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Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach

Photo gallery for Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach

Pool
Exterior
Dining
Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 122475.7 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Elounda, Kreta
    Hiona Beach
    6 min drive
    Alykes of Elounda
    6 min drive
    Elounda Windmills
    7 min drive
    Sitia (JSH)
    95 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Guesthouse

1 Double Futon and 2 Single Beds

Masterbedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom guesthouse

Toilet · Shower only

Master bathroom

Shower only

Toilet area

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach

Welcome to Villa Meraki!

It's not only the unusual architecture and the beautiful garden that makes our villa, your perfect holiday destination. Rent Villa Meraki and enjoy the possibility of staying in this beautiful villa with up to twelve people!

*The original villa consists of three double bedrooms and sleeps six people. The nightly rate that you will find on this HomeAway page is for the original villa with an occupancy of up to 6 people. Of course if you need any extra cots for little children under the age of two, we're happy to set these up for you, free of charge.

*If you would like to stay at Villa Meraki with more than six people, you can either rent the guesthouse (sleeps max. 2 pax) or the extension of the villa (sleeps max. 4 pax) for an additional price per night.
- The extra charge to rent the guesthouse in addition to the villa is €65 a night, on top of our nightly rate.
- The extra charge to open up the extension of the villa in addition to the original villa is €130 a night, on top of our nightly rate.

And it's as easy as that! Never pay too much for your holiday rental anymore. Just choose your combination and enjoy a wonderful holiday at Villa Meraki!

*one more thing. We really value your privacy, so rest assured. If you rent the villa, no matter which option you choose, there will never be any other guests on the property.

To find out more about this one-of-a-kind villa, read on:

This unique, original three bedroom villa, designed in collaboration with a Greek architect, has a very authentic style and is built into the mountainside. The villa lies at 170 meters above sea level and offers mesmerising views over the Elounda bay, surrounding villages and the Cretan mountains.

Completed in 2008, the house is modern but reflects the local history with a tower that represents the stone windmills famous to the area. The stonework around the house and the colours that have been used naturally blend in with its surroundings.

The house is 230m2 on a plot of 3307m2 and is built in multiple levels.

The ground floor has a spacious open plan living/dining area with an open fireplace and a large kitchen. The kitchen is fully fitted and equipped including a central cooking island containing an electric oven, 5-ring gas hob, extractor fan and dishwasher. There is an American fridge/freezer.

The windows that cover the full length of the living room open out to a shaded terrace from which you can enjoy the fantastic views.

Opposite the front door there is a spiral staircase that leads up to the tower of the house. Open the authentic wooden tower door and you will find yourself on the highest point of the property. This spacious terrace offers a breathtaking panoramic view.

The light and spacious master bedroom is to be found on the same floor as the open plan living/dining area. The master bedroom has a wooden floor, fitted wardrobes and an ensuite bathroom with two showers and two round marble sinks. The bathroom has a full floor to ceiling window. The master bedroom has got a very spacious balcony.

The lower floor comprises of two large bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a shared bathroom with a shower and toilet. Each room has access to their own terrace and the garden. Both downstairs bedrooms consist of two single beds. At your convenience we can always add another single bed to the downstairs bedrooms. We also have baby cots, to put in one of the three bedrooms, if necessary.

Totally independent and at the other side of the pool area lies a guest house of 20m2 which sleeps up to two people and consists of a living/bedroom with downstairs a sofa, kitchenette and bathroom (shower/toilet) and upstairs a mezzanine sleeping area. The guest house has a large private terrace with an olive tree that is over a hundred years old and stunning views of the Elounda bay. There is a roofed outdoor shower in the corner of the terrace. For groups larger than 6 adults, the guesthouse can be rented out on request. (see extra charge for the guesthouse at the top of this description)

The pool area consists of a large (40m2) swimming pool with a wonderful fish design mosaic base, a childrens paddling pool, with built in wooden chairs next to it, and an outdoor shower. The pool area has a smooth wooden deck with two beautiful olive trees that provide some necessary shade.

The garden is fully landscaped and multi terraced. There is a built in barbecue area with a large stone bench and table perfect for al fresco dining. Just down from the pool area there is a sloping grass lawn with a tree hut that was built by the owner and his son. Here, hours of playtime fun awaits your little ones.

From spring 2020, if you are a group larger than 6 adults, there is the possibility to rent the luxurious extension of the villa in addition to the villa. The extension is located next to the downstairs bedrooms and consists of a 50m2 bedroom/lounge area that sleeps up to four people and has a large bathroom with two separate showers and toilets. Imagine showering underneath the original rock wall of the mountain that the villa was built into! (see extra charge for the luxurious extension of the villa at the top of this description)


Property manager

Joop Lever

Languages

Dutch, English, French, German

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
If there are more than 6 adults, either the guesthouse(2 pax) or the extension of the villa(4 pax) needs to be booked for an additional price a night.
The extra charge to rent the guesthouse (sleeps 2 pax) additionally to the villa is €65 a night, on top of our nightly rate.
The extra charge to rent the extension of the villa (sleeps 4 pax) additionally to the villa is €130 a night, on top of our nightly rate.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 00001119798

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Agios Nikolaos

Located in Agios Nikolaos, this villa is in a rural area and near the beach. Alykes of Elounda and Elounda Windmills are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Hiona Beach and Plaka Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Nostimon and Sissi Mini Golf. Jet skiing and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Elounda, Kreta

What's nearby

  • Hiona Beach - 6 min drive
  • Elounda Windmills - 7 min drive
  • Plaka Beach - 14 min drive
  • Spinalonga - 23 min drive
  • Spinalonga Castle - 25 min drive

Getting around

  • Sitia (JSH) - 95 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Nikos - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Jungle Bar Elounda - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Leonidas Taverna - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Blend - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Lotus Eaters - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Exclusive villa private pool terraced garden, seaviews 10 mins. drive from beach located?

This family-friendly Agios Nikolaos villa is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Hiona Beach, Alykes of Elounda and Elounda Windmills. Christian Basilica Poros Elounda is 2.3 mi (3.6 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

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. 22 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Markus K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traumhaus mit Traumblick
Ein Ausblick auf Elounda der fesselt. Trotz einer Gruppe von 7 Erwachsenen, hatten wir nie ein Gefühl der Enge. Viel Platz im Haus und im Aussenbereich. Kleine Unklarheiten konnten schnell und unkompliziert mit den Mitarbeitern geklärt werden. Die Anfahrt ist etwas schwierig (steil), aber mit etwas Übung dann auch kein Problem. Eine klare Empfehlung für entspannende Tage in Elounda. Danke an Anne und ihr Team
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dirk K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
N/a
Beautiful setting
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house in a fabulous location!
Some of the most spectacular views of anywhere we've ever stayed. Well appointed villa with amazing gardens and pools. Lots of different areas to sit and enjoy the sun, the kids loved the little pool! Elounda is a lovely little village and lots of great food recommendations provided by Anne too.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nadine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dreamlike
We were allowed to experience the paradise on earth for 10 days. What a beautiful, spacious and private property ... one does not know where to start with the superlatives. Thank you anne, julian, jan and mark for an indescribably beautiful vacation. It does not get any better than this. Very dear greetings.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Olivier O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magnifique villa
Très belle villa avec une vue magnifique et une très belle décoration. Superbe piscine et espaces extérieurs pour des enfants maîtrisant les escaliers. La cabane est un must ! Seul bémol l’absence de store dans les chambres.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Etienne T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just amazing
Once you get there (quite a challenge ;) you won’t want to leave! Spectacular in every ways: the house, the surroundings, the view. And don’t hesitate to ask for Christina to cook to make your stay unforgettable.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacob H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Villa
Fantastic Villa - wonderful location and view. The Villa is well equipped with everything you need and thoughtfully designed. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Timo L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traumhafte Aussicht!
Sehr schönes Anwesen mit traumhafter Aussicht, sehr großzügig und alles vorhanden was man braucht. Sogar der Kühlschrank war am ersten Tag mit dem nötigsten gefüllt. Wir kommen gerne nochmal wieder!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Arno F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ein fantastisches Anwesen in traumhafter Lage
Wir haben eine Woche mit der Familien in diesem traumhaft schön gelegenen Anwesen verbracht. Das Haus hat alle Ausstattungen, die man als Gast benötigt. Zu jeder Zeit wurden alle Fragen von Anne und Julian beantwortet. Wir wurden bei der Anreise von Julian im Dorf an der Kirche begrüßt und er leitete uns dann nach oben zum Haus. Das Anwesen hat eine fantastische Lage mit einem sensationellen Ausblick über Elunda. Die Küche bietet alle Möglichkeiten, um vom Frühstück bis zum Abendessen sämtliche Genüsse auf dem Gasherd zu zaubern. Einzig die sehr steile Abfahrt zum Haus hat uns Schwierigkeiten bereitet, weil unser Mietwagen kein Allradantrieb hatte. Die beste Lösung dafür ist, das Auto oben an der Hauptstraße abzustellen. Es sind dann nur wenige Schritte bis zum Haus. Wir haben im Laufe der Zeit auch verschiedene Restaurants im Ort besucht und können alles empfehlen. An einem Tag haben wir uns Quads und Buggys in Agios Nikolaos bei Motor Hollydays ausgeliehen und eine kleine Rundtour durch die Berge gemacht. Ganz heißer Tipp: Am Ortskreisverkehr an der Kirche vom Haus kommend nach links abbiegen und die Bucht entlang fahren, dann geht es nach ca. 10 Minuten hinauf in die Berge….einfach wunderschön mit tollem Ausblick. Auch sehr zu empfehlen ist das Beachrestaurant Isla. Die Bedienung ist super freundlich, das Essen toll und die kostenfreie Nutzung der Liegestühle mit Bedienung aus dem restaurant ist der Hit. Unbedingt ausprobieren! Wir haben dort eine sehr schöne Zeit verbracht. Familie Franke
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Dan Hasselmann H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rigtig dejlig feriebolig med fantastisk beliggenhed og udsigt.
Fantastisk bolig og poolområde kun overgået af udsigten. Eneste minus er manglen på parkering, så msn ikke skal ned af den meget stejle og udfordrende indkørsel.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Josef P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Emfehlenswert
Fantastische Lage, dadurch aber steile und schwierige Einfahrt in die Villa. Die Aussicht auf den Ort Elounda und aufs Meer sind atemberaubend. Die Ausstattung der Villa steht für alle Annehmlichkeiten der Geste bereit. Wir hatten eine schöne und entspannte Woche in der Villa Meraki verbracht.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ein Traum!
Wir hatten eine wunderschöne Woche in der Villa Meraki. Die Lage ist der Hammer, man kann einfach nur stundenlang den Ausblick geniessen. Der Verwalter war stets zur Stelle falls es Fragen gab und auch sonst alles top! Ein einziger Punkt wäre vielleicht ein zusätzlicher Sonnenschirm am Pool, aber wenn es weiter nichts ist... Wir kommen nächstes Jahr wieder und freuen uns schon sehr!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

Jeremy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Spectacular views
Villa Meraki was a beautiful place to spend our holiday. Incomparable views, peaceful and spacious. The owners have invested time and love into the property and it shows. Well tended gardens and a pool large enough to do laps, if that’s your thing. Anne was at the end of the phone for anything we needed and always happy to oblige with food recommendations and alike. Elounda is a quiet haven on this part of the Cretan coast. Highly recommended.

10/10 Excellent

Jo S., Bonville

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
6 stars
This was a dream of a property to stay in- the view was outstanding, the house excellent and the area fabulous- even (or especially!) at the end-of-season in late October
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ulrike S., Coppenbrügge

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traumhaftes Haus mit traumhafter Aussicht
Wir warem mit 6 Erwachsenen Personen für 11 Tage in der Villa Meraki und wie der Name verrät kann man überall die Liebe im Detail erkennen .Das Haus hat Charme und Carakter und entsprach genau unseren Vorstellungen. Wir haben jeden Tag sehr genossen und kommen bestimmt wieder.

10/10 Excellent

Clark S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A stunning villa in paradise
Our 1st time to elounda ,what a lovely and stunning place ,the villa is the best we’ve stayed in ,the location on top of mountain over looking elounda is something I’ll never forget ,waking up every morning watching the sun rise from the sea simply stunning ,Rose the house maid was so helpful always there for advice and help ,the villa is so private you don’t see a living soul if you don’t want to ,definitely returned home with no white tan marks 😅,the pool is stunning too ,nothing negative to say at all ,no idea why a reviewer has said you can’t drive to the house ?(nervous driver) I drove to the front door every day , Overall perfect stay and will be returning Heisenberg💪🏻
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Philipp W.

Small Paradise
Wir (4 Erwachsene und 5 Kinder 0-6) haben in diesem wunderbaren Haus 12 schöne Urlaubstage verbracht und uns sehr gut erholt. Das Haus ist schön und individuell gestaltet und bietet alles, was man sich wünschen kann. Highlight sind der fantastische Blick und der tolle Pool. Joop und Anne waren sehr nett. Alles lief problemlos. Als der Kühlschrank ein Problem hatte, haben sie am gleichen Tag für eine Lösung mit einem Ersatzkühlschrank gesorgt, so dass alles gekühlt blieb. Alles top! Ich würde gerne wiederkommen :)
Stayed 12 nights in May 2019

4/10 Poor

nicholas r.

Not as good as expected
Getting to the villa requires negotiating three very steep hills two of which are not suitable for cars so you need to park some way from the villa and walk all of the time to and from the car. The views are fantastic but the property is not suitable for young children, lots of steep steps to and from the pool and lots of sheer drops with fences that could be higher and without gaps for children to get through. We did not have any water most evenings and the guesthouse had no hot water for whole stay. Broken sun loungers that were not replaced so two of our group had to sit on the floor, a broken vent in the pool that cut one of our guests fingers and all of the lights in the pool hanging off the pool walls. There was no toaster and not enough cups and mugs. We pointed all of this out to the owner who should have told us about the problems before we arrived. The structure is almost com-lately glass so black out curtains or blinds would help. All in all very disappointed with our stay. I even left some clothes behind by mistake, I sent a couple of texts hoping they might send them back to me (I will pay) but no reply.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Robert K., Kirkcudbright

A truly special week
We had an amazing week at Villa Meraki. Photos really can't do this special place justice. Every last corner of the villa and grounds have been carefully designed to ensure that it is totally original. The villa is spacious, with a very large kitchen / living area. This opens directly on to various terraces with amazing views over Elounda and the sea. There are lots of secret spots to relax in the sun or shade. The pool is longer than usual which we all enjoyed. The deck around the pool has more spots to relax with the same views. The villa is totally secluded and was perfect for our family. There are so many things to do within 30 minutes drive, with the busy little town on Elounda just 15 minutes down the hill. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Thea D.

Geweldig mooie plek voor een familie-vakantie
Wij hebben met een familie van 7 personen (3 generaties) een heerlijke vakantie gehad in "Villa Meraki". Het ligt niet alleen op een prachtige plek met een geweldig uitzicht op de zee, ook het huis en de tuin zijn erg fijn om in te verblijven met overal mooie zitjes, barbecue en pizza-oven en bovendien een lekker zwembad. De gevulde koelkast bij aankomst was een prettige verassing en de keuken voorzien van alle benodigdheden is een feest om in te koken, ook met meerdere mensen. Ook tijdens het verblijf is alles steeds prima geregeld met extra handdoekwissel en schoonmaak, we werden steeds bijzonder goed verzorgd. Wij zullen zeker nog een keer onze vakantie in Kreta in deze villa gaan doorbrengen!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

An outstanding villa with views to match!
Our visit was prompted by a friends wedding in Crete and we decided to get a villa over several hotel rooms. The cost was very comparable but the quality of the accommodation plus the benefit of having shared space and our own pool outweighed a hotel massively. The villa is beautifully designed inside and out with lots of quirky features. The views out over Elounda and the sea were outstanding from all the bedrooms and by the pool. The property was clean and well stocked with essentials- water, a little food, kitchen equipment, towels etc etc when we arrived. The staff we encountered were friendly, happy to help and easily contactable if we had any queries. If you want to explore the wider area a car is needed. The villa is a couple of miles up a steep hill from central Elounda. For us this was ideal, being a little more remote we were able to play music etc without fear of disturbing anyone and the elevated location served for some beautiful sunrises observed from the roof terrace. The drive down to Elounda, Ag. Nikolas and beyond was very easy to manage. Overall, I would highly recommend the villa. Our holiday was a real pleasure. Many thanks to the homeowners, who guided us through the process of booking from start to finish and allowed us to stay in their wonderful home!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
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10/10 Excellent

Emma N.

Absolute paradise
The villa was out of this world, stunning inside and out. We stayed late April for a fortnight and the weather was fantastic. Mid to high 20’s and no wind! Rose met us in the centre of Elounda to show us the way to the villa despite us arriving really late at night. She was really lovely and came to change beds and do a light clean several times during our stay. Really can not recommend this villa enough. Comfy beds, stunning views from every room, fantastic pool which you can actually swim laps in if you wanted to. We travel a lot and it was the best place we’ve ever stayed. The pictures don’t even do it justice. The only tiny thing that was negative was the steep driveway down to the villa which was a bit scary to drive up and down. The price you have to pay for those views though I guess! We loved all the restaurants in both Elounda and Plaka. Thank you to Joop for allowing us to stay in this amazing home.
Stayed 13 nights in Apr 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

helene b.

maison de reve
Outre la gentillesse , l'attention et l'accueil de Ellen et de Scott qui ont eu à coeur que notre semaine se passe le mieux possible, la maison est divine et sur équipée. Lever du soleil sur la mer de votre chambre, à ne pas manquer pour les lèves tôt.Voyageant beaucoup, cette maison porte bien son nom villa "paradiso" ; c'est certainement la plus belle maison dans laquelle nous avons séjourné. Des baies vitrées et terrasses pour toutes les pièces et chambres, une grande piscine, un design extraordinaire. Une maison à recommander si vous voulez passer des vacances de rêve
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Roman P.

just perfect
Like an oasis inside a stony sea, this villa sits on top of a hill, providing spectacular views over the bay of Elounda. The house itself is awesome, and it was pure pleasure to enjoy the october sun here. Ellen is a perfect host, nothing else could be added here. Thanks for the great stay, Roman
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

graeme w.

Spectacular villa and unforgettable holiday!
I wanted a special villa for a family holiday and hit the jackpot here. Photos can't do it justice. It is breathtaking. We stayed the first 2 weeks in September and the weather was hot. The villa sits high up the hill on the coast so you have to expect it to be a bit breezy at times, but for us this was never a problem (quite welcome actually). There were 7 adults across 3 generations in our party, and we rented the neat little annexe, at the bottom of the garden. There is so much space in this villa and the grounds and it has been very tastefully set out - many comfortable nooks and crannies for people to take themselves off to if they fancy a quiet space to read, or contemplate. The pool is a great size and many happy hours were spent playing pool games. A highlight for all was the occasional visit from the local goats who come in to ‘cut’ the grass! The sunrises are worth getting up for. It shouldn’t be a surprise that, to get to the villa, you have to negotiate steep terrain and the roads are quite something! You do get used to them though. We hired 2 small cars locally and, with hindsight, I would get something better equipped to handle the steep hills. But definitely worth it to get to this gorgeous place. Scott met us in the town square in the early hours of the morning to take us to the villa and was very friendly despite our late arrival. He was on hand to help with anything over the fortnight and Ellen, the owner, had arranged for provisions to be brought in for us which was such a special and welcome touch. The house is well equipped and we cooked there several times (the barbeque is massive). The doors fold right back so you can eat comfortably, with an al fresco feel. Like elsewhere in Crete, it’s definitely worth taking mosquito repellent. The views at night are incredible! There are quite a few steps, inside and out, which require some care. Those, and all the swimming, helped to minimise the holiday weight gain! Elounda, a five minute drive down the hill, is a lovely town with very friendly people who take great pride in providing excellent service. We ate out a lot and didn’t feel the need to venture further afield! Everyone speaks English well. The shops have everything you need, and the local butcher provided us with massive steaks, chicken skewers and king prawns for the barbeque. Our stay was unforgettable! We had a fantastic family holiday and made many, many happy memories.

About the host

Hosted by Joop Lever

Host profile image
Hi folks!

It's about time that we tell you a little bit about ourselves. This is actually quite a lovely story about a house in Crete that brought a father and daughter back together again.

My name is Anne. I'm the property manager of Villa Meraki and, as it so happens the daughter of the owner of the house.When I was fourteen years old, my father moved to Crete. He bought a piece of land and, in two years time, with the help of a lot of people he loved dearly, he built this house. I spent almost all of my holidays here and and I fell in love with the Cretan way of life, the beautiful surroundings and of course the Aegean.

As I grew older, I traveled a lot and lived in quite a few different countries but it was always Crete that I considered to be my home away from home. Sitting on the terrace looking out at sea, I realised that over all these years the mountains, the sea and our shared love for the house was actually what had kept my father and I together.

As you might have already guessed from the story so far, we are a family that travels alot and as the stories of our lives unfolded, my dad actually found himself not living in the house all year round anymore. He traveled, mostly during summertime. So it only seemed right to start renting out the house. And when the opportunity presented itself, we decided to work together. We had a shared dream to have people experience the magic of this wonderful place. we wanted to share not only the house with you, but the Cretan way of life.

And so, this brings us to now. The fourteen year old girl that went to visit her father in Crete for the first time is now almost 30. I wouldn't even dare mention my father's age but he always says; 'Darling, I'm not sixty-four, I was merely born sixty-four years ago'.

And all those years later, we still sit outside in the garden, looking out at sea and discuss how we can continue to have our guests experience what we call, 'the magic of Villa Meraki'.

What makes this property unique

It is not often that you find a property with so much privacy that still has a 360 degrees open view out to sea and the surrounding mountains. This is our family home and it was very important to us from the beginning that there was a feeling of freedom without building five meter high walls around the property. Because of the efforts of the architect and the unique lay-out of the plot we managed to create the ideal balance of all these things without, most importantly, interfering with nature.

Languages:

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