Milia Traditional Settlement

Press Reviews

The Guardian, May 2009
"The Milia Settlement is built on the side of a valley near the village of Vlatos, south of Chania. Once a deserted village, it is now a faithfully restored traditional community, where the electricity is all solar, and the food is provided by the settlement's organic farm. However, Milia is not a hippie commune; you're likely to find writers, artists and city folk getting away from it all. The menu changes seasonally, and you can take long walks in olive groves or bird-watch, while beaches are a short drive away."

The Observer, October 2008
"An agriturism pioneer, Milia was set up in the Chania region in 1991 by a group of locals who decided to renovate a collection of derelict farm buildings and start an organic farm. While the 13 rooms certainly don't fall into the agri-luxury category, all have en suite showers, wood-burning stoves and solar-powered lighting (don't expect televisions or air-conditioning though). The farm produces nearly all the ingredients needed for the typical regional dishes served up in the farm restaurant, including rabbit with local cheese. Guests are encouraged to get involved: November sees raki production, while olives are harvested between December and February."

The Guardian, June 2007
"With temperatures soaring over 40C across south-east Europe this week, the mountains are a great place to cool down. Milia was an abandoned village above the Topolia gorge in the western foothills of Crete's White Mountains, restored as a hikers' hostel and organic farm. The stone houses have simple bedrooms, bathrooms and a dining room. Spring water has been piped in, there are wood burning stoves, iron beds and solar panels for (some) electricity. Everything is bought locally in Chania or grown on site, without pesticides or fertiliser, and served fresh, so expect seasonal vegetables and local pork and lamb. A waymarked trail from the settlement leads to the cave-chapel of Ayia Sophia and it's a 45-minute drive to the sandy Elafonisos beach. You can also hire bikes at Milia and there's sometimes a small spring-fed pool to dip into when you return from the mountains."

Great Small Hotels in Greece
"Milia is a tiny settlement hidden amongst century-old chestnit trees in the mountains of western Crete... The main idea was to turn the place into a 'retreat' guesthouse, but that was not all. Biological farming, reforestation and environmental protection were also on the agenda. Milia became a fully sustainable operation. Solar energy is used to generate electricity, there are wood-fired boilers to heat water for showers, and waste is recycled. But don't be afraid that this is a bunch of tree-hugging new agers, it is nothing like that. Milia simply is the work of young people who happen to really care about the mountains where they have grown up. And they have created a fantastic little getaway."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “Unique experience, a real hideaway in the hills, a throw back to how rural Greece must have been. The food is fabulous - very tasty and simple. The rooms are nice and comfy with wood fire places. A special place to go if you want peace and quiet with a loved one.”
  Matthew, Switzerland (07.04.12)

• “WOW! What a place. Fantastic!”
  jonathan, United Kingdom (12.09.11)

• “Very peaceful. Beautiful setting. A place for the human spirit to deeply relax and rejuvenate.”
  Terri, United States (05.09.11)

• “Numbers on each room door would be useful as this would help you to plan a future return based on the position of other rooms. The room numbers are only on the keys at the moment. A bit more accessible information on local hikes/walks would be beneficial but otherwise a very enjoyable stay.”
  steven, United Kingdom (01.09.11)

• “What an amazingly special place! Staying there, amongst the mountains with only the sounds of birdsong and the stream provided the perfect antidote to a busy life. There is a magic to Milia that is hard to describe - a feeling that you are welcome, but that in fact you are staying with friends, not as a paying guest. The food is absolutely excellent, fresh and delicious and the hikes form Milia are spectacular. I know I will go back!”
  Lorna, United Kingdom (28.04.11)

• “Absolutely beautiful setting, with wonderful walks. We are very happy we went during off season, it allowed for total silence as well as wood fires, which were perfect in the evenings. The food is excellent.”
  Nellika, United States (05.11.10)

• “Unfortunatekly there was a booking error with our room. We had booked a twin room and got a tiny hole-in-the-wall with a small double bed. I showed the staff my correspondence re the twin single bed request and we were immediately put in a great cabin with lots of room at no extra charge so they took care of the problem very well. The service was a little distant, but it was OK.”
  Alexandra, Australia (02.10.10)

• “A very special place, full of atmosphere and peace. Wonderful food from fresh produce and even the water was delicious! The staff were very friendly and made us feel at home.
  Animals in the settlement gave a real sense of place - whether the cow roaming through the garden, the goats on the hillside or the resident puppy and kittens.”
  Michelle, South Africa (11.09.10)

• “chovey@emuaustralia.com”
  Cheryl, Australia (10.09.10)

• “The staff did not come across as friendly at all bar 1 of them. This is unfortunate since the place was really promising and the location beautiful. A bit pricey for what you got. Probably wouldn't stay there again.”
  Kelly, Greece (11.08.10)

• “We stayed at Milia in June (2010). It's a lovely spot and the cottagers are very picturesque. The main living and sleeping area of the room was basic but homely and traditional as expected.
  
  However the bathroom was the let down. The room was very small and the shower area tiny, with no shower curtain or door meaning that it soaked the whole room! Also guests should be aware that the eco-ness runs to no a/c. We were there early June and the temperature on the island had already hit 36-38 degrees. Even up in the mountains in Milia, it was still very hot, making sleeping uncomfortable. Plus points other than the location was the food, which was universally lovely from what I recall, and eating out on the terrace under the stars a great pleasure.”
  Richard, United Kingdom (18.06.10)