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Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views

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Property grounds
Interior detail
Pool
Pool
Pool

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6110 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Chania crete, Crete
  • Samonas Olive Tree
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Kalyves Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Port of Souda
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

3 Single Beds

Living Room 1

1 Single Futon

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views

Villa Estia is located at the foothills of the White Mountains of Crete in an authentic Cretan village called Melidoni. It enjoys spectacular views to Mt Psiloritis and Georgioupoli beach, Kalyves beach and entrance of Souda bay. The mountain range is so close you feel you can touch the mountains. Estia is surrounded by a forest garden and an impressive stone pool. Guests who seek tranquility and off the beaten track holidays in a small Cretan village will find their paradise here.
Villa Estia - its name taken after the name of the ancient Greek goddess of home and the family - is an authentic traditional mountain house made of stone and wood. The beautiful light colour stone walls provide natural coolness all day. The smell of the cypress tree wood is very characteristic when you enter the house and our guests love it. Estia on the ground floor has a spacious master bedroom with solid wood double bed and a study. Next to the master bedroom is the large bathroom in warm colours with king size bath tub. The second bedroom includes two solid wood beds plus a folding bed. The ensuite WC includes shower. On the first floor a spacious room with great landscape views encompasses a fully equipped large kitchen with dining table for 6 and living room with fireplace and 2 sofas. One of the sofas unfolds into a double bed. Cupboards are large in all rooms to provide storage room for long stays.
The pool (28 sq. m. surface, depth 1,70) is kidney shaped (8,5 by 4 mtrs) and includes a shallow toddler paddle area. It is secluded among high trees and offers a high level of privacy. The robust stone barbeque is close by and encourages eating around the pool.
There are many interesting walks in the area leading to a gauge, mountain paths, and of course more advanced walks up to the mountain tops. There is interesting village architecture to photograph. We offer tips, guidebooks and a detailed map with all the walks. The district of Apokoronas where the house is located is famous for Aptera archaelogical site, byzantine churches and monasteries, picturesque villages of Fres, Armeni, Vamos and others, Kiliaris river with orange trees, Kalyves and the renowned Georgioupoli sandy beaches and Kournas lake. Best quality meat and dairy products you can get directly from shepherds, and fresh fish from the fishmongers in Kalyves.
From Melidoni, where the house is located, you can easily access and explore both Chania city and Rethymnon city, as it is less than a 30 minutes’ drive from Chania Venetian port, museums and city life and less than 40 minutes from Rethymnon medieval city as well. The long beaches where mainstream tourism goes to are also 15-20 minutes away from this quiet retreat. So, you are close to the main tourist scene in a unique tranquil location.
Besides the maps and guide books, in the villas you will find a welcome pack including basic dairy products (milk and butter), local bread and cheese, thyme honey and olive oil.
Bed linen is changed weekly while extra towels are stored inside the houses for your convenience. The houses are cleaned once a week by us. Pool is cleaned and ph level checked every 3 days.
Many of our guests who have stayed in Estia return. Most of our guests love the house, the view, and especially the microclimate that provides best temperature and atmosphere outdoors even in the really hot summers of the last years.
Please note that the water shortage problem that most parts of Crete faced during August 2024 has been permanently solved for our villa, as the house is now connected to the main water line of the area which receives water non-stop.

Property manager

Stavros Papadopoulos
Premier Host

Languages

English, Greek

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Avoid shouting and yelling to ensure peace in the villa and the surrounding environment.
Drive slowly and carefully in the downhill road that leads to the villa to ensure everyone's safety, especially that of children that may be playing.
Take care not to throw cigarettes in the natural forest surrounding the villa that may put a risk of fire. Barbeque is not allowed in windy days.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 8
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is no smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 00000555890

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation

About the area

Apokoronas

Located in Apokoronas, this villa is in a rural area and near the beach. Port of Souda and Old Venetian Harbor are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Georgioupolis Beach and Nea Chora Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Art of Living Glass Factory and Maritime Museum of Crete. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Chania crete, Crete

What's nearby

  • Samonas Olive Tree - 14 min drive - 10.4 km
  • Kalyves Beach - 20 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Port of Souda - 24 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Almyrida Beach - 26 min drive - 16.6 km
  • Nea Chora Beach - 42 min drive - 34.3 km

Getting around

  • Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Elena Tavern - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Taverna Aptera - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Mythos - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Tzitzikas - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Coffee Road Despina - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Spectacular Stone Villa with Pool in Forest and Great Sea & Mountain Views located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly villa is within 9 mi (15 km) of Agios Nikolaos Fort, Kalyves Beach and Blue Coast. Samonas Cave and Gorge of Diktamou are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Camille L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property view an amazing view
This was a beautiful, spacious house set in the foothills with an amazing view. It was peaceful , clean, and had everything I needed in the kitchen. The hosts were easy to communicate with. I struggled with finding it. Google Maps directed me to the area but not the exact address, and although directions were provided, I didn't find it on my own. My phone didn't have coverage to receive the messages from the hosts trying to help me, but some neighbors pointed me to it. Just make sure you are clear on the directions. So worth it!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Sara M.

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in
Great house - less great arrival
Overall, we were really happy with the house, the pool and the surroundings. However, when we arrived at the house, the hosts had not left a key (as agreed), so we had to wait outside for an hour until the hosts showed up with the key. Also, when we arrived there was no water supply in the house. The hosts blamed this on the village water shortage (which was not the full truth). However, it turned out that the owner had used up all the water from the water tank the day before, filling up the pool and watering plants, wasting the water. The tank of 900 liters usually works as a buffer, when there are water issues in the village. The owners were very reluctant to reveal this fact, but we figured it out from talking to the neighbors. Due to the lack of water, we had to drive back to Chania and stay in a hotel, which was very stressfull and expensive. We were able to return to the house the next day, when the water was back. We were refunded for the first night in the house. So overall, a very bad start, but the stay ended up being wonderful once the water was back.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susanne M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wundervoll
Wir hatten einige wunderbare Tage in der Villa Estia. Sie ist ein Diamant nahe der Weißen Berge. Das Klima war deshalb angenehm, während es an der Küste oft sehr heiß war. Nicht zu vergessen der Traumblick und der herrliche Pool. Nur zur Info: Der Text des deutschen Inserats (bei Fewo-Direkt) ist offenbar schon etwas älter, auf Vrbo steht laut Vermieter der aktuelle Text.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne Catrin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 15 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

monique t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely house with stunning views
We had a lovely time staying at the house. The pool is beautiful and larger than it seems on the pictures. There are some similar houses nearby with neighbours but these are completely sheltered from view by the trees. The bedroom is downstairs with the great doors opening up to reveal the most beautiful view. The kitchen and specially the balcony above are a great space for the evenings. It is so quiet at night. No noise whatsoever. The road uphill is steep but a normal car can do it. Lovely place.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Caroline N., British

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and beautiful.
A beautiful and secluded property with amazing views. The whole process was very smooth and The property owners were easy to get in touch with and even popped round with some locally made ice cream.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Oliver S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sehr schöne Villa in ruhiger Lage
Eine traumhafte Villa in den Bergen mit super netten Vermietern. Vielen Dank für die schöne Zeit. Wir kommen gerne wieder!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sophie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Séjour enchanteur
Nous avons passé un merveilleux séjour dans la maison de Tatiana, très au calme et avec une vue à couper le souffle sur la mer et les montagnes. La maison est très bien équipée, décorée avec goût et la piscine est très appréciable. Tatiana est très réactive et pleine de petites attentions pour ses hôtes. Je recommande vivement !
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Philipp L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ein traumhaft schönes Haus und super Gastgeber!
Das Haus ist sehr schön und gemütlich, es wurde mit viel Liebe zum Detail gebaut und eingerichtet. Die Lage in dem kleinen Bergdorf ist fantastisch mit einer Top Aussicht und (vor allem nachts) sehr ruhig. Der Pool war auch ein echtes Highlight, da er viel größer als erwartet und auch nicht einsehbar ist. Tatiana und Stavros sind sehr nette Gastgeber, es gab ein Willkommenspaket mit Honig, Brot, Butter und Milch, die beiden geben auch gute Tipps, was man unbedingt in Kreta gesehen haben sollte. Wir haben uns sehr willkommen gefühlt! Außerdem ist die Sauberkeit des Hauses besonders hervorzuheben, es gab hier absolut nichts zu beanstanden. Alles in allem, definitiv zu empfehlen!
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home from home
Just back home after 3 weeks at Tatiana and Stavros’ former family home. Loved it! Communication with the owners was great beforehand and Stavros was there to meet us - even though we didn’t get there until about 2am! The villa is lovely - spacious, airy, well furnished and has fabulous views over the mountains and the sea in the distance. I was a little disappointed at first to discover that it does have close neighbours (one villa next door and another two behind) but it is still private, which is a key criteria for us. The pool is lovely and offered great relief from the searing heat - we didn’t move from the villa for the first few days! Nearest shops and taverna are a 10 minute drive and nearest beaches are a 15-20 minute drive away. This was perfect for us and we loved the peacefulness of Melidoni and the surrounding area. In particular we fell in love with Fres. Overall we loved our stay and would be very happy to return. Thank you Stavros and Tatiana 😊
Stayed 21 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Adrian C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and beautiful
Great stay in a beautiful property. The house is just as it appears in the pictures. A big advantage for us was it is reasonably high up in the mountains (up about 1200 feet) so cooler and drier. The village and the property are about the last thing before you hit the White Mountains so you won't find anything higher up. You do need to be prepared to drive a bit - (10/12 mins down the mountain to the nearest shops) and the road is pretty steep, but if you like this sort of location then would highly recommend. There are tracks up into the mountains from right behind the house and we had two or three lovely walks direct from the property. Tatiana and Stavros were delightful hosts and very helpful - we were able to stay an extra night at short notice when our flights were changed.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hugh D., Cobham, United Kingdom

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stone house in Melidoni
We had a fantastic stay at Stavros and Tatiana’s house in Melidoni. The property is exactly as you see it in the listing. The views are amazing and the villas is really comfortable and has everything you need for an extremely relaxing break. We loved the location with easy access to lots of other villages and the beach at Almyrida and Kalives. Stavros and Tatiana couldn’t have been more helpful, thanks very much for your hospitality.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Petra Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wunderschön
Wir verbrachten eine traumhafte Woche. Das Haus und Pool sind ein Traum, der Blick unvergesslich.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

sonia G., France

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Séjour au top !
Accueil très sympa par le propriétaire Stavros qui a su nous donner toutes les informations pour visiter la Crête, les plus beaux spots notamment. Une villa au calme très confortable et très propre avec service de ménage pendant le séjour. Un petit coin de paradis loin de la foule.
Stayed 15 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

sophie z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magnifique villa dans les Montagnes Blanches
Nous avons passé un superbe séjour de 3 semaines dans la maison de Tatiana et Stavros. La villa est très bien située: à la fois très proche de la montagne (où de très nombreuses randonnées sont à faire) et de la mer. Le tout très au calme dans une partie de la Crête authentique, éloigné du tumulte touristique. Une voiture est malgré tout indispensable. De nombreuses tavernes aux alentours proposent une très bonne cuisine pour très peu cher. La maison est très propre et fonctionnelle. Un ménage avec changement de linge de maison est compris une fois par semaine. De nombreuses terrasses pour pouvoir profiter du très bel extérieur aux différentes heures de la journée et la vue y est magnifique. La piscine est vraiment très agréable et très bien entretenue par Stavros. Stavros et Tatiana sont très accueillants et très sympathiques. Toujours de bons conseils pour ce qui est à faire et à voir dans cette très belle région. Nous avons pu souvent échanger avec Stavros sur la vie en Crête et ce fut très intéressant. Encore merci pour cet accueil très sympathique ! Sophie & Christophe
Stayed 23 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gina K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Wunderschönes Ferienhaus in den Bergen
Es war alles perfekt und genauso wie im Inserat geschrieben. Ein wunderschönes Haus inmitten der Berge mit wunderschönen Ausblick auf das Meer und die Umgebung. Wir haben unseren Urlaub in dem Haus sehr genossen. Wenn man auf Privatsphäre und absolute Ruhe steht, ist das genau der passende Ort. Allerdings muss man dazu sagen, das man 30 min bis zum nächsten Supermarkt oder Tankstelle brauch mit dem Auto und bis zum Meer es 45 min sind, da das Haus sehr abgeschieden liegt. Da das Haus am Anfang des Nationalparks liegt, sollte einem auch bewusst sein, das man dort sehr viele Tiere und Insekten hat, wie u.a sehr große Hornissen von ca. 6-7cm , die mit einem den Aufenthalt am Pool teilen.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jane W., Winchester, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful with Spectacular Views
Villa is built in a traditional way with all required modern amenities. Our hosts made us feel very welcome, leaving a gift of basic provisions on arrival, they looked after us throughout our stay, answering all our questions and taking time to recommend things to do & see as well as suggesting places to eat. We had peaceful and tranquil stay at Villa Estia. We would not hesitate to recommend this to friends. Thank you Stavros & Tatiana for helping to make our holiday a wonderful memory.
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jaqueline M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wunderschöne traditionelle Stein - Villa mit toller Aussicht
Wunderschöne traditionelle Stein-Villa mitten auf dem Berg mit einer tollen Aussicht zum Meer ( Kalyves & Georgiopoulis ). Etwas weiter von Zentrum entfernt: Ca. 8min zur Hauptstraße Ca.40 min nach Chania Ca. 45min nach Rethymno. Ruhige Gegend, richtig gut zum Abschalten. Sehr nette und hilfsbereite Besitzer! Mehrere Spielsachen für die Kinder waren parat. Sehr empfehlenswert!

10/10 Excellent

Anna P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for family holiday
Great villa in a great location. The villa is made of stone and juniper wood, so the smell of juniper is constantly in the house. Views of the sea and mountains and the beautiful nature around contribute to complete relaxation. The owner’s, Stavros and Tatiana are very friendly and always in touch. Thanks to Stavros and Tatiana very much for an unforgettable vacation from our whole family. We hope to relax again in their beautiful villa next season.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay!
We had a lovely stay together with our three kids. We really loved how the house is situated with a great view all around and a lot of privacy. Stavros and Tatiana are really warm and friendly people. And helpful with all things you can explore in the area. We can recommend the private cooking they offer by a local cook. Dinner was great and authentic.

10/10 Excellent

Marie-Pier L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful, ressourcing family Time in Crete
We loved this property and had a wonderful Time there. Stavros and Tatiana were welcoming and helpful. The house is amazing: beautiful, decorated with taste, quiet, clean, with a lovely pool. We all felt good there. We had really nice diners on the terrace with the georgeous view. I could have stayed longer! Crete people everywhere with went were nice, generous and welcoming.. that was a wonderful holyday! Thank you Marie-Pier
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The best ever!
We are so happy to have picked this property, it’s location, the house and its amenities, the privacy and above all its owners all contributed to a fabulous stay and a great holiday. From the moment they welcomed us, Stavros and Tatiana made our experience in their wonderful house truly special. Lots of tips and advice on where to go and what to do in the area, great insights into local history and culture, not to mention some great food and a really comfortable and homely place with the best views of the sea and the mountains. If you’re looking for a peaceful stay in the middle of nature this is the perfect place, and you only need to drive a short way for a choice of tavernas with great food. The beach is only 25 minutes away too, so the best of all worlds. We really recommend it, and look forward to going back - it was just the best and most relaxing break.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2019

About the host

Hosted by Stavros Papadopoulos

Host profile image
I and my wife Tatiana and our children have lived in villa Estia for 10 yrs before its renovation to become a guesthouse. We loved it and hope that you will also love the house, the village and the area and that you will come again many times at all seasons. I and/or my wife will greet you upon your arrival and show you the house, and we'll be close to you if needed when you call us (we live 30 minutes away). We will answer by mail truthfully all questions you have which are not answered by the information we offer and we are very willing to answer much more when we meet.

Why they chose this property

Because it is much better than shown at the photos. All the guests and friends that have lived in these houses wake up with a smile.

What makes this property unique

The style of the house and pool built by the quiet location among old trees and magnificent sea views, the closeness to mountain walks, the starry nights.

Languages:

English, Greek

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests