On a hillside above Elounda in eastern Crete, a cluster of nine maroon villas marks the spot where one family spent four slow, sun-drenched days. Pleiades Blossomhill Houses are the private residences attached to Domes of Elounda, a well-regarded family coastal resort about 20 minutes away. You get the seclusion of your own home plus full run of the resort's facilities: its private sandy beach, three pools, spa and restaurants.

The villa the writer stayed in sleeps four across two bedrooms and two floors, with a private pool, a terrace fitted with a BBQ and sun loungers, and a fully equipped kitchen. Everything faces the sea. A host named Maria hands over her WhatsApp number and a welcome hamper of fruit, milk and water, then takes breakfast orders delivered the next morning at whatever time you choose. Takeaway menus for a local Italian and a gyros joint come as standard.

One thing the writer wishes she'd done differently: hire a car. The road up to the villas is steep and winding, taxis to nearby attractions add up fast, and self-catering means a trip to the supermarket is essential. With wheels, you could easily reach Agios Nikolaos, the port town that's worth an evening stroll, or the pretty inland village of Kritsa.

Design-wise, this isn't the usual whitewashed Greek minimalism. The villas were fully refurbished in early 2026 and the interiors are bold and playful: headboards around 10 feet tall in 70s-style patterned fabric, deep greens and peachy corals on painted furniture, cheerful decorative wall plates and modern art in every room. The other eight houses range from sleeps-two to sleeps-six, each with glass doors opening onto a private pool. Bougainvillea and flowering shrubs surround the properties, and connecting pathways mean multi-family groups can feel like a village rather than isolated units.

The writer's verdict? She barely left the pool. Sunset with chicken souvlaki and local dips, skies turning gold over the water — the villa itself was the treat. It's a setup that suits families or groups of friends who want space to cook and lounge but don't want to sacrifice the beach clubs, kids' facilities and restaurant options of a proper resort. Think self-catering holiday with a safety net.

If you're planning a Crete trip where the evenings matter as much as the beach days, this combo of privacy and resort access makes a strong case — just book the rental car before you land.

Reported by Condé Nast Traveller UK.