The Cretan Hilltop Hideaway

Rooms

There are 5 double or twin bedrooms, 4 upstairs and one on the ground floor. All have contemporary furniture, splashes of colour from cushions and lamps, private balconies, and ensuite bathrooms with rain showers.

All the upstairs rooms are topped with beautiful vaulted ceilings. The Orange and Mustard Rooms have spectacular sea views and either French or retro touches; the Teal Room gazes onto the glorious White Mountains, and the Aubergine Room has a Moroccan feel with views across local villages and olive groves. On the ground floor, the Green Room is cool and crisp, and overlooks the pool and the stunning vista beyond.

The communal living area has an open fireplace, a TV, sofas and a dining table for 10, and opens onto a wrap-around balcony. At the back of the villa, a large patio catches the morning sun. And you’ll definitely want to recline on one of the luxurious poolside loungers.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Barbecue
• Central heating
• Coffee maker
• Fan
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hairdryer
• Hob or stove
• Ipod dock
• Mosquito net
• Oven
• Pool towels
• Safe box
• Satellite TV
• Swimming pool
• Terrace
• Toiletries
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The fully equipped, open-plan kitchen leads to a sunlit patio and is all yours; It's a great place to start the day with yoghurt and honey, or fresh figs and Cretan cheeses.

You'll find a very generous welcome pack, including things like oranges for juicing, salad and cheeses for Greek salad, fresh bread, homemade cakes, fruit, wine and beer, soft drinks and some nibbles. There's even flour and yeast for making your own pizzas in the outdoor pizza oven. You can request a pre-arrival shop if you're arriving late in the evening and don't want to head out to the shops on your first morning. It's 1.5-2km into the villages of Vamos or Gavalohori for great local supplies; 5km to the larger supermarkets of Almirida.

There’s an impressive range of eateries in Vamos, or slightly further afield in the mountains and by the coast. We spent a dreamy evening in the beautifully lit garden of Monica’s Taverna in nearby Gavalohori, run by a family of Australian Greeks.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Coffee maker
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Welcome hamper
• Pizza oven

Activities

• Explore traditional villages such as nearby Vamos and Gavalahori. You can walk, or there are bikes to hire locally
  
• Lounge on the golden sands of Almyrida beach (15 minutes' drive) or Marathi (1 hour), then dine in one of the beachside fishing tavernas
  
• Spend the day wandering the ancient cobbled streets of Chania, or cruise the harbour on a sailboat
  
• Hike the legendary Samaria Gorge (May-October) in the breathtaking White Mountains
  
• Explore the ancient Minoan ruins of the Palace of Knossos (1 hour away), and imagine life in Europe’s oldest city
  
• Experience the magical pink sand and turquoise water of famed Elafonissi beach (2 hours away). Be warned: it gets very busy in high summer

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Foraging
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Photography courses
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wine tasting

Kids

We think that The Cretan Hilltop Hideaway is best for older children who will enjoy the pool, gardens and oodles of private space, without constantly wishing they had a beach right on their doorstep. Babies are also welcome, and the house is well equipped; but be aware of the sharp edges, prickly plants and unfenced pool.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Two rooms, Teal and Aubergine, can be set up as twins on request; also, 2 oak full size single beds with luxury mattresses can be provided. Note that bathrooms have showers only, though a baby bath is available by prior request.

Distances:

• Airport: 40 minutes (Chania)
• Health centre: 5 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes (Vamos)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Cretan Hilltop Hideaway is located in the Apokoronas area on Crete's northwest coast. It's between the villages of Vamos and Gavalohori, and around 40 mins from Chania.

By Air:
Chania (38km away) is the closest airport. It's served by daily flights from Athens, and by charter flights from across Europe in summer. There's also an airport at Heraklion, 116km to the east.

From the Airport
We recommend hiring a car to make the most of the area (Mark and Sharon can arrange this for you if you prefer).

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.