Renting a whole villa or house means having the heated pool to yourself, with family or friends. In Heraklion and along the north coast, the big resorts of Hersonissos and Malia hide a few heated pools. Here are the 5 villas and holiday homes I've selected in Heraklion, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Romantic Evas Cottage, Blue Coast Seafront Villa with Heatable Pool and Luxury Irida Villa in Hersonissos, with heated pool.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
5 places shown
The pool. Entire house with a pool advertised as heated ("eco-friendly heated pool").
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask the host about the heating period and the water temperature.
The pool. Entire seafront villa with a heatable private pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Heating is probably optional: get it confirmed and priced before booking.
The pool. Large heated private pool, heating at extra cost. Three-bedroom villa (sleeps 8).
The pool comes up in 23 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. The amount of the extra charge isn't shown: ask the host before you book.
The pool. Entire villa with a private pool advertised as heated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get confirmation of whether heating is included or charged as an extra.
The pool. Entire seafront villa with a heatable private pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. "Heatable" often means optional: ask about the price and how long it takes to heat up.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Romantic Evas Cottage (House for rent · Airbnb), with 4.98/5 (40 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Blue Coast Seafront Villa with Heatable Pool (4.98/5) and Luxury Irida Villa in Hersonissos, with heated pool (4.89/5).
None of the places selected in Heraklion clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Heraklion gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|
Sources: TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, Kayak.
