Village Heights Golf Resort

Set amongst the hills above the coastal city of Hersonissos, the hotel is an attractive upper-middle-range time-share resort. Although it’s entirely a collection of time-share units and used primarily by their owners, a large fraction of apartments is also available for regular vacationers. The extensive grounds are beautiful and well-maintained, with charming stone pathways, lush landscaping, and apartments spread out in a village-style layout. A serene sense of space, scented herb gardens, and tranquil views over the sea and surrounding mountains all contribute to this hotel’s peaceful setting. 

The reception and lounge have a rustic, country-living style: a simple wooden reception counter is accompanied by relaxed wicker furniture and earthy tones of mocha and beige in the lounge. Despite the Golf label, this isn’t a resort catering to golfing enthusiasts -- although the hotel has its own beautifully landscaped mini-golf course, and the Crete Golf Club is a couple of miles away. With its own hosted poolside recreation and evening entertainment, it’s a civilized, family-friendly vacation resort, with more families visiting during the summer, and couples visiting in low season. Many guests hail from the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, as well as the U.S. and western Europe.

Village Heights Golf Resort’s location may feel somewhat isolated, but the hillside location also provides the property with beautiful views. It’s on a small winding road bordered by olive tree groves and countryside in the hills above the coastal town Hersonissos. The Crete Golf Club, to which guests get discounted access, is only a seven-minute drive away, along with Acqua Plus Water Park. Hersonissos is the closest developed town, with many traditional tavernas in its old town, -- a 15-minute drive, or a free shuttle ride provided by the hotel at frequent intervals. Heraklion International Airport is a 21-minute drive away, and Heraklion city center is an additional six minutes by car. The exclusive area of Elounda, with its beautiful bay, is roughly 45 minutes away.

The pleasant, homey apartments of Village Heights Golf Resort come in a variety of sizes: Studio, One-Bedroom Apartment, Two-Bedroom Apartment, and Villas with two or three bedrooms. The most popular accommodation at Village Heights is the One-Bedroom Apartment, which has a separate living room and bedroom. Two-Bedroom Apartments are set over two floors, and have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Villas are at the top end of the spectrum, with two to three bedrooms accommodating eight people, a private pool and private parking, and two full bathrooms with two sinks each, and a separate shower and tub. 

All have a similar relaxed seaside decor, with cheerful white wood furniture and king-size beds with romantic draping. Apartments come with a 40-inch flat-screen TV with DVD player and free satellite channels, Hi-Fi sound system, free Wi-Fi, furnished outdoor spaces, and fully equipped kitchens. Kitchens are well equipped, with four cooking hobs with an oven, as well as a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, tea kettle, and separate coffeemaker. Bathrooms are clean with white tiling and a shower/tub combo. Views vary, but most are beautiful, overlooking either the sea or surrounding mountains, with a few overlooking the pool. 

Features at Village Heights are focused on vacations in the sun. Two large outdoor pools, both with a separate kids’ section, are the main attractions. One pool is located at the main building, which hosts daily recreation and is served by the lobby bar (which also sells snacks). The second pool sits in the complex down the hill, and is served by a bar offering light meals. The main buffet restaurant, although sporting a bit of a canteen atmosphere, has pleasant pool and sea views and serves a decent breakfast buffet with award-winning local Cretan products and international options. Dinner buffet is themed every evening to match the daily entertainment: the Cucina Italiana-themed buffet is accompanied by live tenors singing Italian arias, for example. An elegant a la carte restaurant has beautiful sea and mountain views, and serves traditional Cretan cuisine. There's a reasonably priced mini-market for stocking basics. There’s even a cat cafe, complete with its own Facebook page, where guests can feed the local strays and assist with care.Bed-and-breakfast, half-board, and full-board meal plans are available.

The spa, complete with free access to two saunas, a steam room, whirlpool, and heated indoor pool, is another guest favorite. The massages in particular are popular (charges apply). For quiet nights in, the hotel supplies a large selection of free DVDs from reception, while a game room, gym, and various sports grounds including tennis courts and a mini-golf green provide a range of active entertainment. A kids’ club, outdoor playground, and various activities keep kids busy. A frequent free shuttle to Hersonissos is available for those wishing to venture out, and free private parking is available for those with cars. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.