Testimonials
Why Our Guests Come Back:
“…Perfect!”
All as we wanted it. Perfect!
Pascal & Maria, October 2022
“A perfect starting point for our excursions!”
The place is very quiet and this house was ideal as a starting point for our various excursions!
Stephanie & Arnault, August 2022
“A wonderful place! We recommend 200%!”
The villa is really very beautiful and pleasant. the hosts are also the best, very discreet and helpful. This is a wonderful place. We recommend 200%!
Christophe, Julie & Cassandra, August 2022
“In reality, the house is even better than it looks in pictures.”
“We will keep this vacation among our most valuable memories.”
The location of the property is quiet with a fantastic view and a chance to relax, as well as enjoyable opportunities for the whole family (pool, table tennis, own “astronomical observatory” / roof terrace as well as cycling, hiking and fantastic beaches nearby. The hosts are very helpful and are available with advice and provide insider tips and equipment. We will keep this vacation among our most valuable memories. Our children aged 10 and 14 were also enthusiastic.
Denis, Julienne, Jamie & Lara August 2022
“A fantastic view of the surrounding area and the sea.”
The villa more than met all our expectations. We felt very comfortable here, which was also due to the very nice landlords Heidi and Richard. They were always available and very helpful with questions. Although not mentioned in the ad, there are air conditioning units in the bedrooms. The location is quiet and not only from the roof terrace you have a fantastic view of the surrounding area and the sea. You can reach the sea in 5-10 minutes by car. The most beautiful beaches of Crete, such as Elafonisi, Balos and Falassarna are almost around the corner.
Birgit & Jens, October 2022
“Richard stayed up into the small hours to guide us in from Chania and had a welcome glass of local aquavit to greet us.”
“The villa is cool, comfortable and stocked with everything, ensuring a very civilized stay.”
“We will come back for sure next year!!!"
Dear Heidi and Richard, thank you for having us! We’ve had an incredible time at Villa Koukouvayia The villa was equipped with everything you can guess. We have never been to such a perfect vacation home! Thank you for your tips where to go for dining, swimming … We miss Logan the dog and Oliver the cat, we miss the sound of the cicadas and especially me, i miss the swing! We will come back for sure next year!!! Kind regards from Hilli Marcus and Ben (the pool jumper)
Hilli, Marcus & Ben, July 2022
“A real home away from home.”
A great villa in tranquil peaceful setting, a real home away from home . Balconies have uninterrupted views. Richard and Heidi were very welcoming and helpful providing good local knowledge which helped us find less busy places with very good food. (Lovely cat and dog too) Thank you so much.
Vivien, David and Julia, July 2022
“Surrounded by countless olive trees.”
“The view of the sea bay and the clear starry sky are fantastic.”
"There is a surprising karma to this place. Thank you again for these wonderful moments…far from the tourist-tumult.”
A perfect vacation in a little corner of paradise where Richard and Heidi know how to serve you best with the utmost discretion and strict respect for your peace of mind. There is indeed a surprising karma in this place. Peace and tranquility are the key words. Thank you again for these wonderful moments spent in the villa Koukouvayia far from the tourist tumult of Crete.
David & Stephanie, August 2022
“Crete itself was perfect; the villa was the icing on the cake!"
This listing jumped out at us for the look of the villa and the convenient location. We couldn’t have asked for more – in fact, we were mildly amused at how carefully labelled everything was, including the lights all over the property. The owners live on site and appeared regularly to check all was well: Richard stayed up into the small hours to guide us in from Chania and had a welcome glass of local aquavit to greet us. The villa is cool, comfortable, and stocked with everything, ensuring a very civilised stay. Crete itself was perfect – the villa was the icing on the cake!
Eloise, Kevin & Family, June 2022
“Modern, clean and comfortable.”
“All you need are the clothes on your back.”
“Highly recommend it!”
A Memorable Vacation! We loved staying at the Villa Koukouvayia. The hosts were incredibly hospitable, available and lovely. Our large and busy family had plenty of room to relax and explore while being together for meals and outings. The house is beautiful, unique and the views are fantastic. We loved the rooftop terrace, watching the night sky every night and taking a dip in the pool in the morning before heading out for a day at the beach or Chania. We will definitely be coming back if we go back to Crete. Highly recommend it!
Denise, Alex & Family, August 2021
“Could not recommend enough!!”
Lovely, perfect! We adored the villa. We truly had the best time. The property is wonderful (the pool! the view! the balconies! the roof terrace!) and the house comfortable. It was stocked with everything we needed, from kitchenware to coolers and gear for the beach. Everything was as listed, and we found the location is perfect for trips to favorite beaches hikes in the hills, and day trips to Chania and Rethymnon. Richard’s commitment to open and frequent communication made for an effortless booking and a comfortable stay. We would come here again in a heartbeat. Could not recommend enough!!
Carly, Amy, Alex & Paul, July 2021
“The villa was equipped with everything you can guess. We have never been to such a perfect vacation home!”
“We’ve had an incredible time at Villa Koukouvayia and you were amazing hosts!
“Heidi and Richard were amazing…they really cared about us being comfortable in the house."
We spent two weeks at this house. Our hosts, Heidi and Richard, were really amazing regarding any questions or feedback and really kind to us. Even before we arrived, we were asked about any sort of special needs or wishes. At our arrival, they introduced us to the house and explained everything we needed to know. They also had put some things in the fridge, so we didn’t have to go out and buy groceries that day. During the stay they did check ups on us and really cared about us being comfortable in the house. Since they also lived on the site, they were always available. The house is amazing, the equipment is very good. In reality, the house is even better than it looks on pictures. Everything is very tidy and clean, inside and outside. They have a playful cat named Oliver and a nice and polite dog named Logan. Shopping, grocery shops and the beach can be reached within minutes with a car. We want to thank for the hospitality and highly recommend this house!
Tino & Family, July 2022
“The hosts are very friendly and knowledgeable; they have a passion for Crete and its wonderful culture.”
We had an excellent time exploring around the Kissamos/Chania area and this property made getting to many of the interesting beaches & attractions in the area easily accessible and stress free. The property and house are family friendly, and we felt welcomed there and used a lot of the gear, games, and equipment available. We liked how private the house is, the views of the sea are amazing and it’s close enough to local restaurants too. We can’t say enough about the relaxing and private vibe of this property! We were able to see the ‘arms’ of the Milky Way galaxy at night because the night sky is so clear – a rarity in Europe! The hosts are very friendly and knowledgeable; they have a passion for Crete and its wonderful culture.
Leslie, Chris & Family, June 2022
“In reality, the house is even better than it looks in pictures.”
“ A great villa in a tranquil, peaceful setting.”
“The house book was incredibly complete.”
We visited the property a couple of weeks ago and found it to be just as advertised, if not better. The only disappointment was that Richard and Heidi were not there that week; however their substitute host Giorgos was great, even inviting us into his home for some drinks and snacks (and so his granddaughter could play with our son). Everything you could possibly need was at the property and the house book was incredibly complete. We had a fabulous time and hope to return in the future.
Amanda & Allen, October 2021
“We will definitely come back!”
A wonderful stay at Villa Koukouvayia! We spent a bit more than a week at Villa Koukouvayia and have felt like we were at home from day one. The house is very well taken care of by Heidi and Richard who are extremely attentive to the well being of their guests. The house is fully equipped (very impressive) and Heidi and Richard will also give you access to a very welcome range of accessories (umbrella, beach gear, bikes , ping pong table, binoculars….). But most importantly, Heidi and Richard will give you very good tips for your visits in the region if you ask them (and you should!). More than host, they are friends (not even mentioning Logan, their nice dog who loved to play with the kids and vice versa). We will definitely come back!
Julien, Chloe & Sons, August 2021
“We felt like we were at home from day one.”
“The pool! The view! The balconies! The roof terrace!”
“Take time to lie on the roof terrace and watch the Milky Way and lots of shooting stars.”
Fabulous place! This is the most lovely house run by the most helpful couple. We made the mistake of staying here before moving on to another house along the coast. We were completely spoiled by this house and nothing after this on our vacation came even close. Everything you can think of was provided to make our stay wonderful. The house is immaculate, with such thought and care gone into making it so. Richard and Heidi were hospitable and discreet at the same time. They gave us wonderful information about the area, gave us wine to try and melons from their garden. Take time to lie on the roof terrace and watch the Milky Way and lots of shooting stars. Wish we’d stayed here longer. Hopefully we’ll be back. Thanks very much indeed.
Alison, Alistair & Family, August 2020
“Ideally located for visiting western Crete.”
Magnificent cottage in the olive trees! Ideally located for visiting western Crete, we appreciated this perfectly equipped villa with the added human qualities of its owners Richard and Heidi. So close but always discreet, at our disposal to provide us with ideas for visits and walks adapted to the age of our daughters and off the beaten track, or to recommend taverns, each one better than the next. The children were able to enjoy the swimming pool and play with the dog Logan while we had an aperitif on the roof terrace with a 360° view of the surrounding mountains. We also appreciated being able to use the bikes to get bread in the morning or the cooler for picnics on the beach. After a strenuous walk in the Aradena gorges, we were able to rest in peace with the only background noise the sound of cicadas… and end the day with a short walk in the olive trees. We thank again Richard and Heidi for their welcome as well as for the aperitif of the last evening. A precious address!
Sandrine, Florent & Family, August 2020
“We miss Logan the dog, and Oliver the cat!”
“Kind regards from Ben (the pool jumper!)”
“Thank you, Heidi and Richard, you made our one week holiday a great experience!”
Perfect! Everything was perfect, the hosts really very friendly and helpful, the house contained literally everything we needed. I’ve never have been to a holiday rental that well equipped. The hosts gave us good advices about where to go, which taverns really serve local food – thank you, Heidi and Richard, you made our one week holiday a great experience! Advice to all future visitors: don’t buy anything before you arrived at the apartment as you will find much more than you will expect and, by the way, you can drink the tab water and you will not need any plastic bottled water.
Hans & Helen, January 2020
“Owners were attentive…and enormously helpful.”
The property was exactly as described: Well-equipped and in a perfect location with lovely 360 views. The owners were attentive and a great source of knowledge if you are after an authentic ‘local’ experience. We were there for only one week and did not want to waste time finding the best of this and that – Their guidance were enormously helpful.
Wilma, Stephan & Family, August 2020
“We liked how private the house is.”
“We can’t say enough about the relaxing and private vibe of this property!”
“The house is very comfortable and furnished with great attention to detail.”
Great vacation. Everything was great, Richard and Heidi were very nice and helpful. They gave us many tips on where to eat and relax. Richard was also at our side with advice and action on hikes and their planning. The house is very comfortable and furnished with great attention to detail, we felt very comfortable. The view from the roof terrace is fantastic.
Lars, Jeanine & Family, October 2019
“And not to forget Logan, the well behaved dog who likes everyone and understands both Greek and English commands!
Rarely have we met such a perfect house and such helpful and friendly hosts. Everything is available, from the initial fridge set to beach towels to the much-used grill. The landlords, Heidi and Richard, remain discreetly in the background, but are available for questions about the island, e.g. shopping, hiking tours, beautiful beaches and also for a little chat always available. And not to forget: Logan, the well behaved dog, who likes everyone and understands both Greek and English commands! In short: Villa Koukouvayia is highly recommended.
Ranier, Marita & Maren, October 2019
“The perfect base for our exploration of Western Crete.”
“Olive Grove Paradise!”
“The villa is a gem and certainly value for money.“
Olive Grove Paradise! We thoroughly enjoyed our two week stay at Villa Koukouvayia . It was the perfect base for our exploration of Western Crete. Our hosts are expats from Maine, USA and have lived in Kissamos for a number of years. Initially, I did wonder whether it would be better to have local hosts, but in retrospect I am satisfied that our hosts were the best choice. In their time in Kissamos they have developed a wide number of contacts and they were able to provide a wealth of local information and valuable advice for the overseas visitor. In itself, this is truly a home away from home. They have been thoughtful and have anticipated every need. It is modern, clean and comfortable, literally, all you need are the clothes on your back and food. The tranquillity was overwhelming. Imagine looking out from every vantage point to see the twinkling Mediterranean and olive groves as far as the eye can see, waking up to the chime of bells in distant churches and in the evening the sound of crickets chirping in the groves. Imagine walking through the groves to local cafes, tavernas and shops and going home to jump in the pool on a hot afternoon. Far enough away from mainstream Kissamos to experience all these things, it is conveniently close enough if needs be. Your hosts are accessible if you want but if isolation is what you crave, you can have that too. This villa is a gem and certainly value for money.
Helen, Rob & Ange, September 2019
“Coming end of October/begin of November turned out to be an even luckier decision than we thought.”
Just perfect. If you want an authentic Crete experience while enjoying quietness in a super comfortable environment, this is the perfect location to go. Placed within olive groves and providing splendid views from any of the three verandas and balconies, the house couldn’t be more happily situated. Plus, you can limit your luggage to the essential – everything’s already there and at your disposal. For us this has even included a filled fridge as Richard and Heidi took the pain to take care of the challenges to manage a late arrival on our behalf to give us a relaxing holiday start. Coming end of October/begin of November turned out to be an even luckier decision than we thought. The weather was just awesome, allowing for swimming in the still very warm ocean at almost empty beaches in both Falassarna and Elefonisi while enabling us to hike in the mountaints and gorges without suffering too much from the heat and enjoying the unfolding green. The colder nights rewarded us with a starry skyes to watch at and the house stayed comfortably warm. So, we will return in late fall/early winter to stay away from the crowds, snuggling up at our very own Villa and enjoying the re-greening nature.
Antje, Markus & Bjarne, November 2019
“Heidi and Richard…know the region and the needs of their guests perfectly”
“A relaxing, authentically Greek holiday, with a touch of luxury.”
“We loved it here! A big thank you to Richard & Heidi.”
Beautiful Villa & Perfect Hosts! From their pre-arrival communications with easy to follow directions and reassuring contact phone numbers, to their final farewell with a bottle of olive oil made with fruit from the villa’s trees, the owners, Richard and Heidi, had done everything to ensure we had a relaxing, authentically Greek holiday, with a touch of luxury. Everything has been thought through for you. The kitchen is well equipped and has basic foodstuffs stocked up prior to arrival. Bathrooms are spacious. Bedrooms more than comfortable. Plug sockets are plentiful and even some adaptors provided. Wifi was good. Etc, etc… But this villa is all about the outside space. A covered verandah surrounds three sides of the building, so there is always sun or shade to choose from. Each bedroom and the first floor bathroom have balconies, the main bedroom balcony being huge, and there is a rooftop terrace reached by a cast iron spiral staircase from that main bedroom balcony. There’s an infinity plunge pool – big enough to splash about in and cool off after a trip out, and the surrounding olive trees hum to the constant song of cicadas. We loved it here! A big thank you to Richard & Heidi.
David, Bernie & Lilly August 2019
“Our 8th stay on the island and this accommodation tops the list.”
5 star stay! What can I say?… for us, services far superior to previous peak rentals, both in terms of reception and the comfort and environment of the villa. This was our 8th stay on the island and this accommodation tops the list. We were delighted with the welcome we received from Richard and Heidi. Very discreet during our stay but concerned about our well-being; they guided us on the visit of new atypical places, in line with our desires. The house is perfectly well equipped and of exceptional functionality; Richard and Heidi have really thought about the comfort of their guests. The location is ideally placed for visiting the western ridge (5 minutes from the national road); Its location, in the middle of olive trees, on the heights of a small village with all amenities, offers a breathtaking view of the bay of Kissamos and the mountains. The private infinity pool allowed us to refresh ourselves while enjoying the view. It should also be noted that the owners leave multiple equipment available; barbecue, diving mask, cooler, backpack, bike… A perfect rental for 5 people!!
Olivier, Sabine and Children, August, 2019
“More than a perfect stay!”
“Perfect to visit the west of Creta (Balos, Elafonisi, gorges of the south, etc.)”
“Everything you need: from beach towels to children's toys to top kitchen equipment and lots of toys for the beach.”
Just perfect! Absolutely recommended. We spent 12 wonderful days in the villa with our two-year-old son. The house is very quiet, surrounded by countless olive trees. Both the view of the sea bay and the clear starry sky are fantastic and ensure the best relaxation. The many balconies and the beautiful roof terrace offer plenty of space to linger and enjoy the peace and quiet. The deep pool and a waterfall kept us cool. In the basement there is even a table tennis table that you can use. The equipment of the house is fantastic. There really is everything you need. From hand/beach towels to children’s toys to top kitchen equipment and lots of tools for the beach. And if something is missing, Richard tries to get it. Heidi and Richard are super friendly, uncomplicated and extremely helpful hosts. They are very open-minded and were always interested in our well-being and always asked if everything was ok. They give great tips for the area, for shopping or restaurants. Logan, the child-loving dog was another highlight for our son. The most beautiful beaches of Crete can be reached in 30 minutes by car. The nearest beach is only 7 minutes by car. The nearest small supermarket is 3 minutes by car or 15 minutes on foot. In short, we can absolutely recommend Villa Koukouvayia.
Michelle, Dirk & baby Lean, September 2021
“Richard and Heidi are ideal hosts, providing advice that enhanced our trip in a hundred different ways.”
Perfection in Crete. Living the dream! I can’t say enough about our wonderful stay at Villa Koukouvayia!! Everything was perfection. The house was spotless, and our hosts, Heidi and Richard, were incredibly thoughtful and attentive about even the smallest details. When you rent a home for 2 months (like we did in Crete), even a minor, unsavory surprise with your rental can ruin your trip, but everything here was even better than it looks in the pictures. It was such a relief to arrive and find everything better than we expected. Additionally, my background is in microbiology, and I have very high standards for the homes we rent. We have rented all over the world and Villa Koukouvayia is now by far our favorite vacation home rental. There are spectacular views from all seven terraces. It is the ultimate retreat. We were able to have the slow, lazy days by the pool or at a local beach, fabulous dining experiences, and amazing outdoor adventures. Both my husband and I worked part of the time we were in Crete, and the internet was very good. We could not have been more delighted with our stay and our time in Crete. The home had plenty of space for our family. The villa has both great gathering areas and plenty of room to spread out for privacy or for working. Richard and Heidi are ideal hosts. They provided invaluable advice that enhanced our trip in a hundred different ways. We are fortunate to have rented their home and now to be their friends. This was literally a dream vacation.
Jennifer, Tyler & Family, August 2021
“Breathtaking view of the bay of Kissamos and the mountains.”
+30 (698) 486-9490 
+1 (207) 513 0133