Villa Lavender

Lavender is the larger of the two, with a muted grey-white palette and an inverted layout. The spectacular pool terrace sits at the top, with views to the distant sea. From here you step into an airy, open-plan living space with L-shaped sofa, a superbly equipped kitchen (including a temperature-controlled wine fridge) and indoor dining table, and a laundry room which could come in handy. Picture windows slide open to a further outdoor living space, with wicker chaises-longues under a khaki wooden pergola.

Stairs lead down to the 3 bedrooms, which feel tranquil and rather Zen, with Swedish Duxiana beds and underfloor cooling. The master bedroom sits alone on the middle level, with kingsize bed, blackout blinds, a vast walk-in dressing room, an ensuite bathroom with tub and separate rain shower, and 2 balconies (one Juliet, the other with loungers).

Down on the bottom level are the second and third bedrooms. The larger has double/twin beds and a private sitting room with arched windows onto its own sunrise terrace. The smaller bedroom is tucked away at the back, with twin beds, a shower room and one window - best for younger kids, perhaps.

Villa Olive

Faced in warm limestone, Olive feels a little more rustic, with a more conventional layout too. You enter on the middle floor into a lovely open-plan kitchen-living area, with beamed ceilings, a big stone archway and a small balcony. There’s a study, a bathroom and a small twin bedroom at the back - handy if you want your little ones nearby in the evenings. Outside, the main terrace overlooks the pool and gazes out over the lush orchards and the blue strip of Souda bay beyond.

The top floor houses the 2 master bedrooms, each with Coco Mat beds, ensuites, sloped ceilings and neutral interiors. One is a twin (but can be made into a double) and has a small balcony; the other is a double and has a large, sunny terrace. The lower floor is the pool area, with loungers and a shaded dining table, as well as a toilet and a small kitchenette for refreshments during the day.

Activities

• Explore the lovely Apokoronas region: rolling olive- and cypress groves dotted with wild flowers, snow-capped mountain views and sleepy villages; Gavalohori (1km or 10 mins' walk) has outdoor kafeneia, whitewashed lanes and a small folklore museum
  
• Nearby beaches include Almirida (5km) - with 2 sandy coves, watersports, boat trips and seafront eateries - and Kalyves (10km); but both can get crowded in summer. Georgioupolis (20km) has endless sands and kitesurfer-friendly winds
  
• Visit Chania's gorgeous old town (30km): set around a Venetian harbour, its car-free streets are lined with boutiques, while its covered market is a cornucopia of healthy herbs and cheeses
  
• The Akrotiri peninsula (40km) has 2 jewels: Marathi (bleached sands & excellent fish restaurants) and sickle-shaped Stavros (sheltered shallows, family friendly)
  
• Hike one of Crete's famous gorges: diminutive Farangi (at Stilos) is nearby, dramatic Imbros is an hour's drive south, while spectacular Samaria is the longest day out
  
• The Minoan-Greek-Roman hilltown at Aptera (15km) has visible city walls, well preserved cisterns and a Turkish fort
  
• Other historic sites include the tragic Orthodox monastery of Arkadi (1hr) and the huge Minoan city at Knossos (2hrs)

Kids

All ages are welcome, but we think it's best for older children (6 and over) due to the many steps. Villa Olive has a twin bedroom on its ground floor which may be useful for smaller children. The owners ask that you supervise youngsters carefully - though of course the pool terraces and various balconies are balustraded.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 30 minutes
• Hospital: 20 minutes
• Nearest shop: 2 minutes' drive / 10 minutes' walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Olive Grove Estate is just outside the village of Gavalohori, in the Apokoronas region of Crete. It overlooks Crete’s north coast, 5km from the beach at Almirida, 27km east of Chania and 45km west of Rethymno.

By Air
Chania is the closest airport, served by daily flights from Athens through the year, and by charter flights from most European capitals in summer. Heraklion airport is further, but has a few more flights (mostly charter).

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

From the Airport or Port
You will probably want to rent your own car, as the estate is on the edge of a small village with little public transport - though it does have shops and restaurants - see our car rental recommendations.

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