Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Luxury hotel located on a stunning hillside, over viewing the Avdou valley. Relaxing in the middle of untouched nature. 12 Hotel rooms located in bungalows.Infinity pool with separate children’s pool.Professional equestrian center on site, offering horse riding for all levels. Paragliding take off located above the hotel, and free available walking and hiking routes. Velani’s restaurant serves homemade cooking with fresh Cretan ingredients. A Family atmosphere with the very best in Greek hospitality.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
A lovely place away from mass tourism. Velani holds a high standard of rooms, amenities and food, but it is the quiet atmosphere that captivated us most. With stunning views of the countryside and little light from the surroundings, we saw the starry sky clearer than ever.
The breakfast included was perfect and we could buy food at the restaurant all day from 13-21. Only local raw materials.
Our 8-year-old received horse riding lessons with instructor in the morning and afternoon. The stalls were very well ⁇ ined, the horses healthy and healthy and the staff were gentle and patient with children.
Read more
Automatically translated
Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Rommene har kjøleskap og det er lurt å ha med seg litt ekstra vann fordi det er et stykke til...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excellent mountain retreat hotel. Food and hospitality are top class, and the setting is just stunning. There is a beautiful infinity pool, terraces and viewpoints, flowers and very natural looking landscaping.
The rooms are comfortable with plenty of seating options and places to put your things and hang out clothes and towels to dry.
We were there for horse riding and the guides, horses, and trails were wonderful.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent an unforgettable week exploring the beautiful rural area of Avdou on horseback. Our horses, Dioni and Flamenca, were truly amazing—strong, forward-going, and perfectly suited for the varied terrain. Since this region is mountainous, our canters were limited to short uphill stretches, but when given the chance, these horses knew how to soar!
The landscapes we rode through were breathtaking. We saw rugged hillsides, olive groves, and rocky paths that opened up to expansive views of the countryside. One of the highlights was spotting vultures soaring overhead—an incredible sight that added a wild, untouched feel to our rides.
Hotel Vilani was the perfect base. The rooms were comfortable, with plenty of seating inside and out to relax after a day of riding. The food was an experience in itself—authentic Cretan cuisine made from local ingredients, delicious and hearty.
This is an absolute must for horse riders seeking to experience the culture and hospitality of Crete on well-cared-for, fit horses. A huge thank you to Sabine, Manolis, Nicos, Marianne, and Iris for making our stay truly special. We can’t recommend this adventure enough!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Make sure you are saddle fit and happy going up and downhill either on or walking next to your...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Lassithi Trek was an unforgettable experience. Sabine and Manolis were welcoming, hard working, and accommodating. They have created a unique and top notch way to spend your riding holiday. Beau and Judith were amazing guides that created a safe, challenging ride that was well paced with lots of trotting and cantering. The scenery was beyond beautiful and diverse, varying from cantering through olive groves, to crossing mountains to the sea and back. The terrain was rocky and steep at times. The horses were very sure footed and capable of handling the terrain. The horses were extremely well cared for and well behaved. The accommodations were impeccable and the food was delicious. Grateful to have this experience and to explore Crete from horseback! Thank you! Highly recommend this trek and accommodations!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I came the first week of April 2022 to do the Self Guided Lassithi Trek. First let me say that we have done self guided horse riding trips in every country that we can find one. This one is slightly different since every other night they shuttle you (not the horses) back to their hotel. I found this to be wonderful since usually accommodations on the trail can be basic as is almost always the case. The Velani is super nice and comfortable and the food is EXCELLENT. The days in the saddle were long and the horses are first class. As horse owners ourselves it is easy to spot when they are well cared for. The trail was easy to follow but if you had a hiccup Sabine was always available. Everyone at the hotel made you feel like you had known them forever and we will definitely be back to do the ride again. The landscape in Crete is beautiful and somewhat surprising. We rode through the snow and then to the beach, I give the whole package a 10+. Also it could be the best valued horse trek we have ever taken.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Stayed in a Deluxe and it was worth the upcharge
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have just returned from a week at the Velani Hotel with our two daughters (8 and 11 years old) and they loved it so much they cried all the way home! They are already planning when we can return. It was one of the best family holiday experiences we have had.
The hotel has been thoughtfully and meticulously arranged by owners Sabine and Manolis. Whilst most of Crete was suffering from an unbearable heatwave, Velani is situated in a spot which almost always has a breeze. The views are breathtaking and as the restaurant is on a terrace, you spend the evening watching the sunset across a valley of lush oak and olive trees with night hawks and swifts wheeling about in the sky. Nikos was excellent and looked after our every need in the restaurant and always created a friendly and fun atmosphere. Manolis's food was exceptional - we ate in the restaurant three times a day every day because it was just so delicious.
The children and I all rode horses every day under the superb guidance of Vladimir and Beau who showed so much patience and care for our children (and for their mother's rather rusty riding!). For our horse loving children, having a stable that is very much part of the hotel was something of a dream. The ethos of the stables - the way they look after the horses - was magical. All the horses are part of the family and our children loved watching them let the horses out into the fields for the night. We went for hacks on some days and loved riding out in the surrounding countryside.
The rooms were comfortable and we had a lovely private terrace where we played cards in the evening. There is also a lovely pool.
Highly, highly recommended.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just back from a fantastic horseriding holiday at the Velani Country Hotel in Crete. Beautiful well kept horses and amazing mountain treks with incredible views . Our lovely Guide Gulia was so helpful and professional and made sure to make stops for a photo shoot on all our hacks . The food, accommodation and staff at the Velani Hotel were first class and we had a great fun atmosphere with the other lovely guests. I would highly recommend this perfect hideaway in the mountains and i will look forward to returning again soon.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed here for a week in the summer of 2022. I came here to brush up on my horse riding skills since they offer lessons to beginners and intermediate riders (in addition to their treks for more advanced riders). The hotel is family owned and has beautiful views of Crete’s mountainous countryside. You can tell it is a place that is well-maintained and well-loved by its owners — who are wonderful people, and have seemed to infuse the hotel with warmth and a special kind of quality. In the end, what I got from a week’s stay was a recovery from pent up stress from work and a hectic lifestyle. There’s a magical medicinal quality to this special place and I’d recommend it to horse lovers as well as those who just want a quiet, relaxing unwind in the countryside.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at the Velani for 3 nights and all had the best time. The room was perfect and had a mezzanine space for my daughter to have her own space. The pool was perfect for cooling down and relaxing as it was so quiet and peaceful. The food was fantastic, everything we ate was delicious and they served a wonderful varied breakfast. We did the horse riding hack which was such a unique experience. Lastly, the staff and the owners were so friendly, helpful and would go out of their way if you needed anything. The perfect place!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
7 of us (4 adults, 3 kids (ages 15, 12, 11) enjoyed the fabulous hospitality of Sabine and Milanos. The hotel is a true rural retreat - birdsong fills the air; The flowers were out and the air was filled with their scent. Vlad and Andrea taught the kids to ride and were fabulous teachers. Vlad took my sister and I out on rides for two hours each day - a wonderful way to explore this stunning area. Meals were freshly prepared with beautiful local produce - utterly delicious. Nikos served us with kindness and great humour… In short we were spoilt rotten and will certainly be back. Thank you all at Hotel Velani for such a special trip! We will be back x
Read more
Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:We had an interconnecting room which was brilliant!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were never there in summer so I usually exchanged my hiking shorts for jeans. Evenings in April/May and September/October can get a little cool. Also the view from the terrace is so romantic that it's a shame not to dine outside. On occasion I've even taken a sweater or fleece jacket with me to dinner.
October is wonderfull weather for the horse riding. Not to hot but mostly nice sunny days. Rainy days can occur and beach day can occur. In the evenings it cools down.
Hello Tiffany, For more information on the horse riding have a look at HorseRiding.gr. They offer trekking, horse riding holidays, day and 2 hour rides as well as lessons for all levels.
There are more places to choose from in the Avdou area.
PRICE RANGE
$105 - $161 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Avdou Pediados
LOCATION
GreeceCreteHeraklion PrefectureAvdou
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
