SK Place
Apokoronas region, Crete
Three beautiful self-catering villas sleeping 4-6, with stunning sea views, private pools, and a peaceful location near Almirida
A deep blue bay gives onto the open sea with rugged mountains
rising to one side; the sun is setting and the sky is taking on
dramatic hues of orange and pink. This is the view from the
floor-to-ceiling glass front of your living room at SK Place.
Set on a clifftop, just outside the peaceful seaside village of
Almirida, these gorgeous modern villas lie midway between
Chania and Rethymno on Crete’s north coast. New in 2009, and
still immaculate when we visited a year later, they were designed
by Pavlos, an architect, and stylishly furnished by his wife,
Katerina. Each has the same ground plan but a different decorative
theme, plus lots of thoughtful touches such as film libraries, mini
gyms and saunas or a Turkish bath. And each has a lovely private
garden with a turquoise-blue pool, fronted by that glorious sea
view.
Ideal for groups of friends or a discerning family (each villa has
3 kingsize double bedrooms, 2 of which can be converted into twin
rooms), SK Place is a chic and peaceful place to unwind. But should
you feel restless, western Crete's sandy beaches, unspoiled
villages and Venetian towns are all close by.
Reviewed by Jane Foster
Last updated 16 May 2012
Highs
- Pavlos' careful architectural design has maximised space and privacy for each villa
- Top quality fittings and hi-tech touches: remote control entrance gates, flat-screen satellite TVs, music systems with individual room controls
- Katerina acts as an on-call concierge and can book restaurants, organise a private chef or restaurant delivery service, and arrange in-house massages
- Just a short walk to a sandy beach and a low-key village with several good tavernas
- Each villa has a lovely gardens, planted with bougainvillea, citrus trees, laurels, jasmine and fragrant herbs, plus secluded outdoor dining and seating areas
Lows
- So peaceful and self-sufficient that you might forget to explore the rest of Crete, which would be a shame
- Almirida has no nightlife to speak of
- An expensive treat and a 7-night minimum stay for most of the year (though there is no set check-in day)
- Only 3 villas and many return visitors, so they’re often fully booked in high season
