The Village Holiday Club

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We stayed at this complex via CLC who rent rooms at this resort for members. The resort is not owned by CLC and is under Club Greece management. The complex is in the centre of the delightful village of Koutouloufari. On stepping into reception we were greeted by a very friendly lady, who welcomed us with a smile. As we were very early, we did not expect to have access to our room, but were delighted when told that it was ready. Whilst my husband was being shown where to park the car, I was advised that the reception area was part of the original dwelling house owned by a farmer, his wife and seven daughters. They also owned the olive grove at the back, where the apartments are now situated. Many of the original olive trees still exist in the gardens, alongside mature firs and other more recent mature planting. The small guest library still has the original fire used for cooking and the wine cellar was one of the two bedrooms. We were given a folder with information on the resort and trips, car hire etc and given the key to our room (No. 11). Our cases were taken to our room where we were shown how to work the TV and air conditioning. We were not asked for any credit card deposit.
Our apartment was basic and had a rustic village theme throughout with stone tiled floors, white walls and green décor. The windows were shuttered and kept the apartment cool even on the hottest of days. We loved it from the moment we arrived until we reluctantly left to go to Leoniki Residence. You entered straight into the lounge from French windows, where there was the usual ‘L’ shaped configuration for sleeping (suitable for children only), a small kitchen/dining area separated by a small partition with a table and four chairs at the far end. The kitchen area was small and didn’t have a microwave, but it did have a small portable type oven that I didn’t use, so can’t comment if it was good or not. There was cutlery, glasses, crockery for 4 people, saucepans etc. There was washing up liquid, scourer and drying cloth provided, but nothing else in the way of coffee, tea etc. The air conditioning unit was on the wall and the controls were fixed within a plastic container on the wall. There was no iron provided in the apartment, however you could get one from reception. There was only two of us staying, so we did not find it cramped.
The bedroom was a good size with, king size bed, two bedside tables, large wardrobe and plenty of drawer space. The dressing table was an alcove cut into the wall with a mirror above. A mozzie repellent machine with tablets was provided, but we didn’t really need this. There was also an air conditioning unit that was controlled by the main unit in the kitchen area. A further large wardrobe was in the small hallway and another double in the lounge area, so plenty of space for clothes. The bathroom was small but adequate, with shower over the bath, hair dryer and shelf above the wash hand basin. We did have a slight problem with the water cooling after 7.30pm, but this was soon sorted out. We were advised that the immersion heater kicked in after a certain time, before that the water was solar heated. Plenty of toiletries were provided and these were regularly replaced by the maids after each visit.
There was a lovely sunny patio area with a view over the roof tops to the sea, with a table and four modern director type chairs and clothes dryer. Lots of time spent here, watching the cats run up and down the trunk of the knarled old tree, to catch the cicadas for their dinner. If you don’t like cats, then you may not like this resort as each apartment had its own resident cats, who waited for you each morning to get up and were waiting for you when you returned. They would come inside the apartment and were obviously used to being fed and I must admit we did give them milk and bits, but we didn’t actually go out and buy cat food. They were very tame and quite nice to have around.
Although the patio was not private, as people walked past to get to the pool area, it had a special something and we never felt that are privacy was compromised in any way. The place was so peaceful and relaxing, I wish I was there now.
MAID SERVICE: Every other day, with towel change and linen change.
POOL TOWELS: Not provided by resort. There are plenty of cheap beach towels to buy from the many shops in the area for about 4.50 Euro.
SAFE: In room for a charge of 12 Euro per week - (non refundable).
ATM’s: None in Koutouloufari – plenty in Hersonissos along with banks and exchange facilities. Reception have an exchange service.
The resort is very quiet and peaceful, with a small swimming pool, pool bar/ taverna. There is only a limited amount of space around the pool and not many sun beds. There was no play area for children or separate section of the pool. There is also a jacuzzi (inside) that looked as if it had seen better days and also a sauna and these had to be booked an hour in advance. I would say the resort is more geared to adults, however the beach is about 15 mins away by car and there are at least two waterparks close by
We did not eat in the resort, so cannot comment. Breakfast is available and pool snacks from the pool bar during the day. The lobby bar is open in the evening and is in the same place as reception, with a pleasant outside seating area.
FOR CHILDREN: Nothing.
GROUNDS: Clean and well maintained with an authentic Greek atmosphere.
About 10 mins by car or 20-25 mins walk you come to Hersonissos. The first impressions we got of this resort was from our hotel on the first day. As we walked over the main road to the beach area, we had to walk through a complex called Star Beach, which had free sun beds, bar etc. We were met by extremely loud music, topless female holidaymakers dancing in foam and a bungee jump. There are masses of quad bikes racing around the roads, that have been hired out for the day or week. They reminded me of something out of a futuristic movie such as Mad Max. There are many different types and not a lot of regard to safety of the drivers or pedestrians. It got better a little further along the beachfront and we noticed that there were quite a lot for children, however, we were not sure if this was part of a resort complex. Another day we walked into Hersonissos from the resort, straight down the hill and we came to the harbour area, which is worth a visit. There is also a huge waterpark situated close to the beach front. .
The village of Koutouloufari is a delight, with block paved streets, cobbled stone alleyways and traditional architecture. There is no litter and no blaring music. There are numerous restaurants, tavernas and bars, alongside souvenir shops and small supermarkets and so there is no need for a taxi ride to take you out to eat. It is a world away from the brasher resorts of Malia and Hersonissos.
Further along the road, there are two other villages, Piskopiano and Hersonissos Old Village. Piskopiano is now no more than an extension to Koutouloufari and Hersonissos Old Village is a little further on. They are both worth a visit and have some good restaurants to try. The Old Village is more authentic with a picturesque square and traditional taverns lining the sides. They do a lot of cooking in large ovens here and you can see your food being prepared. It takes about 20 mins to walk in the evening and the road is flat. Many of the older buildings have been sympathetically renovated to blend in and all the villages have strict planning rules in place, so there is no high rise buildings or modern establishments allowed.
TRIPS AND SIGHTSEEING:
As we had a car for the duration of our holiday, we went out every other day. Can recommend Sissi, Agios Nikolaos, Ammoundara and further along the coast towards Ierapetra.
RESTAURANTS WE TRIED:
MYRTIOS: Traditional restaurant in Hersonissos Old Village. Varied menu, with speciality meals cooked in pots in the coal fired oven.
NIKOS THE FISHER: Home made food cooked to order in Koutouloufari. Looks very basic from outside, but once inside the place is amazing with little rooms all over the place. There is also a roof top terrace.
GALINI: The most touristy one we tried in Koutouloufari. However this should not put you off as it is recommend on the ‘net’. The waiters are very theatrical and make a big thing about serving the dishes in different receptacles. I had a chicken dish and it was served in a huge shell. Plenty of choice and the wine is good.
VINNIES GARDEN: This serves snacks (we did not eat here), and is a lovely bar that has been renovated in the modern Greek style to blend in with the surroundings. It has a relaxing atmosphere and good service. The owners are usually there and make you very welcome. This is next to the Galini restaurant.
There are so many other restaurants in Koutouloufari and the two villages, that you will be spoilt for choice. The better ones are the ones that do not have pictures of plates of food – why do restaurants do this – do they think we are so stupid we can’t read as everything is in English as well as other languages.
Would love to go back to this resort one day.