We had a wonderful 10 days at Villa Anastasia at the end of September/early October and cannot emphasise enough how special this villa is. Charming, peaceful, and beautifully decorated inside and out, we could find no fault with it. We had a sound night’s sleep every night on the CocoMat mattresses and were completely relaxed throughout the day in the very private garden and pool area and its comfortable sun loungers. Echoing previous reviews, what made our stay truly special was Anastasia herself, who was so warm and positive and made us all feel truly welcome. Her cooking was exceptional, and we were treated almost every day to a different mouth-watering local dish. On one evening after we’d finished our dinner and were lamenting our lack of dessert, Anastasia as if by magic knocked on the door with a freshly baked apple & cinnamon cake in hand! It was a perfect holiday- Anastasia is so kind and thoughtful and the villa itself so beautifully relaxed that we have booked again for next summer and cannot wait go back. Thank you Anastasia for your wonderful hospitality and we are very much looking forward to seeing you again, and of course your boys, Felix and Ginger, too!

We spent on week at Villa Anastasia in the village of Prines and had the most amazing time. Thank you to Anastasia who made our stay so special and memorable. The villa itself is simple but well equipped with a great pool. The location is absolutely perfect as it’s in a beautiful little village with 3 amazing tavernas selling the most incredible food. We traveled a lot around the north and south of Crete from here and explored what Crete had to offer. The hospitality from Anastasia was the best we have ever experienced as she came to clean every day, leaving the villa spotless. Not only that she bought wonderful treats with her which were delicious. She is a fantastic cook with a big heart. One of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet. We would definitely come back and would recommend this villa to anyone.

Where to start! Anastasia and Elena's villa is beautiful and exactly as described if not better. Every detail has been considered. As most of the reviews say what makes this holiday are the personal touches created by the wonderful Anastasia. We were met by her on arrival, the fridge had been stocked thoughtfully with useful basic items and she often bought us delicious homemade treats which were much appreciated by all, especially by two hungry teenage boys! Anastasia even bought food for my partner when he was ill and offered to accompany us to a doctor if necessary. We also met Elena, Anastasia's daughter, who like her mother, was so friendly and helpful. The beds and pillows were super comfortable, the linen and towels were changed frequently. There are books and games to use. There is a washing machine that can be used The villa was kept spotlessly clean . The new canopy sunbeds are lovely, I think we were one of the first to use them! Ginger and Felix the villa cats would welcome us on our return if we had been out or in the morning when we opened the door which was lovely for us as cat lovers who had recently said goodbye to a family pet. Our favourite area was the garden and pool. We had a couple of BBQ's- most of the equipment was provided, enjoyed leisurely breakfasts or lunches and spent plenty of time in the pool. It is a little haven of tranquillity. The village itself is quiet, but all the tavernas, there are 3 are very friendly and serve good home cooked food. There is a small shop, but the best the supermarket is probably in Atsipopolou which is 1-2km away. The villa was a good base location to out and about to get out and about - Rethymmno only 10 - 15 mins away by car. We also ventured to Lake Kournos and ate in one of Anastasia's recommended tavernas as well as trips to Chania, the Waterpark in Heraklion, the beaches of Plakias and Prevali on the South of the Island and the closer beach at Episkopi . We didn't want to leave and I think we will be back! We would, without hesitation recommend this villa, I don't know how anywhere else will compare now!

We spent a month in this wonderful property and the family is unanimous in rating it 5-star in all respects. The house is extremely comfortable and exactly as described - excellent mattresses & pillows; bath, pool & beach towels provided and changed twice a week; good fans in bedrooms but a/c also an option; small but functional kitchen area with all necessary utensils and cleaning materials; and two good bathrooms - cleaned daily. The outside space was a delight, with; an excellent eating area where we had all our meals; a good-sized pool (cleaned every other day) with more than enough loungers and umbrellas; and total privacy - apart from the two resident cats, Felix and Ginger, we were unobserved and undisturbed by outside noise or presence. What sets this property apart from most other rentals, however, is the attention and consideration we were afforded by the owners, Anastasia and her daughter, Elena. Philoxenia, or generosity of spirit, is a matter of national pride among Greeks - even more so among Cretans - and is fully embodied in attitude of these to delightful women. Anastasia; stocked the fridge for our arrival; baked for us every other day (pies, pastries, cakes, tarts, and traditional dishes); came with us to the supermarket on our first day; and even accompanied me to the doctor's to ensure I was well treated. It was an unforgettable experience and it is with whole-hearted enthusiasm that we all unequivocally recommend Villa Anastasia as a perfect holiday rental.

Great location very close to Rethymnon town, plenty of parking on a quiet road. The villa was clean, comfortable & peaceful. The outside area is stunning & the pool was perfect! The garden had very nice furniture. The hosts Anastasia & Eleni were so welcoming & even baked delicious cakes which they left for us to come home to. So very generous & kind. It was well looked after, being cleaned daily with fresh towels & lots of little shampoos, creams & slippers :) We thoroughly enjoyed our stay & I would highly recommend Villa Anastasia.

Right from the beginning Anastasia was fantastic! She met us at 3 o'clock in the morning when we arrived! If that's not going above and beyond. She showed us around the villa and had prepared a hot and delicious meal for us, perfect after a long journey. We stayed at Villa Anastasia prior to our wedding and Anastiasia did so much to make it a special time for us by by putting up weding decorations and providing special greek wedding treats like the sugared almonds and walnuts in honey. Staying at this villa you get the best of villa life: privacy, your own pool and garden, a fully equipped kitchen and the benefits of a hotel daily cleaning, amenities and food. Anastasia is an amazing cook and everyday I looked forward to what delicious treat she'd bring for us. She is such a lovely lady that we invited her to our wedding and the photos she took became some of our favourites. We cannot wait to stay again next year!!

The house had so much character and charm, plus it was very clean and maintained. Anastasia was an amazing host and even left us little baked goodies. The backyard offered lots of privacy and was a great place to hang out, do yoga, have a family dinner or cool off in the pool. The house was located a walking distance from 3 really good restaurants. Our favorite was Veranta but Olives was a close second and Adonis, the owner of Olives was so helpful in making sure our time in Crete was amazing. The island of Crete was rugged and offered beautiful views of the mountains and valleys. But one of our favorite things about the island was all the Mom and Pop taverna's in the little villages (My grandmother made this was the usual response...). Totally recommend and was very different than our days in Santorini (although we loved that also).

The property was outstanding and the owners were very detailed oriented making sure that our stay would be memorable. The villa is centrally located but the grounds are very peaceful. There was no road noise even though we were within walking distance to family owned restaurants and markets. The pool area was relaxing and well kept--we were serenading with the lovely chirping of birds each day. The bedrooms were spacious for 6 adults-2 on the first floor and a romantic master with ensuite on the second floor. We had ample space in the kitchen and the outdoor dining and BBQ area provided additional space as well. The villa is well maintained and cared for by the owners. What made this place special were the owners and their attention to detail! Anastasia was positively a wonderful woman who cares about people. She had the refrigerator stocked with food for breakfast and then she baked us the most delicious apple cake when she found out we were celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. When we left she gave us a jar of homemade orange marmalade! Elena was always available if we had any questions. The central location of the villa made it easy to drive to Heraklion, Chania and the south area of Crete. Rethymno, one of our favorite cities was a 10 minute drive with lots of things to explore. Thak you Anastasia for making this a memorable family vacation!

Stayed 5 nights in early May. The villa is a decent size, with a lovely patio outside and around the pool. Easy to get to from the main road, though Google Maps will take you down the back roads if you come from Chania. The grounds are very private; no view from the road and not overlooked. The kitchen area is small but functional and there is a built-in bbq outside which is perfect for lunchtime. There are two double bedrooms and a twin room; one bedroom is mezzanine-style (no door) but has an en-suite. There is another shared bathroom downstairs for the double and twin rooms. There are insect grilles over the windows, so it was comfortable enough to sleep with windows open and not use the aircon. Anastasia is a lovely hostess who made us feel very welcome, and for whom nothing was too much trouble. She baked me a cake for my birthday! The village has three tavernas, of which we tried two. Giannikos is one of the top-rated places in the Rethymno area, and Veranta is comparatively new. Both serve home-cooked style food, and both are great. There is one small shop in Prines selling packet food; the supermarket CRM Ariadne on the other side of Atsipopolou is probably the best local source of food, and there's a cake shop and a meat shop a bit further down. I have no hesitation in recommending this villa if you want a comfortable, village-style holiday whilst being close to the main highway and only about a 15 min drive to Rethymno.

Villa Anastasia was just as attractive as I remembered it. It is full of little details which make it feel really cared for - from the lovely soaps and toiletries to the bedware with olive motifs of Villa Anastasia, and the lighthouse in the garden and the mini garden newly arrived by the front door. Despite our best efforts as a family of 5 with 3 teenagers, we couldn't make the place messy or dirty as Anastasia cleaned and sorted things every day - always in a very unobtrusive way! It was a real home from home. Having left our two cats behind, we were all delighted, especially the children with having Felix and Ginger there to make it more than just a rental house! Hours of fun were had playing, or relaxing by the pool with them! Despite the fact that it was April, the pool got used nearly every day and though invigorating was fun! But the best bit as last time was the wonderfully warm welcome from Anastasia, Elena and her family - it made us feel part of her family and the community. We were treated to wonderful Greek delicasies every day - and specialities for the Greek Orthodox Easter too! We have very special memories of the Good Friday procession round the village by candlelight and even more of the Easter Vigil lighting of the bonfire and the fireworks etc afterwards.. .! As my 15 year old son said, they have more fun than we do! - particularly impressed by the firecrackers! Anastasia had warned us that it would sound like war - but not to be afraid! She wasn't joking! This time we came for 10 days - so that we could enjoy leisurely starts by the pool and allow the teenagers to get up late, and still be able to explore in the afternoons. Despite being here 2 years ago - we weren't short of lovely places to visit or things to do - including visits to the Arkadi monastry, Eleftherma archeological site, and Kournos lake as well as trips to Rethymmno and Chania and the coast. We didn't want to leave and we do want to come again! There is nowhere quite like Villa Anastasia!

Wir waren mit vier Erwachsenen und zwei Kindern in der Villa, es wurde ein wunderschöner Urlaub! Ein perfektes Haus, sehr gepflegt und liebevoll eingerichtet, eine wunderschöne Außenanlage samt Pool und last but not least: eine unglaubliche „Betreuung“ durch Anastasia!!! Jederzeit gerne wieder dorthin, auch der Ort Prines ist zu empfehlen, zum Essen und als Start für Ausflüge aller Art!

Villa Anastasia is fantastic! The villa is exactly as it's described. It has everything you could want. It's clean, well maintained, decorated well. The beds are super comfy, the kitchen well stocked, the pool - unbelievably clean and the kids play area an absolute hit. Anastasia is a true treasure to find, she is so kind, generous, she comes everyday to clean and brings with her a treat... some little delight she has cooked that morning... they are delicious! She absolutely makes the holiday. I wish I could live there forever... I would be size of her house mind you! I would recommend this villa to anyone, its a gem of a place, but Anastasia makes it extra, extra special. I loved it.

Two weeks of total bliss in a beautiful home. You walk through the gates and are welcomed like your part of the family. Anastasia' s friendliness reassures you that you made the right decision. The house was immaculate, beautiful linen, lovely toiletries and the basics in the fridge to get us started. Then the next day the treats start and by the end of two weeks we are waiting to see what Anastasia will turn up with next, cheese pastries, apple cake, chocolate cake, all very delicious, this was a daily occurrence! Along with keeping the place spotless. The garden where we spent most of our time is just perfect, especially when having a drink of wine and the pool provided the best relief from the scorching sun. We also fell in love with Felix and Ginger - the cats! The village is lovely and all the restaurants are great. Can only say the we would recommend this villa without hesitation, because it not just a villa but a home. Thank you so much to Anastasia and Elena we will be back x

Our stay at Villa Anastasia was without doubt the best holiday we have had in a long time, our only regret being that we couldn’t have stayed longer. The villa itself was very attractive, well equipped, spotlessly clean and the beds wonderfully comfortable. The bathrooms were stocked with an abundance of toiletries which were always being topped up. The garden and pool area were absolutely beautiful and provided complete privacy and seclusion. The patio area had a charming dining area (where we ate most of our meals) and traditional brick BBQ and was shaded by olive trees while the pool area was perfect for sunbathing. The location was also excellent, just a few kilometres from Rethymnon and the beaches of northern central Crete and about 45 minutes from the spectacular southern coast around Plakias. But the best thing about our stay was Anastasia herself, who from her warm welcome proceeded to spoil us at every opportunity, but with great sensitivity and discretion. On arriving at the airport we had made the mistake of doing a food shop, but when we arrived at the villa the fridge and kitchen table were heaving with wonderful products. Most days Anastasia would leave us some of her wonderful food and one evening she prepared us a delicious feast out on the patio. She was a fantastic host and so nice we were always trying to persuade her to join us! However sad we were to leave Villa Anastasia we were also happy in the knowledge that we will definitely be back. Paul & Helen

When we arrived we were welcomed by Anastasia and Elena as though to their own home. They are both lovely, kind, friendly and helpful. The villa is very clean, spacious, with lovely bedrooms and bathrooms; and well-equipped, with many personal touches: Anastasia provides toiletries, slippers, linen - like a spa - and pool towels, the latter very helpful when you're flying with restricted baggage allowances. We found a welcome pack in the fridge: milk, water, butter, bread, olives, cheese, enough fresh vegetables for a Greek salad, and wine - what more does one need? And fruit, biscuits and a jug of the local raki on the table. Wonderful customer service. The garden is filled with pots of brilliantly-coloured flowers; the garden furniture is of high quality; the pool area and garden are picturesque and every bit as attractive as the photos suggest. Anastasia and Elena come to clean the house every day and Anastasia cooks and brings hot food - moussaka, spinach and cheese pies, or cake - absolutely delicious. Their visits are like the visits of friends. There are 3 tavernas within walking distance, serving good food. The long, unspoilt beach of Episkopi, and the town of Rethymno are within a short driving distance and there are plenty local supermarkets and pharmacies. Rethymno old town is very pretty and historic, full of interesting shops and restaurants. We come with our family to a Mediterranean villa every year and Villa Anastasia is certainly the best we've stayed in; we would come back and we could recommend this villa to others. We had a most wonderful, relaxing holiday and fell in love with Crete, the villa, Anastasia and Elena.

The villa is absolutely superb, decorated with taste and love. We found everything we needed and much more. The garden and the pool area are are lovely and the children playground a dream for any child. What' more, the owners, Anastasia and Elena, have made us feel so special. Not only they cleaned the house every day, but they also had very often something cooked fpr us, so polite and attentive. We reccomend the property to anyone planning their holidays in Crete.

Our holiday at Villa Anastasia last year was probably the best holiday we had ever had. Before we had even left we booked again to return this summer. As the time approached we were so excited but a little apprehensive that it might not have the same magic. We needn't have worried it was just as amazing if not better. As we walked through the gate it was like 'coming home' not only to the villa but for the love we have for Anastasia and Elena, they are our very own Greek family. The villa was just as we had remembered it, a few little changes, new toiletries, new mattresses, cushions for the sun loungers. Anastasia takes such pride in her villa and is continually adding new things to the benefit of her clients. Her attention to detail is exceptional. We loved her visits every day, not just for the delicious food that she brought or the fact that she cleaned the villa but just so we could sit and chat to her. I described the villa to someone on my return as staying in a 5* hotel but with the luxury of not having to share it with other guests! For those of you who have not been lucky enough to experience Villa Anastasia yet but are reading the reviews to help you make your decision, everything you read and the pictures that you see are true. Do not hesitate to book it really is a gem of a find with the added jewel - Anastasia herself - don't leave it too late and miss out - you will regret it. We are already looking forward to returning Prines is a beautiful village. There are three lovely taverna's all serving traditional food at exceptionally reasonable prices. A village shop that has all the essentials you need and a butcher selling local meat. The villa is a short bus ride away from Rethmynon and close to some fantastic beaches. Anastasia thank you so much yet again for an amazing two weeks, see you soon. We love you dearly. Emma John and 'your boys' xx

We had a wonderful week at Villa Anastasia and were totally spoilt by Anastasia and Elena. Anastasia brought home baked goodies each day which were delicious and we were pampered with the villa being cleaned and tidied every day. A real luxury. The villa is charming and rustic and the beds really comfortable however it is the out door space that is the real gem. There is shade from the olive trees to escape the intense sun and a beautiful pool to cool off in. There is no fighting over chair loungers either as there are plenty of them. We loved our stay and are planning our return visit.

Villa Anastasia is very comfortable and it has all the makings content vaciationers need. We had breakfast or dinner outside at a wonderful place and relaxed on the sunbeds at the pool. Everything was very clean and in excellent condition. Anastasia gave us a very warm welcome. She is a brilliant cook and we got spoiled every day with fresh made delicacies. She was always good-humoredly and made us feel like at home. There are so many places to recover around Rethymnon, we really can't list them.

Having looked endlessly at the pictures on the website for the last 8 months and re-reading the reviews there is always that little apprehension that it won't be what you expect it to be. As soon as we walked through the gate we knew instantly that it was even better than we could ever have imagined. Anastasia who has to be the nicest person on this planet greeted us with her beautiful smile and made us feel at home and loved instantly. I will come back to her later. The villa itself surpasses anything that you can envisage, the attention to detail is better than any 5*star hotel. All the bedrooms are tastefully and beautifully decororated. The organic toiletries are in ample supply and do your skin wonders. The kitchen was perfect and had all that you need to prepare meals, not that you need to as the two tavernas in the village have wonderful food. The outside area is even bigger than the photos, and we spent most of our time in it. The pool was perfect and the area around it had ample space to be in both the sun or under an olive tree in the shade (my husbands favourite place!) the outside space also offers a great alfresco cooking experience, which we used as often as we ate out. There are two mini-markets in the village, you will be surprised as to how much you get from them, look out for the olive oil in water bottles and honey in a plastic jar, they are locally sourced and delicious. There is a bigger supermarket down the hill if you need more. We didn't hire a car for the full duration of our holiday and managed to walk down and back with our groceries. The beach at Episkopi is lovely but our favourite was on the south side of the island. Elena, Anastasias daughter was as wonderful as her mother and we enjoyed many a conversation about Greek life, cuisine and she was a constant source of entertainment and information for us. Anastasia, there are not enough superlatives to describe how amazing she is. We all fell in love with her charm and personality, most of all my two teenage boys (18 and 15) and my eldest sons girlfriend. Everyday we looked forward to her visit, not so that she cleaned the villa but just to see her and to talk. Her cooking is amazing and her generosity second to none. All in all it has to be the best family holiday we have ever had and that is down to Anastasia, Elena and of course paradise itself. We have booked to come back next year before we have even left. Thank you thank you thank you Anastasia

We had a fantastic time at Villa Anastasia. This is our third time staying there and it is faultless. The villa is beautiful and well maintained. Anastasia works hard and comes to clean most days bringing her delicious treats. Her hospitality is incredible and we felt welcomed and well looked after. There is everything you need and more. The village is friendly and welcoming. We had a fantastic relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings and we wont hesitate to visit again. Thank you Anastasia and Ellena

Our family visited Villa Anastasia July 2016, and the stay exceeded all our expectations. The villa itself and the beautiful area around the pool is so well designed, and is perfect for relaxation. The pool area was perfect, both for the children and for the adults in the family. In the evenings, we enjoyed the outdoors area and food from the outdoors grill. Also, it was really nice to walk in the village, and visit the local tavernas. And most importantly: The hosts of the villa are truly fantastic. Anastasia and Elena went out of their way to make us feel welcome, and it was very easy to communicate with them prior to our stay. During our stay, Anastasia stopped by everyday with homemade treats for us, which made us feel so welcome. We enjoyed to much getting to know them. Needless to say, we are coming back, and we have already booked our two week holiday for next year. Can't wait!

This villa not only lived up to all the wonderful reviews we had already read, it completely surpassed our expectations. Whilst the photos on the site look beautiful it is even more impressive in person. Our group was made up of 4 adults and 1 3 year old. Every single one of us had one of the best experience. The villa is wonderful, outside space exceptional, the pool gloriously clean and warm. As well as the property being out of this world, Anastasia is also one of the warmest most welcoming people I have ever met. She went above and beyond both before we arrived in terms of answering my questions and trying to help me arrange a spa trip for me and my friend to bringing us a wonderful homemade dish of the day. The villa was cleaned spotlessly every day which was lovely and we were made to feel right at home as soon as we stepped through the door. The villa itself is in a village with a mini market and 2 places to eat. Both the restaurants are nice and the people running them are also lovely. A huge Lidl is 5 minutes away and the town of Rethaymon is 10 minutes in the car. I would recommend each of the local restaurants for 1 meal each but venturing to town is worthwhile for the vast variety of restaurants and lovely shops. The villa had a beautiful BBQ so we had one BBQ a day and one meal out. I would recommend this Villa to anyone. The only things is you have to be prepared for a serious case of holiday blues when you return it really is that good!

Our first and lasting impression of Crete is how lovely the people are. Anastasia and her daughter Elena are very welcoming and helpful. Anastasia completely spoilt us bringing treats every day - she even hunted out ingredients to bake gluten-free cake and bread, as two of us are coeliac. The garden and pool are idyllic and one of the cats, Felix, used to enjoy sitting with us - I quite miss him! The family-owned taverna about 200 m away in the centre of Prines, has a lovely terrace area to eat on, and is a gathering point, it seems. Very happy to recommend staying here.

We have stayed in a lot of self-catering accommodation over the years and thanks to careful research have never had a bad experience, but Villa Anastasia is in a totally different league. Communication both before and after booking is prompt, clear and comprehensive – Elena and Anastasia obviously take great pride in what they do. The villa is comfortable and well-equipped, the pool and garden area well maintained and the play area and toys provided ensure children have plenty to keep them entertained. Anastasia is a kind, thoughtful and generous host. To say she goes the extra mile for her guests is a huge understatement! There are two excellent tavernas within a few minutes stroll of the villa, we ate at both and also had takeaway on one evening - nice people, good food and great value. There are several supermarkets and bakeries within a few minutes’ drive, a mini market within walking distance and great beaches within a short drive, in fact everything you need for a great holiday! We hope to visit Villa Anastasia again in the future. Thank you Anastasia and Elena we had a wonderful time - with best wishes from Jackie, Phil, Suzanne, Mike, Alby and Eleni.

We had high expectations of this holiday home in advance from the pictures of it, - and we were not disappointed when we arrived. The house was very clean and tidy, and it had all you needed to have a wonderful relaxing time during the stay there. The rooms of the house were organized in a way that each of the bedrooms have good space if you want to relax away from the group for a while, and the kictchen has all you need for making all kinds of meals. The house has no immidiate neigbours around, and you can enjoy the holiday with your familiy without any disturbance from other people. Only a cat or two who liked to stay around the house. The hospitality from Anastasia and her daugther Elena was amazing. Anastasia came to the house every day at the time of day that fit best for us, and more than once she brought wonderful local dishes she had made for us. She really spoiled us with all her delicious food! It is recommended that your have a car during your stay, so you can visit the local grocey stores and bakeries 3-4 minutes drive from the house, and also the cities and scenaries around. We can recommend this holiday home with all of our hearts, and you shall visit many places before you find such an inviting place like this!

We arrived very late at night, Elena had advised me to contact her to arrange for her mother Anastatsia to meet us to direct us the the villa. I was concerned as I did not want to trouble anybody so late at night, Anatatsia meet us it was so easy and the was a lovley dish of pasta freshly cooked and salad. in the morning we ventured out to the olive tree garden and the pool, truly enchanting. The Villa its self is superb very confortable and beutifully furnished. We could not believe the Villa was cleaned daily with beds made and fresh linen. and looked forward to our daily treats. This holiday accomodation is Better than FIRST CLASS and can not wait to return. Cretans are very passionate people and Elena and her mother show this off to the a T Prines is ideally situated to explore Crete but there is so much to offer in Rethimnon, Kournas Lake and the surrounding villiages all very traditional and authentic, beautiful scenery and people . I am smiling as I write this just remember the wonderful holiday we had. Would love to keep Anastasia Villa a secret...... thank you ladies

We chose the villa because of the reviews and the fantastic photos - and dreamt about it all winter. However, we never thought it would be as good as it was. Every last little detail was carefully thought about - from the olive soap and beautiful oils in the bathrooms to the large towels for swimming changed regularly. The stone villa is both full of charm and also very practical, and as a family with 3 large children/ teenagers - there was enough room for us to spread out. The children liked hanging around in the mezzanine area upstairs- which my daughter had as her little palace. The kitchen was very well equipped , though compact. I cooked most days and it was relatively easy. The Wi Fi worked well - so my husband could attend to essential work while still enjoying being with us in the villa, and being 2 hours ahead of England, he could get it done and still enjoy the day! The pool was great -regularly cleaned by a German resident - though we didn't ever see him - and the children spent hours every day in it - even though it was early April. The weather was fantastid - we had thought it might still be cold, but it was mostly warm and sunny - sometimes very hot - and because it is pre season - we weren't overrun with other tourists! However, the best thing about Villa Anastasia is Anastasia herself. She is the Fairy Godmother... appearing with chocolate cake, Greek pastries and other treats. Even though we arrived after midnight the first night, she was there to welcome us with a wonderful pasta dish and Greek salad. We hadn't expected anything, but also hadn't realised how hungry we were till we tried Anastasia's cooking!! She is so warm and friendly - able to explain and advise.. so our lack of Greek was completely compensated for by having Anastasia around to ask. She is not intrusive at all - and we enjoyed her visits! The kids loved the two cats Felix and Ginger - it made it home from home. The villa was spotless - and cleaned every day, fresh towels, everything beautifully laid out. Prines is a lovely little hillside village, and the villa is on a quiet side street wide enough to be able to park the car right outside. About 200m down the road is a local taverna The Olive, mostly used by locals, which does great Greek food at very good prices and also takeaways- very friendly and great service. Rethymno is 10 mins away and a real gem. We can't recommend this place highly enough.