PLATANIAS, Crete
Towering over lush olive groves, Villa ARIALKίS not only offers all the comforts for the most discerning visitor, but also an unparalleled environment with majestic views stretching from the Cretan sea to the White Mountains. We have, therefore, coined our villa "ARIALKίS" from Greek roots, which mean the power of the earth and sea. A befitting name, as the picturesque landscape and the azure of the sea dynamically burst forth to clash in contrast with the white-washed villages and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
The villa boasts a privileged location amongst other beautiful stone-built villas in a neighborhood reminiscent of a "paradise village" (as the residents refer to their surroundings).
From the spacious driveway, which parks up to three cars, the Villa's main spaces are accessible via a stone walkway winding past an infinity pool whose water meshes with the azure of the sea and the distant mountains before it cascades into a children's pool. Panoramic views are especially enjoyed from the spacious and fully furnished pergola barbeque.
The harmony of the lawn, the garden and trees with their hammocks, adjacent to the large sun deck of the pool, are sure to put an anticipating smile on any guest's face. The infinity pool extends just two and a half meters from the living room of the villa, behind which there is even a gravel pit with a pool-up bar for the athletic types for an ideal body-weight work out, while there is also a fully equipped free-weight gym in the garage space.
On entering the ground floor, one is welcomed by an open space where stone and wood mesh in the finest of taste, accommodating a fully equipped kitchen, a sitting room with fireplace and a library/study. Handmade, wood crafted furniture add to the cozy ambience of tradition and comfort. The study/library has a wood-crafted desk from which one can work or write poetry inspired by the panoramic view through the window. Furnished with a comfortable sofa bed and clothes cabinet, it also acts as a third bedroom by drawing the thick curtain to partition it from the sitting room.
Once seated on the comfortable, large sofa of the sitting room, one takes in the most majestic view stretching from the pool to the sea and the mountains. The proximity of the infinity pool from the lounge means that parents can be enjoying a beverage indoors with visual contact of the children plunging about.
On the same floor, there is a WC with shower and a spacious built-in closet along the hallway.
A wood-built staircase leads to the upper floor with the two bedrooms and a bathroom with a laundry machine.
The master bedroom has a king size bed and smart TV, and the other bedroom is furnished with a double sofa bed and a single sofa bed, also boasting a smart TV and an extending work desk. Both rooms offer plenty of built-in wardrobe closet space.
Accessible from both bedrooms, lies a terrace/balcony with coffee table and chairs for yet another panoramic view to the pool, the garden, the sea, the mountains and the most spectacular sunsets.
From the private driveway there is immediate ground-floor access to a self-contained 25 square meter guesthouse offered as a fourth bedroom with a double bed. It has a private entrance from the driveway and boasts toilet/shower and mini kitchen that comfortably accommodates two extra guests if the booking exceeds the number of 6 visitors in the main villa extending above. This means that the guest house is made automatically available in a booking exceeding six persons of the same group. It will not be rented out separately to guests outside the group renting the villa, as the persons in the villa have exclusive use of the villa facilities. (The guest house can be used by the villa guests if requested at an extra charge.)
We have placed such emphasis on the variety of scenery, that beautiful views can be enjoyed literally from every window of the house that encompasses guests in cozy, rustic-style luxury. Next to the infinity pool lies a spacious barbeque patio lounge under a pergola. Fully furnished for coffee and meals, it promises wonderful moments and sunsets that will take your breath away. Maleme beach is only a 5-minute drive or 20 minute walk away, whilst trails through patches of forest, orange and olive groves abound and there are clusters of traditional homes and narrow village paths begging to be explored. The cosmopolitan town/village of Platanias is only a 7-minute drive from the property.
However, be warned: The amenities of ARIALKiS, with its spectacular pool, sun deck, fully equipped free-weight gym, barbeque patio and tree-laden garden with its picnic lawn, hammocks and vegetable garden for your fresh salads, make it difficult to tear oneself from the villa; for it is, indeed, a microcosm of comfort, action and beauty in itself!
My 11 year old daughter and I wanted a mother/daughter month abroad and are so fortunate that we happened upon Villa Arialkis on VRBO and that it was available. The villa is just remote enough, while remaining a quick, five minute, drive to Maleme Beach which feels much more authentic and is dramatically quieter than the nearby Platanias and Agia Marina which are constantly swarming with tourists and buses. It was truly a beautiful respite. Most importantly, as two female travelers, we always felt safe and secure there and the owner was a quick phone call or text away if we ever needed anything. We were quite sad to leave the Villa and hope to return again someday.
We had a lovely stay at this beautifully appointed villa - a very special house indeed. The owner went out of his way to make our stay comfortable and give us tips on what to do. You need a car but the location is away from it all and incredibly relaxing.
We loved our stay and will return. We loved the villa and its facilities. A great pool, BBQ and outdoor dining area, all with a fantastic view of the sea and lots of sun. We stayed for 10 days and wished we could have stayed for longer. The main villa (there is an annex also which we didn't rent) was the perfect size for my wife and I and our friend who joined us, but can easily accommodate additional persons. Our host is the owner (not a management company) and was friendly and informative, wanting to make our experience relaxed and enjoyable, and respected our privacy. It is about a 25min walk down to the beach and 25-35min walk to local restaurants - but taxies also readily available if you want to go into Platanios or Chania. We loved our stay and look forward to returning in the future
All brilliant recommend!!!
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