White River Cottages

A relatively remote corner of the eastern end of Crete is where you’ll find White River Cottages, a collection of stone houses in a valley called Aspros Potamos, whose direct translation gives the hotel its name. It’s a refreshingly tranquil and pastoral experience, with access to some impressively wild countryside and with an atmosphere that’s a fine mix of rough-edged rustic charm and contemporary boutique-hotel polish.

The cottages themselves vary widely in size, from studios to three- and four-bedroom layouts. All are charmingly traditional in their construction, but are up to date where it counts: air conditioning, wi-fi, sleek modern bathrooms. Each one comes with a shaded outdoor space, perfect for a quiet meal — and each one also comes with a fully equipped kitchen.

Given the cottages’ self-sufficiency, it’s perhaps no surprise that the hotel’s services are low-key, and the common spaces minimal, amounting to a (substantial) swimming pool and some outdoor lounge space. The village of Makrigialos is within easy walking distance and is where you’ll find yourself at dinnertime, while the island’s beaches and gorges are tempting destinations for a day trip with White River Cottages as your base.