Olives and Thyme Retreat

This luxury villa designed by Greek famous architect  the natural environment has been used to create some unique features for our guests.

‘The Reading Tree’, a shady quiet spot where you can just relax and read your book, and ‘Carob Circle’, a circular sitting area under a large carob tree, lit up in the evenings, with ‘The Overlook’, a private viewing seat set among the shrubs provide quiet spots for two.
 
The olive trees offer a harmonious existence with nature enhanced by the mix of indigenous planted herbs, especially thyme, and colourful shrubs close to the villa. As with most olive groves you will find not just the large carob tree, “harupya” (in Greek), but others, since carob is considered as a necessary tree to have on one’s land. A private drive leads you to shady parking spaces for two vehicles.
 
The complex consists of the main tower like building, ‘The Keep’, with a separate stone cottage to the left. The Keep has four luxury en-suite bedrooms located on the ground and first floor with The Cottage being able to accommodate up to a further two people, giving a total of up to 10 bed spaces.
 
The interior spaces are luxurious with architecturally designed furniture and best quality materials giving a sense of pampering. Big windows provide a feeling of lightness and connection to the outside.
    ‘An olive grove with volcanic rocks overlooking Souda bay and the White mountains is the context of this distinctive and sophisticated residence.
    It was envisioned that the volcanic rock would become the main masonry material of the interior and the exterior. A look to the past of the island of Crete led to the architectural design of this three story tower structure. The three levels are all connected with a green central communication core to accentuate the tower feeling from the interior.
    All the interior finishes and furniture, fabricated from wood, metal and glass, have been designed as a unique entity in harmony with the natural light conditions.’
 
Layout
Two swimming pools offer the option of swimming laps or continuous swimming. Both the lap pool and the endless pool are infinity pools and are heated. Both pools have stunning views across Souda Bay. Early swimmers can enjoy the sunrise reflected in the pools making for a sense of oneness with the day. The lap pool, found at ground floor level, can be accessed directly from the two ground floor bedrooms or via steps from The Cottage or the endless pool past the statue water feature. The endless pool, with a shaded terrace next to it, is at the first floor level with the outside kitchen and dining area to its side. The large terrace with a shaded fully equipped outside kitchen and dining area makes a perfect place for outside dining. A second area is next to this but has no shade. Ramps from the first and second floor give easy access to the pool and terrace.
 
Wi-fi internet is available throughout the entire property.
Being located on the Akrotiri has definite benefits. The Akrotiri is known for the sandy beaches of Marathi, Kalathas, Stavros and Tersanas as well as Seitan Limania. There are many good places to eat and the main amenities one needs. Olives and Thyme Retreat is also just twenty minutes’ drive to the beautiful Venetian city of Chania where one can wonder through the street admiring the Venetian villas and see the history of the city through the archaeological digs. Chania offers a range of eating experiences from giros to fine dining. Olives and Thyme Retreat is also just a few minutes to the Souda to Akrotiri road which means it takes just 20 minutes to be on the national road giving one the opportunity to explore further west, to the stunning beaches of Elafonissi and Falassarna, or journey east to Rethymnon and beyond.
 
This amazing location does however mean that the Souda- Akrotiri road runs below the villa so glass panels have been installed at the end of the infinity lap pool and the shaded sitting area by the endless pool to reduce the inevitable noise heard specifically when on the two front balconies and the endless pool and outside living area.
 
Bedroom 1
This bedroom has the man-made stream around three sides with water plants and goldfish. This room has been designated as a possible twin as it is possible to separate the beds. A truly relaxing room with a door out to the lap-pool. There is a dressing area with a very large sink and separate walk-in shower and toilet. A large wooden work surface on the south side provides space for working or being creative should you wish to draw or paint the amazing rock or just watch the goldfish.
 
Bedroom 2
This room is next to the atrium with the Ficus Alii tree, and its eastern window looks out onto a large rock with shrubs growing in its crevasses. Here you will find a wooden work surface. The large private bathroom with dressing area includes two sinks and a separate toilet. Its south facing French widows give stunning views across the bay and allow for immediate access to the lap-pool.
 
Bedroom 3
Located immediately above bedroom 1 this room also has the possibility of being a double or twin bedroom. With its stunning views of the bay and mountains across the rocks to the pool.
 
Bedroom 4
Located immediately above bedroom 2 this bedroom has the top of the Ficus Alii tree as its backdrop. The large private bathroom with dressing area includes two sinks and a separate toilet. A private balcony overlooking the lap-pool gives views across the bay.
 
Living room Area
The top floor is the living area. At the top of the stairs, one finds a large table with sufficient dining chairs for all the guests. The table when fully extended can sit all the guests. Against the east facing window is a wooden counter with stools underneath should you need more space. The sitting area is a large corner sofa, designed by the architect, with a 70 inch television, in case of rainy days. Some poofs are tucked under the counter for additional seating. Behind the sofa is a second counter with a socket underneath so you can charge your electrical items.
 
Kitchen Area
A well fitted kitchen has all the equipment one will need to allow you not just to have breakfast but stay in and dine should you feel like it. The coffee area allows you to make whichever style of coffee you need to start the day.
 
The Pools
Unusually there are two swimming pools, both of which are heated. The lower one being a lap pool of 3 by 14 meters and the higher an endless pool of 6 by 8 meters. A set of concrete steps connect the two pools with the water feature being located between the two. From this water feature a manmade stream runs under glass on a step, through the rocks and feeds two water features. To the right a self-contained pond with water plants and goldfish and to the left a small stream around two sides of one of the ground floor bedrooms with plants and goldfish.
 

 
The services below are also included in the price:
– Welcome pack including wine and traditional Cretan treats.
– Towel and linen change every 3 days.
– Shopping before arrival (cost of groceries not included).
 

 
Property Location:
Facing east, the villa  is set in rural hillside surroundings .
-500m from the closest shop.
-5km from the closest beach.
-15-minute drive from the regional capital of Chania.
-15 minute drive from Chania International airport.
-Other villages, beaches, and attractions are an easy driving distance with hire car.