Crete is one of those vacation destinations that offers travelers a sunny Mediterranean beach vacation with countless leisure activities. Most tourists who visit the Greek island during the vacation season book a hotel stay as part of a package tour. However, there are also interesting alternatives to this type of accommodation on the island. A vacation rental in Crete offers travelers significant advantages over staying in a hotel. These benefits appeal particularly to larger travel groups and families, as well as vacationers who expect the greatest possible freedom and flexibility from their accommodations.
The Benefits of a Vacation Rental in Crete
This popular Mediterranean island attracts thousands of tourists every year. It’s no surprise, then, that the island’s most popular and well-known destinations become overcrowded, and that local hotels are bursting at the seams during peak season. One of the advantages of a vacation rental in Crete is that these charming, small complexes are usually located a bit off the beaten path and can therefore offer plenty of peace and quiet. While many vacationers can’t get a good night’s sleep at their hotel after a strenuous day of hiking because the parties on the streets of the capital, Heraklion, seem to go on forever, travelers staying in an idyllically situated vacation home can sit back contentedly and enjoy the soft chirping of crickets, whose melodic sounds gently lull them into a peaceful and refreshing sleep.
But it’s not just the endless tranquility that’s prompting more and more vacationers in Crete to rent a vacation rental during their stay on the Greek island—the absolute flexibility that such a bungalow can offer its guests is also a clear factor in this decision. While some vacationers frown at the mention of the word “vacation rental” and initially think of the work involved in this choice, others see the maximum freedom it offers. Of course, in a vacation rental, there’s no dedicated team of chefs to prepare gala dinners and impressive breakfast buffets, and the housekeeping staff only shows up after the guests have left to thoroughly clean the bungalow. Nevertheless, vacationers shouldn’t focus solely on the chores that might be involved in a vacation rental, but rather on the benefits they can derive from these circumstances:
- Sleeping in without being woken up by the housekeeping staff
- Being able to get up early and have breakfast without finding the dining room doors closed
- Cold or inedible food at the buffet? Not if you cook it yourself!
- Eating out three times a day? No problem—after all, you only buy and pay for the food you actually need.
- Long stays are encouraged—opening hours set by the hotel are a thing of the past
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, staying in a vacation rental in Crete can also be worthwhile from a financial standpoint. If you’re traveling in a group of more than two people—for example, as a family—booking two double rooms or one double and one single room can add up to a hefty cost. Vacation rentals, on the other hand, usually charge a flat rate that is based not on the size of the travel group but on the season—whether it’s peak vacation season or the quieter off-season. As a result, booking a vacation rental for four people can be significantly cheaper than staying in multiple hotel rooms.
The Meerblick Apartment—the vacation rental for discerning guests
It’s not that easy to navigate the vast selection of vacation rentals available in Crete. Vacationers who have always booked a hotel room in the past, in particular, will find it difficult to find the right vacation rental right away.
However, there is one apartment on this Greek island that can be unreservedly recommended to all vacationers who have certain expectations for a bungalow like this: The Meerblick apartment on the north coast of Crete not only combines the aforementioned advantages of a vacation rental but is also in no way inferior to comparable upscale hotels: Four rooms—a living and dining area, two bedrooms, and a bathroom—are spread across the home’s 60 square meters of floor space and comfortably accommodate up to four guests. The apartment’s furnishings not only serve their practical purpose—sleeping, cooking, cozy dining, etc.—but also impress with their modern design and luxurious comfort.
In addition to a garden and terrace, this exclusive vacation rental even features a well-maintained pool. The 137-square-meter communal pool is owned by the “Karoti Residence” complex—which also includes the Meerblick apartment—and is available for unrestricted use by guests of the bungalow. The only thing that tops this offer is the option to book various additional services—such as airport transfers, a private spa, and a car rental service—through a service provider, making your vacation at the Meerblick apartment in Crete even more relaxing.
Guest post by Bernadette Herzog, owner of the "Apartment Meerblick" vacation rental in Crete / www.kreta-urlaub.at
