White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses
White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses
Aspros Potamos, Makry-Gialos, Crete 72055 Greece
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About
#1 of 1 cottage in Makry-Gialos
Location
4.3
Rooms
4.5
Value
4.4
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.5
Sleep Quality
4.3
White River Cottages is a complex of 13 country stone houses in the tranquil valley of Aspros Potamos. They offer, since 1991, accommodation as for those in search of taste and harmony. The once ruins of the old deserted hamlet ,were painstakingly restored totally in tune with their natural surroundings, giving them new life as holiday houses . As a contemporary interpretation of vernacular architecture, they have rustic minimalist interiors with functionality and simplicity. A spacious* pool is in the heart of the property. A long sandy beach as well as restaurants, cafés and shops are only 1km walk down through olive groves. Superb beaches can be discovered by car or bike in the immediate vicinity. Ierapetra is 25km away , Sitia is 33 km and Heraklion Airport is 120 km.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Highchairs available
Car hire
Baggage storage
Shared lounge / TV area
Self-serve laundry
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Sun terrace
Room features
Air conditioning
Safe
Seating area
Telephone
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Iron
Kitchenware
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, French, Greek
Location
Aspros Potamos, Makry-Gialos, Crete 72055 Greece
Name/address in local language
Getting there
14 Restaurants
within 0.75 miles
1 Attraction
within 0.75 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 61
- 17
- 3
- 1
- 0
Time of year
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Detailed Reviews
We had room 6 which is located just above the glorious pool. The beds are are really comfortable. The bathrooms are immaculate and have really good high pressure in the showers. The location is just 1km up a narrow road with superb views and really quiet aside from the cicadas. The German couple next to us were an absolute delight. Makry Gialos is the antithesis of the Cyclades, but that’s why we like it. There are a couple of days excellent tavernas within a short drive, and away from the small port ‘strip’, who always welcome us back with open arms.
Then there is Helen the manager of WC who is incredibly conscientious and makes sure all is well, which invariably it is.
And guess what? We’re returning same place, same time 2023.
Then there is Helen the manager of WC who is incredibly conscientious and makes sure all is well, which invariably it is.
And guess what? We’re returning same place, same time 2023.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
This is about as authentic as we can make a Greek Island holiday and this part of Crete is well away from the 'muck and bullets' of the north coast. Makry Gialos is a rather ramshackle place, but outside of peak season it feels quiet and under populated.
We look forward to our annual fortnight at White River Cottages which is in a quiet secluded spot up a rough winding lane, about 1km from the coast. We take the same 'cottage' every year which is always immaculately clean and comfortable; in essence it's simple accomodation done really well.
Helen the manager makes sure everything runs super smoothly, and over the years we have now developed a very warm relationship with her. White River Cottages is in strong demand because so many guests are regular returners. However, the design of the site and the cottages means that there is little sense of others around, and at the end of day we have the excellent to ourselves most of the time.
We look forward to our annual fortnight at White River Cottages which is in a quiet secluded spot up a rough winding lane, about 1km from the coast. We take the same 'cottage' every year which is always immaculately clean and comfortable; in essence it's simple accomodation done really well.
Helen the manager makes sure everything runs super smoothly, and over the years we have now developed a very warm relationship with her. White River Cottages is in strong demand because so many guests are regular returners. However, the design of the site and the cottages means that there is little sense of others around, and at the end of day we have the excellent to ourselves most of the time.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
Situated on a hill behind Makry Gialos it was picturesque, exceptionally quiet, an excellent swimming pool with the water temperature providing refreshment without being cold.
Helen was great, also her colleague Sue.
There was a problem with some sewage smells from the bathroom which was addressed within the day, it didn't produce a sustainable solution but the problem was reduced.
Overall we really liked White River Cottages, and we are seriously considering a return in 2022.
Helen was great, also her colleague Sue.
There was a problem with some sewage smells from the bathroom which was addressed within the day, it didn't produce a sustainable solution but the problem was reduced.
Overall we really liked White River Cottages, and we are seriously considering a return in 2022.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Location
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.
We loved the area but weren’t really overwhelmed with these “cottages”. They are in a nice enough setting but not quite what we imagined. Instead of a lovely walk to the town through quaint Olive Groves, it is actually a walk along a beaten up old concrete road under a bridge covered in graffiti. The rooms are quite cleverly done but our studio (15) was very small and quite dark and dingy. Things we didn’t like :
* The bedding isn’t changed daily so expect to live with sand in the bed. After 4 days they took the old bedding and towels away but just left the new stuff for us to change ourselves;
* No room or bathroom cleaning at all;
* Electricity to the room doesn’t work when you leave so very difficult to charge devices whilst you’re out.
The pool area is nice and the general area is clean and tidy. We booked for 7 days which was a mistake really so left after 5 to get a couple of days in a more luxurious spot for the last couple of days of our holiday. Don’t get me wrong. If you’re after nice low budget accommodation in a lovely spot, White River Cottages will tick the boxes. Just don’t expect any real luxury or high end accommodation.
* The bedding isn’t changed daily so expect to live with sand in the bed. After 4 days they took the old bedding and towels away but just left the new stuff for us to change ourselves;
* No room or bathroom cleaning at all;
* Electricity to the room doesn’t work when you leave so very difficult to charge devices whilst you’re out.
The pool area is nice and the general area is clean and tidy. We booked for 7 days which was a mistake really so left after 5 to get a couple of days in a more luxurious spot for the last couple of days of our holiday. Don’t get me wrong. If you’re after nice low budget accommodation in a lovely spot, White River Cottages will tick the boxes. Just don’t expect any real luxury or high end accommodation.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Location
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.
Gorgeous retreat from the world. Beautiful cottages, tastefully interiors. Thoughtfully stocked and equipped. Private terraces. Incredibly peaceful, with stunning g views. The pool was Gorgeous, clean and always available to use. It felt like we had the perfect amount of privacy and at times the place to ourselves even when it was fully booked.
We had a car but walking to the village is possible. Lovely beach.
Highly recommend. We loved how the staff look after and care for the cats. My children fell in love with all the cats and we felt so grateful and reassured they re genuinely cared for and fed all year round. ❤️
We had such a wonderful week and didn't want to leave. It's a real gem.
We had a car but walking to the village is possible. Lovely beach.
Highly recommend. We loved how the staff look after and care for the cats. My children fell in love with all the cats and we felt so grateful and reassured they re genuinely cared for and fed all year round. ❤️
We had such a wonderful week and didn't want to leave. It's a real gem.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip 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.
We stayed 4 nights and it was a great contrast to our previous stop in Rethymno. The cottages were clean and spacious with a fantastic outside terrace. The pool was great to come back to after a walk in the hills or just to relax by as an alternative to the beach.
The walk into town takes about 20 minutes down a concrete road. It was an enjoyable stroll home after a meal in Makry, although a torch is needed as most of the road is unlit. The lack of light made for a spectacular view of the night sky.
There is a good choice of beaches, restaurants and bars in Makry. The walk further up the valley into the hills is also a good day out if you want a break from pool/beach.
If you want to stay somewhere different with real peace and quiet then I would recommend White River Cottages.
The walk into town takes about 20 minutes down a concrete road. It was an enjoyable stroll home after a meal in Makry, although a torch is needed as most of the road is unlit. The lack of light made for a spectacular view of the night sky.
There is a good choice of beaches, restaurants and bars in Makry. The walk further up the valley into the hills is also a good day out if you want a break from pool/beach.
If you want to stay somewhere different with real peace and quiet then I would recommend White River Cottages.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
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 here 3 nights in June 2011. The location was very nice and quiet. Beautiful location with studios built into the stone of the mountain. Lovely private terrace and gorgeous pool. However, I felt it was a bit over-priced. You pay for the unusual style and location, not for the service. The place was clean when we arrived but our rooms were not cleaned or beds made during the three days. My husband - who is tall - kept cracking his head on the low parts of the ceiling and bits of stone jutting out. Bedsheets were too small for the bed. I can see how people could fall in love with this place because it is so special. But I love Greece for its simplicity and basic good accommodation is enough for me, so if/when I return here I'll opt for one of the standard blocks of studios along the beach.
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Date of stay: June 2011Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
Response from wriver, Owner at White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses
Responded Jul 27, 2011
The White River Cottages is a self catering accommodation; not a hotel with daily room service. We have twice a week cleaning & linen change. Extra linen and towels are always available on request.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent nice weekend at wrc. Everything is as adviced - interesting property, quiet location, nice pool, beach reachable by foot (13 minutes of walk).
If you go down to the village there you will find great sandy beach. At the beach promenade you will find a lot of tavernas offering good meal (not always traditional). You can walk to the port of Makrygialos and there are lots of tavernas offering fresh fish.
I will share little secret with you - follow the signs to to dragon cave. There where the taverna (having the same name) is located you will find wonderful sandy beach with small sandy lagoon with few people and no umbrellas or other service. Just search for it.
Another advice - if you want to get the best food in the area - just visit the Piperia taverna at Pefki - either by car or by foot (Pefki gorge).
Last hint - we found the location as very good starting point for various trips - look for plenty of gorges in this area.
And why 4 points only? I thing that the white river cottages are overpriced. If I have to spend almost 1000 Euro for a week, then I really do not want to care about toilet paper. And the cleaning could be more .... precise, let's say. Owners - think about it.
If you go down to the village there you will find great sandy beach. At the beach promenade you will find a lot of tavernas offering good meal (not always traditional). You can walk to the port of Makrygialos and there are lots of tavernas offering fresh fish.
I will share little secret with you - follow the signs to to dragon cave. There where the taverna (having the same name) is located you will find wonderful sandy beach with small sandy lagoon with few people and no umbrellas or other service. Just search for it.
Another advice - if you want to get the best food in the area - just visit the Piperia taverna at Pefki - either by car or by foot (Pefki gorge).
Last hint - we found the location as very good starting point for various trips - look for plenty of gorges in this area.
And why 4 points only? I thing that the white river cottages are overpriced. If I have to spend almost 1000 Euro for a week, then I really do not want to care about toilet paper. And the cleaning could be more .... precise, let's say. Owners - think about it.
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Date of stay: July 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
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.
+1
We spend 4 nights here from September 29 to October 3, 2011. Upon arrival during the late afternoon, we noticed a sign at the reception area, letting us know they would be back at 18.30. So, no problem, we just went into the small town of Makrigialos and took a bite at one of the many restaurants along the harbour (excellent seaview and great food at friendly Gusto restaurant). The path to the cottages is made out of small gravel stones and is a bit narrow, but it only takes 5 minutes by car to get to the carpark of the cottages. We arrived unexpected without any booking and Iris, the manager, went out of her way to provide us with fresh clean bedlinen and towels, bottled water, instant coffee, sugar & milk plus a big carafe of really nice red wine! The beautifil traditional stone self catering cottages are all well equipped with a kitchen (with a cooker), fridge, dining/sitting area and seperate bath&bedrooms. The whole atmosphere is very tranquil and a very rustic Greek one, with white painted walls on the inside and lots of storage space. Also, there's free Wifi and a beautiful pool area with sunloungers and books to borrow (or leave behind). From Makrigialos, you can daytrip to the beach of Vai (surrounded by palmtrees), the city of Sitia and so on. But, it's much nicer to hop on the island of Chrissi boat or spend your day at nearby Green Beach. When in doubt, ask Iris! She is there to give you all the info you need. For us, this was the first time we visited this part of Crete (after 23 years of coming down here!!), but White River Cottages is definitely a warm welcoming and relaxing place that deserves a second (and more) visit!
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Date of stay: September 2011Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: All rooms are very pretty and nicely decorated. We stayed in cottage number 2, but had a glance...
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.
I have a very critical mind and can usually think of various ways people could improve their businesses, but with White River Cottages I can't think of anything. If you value quiet and a sense of beautiful simple aesthetics, then this is the place for you.
I notice that some reviews comment on the surrounding area as being a bit run down. Crete isn't a wealthy island and the area is not all pretty little seaside villages, but also it is not super touristy. I appreciate it for it's 'realness', it is a real rural area, and I found a lot of beauty there in amongst the debris of real life.
Then you have your little oasis's of real perfection. The cottages themselves, the mountain villages, the little coves and hidden beaches. But the real beauty of the place is the greek people, their generosity is incredible. Even when shopping in the super market the cashier decides to make a gift of your tomatoes!
It was our second visit and we're planning our third.
I notice that some reviews comment on the surrounding area as being a bit run down. Crete isn't a wealthy island and the area is not all pretty little seaside villages, but also it is not super touristy. I appreciate it for it's 'realness', it is a real rural area, and I found a lot of beauty there in amongst the debris of real life.
Then you have your little oasis's of real perfection. The cottages themselves, the mountain villages, the little coves and hidden beaches. But the real beauty of the place is the greek people, their generosity is incredible. Even when shopping in the super market the cashier decides to make a gift of your tomatoes!
It was our second visit and we're planning our third.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Yes, you can flush loo paper down the toilet. The plumbing system at White River Cottages is right up to date and so allows for this.
"It's work moving around and visiting a series of gorges, that are best in late spring, when many times there is still water in. "Read full review
"All accommodation was great, but accessibility not ideal if you're slightly infirm."Read full review
"15 is a tiny studio but has by far the best view and a wonderfully calm, breeze-cooled terrace."Read full review
PRICE RANGE
$87 - $104 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
white river cottages hotel makry-gialos
LOCATION
GreeceCreteLasithi PrefectureMakry-Gialos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions about White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses
Which popular attractions are close to White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Nearby attractions include Olive (0.6 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
Is parking available at White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Conveniently located restaurants include Restaurant Petra Bay, Gabbiano Greek Restaurant-cocktail-bar, and Obelix.
Are there opportunities to exercise at White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, and Greek.
Are there any historical sites close to White River Cottages - Rustic minimalist Holiday Houses?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Kapsa Monastery (4.2 miles).