The Arolithos Traditional Village Hotel occupies a cluster of buildings on the mountains outside Heraklion. Built in the late 1980s, it has been purposely designed to reproduce an authentic Cretan village and much care has been taken to recreate the atmosphere of times gone by. In the bedrooms, modern amenities are cleverly blended with traditional. The local taverna organises Cretan nights with mouthwatering Greek food and folk dances. A number of social events are organised during summer in the open air restaurant. The area boasts dazzling white houses with pretty turquoise windows that host several old-fashioned shops, including a blacksmith.