Nestled in an authentic Cretan village just a few kilometers from Heraklion, we recommend staying at the Hotel Manili Boutique Suites & Villas. Although far from the city center of Crete’s capital, it’s within easy reach of the famous Knossos Palace, Greek vineyards and numerous natural attractions. Its strategic location, superb decor and outdoor swimming pool won us over!
In this article, you’ll find all the details of our stay, along with plenty of photos , so that you too can be seduced by this 5-star establishment!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why stay at Hotel Manili Boutique Suite & Villa?
We enjoyed our stay at the Boutique Manili Suite & Villa Hotel. In fact, it’s one of our picks for the best establishments near Heraklion (article coming soon).
Here are its 3 main assets, in our opinion:
Refined decor
We were absolutely charmed by the decor of the Hotel Manili Boutique Suites & Villas. It combines modern elegance with traditional charm. Natural, raw materials from the region are used to create an authentic, soothing atmosphere.
Ideal location
Nestled in the center of the village of Archanes, Hotel Manili Boutique Suites & Villas lets you immerse yourself in Cretan authenticity while enjoying surprisingly modern comfort. If you’re travelling by car, you’ll have easy access to tourist attractions such as Knossos Palace, the surrounding vineyards and the town of Heraklion, around 15km away. All this while being tucked away on a picturesque street in a quiet, confidential village.
Comfort and luxury
Spacious, fully-equipped rooms guarantee a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Whether you choose to stay in the villa or in a single double room, you’ll enjoy a space designed to offer a sanctuary of comfort and luxury. As well as enjoying a pleasant outdoor swimming pool, you can completely unwind by taking advantage of the tasty dishes served by the hotel’s restaurant, or by concocting your own in the kitchenettes that each room is equipped with.
RENT YOUR CAR IN Crete
- Our preferred agency is Rental Center Crete
everything is included in the price and the service is excellent. No stress! - Choose a car with a decent engine for greater comfort on the few mountain roads.
- Book early for choice.
- If you prefer more choice, compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars
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Is the Manili Boutique Suite & Villa worth it? Our review
Its location is ideal for discovering the main attractions of Heraklion and the surrounding area, or relaxing by the pool. The hotel offers comfortable, pleasant and well-equipped rooms, suites and villas. Some have their own pool and/or Jacuzzi with panoramic views. The beautiful pool is perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.
When it comes to dining, we were pleasantly surprised by the bistro, which showcases Cretan cuisine with tasty, creative dishes prepared using local produce. The Hotel Manili Boutique Suite & Villa offers a setting conducive to relaxation and contemplation, yet within easy reach of Crete’s capital. We recommend this establishment for an authentic Cretan holiday.
Decoration and atmosphere
The Hotel Manili Boutique Suite & Villa is made up of a series of old, whitewashed buildings dotted along an alleyway. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be seduced by the rural yet elegant ambience offered by this singular establishment. We immediately noticed the family atmosphere. Sometimes you have to step out into the street to reach certain facilities, such as the swimming pool, reception or restaurant, offering an immersion into the heart of Archanes and a more authentic, lively experience.
The various buildings house rooms with exposed stone walls, and the careful, minimalist decor in natural tones enhances the authenticity of this boutique hotel. We found the ambience both soothing and immersive, with touches typical of Cretan architecture: exposed stone walls, wooden beams and subdued lighting, limewash.
The hotel is made up of several buildings spread along the same street, giving it a real village feel. You sometimes have to step out into the street to reach certain facilities, offering a more authentic experience in the heart of Archanes.
Finally, we found the staff very attentive, warm and welcoming. Constantly and discreetly looking after the well-being of travellers. In fact, we even caught a glimpse of the owner’s grandfather from the roof where the Jacuzzis were located, adding an extra dimension to the feeling of being part of the rural life of Archanes for the duration of our stay. It all added up to a memorable stay.
The room
Our room was spacious, bright, quiet and very pleasant. In addition to the space on the first floor with a sitting area, a queen-size bed and a beautiful bathroom, it had a mezzanine with a beautiful bathtub, a second bathroom and another queen-size bed.
Meticulous work has been carried out to renovate the villas, preserving the charm of the traditional buildings while integrating contemporary elements. The tastefully selected furnishings combine elegance and quality, creating a warm and refined atmosphere. From the furniture to the lighting to the bed linen, we felt that nothing had been left to chance to create the most cosy and welcoming space possible.
In our room, we appreciated the presence of a kitchenette. Equipped with a kettle and coffee maker, refrigerator, glasses, cups and cutlery, as well as kitchen utensils. Together with the tea and coffee available to us, this space added a little extra comfort to our stay.
On top of all this, our room had a very pleasant little private pool right outside the front door. We also had private access to a magnificent panoramic terrace with Jacuzzi on the roof of the building, just above the room. You’re sure to appreciate this little corner of paradise, overlooking the surrounding countryside dotted with hills and vineyards.
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The bathroom
Our room, arranged on 2 levels, offered 2 magnificent and very pleasant bathrooms on both levels, as well as a huge and very comfortable bathtub on the first floor. Like the rest of the hotel and the room, the bathrooms are beautifully decorated, with remarkable attention to detail, beautiful volumes, a well-lit ambience, matching colors and furniture with organic shapes echoing the walls of the room.
The bathrooms in our room were equipped with Prija cosmetics brand hygiene products, hair dryers, and beautiful pieces of handmade, raw soap. The comfortable bathrobe and slippers completed our comfort. The bathroom’s separate toilet added to the comfort of the room.
DISCOVER Heraklion
- What to do in Heraklion
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- Best restaurants (coming soon)
- Archaeological Museum
The breakfast
Breakfast at the Hotel Manili Boutique Suite & Villa was a real treat! A hearty buffet featuring a wide variety of local products, including Glyka tou koutaliou (traditional candied fruit), Cretan pies(tyropitakia & spanakotyropitakia), Greek yoghurt and local goat’s milk cheeses.
We appreciated the choice of products on offer, whether sweet (cereals, fruit juices, fruit, jams, honeys, pastries, waffles, chocolate spread) or savory (cold cuts, cheeses, raw vegetables, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, breads, tahini).
Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant, in a bright, spacious room where it’s pleasant to start the day. The variety of products on offer will delight every palate, whether sweet or savory, gourmet or healthy!
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in Crete a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
Coming soon!
Swimming pools and jacuzzis
Hotel Manili Boutique Suite & Villa features a lovely swimming pool set into the stonework of the main building, where the lobby is nestled. It blends harmoniously with the architecture of the site. We found it an ideal place to cool off and meet other travellers. Comfortable deckchairs surround the pool, providing a sunny space in which to relax.
Some suites, like the one we stayed in, feature a private pool and/or Jacuzzi, providing an intimate setting for a moment of well-being.
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The restoration
This boutique hotel features a restaurant open all day for lunch and dinner, or just for a break. The Manili Bistrot offers hot drinks (coffee, infusions, teas, chocolate, etc.), soft drinks (sodas, fruit juices, milkshakes, non-alcoholic cocktails, etc.) and alcoholic beverages (local beers, cocktails, wines, etc.).
On the culinary side, the restaurant features Cretan cuisine, with dishes made from local, seasonal produce. We loved the friendly atmosphere of the elegant setting, which blends authenticity and modernity.
The menu features revisited regional specialties, highlighting Mediterranean flavors. Enjoy mezzés, grilled meats, fresh fish or typical desserts, accompanied by a selection of local wines. Whether for a romantic dinner or a meal with friends, Manili Bistrot offers an immersive culinary experience in the heart of Archanes.
Practical information about Manili Boutique Suite & Villa in Archanes
Type
The Hotel Boutique Manili is a 5-star establishment offering top-of-the-range services. It is located in the village of Archanes, about 15km from Heraklion.
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Where is the Boutique Manili hotel?
Hotel Boutique Manili is located in the village of Archanes, about 15km from Heraklion.
The exact address is: Archanes, 70100, Greece.
- 15min drive from Heraklion Airport
- 15min drive from Knossos Palace
- 20min drive from Heraklion center
How to get there
You can go to Archanes:
- By ferry from Athens (Port of Piraeus), as well as from other Greek islands such as Santorini and Mykonos.
- By plane: from Heraklion international airport, served by many European cities, including Paris, London, Berlin, Rome and Vienna.
- To reach Archanes from Heraklion Port or Airport, we recommend renting a car or taking a cab.
- Archanes is easy to reach by car, thanks to Crete’s main roads. From Heraklion, it’s about a 20-minute drive.
Hotel Manili Boutique Suite & Villa is located in a street upstream from the main road.
RENT YOUR CAR IN Crete
- Our preferred agency is Rental Center Crete
everything is included in the price and the service is excellent. No stress! - Choose a car with a decent engine for greater comfort on the few mountain roads.
- Book early for choice.
- If you prefer more choice, compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars
Parking
The hotel has free dedicated parking for guests. It’s just a few meters downstream from reception. If you’re in a hurry, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for help, they’ll be delighted to oblige. Parking is also available in the surrounding streets, where parking is free of charge.
For people with reduced mobility
Unfortunately, this establishment is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. In fact, there are many stairs and steps connecting the various areas, and there are no ramps or elevators. If you’re looking for a property with accessibility requirements, we recommend thePavo Art AppartHotel in the Cretan capital. In fact, it’s one of our picks for the best hotels in Heraklion!
Is Manili Boutique Suite & Villa family-friendly?
Although the hotel is primarily designed for couples and individual travelers, it also offers family-friendly suites. For example, some suites feature a sofa bed in addition to the main bed, accommodating up to three people. You can also request a baby cot, which will be provided free of charge. What’s more, we think that the kitchenettes in the accommodations will make life easier for parents traveling with young children.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Crete
- Best of
What to do in Crete
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Best archaeological sites
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- Practical advice
When to go? (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Crete
Driving tips
Itineraries (coming soon)
Where to stay in Crete (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Attractions in Chania
Attractions in Rethymnon (coming soon)
Attractions in Heraklion
Balos Lagoon (coming soon)
Spinalonga (coming soon)
