Astra Village Apartments

Despite some problems, Astra Village Apartments are pretty much an OK place to stay. Being two ladies on our own with two children, we requested an upper storey room when making the travel agent booking. However, we got given a ground floor room on the main walk way - which suffered from a slight cockroach infestation problem! On complaining to Cruella De Ville on Reception (that was our name for her anyway) she did arrange an immediate fumigation of the apartment, which seemed to do the trick. However, she was unable to grant our room move for a further three days (the next changeover day). We did eventually get moved to the second floor - to a room that had been burgled the previous evening! We are sure she did it on purpose because we had harangued her on several occasions about a move - hence her nickname!! However, following the installation of evening security guards (who, I believe, are on on duty until the end of the season) the nocturnal visits ceased and we could rest easy from about the Wednesday - a week after our arrival. I have to say there were no problems with cleanliness - the rooms were cleaned daily; linen was changed twice a week - pristinely clean, but a little worn; and loo rolls were provided (despite us having read previous reviews about them not being provided, and our buying our own). And the showers were always scalding hot and powerful. Beware of the pools however - they are quite small and there are not enough sunbeds. There was even a small war over the sunbeds (we were like the Germans placing towels on beds at 2am), so staff frequently removed them, and I think they were a little over-zealous with some of the chemicals used. We had an inexplicable rash until we went to the beach, when it mysteriously cleared up. Having said all that, by Greek standards, this is quite a good place to stay. Alex the barman is a diamond! Koutouloufari itself is delightful! A really quaint village, with twisting cobbled streets, excellent tavernas (try Patrikos - nice boss, happy staff!) and a visit to the Dutch pancake shop and the adjourning jewellers is a must. The silversmith is so very accommodating and made us loads of one-off designer pieces in a very small time frame. We will definitely be back!

Stayed at Astra Village in Koutalafari for 2 weeks this July. The bar staff were great, and despite having to play the towel game every morning to get a bed, the pools were clean. Europe as a whole is very expensive at the moment, and you won't get much change (if any at all) out of 10 euros for 2 drinks in Koutalafari or the surrounding villages (we were paying 5.50 each for a vodka and coke!). You'll get a better deal on food and drink in Hersonissos, but personally, we found it much like Stalis or a quiet version of Malia. The port and beach nearby didn't look too healthy, and there are loads of Irish bars and people trying to get you in with drink promotions in the evenings. We only ventured down there to get money! We found the restaurants all great in Koutalafari and Pikopiano. I would recomend Giannis, although is a little pricey, but service is second to none and also the View - fantastic for fresh fish. We never had a bad meal the whole time we were there - and found no need to go into Hersonissos as we were happy at our hotel pool in the day. Our room was basic but clean - the shower curtain could have done with a good scrub, and the standard wet room and rubbish shower, but we are used to that with Greece! Both sets of our neighbours during our stay had moved from the block at the back as it was really low (we were ground floor, but their rooms were much further down a hill) and apparently was really damp and fousty so try and avoid that block!! The air conditioning is pricey at 9 euros per day, so we suffered the restless nights until the last few when we couldn't cope any longer and gave in! I'mm sure if you are on a higher floor, that would be fine, but as we were on the ground we got no air. Also the safe is 17euros/week which we also through expensive as they can't even re-sell it as it is built into the room, so through was a bit cheeky to charge for it! Overall, lovely little hotel, bar staff really friendly and Gemma, our rep was really knowledgeable about the area too. Shame the resort is expensive, but you get what you pay for, much rather suffer the additional cash withdrawals than go to Hersonissos to eat and drink!

Had great 2 weeks at astra village. Had great apartment overlooking the sea, basic but clean. Lovely village with great restaurants and bars. Try the view, vinnies and galliana. Star beach is about 20 min walk away. Nightmare walking back up in the heat. Hotel bar is nice and staff very friendly.

This was our first holiday in Crete where we stayed at the Astra village apartments. We booked through Thompsons and were not given any options in respect of our rooms and the position of the room. Our room was above the bar overlooking the road to the front of the apartments, if you can help it don’t get one of these rooms (there are four) as it is extremely noisy from the road at the front, the fashion is to hire a 125 motor scooter and use this road like brands hatch and the road stays busy until at least three in the morning and if you suffer from asthma like I do the fumes don’t help. the bar was noisy until at least two in the morning and then you will be woken up by the cleaners at about six cleaning the bar dragging tables and chairs about. The Thompson’s rep was useless and the owners were not helpful either. on a brighter note although the room was very basic we did have maid service four times but the towels were only changed once during our 7 days stay. Wont be going back. Janette West Yorkshire.

We stayed for one night only so we were given one of the apartments at the basement of one of the three hotel buildings. It lacked any views, bar the floor outside, could not be properly aired and, quite naturally, had to have all windows and doors closed at night for reasons of safety. Which meant that air conditioning was absolutely necessary. However, we were not given any remote control and had to repeatedly ask for it, as the owner was away until late at night. Be careful if you book through Thomson's, there was no mention of the fact that air condition would be charged for on top of the room price. Moreover, we were not even given the option upon checking in; and trust me, closed windows and no air-condition in the end of July is unthinkable. The charge was 9 euros eventually (for one night). The room was not particularly stylish or anything, rather on the mass-touristy side and certainly did not have any Cretan furniture (of any era). One of the sheets had a huge whole, the pillows were Spartan-ly thin and the little airer outside the room was long due replacement. Better look elsewhere in Koutouloufari if you want to be sure of what you book for. Oh, and be sure not to miss "The Veggera" kafeneio in nearby Piskopiano for real home made Greek meze dishes. And a more general tip: get away from the overcrowded, overpriced, windy north; the real jewels lie in the south of the island.

I simply do not agree with the people who have called the hotel. Me and my girlfriend have been twice within in three months and we dont normally re visit hotels. The hotel was very clean, the rooms where of high quality and deserving of there 3* rating. The staff, including Alex, Nikki and Soula were all fab and made us feel more like family rather than guests. The whole staff work very hard and a little more respect from reviewers would in my opinion be deserving.

I have just returned from a lovely holiday after staying at the Astra Village and had a lovely time. I agree that the customer service of the reception staff is not up to scratch but that is only a little downside to the holiday. The bar staff of the bar is very good and very friendly. I must admit that the rooms were not to the standard you expect as a one bedroom apartment to me means a one bedroom separate from the living area but on arrival found this not to be the case. The village itself is very pretty but do be aware of the crazy motorcycles and cars that wizz through all day long. Had a terrible meal in the taverna next to the hotel on the corner, very expensive and made me feel very ill but do definitely recomment 'Emmanual' restaurant, fantastic food and i recommend the stuffed vine leaves for starter and the slow roasted lamb for the main meal. I also recommend hiring a car from Auto Motion as it was very cheal 80 euros for 4 days and the cars were new and clean. If you want to take a trip out and discover the undiscovered areas then take a trip Horseriding at Iraklion, the three hour trip up the mountains on lovely friendly horses is amazing but do expect to be sore the next morning. Included in the package is a three course meal which is better than some of the restraurants and all the wine you can drink but do be aware of the the crazy driver who picks you up as he thinks he is the only one who should be on the road. Otherwise I would definitely go to Crete again but maybe a different area eg. the quieter side of hersonniss.

Arrived home yesterday from Koutouloufari and wanted to make sure I added a review of the apts we stayed in for 2 weeks. As the title of my review suggests I am in total agreement of the last review posted regarding these apts - we however were a little luckier with the amount of towel changes we received! The bathroom in our apt was tiny and there was mould on all of the visable grout, the shower did alternate between hot and cold and I showered everytime trying to avoid being touched by the shower curtain just because the whole bathroom felt dirty. On the one occasion we went to speak with Lena at reception to ask from more toilet paper we were told in no uncertain terms that only one roll was provided on arrival, you had to go and buy your own - never heard of that one before!! I had read about the receptionist before going to Astra and everything everyone has written about her is correct - not what you really want! I wouldn't recommend these apts to anyone and had read some reviews on the internet before going but was very disappointed when we got there. On the flight home yesterday we sat next to a guy who had spent 2 weeks in Rethymnon - he said the beaches went on for miles, their hotel was lovely and had met a couple staying in different apts who liked their accomodation too, he also said that drinks and food were much cheaper than what we had been paying in koutouloufari and hersonnisos, so my advice would be to go there.

Chose to stay in Koutouloufari as it appeared to be a nice traditional village with the more lively resorts of Hersonnisos and Stalis nearby if you wanted a change. The Astra Village has an excellent location and the bar which is also open to the public is very nice. The pools are on the small side but fine and there are plenty of sunbeds although it can get a little crowded at times. Having stayed in Greece before I know that the accomodation is not of such a high standard but I can honsetly say that this accomodation is not 3 star, class A as advertised. The apratments are 2 star at best. They are basic: one plug socket in kitchen, a toaster, kettle and a hot plate with two hobs. A fridge which was not supposed to be moved off setting 2 which barely chilled anything (the cleaners must check this as ours was turned back down a couple of times!). The bathroom was very narrow and the shower was pretty awful. Almost everyday it would alternate between very hot and freezing cold. The bedroom had plenty of drawer space and an ok size wardrobe. The sheets on the bed were uncomfortable and almost like paper! The pillows looked ancient and just one per person was supplied. As for towels, the ones we were given looked old and had stains on them. Towel changes were totally infrequent, we went 5 days without a towel change and when I asked the receptionist/manager Lina she was very unhelpful and rude. The bins wern't changed every day as promised but they never went without being changed every 2 days. Basically the apartments could do with a good clean, although they are are not filthy they are a bit grimy in places and there is a good collection of dirt in the corner of every room and a couple of stains on the walls that looked like the rembrandts of dead bugs! Talking of which, I got bitten 33 times on the legs and after squashing 2 flea-like looking creatures in the apartment I cant say they are all down to mosquitos! This may have something to do with the fact that we had a ground floor apartment (Room 52 - not recommended as we shared it with spiders and lizards on occasions!) so make sure you ask for a pool view room. As for the village of Koutouloufari, very pretty with plenty of good restaurants around. There is the neighbouring village of Piskopiano which is also very good. We did more walking than we've done in our lives on this holiday as its a good base to explore Hersonissos and Old Hersonissos (past Piskopiano), Stalis (has the best beach), Malia (dont bother unless you love Blackpool), Ayios Nikalos etc which we really enjoyed. Preferred to spend our evenings in Koutouloufari in the end though. The water parks are really easy to get to, we went to Aqua plus which was good and Star Beach was good too but gets rowdier as the day wears on! Went on a trip with the holiday company we booked with to Elounda and Spinalonga. Much better off catching a bus to Elounda/ Plaka and getting a little boat across to the Island as we were on the boat for much of the time and only got to spend half an hour on the island out of the full day excursion! Spinalonga well worth a visit though. Loved the resort and plenty to do but our apartment needed to be cleaner and the manager needs a course in customer service! A week would be fine to spend here as in a good location but I found the two weeks too long in the end and was glad to come home to my nice clean house!

These apartments are decorated in traditional Cretan style and are very well equipped. The location is in the wonderful village of Koutouloufari in Northern Crete which has a great selection of traditional Greek tavernas, a handful of bars and sofisticated gift shops. If you want to experience a traditional Greek holiday with no British bars or tacky take aways then this is the place for you. Highly recommended and I will be booking for next year for my forth visit.