Astra Village Apartments Reviews

This hotel is everything you need for a self catering holiday. The rooms are clean and tidy. There are two small pools and a pool bar. There is a lounge bar where you can eat, drink and chill. There is lots or bars, resturants, club and shops close by. The beach is a short taxi drive away.

Spacious one bedroom apartment supposed to sleep up to four but realistically this should be two. Whole building recently redecorated inside and out but leaving black mould stain around whole of bedroom wall. Damaged rather dangerous cable to two burner electric cooking ring and cable of kettle, we used our own travel kettle. Well equipped with cooking utensils and crockery, linen changed three times during our two week stay. Comfortable bar selling snacks. Air conditioning if req'd 9 Euros/day, security safe 17 Euros/week. No charge for television in apartment but only carrying news channels. Two small swimming pools and lots of beds. Nevertheless good value for money.

Room no 64 stunk when we went in and the maids had to come and change the curtains and take all the foam off the sofa bed !!!. We was also next door to the maids laundrette which had machines going 24hrs a day so thank god my husband snores so I was armed with ear plugs !!. We saw the thompson rep who told us that we could move hotels but all that was available was in an Irish youth centre and would cost us 50 euros each to move. There is hardly any room around the pools, if you could call them pools they were just dirty puddles with dead flys floating on top. The shower in the room went from freezing cold to boiling hot. If youve ever been to a hotel with even a touch of class this is defo not the place for you !!!!. On the plus side the village was amazing and so pretty. If you go pack some dry cat food as theres loads of staving cats looking for a good meal. Eating and drinking out is very expensive but I guess we have the euro to blame for that.

Had a great stay here August 2009. Staff were friendly and helpful. Room was situated above the bar and on the main street but was lovely to people watch and the quietness of the resort meant this wasnt a problem. Once the double glazed doors were shut on our balcony we couldn't hear it. Only downside was the air con was an added extra and at 9 euros a night it was a lot for over 2 weeks and the pool wasnt' always clean. But the location was great and accessable.

astra is very basic and rooms are small,they were cleaned daily however the sheets were full of holes and the manageress abrupt when you told her. the staff arent friendly and dont enjoy their jobs.the pools are more like puddles so dont expect an early morning swim.

ASTRA VILLAGE.just returned from staying at the astra village july17th -july 24 08.we only booked two days before travelling knew were we were staying after reading reviews on this web site. we were allocated room 95. and were not to be disapointed it was a large modern one bedroom apartment spotlessly clean. the room was cleaned every day towels were changed every day and bed linen three times in a week. the room had no tv,but had a modern quiet air con system. it also had kettle,toaster,hairdryer and all cooking utensils needed.mini supermarket 20 yards away.only minus points on this hotel was the extra cost of hireing air con at 9 euros per night and 17 euros for the safe.believe me you need air con as in peak season evening temps reach 38 degrees unless ure blind drunk you have no chance of sleeping. KOUTOULOUFARI. The village overlooks herssonisos 15 mins walk down a steep hill plenty of traditional greek tavernas the besy we ate in were mezes and the calypso both only a few mins from the astra.celerbrated our wedding ann at, we were told the best restaurant in the town GALINIS.oh what a disopointment food was badly prepaired and we found undercooked. at being charged 120euros for a 3 course meal and one bottle of wine for two persons we wont be going back there.the village centre gets busy on a evening and motor and quad bikes are banned after 7pm. would we go back YES. stay at the astra village YES.

The Astra village was a higher standard than we have come to expect from staying at similar small hotels on various Greek islands. As always with these small hotels, the standard of cleanliness was excellent, the rooms were cleaned daily, and clean towels provided every other day. The room had attractive grey and glass furnishings, an improvement on the normal ancient wooden wardrobes and fittings at other hotels in this category. The hotel had obvioulsy been recently painted inside and out, everything was very new and fresh. Our room location was a bit of a mixed blessing, we were at the front of the hotel overlooking the small street, great for sitting and watching the world go by, but we were also directly over the main bar, thus it was noisy on some evenings when major football matches were on the widescreen TV downstairs.

This was our 3rd visit to Crete having visited Koutouloufari twice before, but our first time at the Astra village.

The apartments are in the village centre and anyone visiting hersonnisos should venture up the hill to this pretty village. It tags on to Piskopiano and you are spoilt for choice in both villages for really good restaurants, and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of hersonnisos.

We were slightly disappointed at first with the apartments as we had booked a one bedroomed as there was 4 of us 2 adults and 2 teenagers as it was really small the lounge/kitchen which had the sofabeds in had a table in the middle of the room which you would bang into on getting out of bed and you could not move it anywhere else as there was no room. The bedroom itself was not a bad size but the wardrobe space was just one wardrobe between 4 of us the kitchen equipment is also quite basic too. We soon got used to this though and the maid service was excellent they came in every day and even with 2 very untidy teenagers they always cleaned and tidied. Everyone was very friendly especially Alex and Sue who worked in the upstairs bar.

We ate breakfast a few time and also lunch and the meals were always good. The only real downside to the apartment were the size of the pools there were 2 pools between the apartments both really small with very few sunbeds we only really went around the pool area twice as itwas a scramble for sunbeds and you could barely do 2or 3 stokes before reaching the other side of the pool.

We found the best thing to do was order a taxi which cost 6 euros to star beach. To walk is a down hill taking around 15 mins but the temperature was soaring when we went for 6 euros for 4 people it was well worth it. When you get to star beach put your earplugs in as the music between mid July to end August is very loud but there is plenty of pools and watersports if you are so inclined. Walk to the front and turn right keep walking past the childrens pools right to the end where it says end of star beach and you reach the meltemi which is a taverna with a beach bar and has a lovely swimming pool with lots of sunbeds. We went there most days when we were not out and about around the island. You are charged for the sunbeds the same as the beach but some days they didnt bother.

The food from the taverna is much better then at the star beach and you have the use of the pool and only a few steps to the sea. The staff are all really friendly. As it was high season when we went you do get groups of singles but eveyone was well behaved and if anyone was getting too loud they were asked to leave. evenings were always spent in Koutouloufari village as the restaurants are really goo try to go to Emmanuals and try the lamb cooked in the wood fired oven. Another good restaurant is Stekis Also the Dutch cafe accross the road from the astra the breakfast is well worth 6.95 euros.

Back to the apartment you only get one loo roll on arrival you have to buy the rest which is ok but dont run out in the middle of the night or you will be searching for that packet of tissues you thought you had! Air conditioning was expensive at 9euros per night but it was so hot couldnt do without it but was only in the bedroom. Never saw the rep after welcome meeting went on the greek night which was ok but rather expensive at 46euro each entertainment was good but the kids did not eat the food.

Overall really enjoyed the holiday but would book a 2 bedroomed apartment if we were to go back.

Resort

Have been to Crete before to Gouves and wanted to try Koutouloufari for its village location. I was not disappointed it is a really lovely place. No neon lights or hastle in the evenings, no disco bars but little wine bars and tavernas tastefully decorated and really inviting. Probably would not suit youngsters but Hersonisson just a 15 min walk down the hill for something a bit more lively. N.B cab back 6 euros bit steep to walk back

Food
No problems usual very varied menus seemd a little dearer than Hersonissos but less competition and still cheaper than back home cheapest meal 50E and dearest 80E and this was for the whole night with drinks. Some restaurants were a little slow but did not spoil it chinese was very good

Accomodation
A little disappointed with our room was on the GRd floor and had view of bushes not much natural light in the room so a little gloomy. some rooms however had both pool and seaview so was a bit miffed. Staff all very friendly especially Alex John and Soula. Hotel shows football and current release films. Small gripes they dont like you drinkiing your own drinks etc around the pool and apparently will charge for breakages though we broke a glass and did not ehar anything. did not use air con though was 9E adn safety box 17E

TRips
Did boat trip 50E from Hersonissos harbour good value goes to sissi . Water park cab there and back 24E 18E adults 12E kids this is not the larger one as that is 60e there and back.

Star Beach
Resort does not have much of a beach so this feels the gap has water slides unbeds 4e each a little beach lazy river watersports makes fo a nice day.

All in all a lovely holiday and would definately recommend. Thoug I would say when booking the apartments ask for every option so that you hopefully get something

Just returned for the third time from the Astra Village and yet again we had a great holiday. Many thanks to the wonderful staff including Alex, John (Eugine) and Soula. The hotel itself was as usual very nice and clean.

As for the resort the best taverna around has to be Steki, wonderful traditional food and a great family run place. Fabrica was also great and has a atmosphere all of its own thanks to Yiannis and Maria.

Anyway we will definatly be returning yet again later in the season. Overall a great holiday.

Just arrived back from the Astra Village today after previously visting in July this year. Yet again we had a great time and much thanks again to all the staff, especially Alex, Soula and Nicki who made our stay a great one. Already planning to return again next year. Cant wait!

We liked the Astra very much, lovely location nice view and perfect village for us. Astra appts are very well equipped, in very good condition and were kept spotlessly clean.Staff were helpful and friendly.

They are a short walk (2 mins) along the level main street from the bus drop off point as its too narrow for a coach. Koutouloufari is full of excellent tavernas,you will be spoilt for choice,Stekis, Windmill and Pegasus are all nearby, there are no real english bars etc here, and 5 mins walk away is the centre of the next village Piskopiano with still more tavernas. The eastern end of Koutouloufari has further tavernas and bars in its pretty narrow streets and many interesting shops are scatterred throughout the village, including a mini market right across the road. Only negative for us was a lack of a cashpoint machine, but Hersonisos is only 20 - 30 mins walk down the hill and is much bigger and more lively and has a harbour where there a several boat trips etc taxis back up the hill are 5 euros. There are several sights to visit nearby by car, Knossos, Lasithi plateau, Malia, Stalis...

all in all a perfect holiday venue if you like a quieter location which is not too far away from anything.

Just returned from a great holiday in the Astra Village. The apartments were of a high standard and kept clean, as were the hotel grounds. Much thanks must go to the barmen at the hotel, Alex who kept us in high spirts and is a top bloke from Romania. The resort itself is still quite charming although maybe a little bit spoilt by time share totting company who's overseas workers are loud and unruly (mainly German). Apart from that you wont go far wrong if you use the wonderful taverna 'Stekki' and frequent the Fabrica bar.

P.S A word of caution would not recommend using the car hire firm 'Royal' in Hersonissos.

Having read reviews on this site, we booked a holidlay at Astra Village. Ours was the Studio accomodation ( No.55). There was enough room so as not to feel cramped,even with a double bed,bedside cabs, dressing table and wardrobe. The shower room had a hook for the the shower and even a curtain! The kitchen was the typical sink,fridge and small worktop set up that you normally find in self catering studios in greece however we were rather suprised to find a kettle and toaster in one of the cupboards. The room also included a TV (free but only had 4 channels) and air con, (apparendtly available for 7euro a night).
The apartment was kept very clean, there was a visit everyday from a lady who emptied the bins, mopped the floors, made the bed and cleaned the bathroom.
Sunbeds were free and plentyful.
Overall the studio was bright and clean.

Koutouloufari is a very nice village, theres a few shops, a supermaket almost opposite Astra Village and pleanty on good tavernas to go at, the next village is approx 5 mins walk away with even more tavernas to go at. Heronissos is approx 15/20 min walk down the hillside,the roads are good but it is quite steep, once in the town you'll find lots of shops,bars,tavernas ideal if you want to eat while looking over the sea.
We enjoyed our time in crete and would have no objections to staying at Astra again.

One thing worth mentioning though, the room check out time was 10am, we were offered the option to keep the room untill 4pm at a cost of 20euros, we declind, but learned later some other guests had been offered the same for 40euros!

I'll get the main complaint out of the way first then onto the good things about the holiday.
My main complaint was how expensive everthing was. e3 for a pint and an average of e28 for a meal for 2 people,the local shops also seemed overpriced. Because there is nothing else to do apart from eat and sunbathe it worked out to be an expensive holiday. We wanted a quiet holiday but this was almost dull.It seemed there was no entertainment any where apart from Star beach, which is a 20 minute walk downhill, and a recommended taxi ride back.

Now for the good things : The apartments are kept very clean, We were lucky enough to get apartment no.55 a studio with a big balcony and very nice sea + pool views . Cleaners came in every day and changed linen and towels every otherday.Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Only slight fault it had,was the cold-hot-cold-hot shower.
Pool was always cleaned,well maintained.
Supermarket across the way stocked most things, were very friendly and stayed open till about midnight.

The village still has charm and is not commercialised, though be careful of cars and bikes on the narrow streets, lots of restaurants to choose from offering a wide variety of meals. We preferred two restaurants. Olivas past the wishing well heading towards Piscapiano - the food was excellent, and the all staff were very friendly it also had a stunning sea view; and The Windmill was of the same standard and friendly.Also a snack bar called 'Fabrica's' which sells good food and is run by the craziest, friendliest man on the island

Star Beach was good as you could relax by the beach or be entertained around the bars. You paid for a sun bed for the day and you could move around the park to wherever you wanted. Good water sports on offer and bungy jumping! Sandy beach and sea was not deep.
Very good accomodation,very clean and pretty resort, but a little too quiet for our tastes