fourth time, others the second and we will certainly go back. The staff - Vas and his family, Rita and Babis are so friendly and cheerful, well informed and ready to help with anything. It's true about the supermarket which is next door but one, it is expensive, but if you turn left when leaving the complex instead of right, or instead of going down the hill, there are other supermarkets selling the usual food, drink and everything else you need, at cheaper prices. We only went down the hill once and never felt the need again, because we're not "beach people". The pool was enough for us. Going a little further along the road, past the supermarkets, brings you to the gorgeous village with winding cobbled roads and loads of restaurants. We ate at different restaurants every night for the first week and didn't have one bad experience. We went back to them all the second week, although there were others we hadn't tried yet. All the meals were of good quality and were good value for money. All the waiters and staff were friendly and pleased to see us. All in all we had a fab holiday, one of the most relaxing we've had and would tell anyone to go there - from our own experience.

Myself and my partner (both in our 20s) had a great holiday here. Fair, it wasn't the most luxurious of accomodation, but it did us fine while we were there, and it wasnt exactly pricey for the 2 weeks in may. Koutouloufari is a nice wee place, laid back with some nice little restaurants. There isn't much to do - but if, like us, all you want is sun, beautiful surroundings and cheap wine... its absolutely perfect!
I'm sure during peak season the pool may get very crowded (we saw it getting busy by the end of our two weeks) but the atmosphere is nice, and everyone who was holidaying very friendly, and just there for a good relaxing time.
We may have just been lucky with our apartment, but try not to be put off by so many bad reviews. Its not a bad place!
Bear in mind though extras such as air con (fairly necessary) and a lock for the safe that will add up on your bill upon leaving.

1 reader found this review helpful

Booked these apts on the strength of previous good reviews. What a mistake! We booked a one bed apt and found the bedroom window opened directly onto someones patio and i mean directly.Their toilet window was right adjacent to my patio area. No privacy at all. The maids emptied the bins everyday, but didn't clean at all. I think you had to do it yourself with the mop and brush provided.Even on change over days the maids were in the apts less than ten mins. The gardens were scruffy and full of weeds. The pool area was too small for the number of apts. Plenty of sunbeds but nowhere to put them.
However,Koutoulafari is a great resort with plenty of fantastic restaurants, Ariadnes and Stekis in particular. The walk to Hersonissos and back was not as bad as i expected. The bus service from Hersonissos to anywhere you want to go is second to none and very cheap. Watch out for the dodgy timeshare salespeople in Hersonissos with their dodgy scratchcards, it's a shame they've finally made it to Greece.
All in all loved the resort, will go back, but not to Petra.

More Photos...

1 reader found this review helpful

My Partner and I have just returned home having endured 2 long weeks at the Petra Village Apartments.Our accomodation was a ground floor studio. This was small and very basic with only one medium size window .There was another ventilation size window of about 12"x12" high up in the toilet area.
Our problems began almost immediatedly.On DAY 1 I awoke to find ANTS on my bed. We complained immediatedly and were told this was highly unnusual. We got a spray from the cleaners to kill them on sight. We subsequently found out we weren`t alone with this problem.Many people were suffering however the hotelier was adamant that there was no problem.
The whole interior was Grubby and the white goods and fittings absolutely Disgusting ( PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS).Rust &Mould on the fridge, Rust & Grime on the 2 ring cooker,Mould or Fungus on shower tiles etc etc. The whole place was unfit to live in my opinion ,even for 2 weeks.
LOCATION The small complex is located on a mountainside. A walk to the beach will take you about 20 mins down a steep road-no pavement. Walking back is very tiring in the heat even for reasonably fit individuals. We were lucky enough to hire a car and when passing people on the road we always stopped and offerd lifts.
Bottom line is if you dont intend on hiring a car you will find this complex VERY ISOLATED.There is a small mini market next door to the complex taking advantage of a captive audience.A walk down the hill to Hersonnisses for groceries is fine as long as you have money for a taxi (5-6 euros) back up the hill.
Overall we were very disappointed. The reality of staying here is much different from what we had hoped and certainly not what we had envisaged having read the previous reviews and travel agents website.
PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS and consider very carefully and ask yourself if you want to stay in such conditions?

2 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at the Petra Village in May of 2008. This was the worst Studio that we have ever stayed in. We had a very small window which when opened looked out on a brick wall with rubbish stowed under and also some air conditioning units which blew hot air back into the room together with a foul smell (like dog poo). During the second week we had no hot water for 5 days despite repeated complaints from everybody in our block to the management and the holiday rep.

The rooms were basic but very clean and comfy. Food delicious and reasonable. Staff helpful. Babis was brilliant-never stopped.
Star beach was very entertaining! We enjoyed a lovely meal at the Chinese restaurant in Hersonissos. Great holiday.

1 reader found this review helpful

We booked our holiday after reading the good reviews about The Petra Village. We have been to Koutouloufari twice before and stayed at the Sunrise Apartments and had a great time.
Unfortunately we could not get in there so we went to Petra, what a mistake.
The apartment was clean but very very basic; the gardens were full of weeds.
Still we had heard of the great staff that they had, they must have all left, they served you when they had finished their hand of cards, and we cleared tables ourselves. The card games and machines were more interesting to them.
I asked for a toasted sandwich at 2.00pm food was supposed to served till 4.00pm the answer was food is finished. Then the barmaid went back to leaning on the bar (rushed off her feet).
We love the resort and would go back again but never to the Petra.

1 reader found this review helpful

This is the third time my wife and myself have been to Crete over a period of six years, guaranteed lovely weather! This is the first time we've been to Koutouloufari (between Hersonissos and Stalis - the first two resorts we stayed in). Our stay at the Petra Village Apartments was an absolute pleasure. The staff and reps were very helpful. The apartment was cleaned on a regular basis and the cleaners were friendly and courteous. The only minus point is that the resort is hilly, (we live in Barry in South Wales so we are used to climbing hills on a regular basis) but for others it could prove difficult. Don't be put off, order a taxi.
The "Sports Cafe" is a good sort of British pub with about two dozen TV screens showing sport, sport and lots more sports! Our favourite Greek diner was undoubtedly "Sergiani's", a fantastic Taverna/Restaurant in Koutouloufari - excellent food and service, 11 out of 10 rating.
Hersonissos has lots of shops that sell good quality merchandise. Stalis is a bit more commercialised. The buses are luxurious and good value for money - be warned - they have a very strict dress code, adhere to their rules or you won't be allowed on. Visit Aghios Nickolaos and Elounda (go to Kolokithi Beach - half an hour walk). The "Mistral Bar" opposite Aghios Nickolaos bus terminal is a recommended taverna to wait for your bus back. Obtain a bus timetable (visit http://www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com/).
One more important item - cruise to Santorini, take hundreds of photos.