3 replies to this topic

[frans]

Hi all,

I'm facing a small dilemma. I have a feeling that if I go to Crete without booking anything up front I can negotiate a much better deal then if I book up front. I'm still in a luxury position to travel outside normal holiday periods so I see a lot of vacancies in Paleochora where I and my family (wife and daughter) always go. We always stay for around 18 nights and payed an average of 45 Euros a night for a 2 bedroom appartment. This was because the people, non Greek, renting us saw the value of a guaranteed upfront booking of 18 nights meaning a guaranteed income. Now we were trying to find something else and whenever you mention you would like to stay 18 nights it seems that they fix the price and think 'hey they must be in great need so let's not give them a lower price....'
Since we are with a kid we need a guaranteed reservation because we cannot permit ourselves wandering through the village at 22:00 hours with 2 heavy suitecases and all being tired.
Greeks seem deaf for the argument that we really quarantee them a small 1100 euros. Instead they rather seem to want to loose money by renting out a place for a few days, than a few days empty and so on and so on which in the end gives them less income. Does anyone have the same experience? Any advise?

[Tim]

I am not sure that an average of 45 euros is too bad. This year I found prices were up on previous years and I paid an average of 40 for a single room in October.
I think the answer is for you to get to know a Greek family in Paelochora that offers the sort of accomodation you require. The right family accomodation will look after you as many have looked after me ove the years.
Tim

[lars]

45 Euro during low season, it sounds a bit high but of course it depends on the standard you want.
If you go to Paleochora every time you visit Crete why not spend some time to check the places and prices. It will give also an opportunity to get to know people, just like Tim says, which is a very good advise.
I am just back from Crete and I paid 30 Euro in Nea Chora (Chania) for a big room with sea view, tv, air-condition, fridge and also equipment to cook ( which we did, two big octapus speared at Elafonisos).
A simple phone-call and the room was booked, because we knew the place and the owners from before.
Good luck

[frans]

Thanks for the replies. The apartment we have rented for the last couple of years is a unique place and we are going to rent it in 2008 again!