Terms & Conditions
ESSENTIAL READING FOLLOWS WITH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BOOKING INCLUDING SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY:
Before clicking on the Save button on your online booking form (available upon request), which will send your booking information to us, please be aware of all of our terms and conditions, and instructions regarding payment of Deposits and Final Payments.
PAYMENTS:
1. The DEPOSIT required to secure this Booking when booked direct with Villas Crete Holidays is either 20% for bookings of more than €1000.00 in total or €200.00 for bookings of less than €1000.00 in total. Bookings made via an on-line platform with payments made direct to that on-line booking platform usually require a 25% deposit.
a. Our CANCELLATION POLICY if booking direct via the Villas Crete Holidays website is the following:
b. The deposit of either 20% or 200 Euros (dependent upon rental price) is non-refundable.
c. 50-70 days before the arrival date 50% of the total payment is refundable.
d. 49-28 days before the arrival date 40% of the total payment is refundable.
e. 16-27 days before the arrival date 20% of the total payment is refundable.
f. 0-15 days before the arrival date 0% is refundable.
g. Our CANCELLATION POLICY if booking via an on-line booking platform will vary and are as described on the individual booking platforms.
2. Following the payment of your deposit, the FINAL PAYMENT of the balance due to us must be received 10 weeks prior to your arrival date otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the booking and re-let the accommodation. Any additions to your booking such as taxi transfers etc. after the final balance has been paid will result in an administrative surcharge of 30.00 Euros.
3. A returnable damages deposit of €300.00 for may be taken upon arrival in resort (depending upon the individual villa owner’s policy). This deposit will be taken in cash and be returned to you via bank transfer within 72 hours of your departure from Crete if there has been no damage to the accommodation. Whilst we understand that small breakages do occur, you are responsible for the cost of any breakages/damage and we would appreciate it if you could inform us immediately so that we can work it out
amicably in resort. If booking via a booking platform, the booking platform will take the deposit and will return it within 7 days of departure if there has been no damage to the accommodation.
4. For Non-Euro currency transactions we accept payments by Bank Transfer, or via www.wise.com for credit card payments. We cannot accept payments with a debit card or a business credit card but wise.com accept debit cards. For Euro currency transactions we accept payments by Bank Transfer, or via Personal Credit Card (Visa and Mastercard), but not debit cards.
5. Details on the Confirmation of booking and/or the Final Balance Paid that our accounts manager, Julie, will send to you should be checked and if there are any inaccuracies you must notify us immediately.
6. Prices. We reserve the right to alter the prices on our website at any time. The price you have contracted to pay is fixed in accordance with your confirmation of booking.
7. Greek Government Climate Resilience Levy. *** As of January 01 2024 the Greek government have implemented a new tax that is applied to all stays in short-term rental accommodation in Greece. The Climate Resilience Levy is a response to the devastating forest fires and floods that Greece has experienced in recent years, with the government hoping to generate extra funding that will go towards financing reconstruction, supporting victims, and increasing the country’s defences against future natural disasters.
The owners of all short-term rental accommodation are legally obliged to collect the Climate Resilience Levy as a separate tax for all overnight stays in 2025 (per villa) as follows:
€15.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29.
If booking direct with Villas Crete Holidays we will collect the Climate Resilience Levy with your final balance payment and it will be clearly itemised on your Booking Confirmation. If booking via a booking platform, except AirBnB, the booking platform will take the Climate Resilience Levy and list it as a Fee. If booking via AirBnB, there is no system for payment for the Climate Resilience Levy, so it will need to be paid in cash to the house manager in resort. The daily amount of the Climate Resilience Levy could increase after you have booked your villa if the Greek Government changes it, and this is beyond our control.
8. You must satisfy yourself that you have taken out sufficient HOLIDAY INSURANCE COVER. Your insurance is to cover both yourself and other members in your Party against Flight Delays, Luggage Loss, Illness and, equally important, any cancellation of the Villa Booking. Whilst the local hospitals have excellent doctors, if an unforeseen circumstance means that you need to be hospitalised, it is generally far more comfortable in a private room in a private clinic (covered by your insurance) than in a ward in the general hospital.
9. It is always recommended that Clients book Car Hire because without transport, you will miss many of the spectacular Beaches/Mountains/Villages etc. which are in this part of Crete. Some vehicles such as people carriers, jeeps, and automatic cars are in limited supply, so it is very important to book early.
10. TAXI, PEOPLE CARRIER, OR MINIBUS AIRPORT TRANSPORT charges for 2025 are set out above if you click on the box for Transfers on your online booking page. If you are on a late flight but have to check-out of the villa at the standard time, the pick-up will be from the Almyrida Beach Hotel (see point Number 12) unless requested otherwise. We do not provide a taxi to the hotel – you will need to arrange this. If you are arriving early on the island (before check-in time) the taxi will take you to the Almyrida Beach Hotel (unless requested otherwise). We are not responsible for taking you to the villa at a later time). Each Greek Taxi is licensed to carry up to 4 passengers plus luggage allowance, the People Carrier is licensed to carry up to 8 persons plus limited luggage, and the Minibus can carry up to 14+ passengers with limited luggage. We reserve the right to change the prices on the website however the price you have contracted to pay is fixed in accordance with your confirmation of booking.
11. LATE ARRIVALS. When arriving in the area late at night, some guests do have a problem finding the villas in the dark when they are very tired. If you are driving yourselves, and do not want to get lost in the dark, we can arrange for you to meet a taxi at the National Highway exit in Kalives. You will then be guided to your villa by the taxi driver. This service costs 20.00 - 25.00 Euros (dependent upon where your villa is and how late at night it is) which is payable direct to the taxi driver. We have implemented this arrangement in order to make things easier for our guests.
12. WELCOME PACKS are provided free in each Villa on the day of arrival. When booking 2 different villas you will only receive a welcome pack at the first villa.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
13. Villas are normally ready for occupation on the day of arrival at 16.00 hours. Check out time is 10 - 10.30 am on the day of departure. In some cases, for a fee of 10.00 Euros per hour (up to a maximum of 50.00 Euros – even if the stay is over 5 hours) we will do our best to allow you to stay on later at the Villa if there are no other Guests due to arrive. This can be arranged locally for you by your house/villa manager during your stay if it is possible. Payment is direct to the house/villa manager in resort.
If you cannot stay late/arrive early at the villa the Almyrida Beach Hotel may be an option for you. For a charge of €20.00 per person (this could change), non-residents of the hotel can have full use of the facilities. This includes a pool towel, use of the pools, use of the luggage room, a drink (wine, beer or a soft drink), a snack from the menu, and use of the showers and changing rooms).
Spaces at the hotel are limited, particularly in high season, so if you decide to do this, please go to the hotel with the windmill outside it, prior to your day or departure and speak with reception. If they have space, they will make the arrangement for you so that you can go there on the day that you book for. They will tell you where to leave your luggage and will give you the pool towels if you ask for them. You can use the facilities at both of the hotels (the Almyrida Residence is on the other side of the car park and has a lovely roof top pool).
14. Additional Guests. Only the people named on your booking form may stay in the villa, and the number of guests cannot exceed the number that the villa is licensed for. If you would like an additional guest to stay in the villa, please ask as soon you can. We will agree to this where possible, but an extra charge may need to be made per person.
If extra persons who are not listed on your online booking page are found to be staying at the villa, there will be a fee of €200, and we reserve the right to ask them to vacate the premises.
15. Maid Service /Linen and Towels. All of our Premier villas, and a few standard villas) are cleaned twice a week, with a once weekly linen change and a twice weekly change of towels. Most of our Standard villas have a once weekly clean with linen and towel change - please check the individual villa descriptions). All of the villas have washing machines if you need extra laundry. We supply sheets, 1 bath towel 1 hand towel per person, and 1 pool towel, in all of our villas as standard. Pool towels are generally not laundered during your stay. Please check the individual villa descriptions to see if they will be laundered. The maids will do a mid-week general light clean and tidy up but they do not have the time to do washing up and are not required to do so. If the villa is very untidy the maids are not required to move things and will only be able to sweep and mop the floor if it is clear.
16. Villa Inventory and Standards. Whilst we endeavour to have very high standards in all of our villas, please note that occasionally Greek furnishings and equipment are not always quite as modern and up to date as those in many Western European homes, this particularly applies to some of the older homes. Some of the newer villas may have a smaller kitchen inventory than the well-established villas.
17. Babies. If you are going to be bringing an infant on holiday, we can supply a travel cot and a highchair free of charge in the Premier Villas. In standard villas, these can also be provided but some owners may ask for rental for 10.00 Euros per week for a cot, and 5.00 Euros per week for a highchair – payable in cash in resort to the house manager In all villas, please request this in space provided on this on-line booking form, as we may not be able to provide a cot if it is done too late, or upon arrival in resort. Please note that we do not supply linen for the cot other than a standard sheet. If advance notice is given, we can usually put you in touch with a reliable independent babysitter. Disposable nappies and baby food are readily available on Crete, as are many baby equipment stores.
18. Air Conditioning. All of our villas and apartments have air-conditioning in the bedrooms (occasionally there may be one bedroom without air-conditioning, but with a fan), and some villas also have it in the living room. The air-conditioning is included in the rental price, but we do ask that you respect both the environment and the villa owners by only using the A.C when necessary. Air-conditioning is listed in the Amenities section of each individual villa description on our website.
19. Internet Access. All of our villas have Wi-Fi Internet though the speeds may be lower than you enjoy in your home country. At all the properties airtime is included in the rental price though occasionally there is a limited number of GB’s available for download – please check the individual villa descriptions. Free Wi-Fi internet access is also available at most of the local cafes and tavernas.
20. The Amenities section of each villa description on our website will let you know which type of TV system is installed in each individual villa. Many villas, particularly the ones in the premium category, will have a Smart TV which allows access to steaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video etc. as long as you have an account with them. Channels such as YouTube will be available without needing a paid for account, however. The same applies for villas which have a Google Chrome Cast
system (you will need the app on your smart phone), or an Amazon Fire Stick on the TV. If, Satellite TV is available at villa it usually features "Freeview" channels such as Sky News, BBC World News, CNN, and a good variety of channels which feature American movies and TV series. Very occasionally the Satellite TV is supplied by Nova, a Greek supplier, which only has 2 or 3 channels in English which are usually CNN, Bloomberg News, and/or BBC World News. We will be happy to advise you which TV system your villa has installed if you cannot see it in the Amenities section of each villa on the website.
21. Villa Information. There is a book in each of our villas that is packed with useful information about the villa itself and the surrounding area. There is helpful advice on many things including shops, tavernas, sports and activities, transportation, excursions, doctors, chemists, beaches, churches etc. There is also a copy of “Crete on the Road” which gives detailed directions to many hidden sites, as well as the more popular places, on Crete.
22. Help and Information In Resort. All of our villa owners employ a local house manager who you can call should you need any help at the villa itself. In addition, we are available by phone during office hours for information, and we can answer any questions that you might have and help you if the need arises if you have a medical emergency out of hours. We can give you information about private boat hire, private boat trips with a captain, private sightseeing flights, horse riding, water skiing, guided walking, guided coach excursions, and many other activities. Our office staff speak English, Greek, and a little French, and have a vast list of local contacts.
23. Electricity and Water / Power or Water Cuts. The voltage is the same as in the UK at 220 volts A.C. If coming from the UK you will need a 2-pin continental adaptor. Generally, the electricity service on Crete is excellent but during the long hot summer months when everyone wants to have their air conditioning units on all the time, the generating station cannot always cope. Therefore, particularly during hot weather we ask for your co-operation in conserving electricity when possible. Rolling power cuts will be occasionally made throughout Greece if the electricity company cannot cope with the demand. The water on Crete is safe to drink almost everywhere. The chemical content may be slightly different to that of your home country; therefore, you may prefer to buy bottled water. As with the electricity supply to the area, occasional water cuts may be experienced, particularly during high season, and/or the water pressure can be low. Water cuts usually only last for short periods of time and they are beyond our control, so we ask for your understanding if this happens. We are not responsible or liable if there is an area wide water or power cut (though the vast majority of our guests do not experience any disruption in their power or water supply).
24. Pool Heating. If your villa has pool heating available via heat pump (not solar panels), some villa owners have included pool heating in the rental price in low and mid seasons (it is not needed in high season), whilst at other villas with heat pump pool heating there is a usually surcharge of 245 - 280.00 Euro per week (dependent upon pool size) that is payable in cash to the house manager in resort. The heating must be ordered in advance (the pump must be put on a few days before your arrival to enable it to heat the pool to the required temperature). Your house manager will endeavour to keep the pool heated to a minimum of 25- 26 degrees centigrade, except first thing in the morning, at night, or during periods of unseasonably cold or rainy weather (though this is unlikely) when the temperature cannot be guaranteed.
25. Local Life and Disturbances. One of the reasons that many travellers come back to Crete year after year is that the way of life is still very natural and has remained the same for so many years. The relaxed attitude of the locals can be very charming but may also need a touch of understanding and flexibility from the guest. With the summer temperatures being very hot in the middle of the day, the locals tend to rise early, siesta in the afternoon between 2pm and 5pm, and then stay up late at night. The law is that tavernas and music bars close at 2am, but this is not always strictly enforced, particularly if the local policeman is related to the bar owner! Having said this, our villas are not located in a brash area and it may be the local cockerels, cicadas, or dogs that can on occasion be the cause of a disturbance. The same can be said for the fisherman starting their small boats early in the morning, or the local boys on their mopeds, but this is just the Greek way.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
a. Changes by us. We (Villas Crete Holidays Ltd.) try to avoid making changes to your confirmed booking but very occasionally (due to unforeseen circumstances) we may have to do so. We reserve the right to do so but only if necessary. If we must make a change to your booking, we will inform you as soon as possible and we will endeavour to offer you an alternative accommodate of equal comfort or offer you a full refund.
b. We (Villas Crete Holidays Ltd.) promise to provide your accommodation with all reasonable care. We do not accept responsibility if death, injury, failure or deficiency arises through no fault of ours.
c. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for any reduction in service due to factors beyond our control including disasters of any kind, adverse weather conditions, fire, war, or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, & all other events outside our control.
d. Building Work. Whilst we do not include any properties in our portfolio that are at the outset in the vicinity of building work, we cannot be held responsible for building work that commences subsequent to the inclusion of a property in our portfolio. Building work can start at any time on Crete without prior notification but we generally find out very quickly, and we will notify you. If we consider that this will seriously affect your holiday we will, wherever possible, offer you a alternative villa from our portfolio, and in the unlikely event that we do not have a suitable alternative (which is most likely in high season) we will offer you a full refund of all monies paid to us.
e. We (Villas Crete Holidays Limited) cannot accept liability, nor be responsible for injury, accidents, loss or damage to persons or personal effects during your vacation however caused.
YOUR (THE GUESTS) RESPONSIBILITIES:
By completing our on-line booking form and clicking on the Save button (which will send the information to us), and paying a deposit to us, the person making the booking accepts our terms and conditions on behalf of all party members.
In the unlikely event of a complaint, the guest must notify the house manager and the Villas Crete Holidays UK office immediately so that they can endeavour to rectify the problem. Nearly all complaints can be settled by the house manager and/or our office at the time. We CANNOT deal with your complaint if you leave things until you return home and do not report them when in resort.
THE VILLA AND/OR APARTMENT.
a. The villa/apartment/property is used entirely at the guests own risk.
b. It is your responsibility to take good care of the property and its grounds and to avoid causing nuisance to others. The property and grounds should be left in a clean and tidy state on your departure. We reserve the right to deduct costs from any security deposit to cover any damage, loss, or extra cleaning charges over and above a standard end of let clean.
c. Observe all Laws and Abide by all Rules. The Guest, his/her group and his/her visitors shall comply with and abide by all existing and reasonable future rules and regulations governing the use and occupancy of the villa/apartment and any common areas in connection with them. The Guest and his/her group hereby expressly acknowledge that failure to abide by any rules and regulations pertaining to the villa or its common areas or failure to observe any State or Local Law or Ordinance may be grounds for immediate expedited eviction with no refund of rents.
d. As a condition of the use of this villa/apartment and pool, the guests and their visitors specifically waive any claim whatsoever against us (Villas Crete Holidays Limited) and/or the Villa/Apartment Owners for any accident or claims arising from the use of the pool or villa.
e. Children must be supervised at all times when using the balconies.
f. The barbeque may only be used by adults, and with great care at all times, and should be left clean by the guests upon departure.
g. The indoor furniture is not to be moved from the room where it belongs without express permission from the house manager. It is not to be used outside.
SWIMMING POOL
a. The pool is used entirely at the guests own risk. Swimming pools at villas or apartments are always unattended, (except for cleaning and maintenance visits).
b. In accordance with the owners’ insurance requirements, I (the renter) confirm that we have agreed that we do not require a lifeguard to be present at any time day or night during the period of the tenancy.
c. As a condition of the use of this villa/apartment and pool, the guests and their visitors specifically waive any claim whatsoever against us (Villas Crete Holidays Limited) and /or the Villa Owners for any accident or claims arising from the use of the pool or villa.
d. Minors (children under 16 years of age) and non-swimmers must be accompanied by a competent adult at all times when using or playing in the vicinity of the pool. It is a Greek Law requirement that children are supervised by an adult in the pool, or on the surrounding areas, at all times.
e. Persons, however capable, must only use the pool when at least one other adult is present.
f. Persons with pre-existing medical conditions which may compromise their safe use of the pool must not use it.
g. No diving is allowed.
h. Persons using the pool must ensure that they are familiar with the pool depths as shown poolside, and the location of the life ring.
i. Under no circumstances must any glassware or breakable items be taken out into the pool area.
j. No running or rough play is allowed in the pool or pool area.
k. No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs (legal or otherwise) may use the pool.
l. Persons must not open or enter either the pool room or the water holding tank.
m. Children less than 3 years of age or swimmers who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper/swim nappy.
n. Persons must shower before entering the pool.
JACUZZI.
a. Persons must shower before entering the jacuzzi. Sunscreen ruins the water quality and the experience. There is much less water in the jacuzzi compared to the pool. Therefore, it takes little contamination before it affects the water quality.
b. Persons must make sure that the water is covering the jets before turning on
the jets or it will burn out the motor.
c. People with heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure (or any serious illness), pregnant women, or anybody in doubt about their health or using prescription medications, should not enter the jacuzzi/hot tub without prior consultation with their doctor.
d. Persons must never allow children under 16 years of age to access or use the Jacuzzi/hot tub without a responsible adult present.
e. Persons must be sure that you check the water temperature before you get into the hot tub. Do not soak for more than 15 minutes in one session in hot water.
f. Persons must never use the Jacuzzi/hot tub when alone.
g. Persons must not use the Jacuzzi/hot tub while or after using alcohol or drugs.
By completing the on-line booking form that we will send you upon request, and clicking the Save Button on the booking form (which sends the information to Villas Crete Holidays Ltd, and paying the deposit payment, I (We) agree to the use the pool (if applicable) and villa and/or apartment subject to the above conditions, and will not hold Villas Crete Holidays Limited or the Villa Owners, or their representatives in anyway responsible should any claim arise as my (our) failure to comply with these conditions. I (we) hereby voluntarily accept all risk of personal injury, death and property damage (including personal property) to myself (ourselves), our family or anyone on the Premises with our permission, which injury or damage results from our use of the Premises. Furthermore, I (we) agree that I (we) will not make a claim against or sue Villas Crete Holidays Limited, or employees, family, or related entities, for any bodily injury, death, or property damage.
