Escape to Paradise: Elounda Olea Villas & Apartments, Crete
Paradise Found? Maybe. Elounda Olea Villas & Apartments: A Review from the Trenches (and a Few Cocktails Later)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. I'm back from Crete, sun-kissed and slightly sun-stroked, and ready to spill all the (slightly messy) beans on Elounda Olea Villas & Apartments. I’m talking real, unfiltered reviews here, not some polished brochure crap. I'm talking… experiences. And trust me, there were many.
First Impressions: The Good, The Slightly Annoying, and the OMG-This-Is-Gorgeous.
Landing in Crete, the air itself felt different. Hot, fragrant, and promising… of something. Elounda Olea promises paradise, no question, and the initial wow factor is undeniably strong. The villas are perched on a hillside, all clean lines and that signature Aegean blue. The pool with a view? Yeah, it's the real deal. You're looking out across the bay, sipping a cocktail, and feeling like you've accidentally wandered into a luxury postcard. Seriously, Instagram eats it up.
But look, let's be real. Getting there? (Here comes my first, minor rant). Airport transfer, a must, but traffic was a beast, taking what felt like an eternity. And while the check-in/out [private] sounded fancy, it ended up feeling a bit…awkwaard. The staff, bless their hearts, were lovely, but the process, honestly, felt a bit slow. Small gripe, though, because once I was in, I was in.
Accessibility (or Lack Thereof): A Mixed Bag.
Now, the elephant in the room. Accessibility. This is where things get a bit…complicated. The website boasts "Facilities for disabled guests," which always piques my interest. In reality, the layout is hilly, with lots of steps. And while the staff are incredibly accommodating (more on that later), it's not exactly a breeze for anyone with mobility issues. So, if your needs are significant, definitely contact the hotel directly beforehand for clarification. Honestly, I spent half my time chasing down the staff for one particular group to help them find their way to the nearest villa, that was an adventure to watch. It made them feel a bit stranded.
The Room: My Oasis (and the Mystery of the Extra Toilet).
My room? A villa with… an additional toilet? Why? I have no idea. But hey, it was there. The air conditioning was a godsend, the free Wi-Fi worked like a dream (essential for, you know, researching more cocktails), and the blackout curtains were perfect for those cheeky afternoon naps (essential for, you know, surviving the holiday). The extra-long bed was a win; nothing worse than dangling feet. The bathrobes? Luxurious, fluffy goodness. I mostly lived in them. What I also liked about the room was the desk, I ended up doing quite a lot of work from it, but it was a great view, nonetheless.
One small hiccup: the smoke detector. Every time I got a little too enthusiastic with the essential oils, the thing chirped. A minor nuisance, but it added to the quirky charm of the place.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Stomach's Journey.
Alright, food. This is where things truly get interesting. Restaurants? Plural. Poolside bar? Obviously. The breakfast [buffet] was a feast for the eyes (and belly). Tons of choices! There was the usual: breads, pastries, fruit and yogurt. But you could find something to enjoy, no doubt about it. The Asian breakfast was a surprise, but was a welcome change and very unique. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was available all day long, which was very useful for my colleagues and I that came along. Then there was the Happy hour – a must. The cocktails were strong, the view even stronger, and the general vibe… pure bliss. The alternative meal arrangement was also very important for my colleagues.
The a la carte in restaurant was a delight! We ate at the Vegetarian restaurant which was a very pleasant experience. I would strongly advise to try the salads on the menu. The desserts were to die for! Every single one of them!
Important note: The hotel uses individually-wrapped food options in a bid to mitigate the virus spread. It was a little disappointing at first, but you get used to it.
Ways to Relax: The Pamper Parade.
This is where Elounda Olea truly shines. The Spa is heaven. I spent an obscene amount of time there. The Sauna, the Steamroom, the massage – all top-notch. I actually snuck in a body scrub and a body wrap (don't judge!). The pool with a view is not just for show; it's also perfect for lounging. I mean, duh.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, You Know, Life.
On the whole, I felt supremely safe. The team is taking the pandemic stuff seriously. They provide hand sanitizers all over the place. Their staff trained in safety protocol was noticeable. The rooms sanitized between stays made us feel safe. The measures put in place made the stay feel reassuring.
Things to Do: Beyond the Pool (if you can tear yourself away).
Okay, so the pool and spa are major draws. But for the slightly more adventurous souls (or, you know, those who need a break from all the pampering), Elounda has some tricks up its sleeve. You can easily arrange a day-trip to Spinalonga (the nearby island with a fascinating history). The concierge is super helpful with recommendations and bookings. Elounda itself is charming – boutiques, tavernas, and that irresistible, salty sea air.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter.
The front desk [24-hour] is a game-changer. The daily housekeeping was spot-on. The laundry service saved my wardrobe (and my sanity). The concierge was beyond helpful; he was a life-saver. The car park [free of charge] worked great too.
Getting Around: Navigating the Terrain.
As mentioned before, unless you plan on spending your days inside the hotel (which is also fine), you'll want easy ways to get around. The car park [on-site] and car park [free of charge] are great. The taxi service is also very useful.
Overall Verdict: Worth It, with a Few Caveats.
So, is Elounda Olea Villas & Apartments paradise? Almost. The views are stunning, the villas are gorgeous, and the spa is divine. But, be aware of the accessibility issues, and be prepared for a slightly slower initial check-in/out. Overall I rate the experience an 8 out of 10. It’s a fantastic place to unwind, recharge, and maybe, just maybe, forget about everything else for a while. And, hey – who doesn’t need that?
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're doing this. Elounda. Olea Villas. Greece. Here we go… and honestly, I’m already stressed about the packing. This is going to be epic, or a spectacular train wreck. Either way, I'm making a diary out of this!
Elounda Olea Villas & Apartments: Chavania, Greece - The "Escape from Reality… Maybe a Little Bit" Itinerary
Pre-Trip Anxiety (Three Weeks Out)
Day 1 (Packing Hell): "Right, clothes. Sunscreen. A good book… wait, what's that, another email from my boss? Ugh." The eternal struggle. Laying everything out. Immediately realizing I've overpacked. Panic sets in. Decide to channel my inner Marie Kondo… promptly fail. Fold a shirt, shove it in a suitcase, declare "Done!". Need a stiff drink already. This travel stuff… it's a bit much.
Day 2 (Currency Conundrum): "Euros, damn it! Where did I put my international credit card? Did I remember to tell the bank I was going? Oh god, the bank. Need to do this now." The endless quest for the correct currency. Feeling like a fool.
The Journey (Let's Get This Over With)
Day 3 (Airport Chaos): "Traffic. Always traffic. Why is there ALWAYS traffic? Boarding pass…Passport…Phone…Wait where is my phone?! Oh here. The airport's a sea of stressed faces and rolling luggage. This is not a "vacation." This is a test of my resolve. The "security line" is also a test of my shoe-removal abilities. Barely made it through with my dignity and my socks.
Day 3 (Arrival & Villa Bliss, Kinda…): "Finally. Landed. Breathe. The air smells amazing, full of salty and herby notes. That's a good sign, right? Waiting. The transfer. Finally we get to the Olea Villas. Ooooooh. Instagram-worthy. The view from the balcony is breathtaking. And the pool? Glorious. I might live there. Except for the stairs. Those stairs are going to be the death of me. Did I mention I got lost finding the keys.
Day 3 (First Evening - Taverna Tantrums… and Triumph): "First night! Time for a traditional Greek dinner. This is it!. We find a charming little tavern, the kind of place that smells of grilled seafood and garlic. Ordered a bunch of stuff… and then the waitress, bless her, got my order wrong. I was irate (hangry). But, in the end, it was delicious. Truly. Best grilled octopus I've ever had. Watching the sunset over the bay, with a glass of wine… pure magic. Forget the airport stresses. Forget the stairs. This is why we came.
Days 4-6: Exploring (and Eating. Mostly Eating.)
Day 4 (Elounda Town & Spinalonga Island - Historical Overload… and Ice Cream.): "Okay, history time. Spinalonga. The leper colony. I thought it would be morbid, and yeah, it was. But also fascinating. The resilience of the people who lived there… incredible. I had to take a moment afterwards to myself. Had to. Then, a glorious, sugary reward: the best pistachio ice cream of my life in Elounda town.
Day 5 (Lazy Beach Day - Sun, Sand, and a Near-Disaster…): "Beach day! Found a little cove. Bliss. Sun. Sand. Swimming. Thought I was being all graceful in the water. Turns out I am a terrible swimmer and almost drowned. A local fisherman had to haul me out. Mortifying. But also, now a fun story? Plus, the guy was cute. So, maybe it wasn't ALL bad." Note to self: take swimming lessons.
Day 6 (Boat Trip & Seafood Feast - The Sea's Bounty… and My Stomach's): "Splurged on a boat trip! Hopping around the bay to hidden coves and swimming in turquoise water. It was stunning. Lunch, some fresh seafood that was to die for… then my stomach went to war. Maybe I overdid the ouzo? The rest of the day was spent recovering. Lesson: pace yourself. The sea and I have a complicated relationship nowadays. But the fresh red snapper was worth it. Almost."
Days 7-9: Relaxation, Reflection… and More Food
Day 7 (Villa Tranquility & Poolside Prosecco - Just Breathe): "Finally! Time to do absolutely nothing. Lounging by the pool. Reading. Napping. Another glass of wine. This is what I came here for, right? Letting go of my worries and just.. being." Started to actually feel like I could breathe again.
Day 8 (Cooking Class & Kitchen Catastrophes…): "Signed up for a cooking class! Figured I could impress everyone with my newfound Greek culinary skills. Disaster. I burnt the dolmades. Accidentally set fire alarm, I think. My co-cook, a sweet, elderly woman, just giggled. Still, we somehow salvaged the meal, and the tzatziki was surprisingly good. Maybe I could fool my friends back home."
Day 9 (Last Supper & Sunset Sobbing): "Our last night already?! Where did the time go? The sunset tonight was the most beautiful I have ever had. Said some tearful goodbyes to the pool, and the view, and the air. One last dinner in Elounda, savoring every bite. Thinking how lucky I've been.
The Departure (Goodbye, for Now)
Day 10 (Airport Apocalypse… Round Two): "Goodbye, Olea Villas. Bye Bye Greece. The same airport chaos, the same security line, the same stress. This time, I'm prepared. Kind of. At least I have a tan and some amazing memories. And another bottle of local olive oil to bring home."
Day 10 (Reflections on the Flight): "On the plane, looking out at the clouds. Already missing the food, the sun, the sea. Thinking about all the things I've learned (and eaten). This trip wasn't perfect. But it was real. And messy. In its way, that's the best kind of trip. Til next time Greece!"
I'm completely lost. What *is* this thing, anyway?
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Right. And what exactly qualifies *you* to answer anything? Are you, like, an expert?
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Are you going to talk about politics? Because, honestly, I'm already tired of it.
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How often will you update this? Will it ever end?
