Rooms

Each villa is based on the same ground plan, and consists of 3 levels. Up top there are 2 bedrooms - the kingsize master bedroom with its enormous balcony and jacuzzi tub in the ensuite bathroom, plus a double/twin room with an ensuite shower. The ground floor is an open-plan lounge and kitchen, and its floor-to-ceiling windows give stunning sea views. At basement level, there's another double/twin bedroom plus a steam shower, sauna (or Turkish bath in Almyra) and mini-gym. The upper-floor bedrooms have fantastic views; the lower level bedroom has no view but is very private, with a small patio leading from its French doors. All beds are top-of-the-range Swedish ‘Dux’ make, there's a Smart TV in every bedroom and living room, and bathrooms are filled with tealight candles, piles of towels and Korres toiletries.

What makes each villa different is its theme, which is carried right through from the building materials to the interior design. Almyra is Modernist, with stone walls, chic Italian furniture and a minimalist feel. We loved the light-and-airy atmosphere created by its pale wooden floors, and the crisp whites and smooth greys with stainless steel detail in the kitchen. Outside, the large pool is backed by a wooden sun deck with loungers and parasols and there's a wooden lounge deck with a pergola, comfy seating area and sea views; perfect for alfresco dinners. This would be our top choice for younger couples and friends.

Ammos is ‘Nisiotiko’ (inspired by the Greek islands), and this villa would be well suited to family rentals. The interior is a calming blend of white, cream and blues, with a stone tile floor, unvarnished wooden tables and chairs, big beige sofas with a funky trestle table, an open fireplace, and whitewashed wooden stairs. There’s a pool and lounge deck in its mature, fragrant garden, plus 2 outdoor eating areas.

Anemos is Cretan, with a rustic flavour inspired by traditional interiors: polished dark-wood floors (a little heavy for our taste), wooden doors and window frames, rich warm fabrics, several pieces of antique furniture and marble bathrooms. Although it doesn’t have a fireplace, there’s a built-in barbecue in the lemon-tree filled garden, and a wooden deck giving onto a stunning infinity pool.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots Available
• DVD player
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Iron
• Pool towels
• Radio
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

Upon arrival, you will find a slick, modern kitchen stocked - if you book through i-escape - with fresh fruit, wine, tea, coffee, honey and biscuits, plus basics such as washing up liquid, bin bags, mineral water and milk.

Each kitchen has a cooker (oven and 4 hotplates), fridge and small freezer, kettle, Nespresso machine, toaster and dishwasher. Ammos also has a microwave. You can dine at a long table seating 6 indoors, or at a big wooden table outdoors, by the pool. There are also pleasant seating areas in shaded corners of the garden with lounge sofas and a low-level coffee table for drinks.

There are small general stores in Almirida plus a bakery. In Kalives (3km) you’ll find a large INKA supermarket, a butcher and a greengrocer.

If you want a break from cooking, Katerina can arrange for a chef to come and cook for you - perhaps prawn and lobster salad with citrus sauce, veal medallions, then ice cream profiteroles. Or, you're within walking distance of some nice restaurants. Giving onto the beach in Almirida, Thalami is a sound choice for traditional Greek taverna fare, while Psaros is the best place for fresh seafood. Both will also deliver meals to the villas on request. For dining out further afield, each villa has an ‘SK Place’ guide, listing recommended eateries across the island.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Chef on request
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Meal delivery service
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• Bliss out and bathe at local beaches, which include a private small bay that's perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and the Blue Flag sand beach in Almirida (a 5-minute walk from the villas), which has warm shallows so is ideal for families
  
  
• Try windsurfing or kayaking with UCPA watersports, based on the beach in Almirida, with equipment for hire and tuition available. Or explore the local area on an e-bike, available to hire from the villas
  
  
• Take a 2-hour boat excursion with Dream Adventures (based in Almirida) to visit the sea caves at Drapanos, which you can explore by snorkel
  
  
• Visit Chania (30 mins' drive), with its lovely Venetian fishing harbour ringed with cafes and tavernas. Check out the Archaeological Museum, housed in a former church, plus the romantic cobbled alleys lined with arty boutiques and a market selling local handicrafts and handmade jewellery
  
  
• Explore the surrounding Apokoronas region, one of the greenest districts of Crete, with lush olive, fig, citrus and avocado orchards. Swim in its freshwater lake, visit the Roman and Greek ruins of ancient Aptera, or head to the sandy beach at Kalives.
  
  
• Join the 'Tastes of Crete' cooking class, staged at a farmhouse near Chania on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, and followed by a full lunch with wine; ask Katerina a few days ahead
  
  
• Scuba dive with Blue Adventures based in Chania. Besides organised trips, they also offer a one-day Discover Diving course for beginners
  
  
• Charter a private sailing boat and skipper and sail from Chania to Balos's lovely sand beach and the tiny island of Gramvoussa
  
  
• Explore Rethymno old town (45 mins), with its cobbled streets lined by pastel-coloured buildings, Ottoman-era minarets and Italianate churches and fountains, plus the harbour guarded by an imposing 16th-century Venetian fortress

• Drive across the island to Chora Sfakion (60km) on the south coast and visit the 14th-century Frangokastello Venetian fortress. From Sfakia you can also take a taxi boat to the lovely beach of Glyka Nera (naturist-friendly)
  
  
• Hike in the White Mountains, or descend the dramatic 18km limestone Samaria Gorge (open May-Oct) down to the village of Agia Roumeli on the south coast. Wear good hiking boots and take plenty of water

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Waterskiing
• Windsurfing

Kids

Families are welcome - Almyra is suitable for children aged 10+ but the other villas will suit kids of any age, and they will love the pools and nearby beaches (they will need supervision in the pools). In each villa there are 2 bedrooms, which can be set up as twins, and there's space for 2 baby cots, too. Babysitting can be arranged upon request, and highchairs can be provided. But this is not an out-and-out family place (it appeals equally to discerning groups of friends and couples travelling together) so you might want to ask, at the time of enquiring, if the other villas are let to families or not.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

All villas have the same layout but Villa Ammos is probably the most child-friendly in terms of its furniture and fittings.

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

SK Place Villas overlook the sea on the edge of Almirida, a low-key village 28km east of Chania and 45km west of Rethymno, on Crete’s north coast.

By Air
Chania is the closest airport, served by daily flights from Athens the year through, and by charter flights from most European capitals in summer. Heraklion airport is 142km to the east. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Transfers from Chania Airport can be provided upon request - see Rates - though you will probably want to rent your own car at the airport for convenience during your stay.

By Sea
Chania’s port, Souda, is served by daily overnight ferries from Athens’ port, Piraeus, on the Greek mainland.

By Car
To explore the region better, you really need to hire a car - see our car rental recommendations.

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

More on getting to Greece and getting around