Rooms

There are eight villas, each with 1-3 bedrooms, nestled in the hillside, with sweeping views across the coast. At the centre lies 3-bedroom Thalasa (2 doubles and a double/twin, each in a separate annexe), the largest villa with a sizeable outdoor space and a generous living area.

Most of the hillside two-bedroom villas share a similar 2-tier layout, with a first-floor master bedroom with ensuite (tub and shower) and a second bedroom (ensuite shower) below, or vice versa. One of Villa Carisma’s bedrooms is in a small annexe; the compact design of Villa Anasa and Villa Oniro means the smaller of their 2 bedrooms sit behind the kitchens, with no sea view.

One-bedroom Villa Avissos is a cute hideaway for couples, with living and sleeping areas in different buildings connected by a stone walkway.

All villas mix sleek white walls with splashes of colour. The airy, open-plan living rooms have fireplaces, large-screen TVs and well-equipped kitchens fronted by breakfast bars; some are double-height with banks of windows. Bedrooms are kingsize or twin. Most have glass doors leading to sea-view terraces or balconies with infinity pools.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Iron
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Each villa has a swish modern kitchen with an oven, an electric hob, a fridge-freezer, a microwave, a kettle, a toaster and a dishwasher. Dine around the breakfast bar, or head to the shaded outdoor table, flanked by cushioned seats; there’s also a barbecue. You’ll find a bottle of local wine waiting for you on arrival, along with basics like olive oil, tea, biscuits, herbs and capsules for the Nespresso machine. For an additional cost, you can pre-order a hamper full of organic local produce.

Shops in nearby Kissamos include bakeries, a butcher, a fishmonger and a large supermarket. There’s a strip of bars and tavernas along the sleepy seafront, plus a few cafés in the centre. You’re less a short drive from some of the best restaurants on the island, too – Gramvousa (traditional Cretan) and Mama’s Dinner (modern Greek) are found in the small village of Kaliviani, along the road to Balos beach. Try both!

There'll be a concierge service (via Whatsapp) throughout your stay, so if you’re celebrating something special, you can request a private chef to come to your villa, or hire out a sea-view event space at the heart of the complex.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• Head to the rolling waves and broad, white expanse of Falasarna beach, just 15 minutes' drive away
  
• Take a cruise from Kissamos to Gramvousa island and the wildly beautiful Balos lagoon - or alternatively make the half-hour drive along a track and trek for 30 minutes down steep steps to reach Balos beach
  
• Ask the concierge to arrange scuba-diving or snorkelling trips
  
• Hike the legendary Samaria Gorge (May-October) in the White Mountains
  
• Spend a day in the region’s Venetian capital, Chania (45 minutes away), meandering along cobbled streets lined with boutiques and cafes
  
• Experience the magical pink sand and turquoise water of famed Elafonissi beach (1 hour and 15 minutes by car). Be warned: it gets very busy in high summer
  
• Explore the crumbling Venetian fortifications, Roman aqueducts and Byzantine chapels of hilltop Polyrinia, just 15 mins' drive inland and completely crowd-free
  
• If you're feeling energetic (and have a willing driver), hike from here up the Sirikari gorge to tiny Milia, lost in the folds of the White Mts

Kids

Children are welcome here, and will enjoy having their own pool and the nearby beaches. The villas have plenty of space, along with shaded outdoor areas, though the remote location may not appeal to teenagers.

The kitchens are fully equipped for family meals, and you can order groceries in advance. There are family-friendly tavernas and a large supermarket in Kissamos, a short drive away.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Most villas have 2 bedrooms (one of which can be made up as a twin), Thalasa has 3; there are also sofabeds. Villa Avissos could work for those with 1 child as it accommodates 3 people in 1 bedroom and a sofabed. Baby cots are also available to borrow.

Note that the bedroom and living area in Villa Avissos sit in different buildings connected by walkways, as do the smaller bedroom in Villa Carisma and all 3 bedrooms in Villa Thalasa. As a result, they may not be suitable for very young children.

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes (Chania) or 3 hours (Heraklion)
• Shops: 5 minutes (larger shops in Kissamos, 15 minutes away)
• Hospital: 30 minutes (Chania)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The villas sit on a hillside above the tiny village of Agios Georgios, a 15-minute drive from the town of Kissamos, on Crete’s northwest coast.

By Air:
Chania (44km away) is the closest airport. It has daily flights from Athens, and charter flights from most European capitals in the summer. Heraklion airport is 182km to the east. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving both these airports.

From the Airport
Transfers from either airport can be arranged, though you really need a car to explore the area - see our car rental recommendations. All villas have parking spaces for 2 vehicles.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Greece and getting around