Unveiling Selini: Greece's Most Stunning Villa Awaits!
Unveiling Selini: Greece's Most Stunning Villa Awaits! - A Review (Finally, Truthfully!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I've just returned from Selini, this allegedly paradise villa in Greece. And, well, let’s just say my expectations did a swan dive off a cliff. The marketing material promised Zeus himself would approve, but I'm pretty sure he'd be demanding a refund. But hey, at least it gave me stories. Let's dive in, shall we? (And before you ask, yes, my sunburn is healing, thanks for asking.)
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Let's Get it Over with: Accessibility - Or Lack Thereof (My First Gripe, Naturally)
- Accessibility: This is where Selini started to lose me. The brochure (and the website, naturally, with its perfectly curated images) touted accessibility. Lies, all lies, I tell you! While they technically had a ramp here and there, navigating the grounds in a wheelchair was like doing a cross-country marathon uphill. The cobblestone paths? A nightmare. My poor chair. They did offer assistance, but that meant waiting… a lot. So, this section needs a massive: needs improvement.
- Wheelchair accessible: See above. "Accessible" is defined generously here.
- Facilities for disabled guests: It's there, technically. But, you'd better be ready to fight for it.
Oh, the Things to Do! (And How They Made Me Sweat)
- Swimming pool: The outdoor pool? Gorgeous. Absolutely Instagram-worthy. I spent a good two hours just staring at it, thinking about how good it could be. The view was breathtaking. You're surrounded by… well, beauty.
- Pool with view: As mentioned above, the views were divine. But getting IN the pool was an adventure (for me anyway).
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Now, for me, the steam room - a small, claustrophobic experience which I managed to escape with minor claustrophobia effects, provided a place for some deep breaths. The sauna, which I did not try. The promise of pampering kept alive my hopes.
- Gym/fitness: The fitness center was there, alright. Looked pristine, modern, unused. I'd guess the elliptical (or whatever it was) has never been used, and the treadmill? Well, I guess it might be used by a staff member to "walk".
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Foot bath: Ah, the promised indulgence. I booked a massage. Promised myself, bliss. The massage itself? Okay. The therapist, a lovely woman, but it felt rushed. And then they tried to up-sell me. I'm not made out of money, people!
- Things to do, ways to relax: So many promises, so many minor letdowns. Relax could be the goal, but Selini made it hard.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food, Glorious Food (Mostly)
- Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop: The dining situation was a mixed bag. The main restaurant was lovely, the staff friendly. But sometimes… the food. The food.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant: The a la carte was more reliable, but pricey. The buffet… well, it was a buffet. Edible. The Asian and Western cuisine attempts were… enthusiastic. The vegetarian options were actually quite good. The desserts? Hit or miss. One night, I had this chocolate thing that was practically orgasmic. The next, a dry, sad crumble.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: The breakfast situation was… complicated. The buffet was plentiful, but the quality wavered. Ordering room service? Expect a long wait. The Asian/Western breakfast options again varied.
- Bottle of water: Bless them for providing bottled water. Hydration is key, especially when navigating those cobblestones.
- Room service [24-hour]: Available, but be prepared for delays. (See above)
- Happy hour, Coffee/tea in restaurant: Happy hour? Score! Cocktails helped me forget the staircases.
Cleanliness and Safety - Looking for a Ray of Hope
- Cleanliness and safety: Generally, I felt safe. They were trying.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: The sanitization efforts were visible and appreciated.
- Hand sanitizer: Plenty of this, definitely a plus.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Largely followed, though sometimes a bit crowded depending on when you were eating.
- Cashless payment service: Super convenient.
- Safe dining setup: They did what they could, but still… not always comforting.
- Hygiene certification: Claimed.
- Individually-wrapped food options: A nice touch.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Important, yet I didn't think about it
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Glad these were available, even though I thankfully didn't need them.
The Room: My Personal Oasis (Kinda)
- Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, Additional toilet: The room itself was lovely – large, comfortable bed, and well-appointed.
- Air conditioning: Worked like a charm. A necessity.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for napping off that jet lag.
- Coffee/tea maker: Lifesaver in the mornings.
- Free Wi-Fi: Worked well, mostly.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above.
- Non-smoking rooms: Thank goodness.
- Room decorations: Pretty, but nothing spectacular.
- Additional toilet: A bonus!
Services and Conveniences - And Their Price Tags
- Services and conveniences: Standard hotel stuff.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The concierge was great. Most helpful. The hotel itself had the usual conveniences. The food delivery thing? Tempting, but I never indulged.
For the Kids (I Left Mine at Home - Thank God)
- For the kids: Family-friendly.
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Family/child friendly: Seems like a good spot for them.
- Kids facilities, Kids meal: I did not partake!
Getting Around - Hope You Like Exercise (or Taxis)
- Getting around: The biggest hurdle.
- Airport transfer: Convenient.
- Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: The car park was free.
- Taxi service: Available but pricey.
Safety & Security - Always Good to Know
- **Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn’t your sanitized, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is… me trying to vacation, fueled by copious amounts of Greek coffee and the impending existential dread of going back to emails. We're talking Villa Selini in Istron Collection Villas, Crete. Let's see if I survive this… or at least bring back some decent sunburn.
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Unpack and the Quest for Wifi (and sanity)
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Athens Airport Debacle: Dear God, it's the Athens airport. Always a gamble. Packed like sardines, security lines longer than my to-do list, and that one guy who thinks he’s entitled to cut in front of everyone. Sigh. Finally, escape! And the flight to Heraklion? Smooth as butter, thankfully.
- 1:00 PM - Taxi Tantrums and Villa Victory: The taxi ride to Istron? Another adventure. The driver (bless his heart) thought he was auditioning for Fast & Furious: Cretan Drift. I held on for dear life, clutching my baggage like a life raft. We arrive at Villa Selini, and OH MY GOD. The photos don't do it justice. It's all whitewashed dreams and that impossibly blue sea. For a moment, actual peace. Then… the unpacking. This is the first indication of the mess. My suitcase exploded. This is my life now.
- 2:30 PM - Wi-Fi Wars & Welcome Snacks: First priority: Wi-Fi. Gotta stay connected, you know? (Mostly for Instagram and checking my emails, but let's pretend it's work-related). The router is located… somewhere. The owner, a lovely woman named Maria, gave me a confusing explanation involving a Greek word that translates roughly to "just try it." After a lot of clicking, it works! I’ve officially conquered Crete day one. Now, the welcome basket. Local cheese, olives, bread, and honey. Divine. I spend approximately 20 minutes shoving my face, feeling a strong sense of satisfaction.
- 4:00 PM - Poolside Bliss (with a side of existential dread): Okay, this is it. This is the life I was sold. I am in a pool, staring out at the Aegean Sea. Everything is perfect. For, like, five minutes. Then, the inevitable thought: "Am I really going to enjoy this? Or am I going to worry the whole time about work, my bank account, and if I’ve failed by this point in my life?" Deep breaths. Focus on the water. The sun. The sheer beauty of this place. Resist the urge to check my phone. Successfully. Maybe.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner in Istron – The Taverna Tussle: Found a cute taverna in Istron. Beautiful view. But it's the first night, so I get overwhelmed by the menu. I order something vaguely involving grilled octopus, which arrives looking… well, let's just say it took me a while to get over the visual. The taste, however, was amazing. Also, I may, or may not, have accidentally ordered an entire bottle of local wine. Don't judge me; I was celebrating the fact that I hadn't lost my passport yet. Back at the villa, I fell asleep still clutching my book.
Day 2: Beach Day and the Olive Oil Revelation
- 9:00 AM - The Beach is Calling (and So is the Sunscreen): Woke up feeling surprisingly okay (considering the wine). Made coffee, and then headed to the beach. Note to self: apply more sunscreen than you think you need. Seriously. I am pale. Very pale.
- 10:00 AM - Voulisma Beach - OMG. Voulisma Beach is… insane. Turquoise water, soft sand, the works. I attempt to look graceful getting into the water (epic fail). Spend the morning floating, reading, and generally feeling like a goddess. Okay, maybe a goddess with a slightly sunburned nose.
- 1:00 PM - The Olive Oil Epiphany: Maria recommended a local olive oil tasting. I'm not even an olive oil person, but I went anyway. It was a revelation! The aroma, the taste… Seriously, this stuff is liquid gold. I tried about ten different varietals and bought three different bottles. Now I'm officially that person. "Oh, you like olive oil? Well, you haven't tried Cretan olive oil…" I need to stop.
- 3:00 PM - Caveat to Cliffside: I wanted to hike. Google said there's a trail by the sea. I set off. Let's just say it was intense. The trail wasn't exactly marked. I got lost. I almost went over a cliff. I thought I was going to die. Okay, maybe I was exaggerating, but I did scramble up some very rocky terrain. I finally managed to get back to the villa, physically and mentally exhausted.
- 7:00 PM - Sunset Dinner (and a newfound appreciation for pizza): Tired and in need of comfort food, I ordered pizza. The restaurant delivered to the Villa, I was so relieved. I watched the sun slip into the sea, and I ate the best pizza of my life, probably. That hike? Yeah, it was worth it. Just for this moment. Exhaustion is a good flavor enhancer when you're hungry.
Day 3: Spinalonga Island – History and Heartbreak
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast on the Balcony & the Power of Porridge: Made my own breakfast. Basic stuff. But I noticed it: The air is different in Crete. Filled with the scent of herbs and sea. The sun felt warm. Porridge can be a good start.
- 10:00 AM - Ferry to Spinalonga: The ferry to Spinalonga. I've been looking forward to this. The island of Spinalonga is a former leper colony, steeped in history and sorrow. Took a little boat. The sea was choppy.
- 11:00 AM - Spinalonga - Deep Breath: Wow. The history is heavy, the buildings crumbling, the energy palpable. I spent hours wandering the streets, listening to the stories, imagining the lives lived there. There were some quiet moments when I felt the history very deeply, I could feel it in my chest It was a dark time, and it made me think. Wow, that was difficult.
- 3:00 PM - Back to the Villa: Back at the Villa, I needed peace and quiet. I sat down by the pool and felt the weight of being in the world. Heavy day.
- 6:00 PM - Simple Dinner, Deep Thoughts: I made a simple dinner. Pasta and veggies. I ate it alone, and reflected. Was thinking about the people of Spinalonga. Wow. Sometimes you feel a lot when travel.
Day 4: Recharging and the Lost Phone Saga
- 9:00 AM - Sleep In: Success!
- 10:00 AM - Recharging: I did absolutely nothing. Slept in. Read a book. Sat by the pool. Basically, I gave my brain a much-needed vacation from the vacation.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & a Slight Panic: Made a sandwich and went for a swim. Then… oh-oh. Where’s my phone?
- 1:30 PM - Phone Fiasco Begins: The phone… It’s gone. I check everywhere. The pool. The beach bag. The kitchen. The bathroom. The couch. My bag. Everywhere. My panic levels rise. The phone is gone, so my life stops.
- 3:00 PM - Acceptance (sort of): After an hour of frantic searching, I accept the truth: it's gone. I am probably not ever going to see it again. I sit. I stare. I sigh. I decide to spend the rest of the day in a state of peaceful detachment.
- 7:00 PM - Sunset Celebration!: Decide to treat myself. A fancy dinner. Because nothing says "I've lost my phone" like a delicious meal and a bottle of wine. A beautiful sunset. Ate great seafood. I felt something new. I was happy.
- 9:00 PM - The Book, the Mood, the Peace: Sat on the balcony alone with my book. I really felt happy, almost carefree.
Day 5: Final Day – The Farewell & the Promise of Return
- 8:00 AM - Last Breakfast: Made breakfast. Stared at the sea, and felt sad to leave.
- 9:00 AM - Reviewing the Week: I looked back at the week I had gone through, I was thankful to have such a beautiful life.
- 10:00 AM - Packing…with Mixed Emotions: Packing is the worst. It’s the signal that the trip is ending. It’s also when you realize you’ve accumulated enough souvenirs to sink a small boat.
- 11:00 PM - Last Swim: One last swim in that turquoise water. One last moment of pure bliss.
- **12:00 PM - Goodbye, Villa Selini
Unveiling Selini: Your Questions (and My Utterly Unfiltered Answers!) About THAT Villa
Okay, spill it. Is Selini ACTUALLY as gorgeous as the pictures?
Alright, deep breath... let's be real. The pictures? They're pretty. *Really* pretty. But Selini? Selini is… a different beast entirely. You walk in, and your jaw will literally drop. I'm not even exaggerating, I think I spent the first hour just wandering around going "Woah! Woah! Woah!" like a total crazy person.
The photos can't capture the smell – that salty, sun-baked air mixed with the faint fragrance of bougainvillea. They can't convey the way the sun hits the whitewashed walls at sunset, turning the whole place into a warm, golden dream. And they CERTAINLY can't capture the feeling of pure, unadulterated bliss that washes over you as you sink into that infinity pool, staring out at the Aegean Sea. Seriously, just go. Find a way. Sell a kidney if you have to (kidding! mostly...).
What's the deal with the location? Is it secluded, or are you constantly bumping into tourists?
Secluded. Thank. God. I went to Santorini once, and it was beautiful, but everyone was, well... *everywhere*. Selini is nestled away, perched on a cliffside, which means breathtaking views are the norm, and the only 'neighbors' you'll find are probably a few cheeky goats and maybe the occasional, very polite, local fisherman. The nearest town, I think it's called *Something* (honestly, I was too busy living my best life to memorize place names), is a short drive, so you're not entirely cut off from civilization, but it's far enough that you're pretty much guaranteed peace and quiet. Perfect for soul-searching... or just getting spectacularly tipsy without feeling judged.
The *kitchen*... what's it like? Because cooking is a *must* for me, even on vacation.
Oh, the kitchen. Let me tell you about the *kitchen*. It's a chef's dream! Or at least, it made *me* feel like a chef, even when I was just attempting to toast bread without setting off the smoke alarm (success rate: 50/50). It's modern, fully equipped, and frankly, prettier than my actual kitchen at home. I spent a solid afternoon just fiddling with the espresso machine. And the views from the kitchen window? Forget about it! You can be chopping vegetables and simultaneously feel like you're on a cooking show filmed on a beautiful Greek island. Just... don't be like me and forget to buy salt and pepper. Rookie mistake.
Okay, the pool. You HAVE to talk about the pool! Is it as amazing as it looks?!
The pool... right! Picture this: you, floating effortlessly in crystal-clear water, the sun kissing your skin, the gentle lapping of the waves in the distance, and a cocktail in your hand. That's the reality, folks. It's an infinity pool, which means the edge just seemingly disappears into the sea.
I'm not a particularly good swimmer, but even I could spend hours just drifting in that thing, feeling utterly serene. One day, I swear, I almost fell asleep on a pool floatie, and it was probably the closest I’ve ever come to true enlightenment. Just be careful. Seriously. It's *very* relaxing, and you might forget to move for an unreasonably long time.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? Overbearing? Do they make the beds properly?
The staff at Selini are wonderful. Seriously. They're there if you need them, but they're incredibly discreet if you don't. I'm talking about people who genuinely want you to have a good time, not just people trying to collect a paycheck. They were helpful, kind, and made sure the villa *sparkled*. And yes, the beds were made perfectly. Like, hotel-level perfect. Seriously, I felt guilty messing them up every night.
One day, I accidentally locked myself out on the balcony in my pajamas (don't ask), and they were there in seconds with a spare key and a laugh. They even offered me coffee. Legendary service, I tell you. Legendary.
Any downsides? Be honest! There *must* be something...
Alright, alright, okay. Fine. There's *one* thing. And it's not even a big deal, but...it's the Wi-Fi. It's available, but it can be a little... temperamental. Think "occasional buffering" and "maybe stream a movie later" kind of temperamental. Honestly, though, that's probably a good thing, right? Forces you to disconnect, enjoy the moment, and actually *talk* to your travel companions. (Unless you're me, in which case you just spend even MORE time staring at the sea, lost in thought... or maybe just plotting how to stay forever. But hey, you asked for honesty!). The other downside? Leaving. Leaving was brutal. I'm still recovering emotionally. Seriously, bring tissues.
Is it worth the price? Be brutally honest, and I want the raw emotion.
Okay, here's the emotional breakdown: the price. It's an investment, let's be real. This isn't a budget hostel, people. It made me *wince* a little when I saw the initial quote. But... and this is a big BUT... It's worth EVERY. SINGLE. PENNY. I swear to all that is holy.
Initially, my inner cheapskate was screaming, "Think of all the souvlaki you could buy!" But then I arrived, and that tiny, practical voice got drowned out by the sheer, glorious experience. The memories? Priceless. The feeling of complete relaxation, the escape from the mundane, the joy of waking up to THAT view every single day? Unforgettable. I'd sell my left kidney to go back. Again. And in a shocking turn of events, now that I have the experience, I'm absolutely *convinced* my left kidney isn't worth more than a week at Selini. Go. Book it. Now. And send me pictures. I'll be over here, weeping gently.
What's the best thing about Selini, hands down?
