See all hotels in Crete

All hotels have been independently reviewed by our expert writers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. We will earn a commission if you book via the links below, but this never affects our rating.

Check availability

Rooms from
£
0
per night

Check-in

Check-out

Occupancy

Rates provided by
Booking.com

White River Cottages

Crete, Greece

Expect rustic charm with a good dose of comfort at this family-friendly country cottage retreat, located along a bamboo-lined lane in the unspoilt eastern region of Crete, close to Makrigialos’ sheltered sandy beaches. Rooms have self-catering facilities and there’s a tree-shaded central pool.

Location

8 / 10

You’ll need a car to get here. The Sitia airport (which has car hire options) is around 21kms (13 miles) away. The cottages are along a lane on a (signposted) turn off from the main Ierapetra to Sitia road (no chance of getting lost - they send detailed arrival information). Hikers will enjoy the two- to three-hour hike up to the herb-strewn Pefki gorge - the village has a folk museum and several taverns.

The palm forest and beach at Vai is around 56kms (35 miles) away, as is Toplou Monastery where they produce award-winning wine. Boats run daily from Makrigialos harbour to the sandy beaches of uninhabited Koufonisi island. 

Style and Character

8 / 10

The hotel is a small hamlet of authentically restored square stone cottages along a rural lane dotted with olive groves and carob trees. A table under vines is the reception area. A winding path lined with shrubs and sweet-smelling flowers leads into the secret heart of the hobbit-like stone house complex which clusters around an attractive pool and a (partially covered) communal area. Most areas have glorious views over the olive groves to a glimpse of shimmering sea beyond.

Service and Facilities

7 / 10

Check in is prompt and informative: staff are from the local area so they give plenty of information on things to see and do. There is someone at reception until mid-afternoon – after that there’s a number to call. The medium-sized (unheated) pool is surrounded by sunbeds and there are parasols and plenty of trees for shade. The (slighty weary-looking) partially open air communal area has seating, along with some thumbed-through leaflets about the local area and a TV (rooms don’t have them).

  • Pool
  • Wi-Fi

Rooms

8 / 10

There are 13 stone cottages in three categories (studios and small, and large cottages) set into a rocky hillside. Cottages were metochis where families stayed when harvesting their olives. They’ve been renovated to maintain their local style: small windows and dim, cool, whitewashed interiors; thigh-sized roof beams; natural stone walls grafted onto the surroundings rocks; and stable-like front doors opened with weighty iron keys.

Rooms have terraces (though note that some are small and lack privacy). The decor is rustic, with lots of varnished wood, local embroidery in glass cases, antique oil lamps, cane-back chairs and (hard) mattresses on stone pedestals. Small bathrooms have walk-in showers. Open-plan studios for two are fine if you plan to spend most of your time outdoors. Families will prefer the two-room cottages with a main bedroom, sofabeds in the living room and large (private) terraces.  

Food and Drink

They don’t have room service and there’s no restaurant – it’s a one-kilometre walk to Makrigialos, which has plenty. All rooms have well-equipped kitchenettes with two-ring hobs, mini ovens and plenty of china and cutlery (and Greek cookery books to give inspiration). A nicely presented welcome tray has local Toplou wine, eggs and jams; there’s sugar and coffee in the cupboard and milk in the fridge.

Value for Money

8 / 10

Studios from €80 (£72) in low season; and from €150 (£135) in high, on a self-catering basis. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Not suitable – it’s in a hillside setting with many steps and narrow doors.

Family-Friendly?

Yes; larger cottages can sleep four to five people and the pool has a shallow end suitable for younger children.  

Áspros Potamós district, 720 55 Makrýgialos, Sitía, Crete.
00 30 28430 51120
Rates provided by
Booking.com