Entire home

Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location

Photo gallery for Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location

Beach nearby, sun loungers, beach towels
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, cribs/infant beds, free WiFi
TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 9130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    PoolPool
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast availableBreakfast available
  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFiFree WiFi
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor SpaceOutdoor Space

Explore the area

Map
Rethymno, Crete
  • Popular LocationReptisland10 min drive
  • Popular LocationMelidoni Cave14 min drive
  • Popular LocationSfendoni Cave17 min drive
  • AirportHeraklion (HER-Nikos Kazantzakis)70 min drive

Most relevant reviews

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location

The Private Amazing Retreat, is part of an Elite group of ThinkVilla bespoke stays, where hand-picked exceptional properties of outstanding 24/7 service, incredible tailored experiences and unique cultural charm await to inspire you. The Villa has been certified with the Seal of Approval, a 300’ Criteria Rating, for the unique design, innovation, individual quality & inspiring offerings only with ThinkVilla. The license number of the Greek National Tourism Organization is 1041Κ050Β3177600

An Overview of the Impeccable Retreat
A stone build iconic house is ideally located in the center of Episkopi Village. The owners of the House have restored a unique sanctuary with care & authenticity. This is a destination that combines the class of a renovated mansion and the true Cretan environment of the village heritage. The location is perfect for keen walkers or those who just want to switch off from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature. A surrounded by nature retreat, this home is as perfect for romantic holidays, as it is for a family escape. Enjoy the country-luxe interior designs and the romantic isolated garden area with its unique revivification country Aroma.

Enjoy your mornings with hands wrapped around a warming mug of fresh coffee in the kitchen, gazing out onto the garden & the pool area as the dusky hues of dawn brighten to seize in the day. Everything in this warm designed House has been considered for your best comfort and luxury. It is ideal for big families or groups of friends, as it can accommodate up to 9 guests to rejoice. The light wood and stone elements of the house makes the whole exterior feel spacious and private with a free-flowing sense of harmony, peacefulness and calmness. The serenity of the village makes the high walls that surround this property fairly unnecessary, but to guarantee the utmost privacy, it features a romantic and grand courtyard of outstanding beauty, hidden from the sight of anyone passing by.

External Living | Pool, BBQ & Garden
Furthermore, beautiful flowers make the terrace even more appealing and the surrounding big trees offer shade during the mid day heat. The ample outdoors sitting and dining areas and barbecue facilities at the terrace provoke you to avoid the interiors and try al fresco dining! From the courtyard, an external stone-built staircase leads to a decent sized terrace on the upper floor. A wooden pergola offers partial shade and a small arrangement of garden furniture allows guests to retreat from the rest of the group, if preferred.

Internal Living | Rooms & Bathrooms
Ground Floor
Entering, you’ll be welcomed intro a world of authenticity & heritage, featuring a fully equipped, open plan kitchen with the adjacent dining area. Also complimented with a living room area with an open fireplace, which creates a unique atmosphere. On this level you’ll find one double and one twin bedroom, both with en-suite bathrooms. All rooms of the ground floor offer direct access to the pool & courtyard.

First Floor
From the terrace, guests enter another open plan living area that consists of a small, but very tastefully decorated and fully equipped kitchen, a dining table for four guests and another bathroom. The living room area consists of two comfortable sofa beds and a lovely loft-type bedroom with a double bed.

Mod Cons
Welcome basket included courtesy of the owner • Housekeeping, towels and linen changes once a week • Sun-beds and umbrellas available • Pool towels provided • Pool and garden cleaning twice a week • Baby cot and high chair available if needed • Air conditioning in all bedrooms and living room area is included • Air conditioning units serve heating purposes • Complimentary free Wi-Fi coverage is available throughout the house • All in-house electronics are available, including a washing machine, dishwasher, TV with satellite reception, CD and DVD players, large fridge with freezer, electric kitchen, kettle, toaster, espresso coffee machine, iron and iron board • Smoking is allowed only outdoors • Pre stock service available upon request • 24h/7 days ThinkVilla concierge service included
Location Overview.
Eleni’s stately Home is located in the village of Episkopi. The village, with its ancient history and traditional ways of life, is an ideal place to learn about customs, traditions and experience an authentic rural life. Also in the villages and within a few meters guests will find a regional taverna as well as a traditional cafe.
Throughout the area the visitor is invited to walk in a region of particular natural beauty, to admire important monuments and to experience the customary local hospitality. We are pleased to offer our delightful region for excursions or holidays, combining naturalist and archaeological routes that, in their total, constitute an important 'map' of experiences.
In Garazo village, which is 10 minutes away by car, guests will find a super market for their daily needs.
Perama town which is within 15 minutes driving you will find everything that you might need like shops, bakery, grocery store, butcher’s, taverns, cafes, supermarkets, ATM machines, pharmacies, gas stations and post office.
Also Panormo, is a friendly sea side village, approximately 20 minutes away by car and well known for its sandy beaches. The two main beaches are Limanaki and Limni. Both of them are sandy with clear blue water and ideal for kids, as they are shallow and well protected from winds. The beaches are organised and equipped with sun beds & umbrellas. Water sports are also available. The harbour beach in front of the village is the port of the area, where the boats tie up, this beach is unorganised.
The village has all the facilities and amenities one would need : well-stocked mini-markets, post office, pharmacy, a doctor’s office, a butcher's shop, bakery (hot, fresh bread every morning from 9 am), various gift shops and traditional seaside shops at very reasonable prices.
Further, there is a good selection of cafes and excellent traditional tavernas, overlooking the harbour and the sea, which offer a warm welcome and a beautiful setting to enjoy some traditional Cretan food, fish as well as international dishes.
Distances to Important Locations
Restaurant & Cafe : 30 meters
Super Market: Garazo village, 5 km
Panormos Beach: 15 Km
Rethymno Port & Town: 35 Km
Heraklion International Airport:63 Kms

Car rental is essential to explore the nearby villages and unique sandy beach locations!

Property manager

Valia Kokkinou

Languages

Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach
  • Beach towels
  • Beach sun loungers

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Massages

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Limo/town car service
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Paper towels
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Spices

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Shower/tub combination
  • Soap
  • Towels provided
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Books
  • Video library
  • Music library
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking only allowed outdoors

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Limited housekeeping
  • Chef
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • In the city center
  • In a rural location
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Bicycle on site
  • Boat on site
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1399 sq ft (130 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 23

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs are available on request at the property
Note from host: Supervision of children is your responsibility.

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) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 9
Note from host: Prior notice, extra fees, event contract required.
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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 1041K050B3177600

We should mention

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

About the neighborhood

Mylopotamos

Located in Mylopotamos, this villa is in the city center and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Melidoni Cave and Sfendoni Cave, while Wooden Sculptures Museum and Museum of Grylios are cultural highlights. Traveling with kids? Consider Reptisland and Rethimno Kart. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.

What's nearby

  • Reptisland - 10 min drive
  • Melidoni Cave - 14 min drive
  • Sfendoni Cave - 17 min drive
  • Livadi beach - 32 min drive
  • Varkotopos beach - 34 min drive

Getting around

  • Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) - 70 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Melidoni Cave - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Μάνταλος - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Isla - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Nostos Cafe - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Mambo - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location located?

Located by the sea, this family-friendly villa is within 9 mi (15 km) of Reptisland, Melidoni Cave, and Sfendoni Cave. Livadi beach and Varkotopos beach are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Eleni’s Stately Home, Picturesque Location Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Helen C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful - a little piece of heaven
The property is absolutely beautiful. A little slice of heaven.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Crete Vacation
We truly enjoyed staying at the villa. The property manager was very friendly and very responsive. However, the location was somewhat isolated and the lighting in the home was very dark.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

nancy s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Dream vacation
My husband and along with our friends had the most amazing time . The house is in a very small village but was a welcome place to return after exploring Crete. The little touches like being able to order in meals was wonderful. The yard of the home is incredible. It is a welcome oasis with so much character. It absolutely added to our Greece experience. We had all of our questions answered very quickly and any issues were solved right away. We would absolutely love to return one day. The separate little apartment allowed a perfect space when travelling with friends.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely, rustic villa
We stayed here for 2 weeks in mid June. We were super impressed by the cleanliness of the property inside and out. The cleaner came very regularly, changing bedsheets and towels a number of times during our stay. The courtyard garden is an absolute delight! Centre piece is a huge walnut tree which provides shade throughout the day, but there are enough spots to sunbathe as well! Internally, the villa is comfortable, though the bathrooms (all 3) are in need of maintenance/ updating. Upstairs is separate to the downstairs house, with a small second kitchen, living area, bathroom and mezzanine king sized bedroom. From the house there are some lovely walks to be had with special views and all that is to be enjoyed in rural Crete. We found a couple of really good tavernas - one mentioned in a previous review, Carob & Olive, and another slightly further away but the best taverna we visited by far - Kafenieo Filio, located in the ancient monument site, Eleftherna. We would thoroughly recommend this villa as a fantastic holiday location!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marc L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful retreat for a relaxing holiday
Eleni's was just as advertised, a lovely and secluded place for a quiet holiday. The kitchen is well furnished, which is essential given the isolated location, and the shaded patio with pool is all one could ask. When we had problems, which mainly involved locking ourselves out, the property manager came quickly to help us. Note: the pool is unfenced, which might be a concern for a family with small children, who in any event might find the village a bit boring. But for our party of adults it was perfect. I would gladly return.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

nichole d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stsy
Wonderful stay in this gorgeous villa. It is beautifully presented. Lovely quiet village. Our children loved Bali Beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Deborah S., Hartlepool

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic, pretty house but a little too remote for us.
Despite a few negatives we did enjoy our stay here. The garden is lovely and the house is rustic but dark inside and fairly basic. The village is mostly quiet but apart from the taverna next door there are no other facilities and it's a good 10 minutes drive to get even basic provisions. The house doesn't have a welcome book and whilst Dora is available any time for problems or advice, it would have been good to have a book to refer to for information on where to take rubbish, recycling, washing machine instructions, etc. We didn't realise that someone was coming to clean and when she opened the gate and walked in we had no idea what was going on. The photos could do with updating as there is no longer a lovely view of the mountains from the upstairs terrace, just trees. There is no vegetable garden (area is now fake grass) and it's a case of moving every so often to chase the sun if sunbathing as the garden is, whilst very pretty, very shady with lots of trees. The fruit tree over the sunbeds at the top of the pool is a bit of a hazard as the fruit hangs low and it's difficult to easily access the area. The pool is a good size for just dipping in to to cool off but as we only had 2 days at the house we didn't get to use it much. The kitchen is more basic than I expected, no microwave as stated and the filter coffee machine needs looking at as the glass jug easily falls from the handle. There is also an open drain on the floor in the ensuite bathroom covered with a mat, which we weren't aware of till we stood on it. The self contained apartment upstairs is much lighter, has a good sized bath tub and lovely seating area. You should also be aware that you will probably get bitten by mozzies and perhaps ants but appreciate there's nothing that can be done about that. We were covered in repellent and burnt the smoky rings and still got some impressive bites but after a few nights stayed away from the house on an evening to minimise the chances. Fortunately our second week in another area didn't have any biting pests. Aware that there are a few negative issues, and I'm coming across as a real moaner, but we still enjoyed our week here! The area is beautiful and well placed for good days out exploring. There is a lovely village called Melidoni a short drive away with a great restaurant called Carob and Olive. We ate here a number of times and the food was great.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019

8/10 Good

Alex G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house and perfect location
The house is beautiful and the gardens stunning - with lots of trees it meant there was sun but also shade so the children didn't get sunburn. I wish I had read the description more carefully as we hadn't realised the third bedroom was in a totally separate section so with little children, we didn't feel happy being apart from them but the owners were extremely helpful and we put a zip bed in the downstairs room so all the children slept together - so they were very happy and we were in the room next door. Thank you for making us feel so welcome and very well looked after.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Roy F., Oxford

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely perfect
This villa is set in the center of a peacful and scenic village. The villa is an old building that has been tastefully modernised. The courtyard and pool give the place that "wow!" factor. The tree offers shade, but there are plenty of sunny areas. The villa manager left us alone, but was always at the end of a text with any questions we had and she was very quick to respond. A car is needed here as the village is in the hills and a 5 minute drive from the nearest main road which leads to the nearest supermarket. The villa is next door to the tavern and I recommend the food (Which they deliver). Being next to the tavern is not an issue as it is very quiet. We have rented villas with pools most years for the last 16 years, and this one is up there with the best, if not the best, we have stayed in. Thank you for a perfect holiday.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

David Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
A traditional Cretan home, tastefully converted as a holiday villa
I think this has to be the most relaxing villa I have ever stayed in. The property is so evocative, the courtyard is a Venetian styled Cretan area with its own fruit trees shading it. Every one of the locals was friendly, the area is stunning. We really enjoyed this beautiful villa. In the surrounding area we took in the castle at Rethymno (nice views and a good walk, but more a pile of rubble than a castle these days). The town is a bit touristy but the old bit is nice to wander around. The beach at Perama was a good place for the kids. We also walked the Mili Gorge (well worth it only about 4K but a beautiful walk). We had lunch as the Banana restaurant at the bottom where they called us a taxi to take us back to our car.. Not far from the villa is Melidoni where we found a well-rated restaurant on Trip Advisor (Carob and Olive) which was excellent. The drive there was also stunning and the village is very beautiful. We also spent an hour or two in Margarites village. There is loads of really nice local pottery - some modern, some traditional as well as a monastery on the hill with spectacular views and a beautiful garden. We also visited Elitherna - an archaeological site of major significance. It was pretty disappointing. I think you’d need to be a real archaeology buff to find much of interest. By and large the whole experience was wonderful, not least Eleni’s Stately Home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019