Vey classy property with thoughtful touches to keep the original while updating to modern. The view was spectacular! 180 across the valley and town. Two lovely terraces for guests to enjoy. Several wineries nearby (make reservations) and the Knossos Palace nearby. Small authentic tavernas nearby for tapas- delicious! The room and bed were very comfortable! For a true Crete breakfast make your reservation for a full service meal. Our hostess shared her homemade orange lemon marmalade- delicious! The lobby has an indoor cool plunge to take away your aches and reset your body temp! So lovely.

This was a beautifully restored old house right in the center of Archanes, minutes from the town square. Our room was very quiet and comfortable. Every detail was perfect. Eleni and Maria were both so kind, helping us find parking and sorting thru my mistake of showing up a day late! Archanes was a lovely traditional village in the wine country. Definitely worth a visit, and carpe diem is the perfect place to stay.

Nothing. Everything was great. One thing to note: it's easier to park in a lot a short distance from the building. There wasn't parking on the street, and turning around in the super narrow lanes was stressful.

We loved everything about Carpe Diem!! All we can hope for is a clean and safe space to rest while traveling and we got SO much more. The hosts, Eleni and Andrea, were so friendly, hospitable and welcoming. They have truly created a magical and inviting place to rest. We seriously were treated like family. We think that Greece is so much more than just the places you visit and that it’s about the people you meet. They personified this better than any place we stayed at in Greece. The room, bathroom, shared rooms, the terraces - they were all so inviting. High end and warm finishes in every corner of this boutique hotel. Great and easy communication with the hosts. We loved everything about this place and wish all of the places we stay at are like Carpe Diem.

Everything was perfect.

Everything you see in the listing images and more. This is truly a brand new boutique hotel, in a wonderfully renovated historical building, preserving the stone architecture. All the amenities, from the comfy bed to the smell of the shampoo and the linen, are beyond premium. Eleni is the most generous and accommodating host one could find. This is not a tourist guide for Archanes (and how it is so much better to stay here than hot and overcrowded Herakleio) so I will just say that the hotel is ideally situated spot on the historical center of them, so you can walk around it easily. We look forward to returning and this time try the cretan breakfast. The only thing we regret is we didn't stay longer.

Carpe Diem is a beautiful hotel in the centre of Archanes. The host, Eleni, met us and helped us to park not too far away. The room was stunning with a splendid bed and bathroom. A wonderful place!

Archanes itself is a little over-rated in the Lonely Planet guide to Crete. There are wonderful things to do around it, like visit Nikos Kalantzakis' house and go to vineyards (plus Knossos!), but we expected more narrow tree-line streets and more specialist shops. The town seemed a little run-down.

Beautifully renovated historic building and very friendly, welcoming hosts who provided great hospitality. Lovely home cooked breakfast with local traditional cuisine. We had a wonderful time. Archanes is an attractive village, plenty of local places to take dinner and good access to walks and archaeology in the area. We would recommend to visitors seeking to experience authentic Cretan culture.

Nothing

This was one of the nicest places we have stayed in. It was recently renovated using natural materials. It looks, smells and feels lovely. The bed was comfortable. There are two stylish terraces to relax on and healthy, well cared for plants. The attention to detail in the design of the renovation is impressive. The host goes above and beyond to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. The town is pretty, the people are friendly. It’s conveniently located near Knossos, Heraklion, olive and wine tasting adventures.

Nothing

Beautifully restored building. Tasteful, refined, decorative details. Superior-comfortable bed, lovely bathroom, I couldn’t have been happier and more relaxed. The town is charming, walk to everything. Good restaurants nearby. I chose the location because it’s an easy 15 minute drive to Knossos Palace and wanted to arrive before the crowds! Staying in a lovely place, a beautiful, walkable town is a pleasure.

Everything was quite wonderful.

It was perfect. Every evening when we returned from our day trip to Archanes and Carpe Diem, we felt like coming home. The house has been lovingly restored, views from the Pisti room were excellent. Breakfasts prepared by our host, Eleni, were incredible, and the conversations over these breakfasts about Crete and life in general were warm and memorable.

On our tour of Crete (Almyrida 4 nights, Cora Sfakion 3 nights, Agia Galini 3 nights, Archanes 3 nights) the Hotol Carpe Diem was ideal because of its proximity to Knossos and Heraklion Airport. We felt very comfortable in the lovingly renovated and furnished townhouse. Because of the narrow streets in Archanes, the car should be parked a little away. On our next trip to Crete we would love to spend a few days at the Hotel Carpe Diem at the end of the trip.