The Elounda Villa 1

crete, greek islands
8 bedroom - 8.5 bath
(2 reviews)
Travel dates:
€1,964 - €2,768 per night (EUR)
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Property perks

  • Concierge
    A concierge service is available for this property
  • Baby rental
    equipment partner
    We work with a carefully-chosen baby equipment rental partner in this location
  • Kid & Coe
    select
    Kid & Coe Select properties have been visited by our team and checked for their suitability for family travelers
  • Itinerary
    We provide a family-focused itinerary for properties in this destination
  • Professional
    partner
    This property is professionally managed by a trusted partner

Perks for the Parents

This boutique luxury villa with incredible views of the Mediterranean and the mountains offers beautiful design, relaxation and plenty to keep both children and adults happy. It sleeps up to 16 + 3. Perched on a hillside, the infinity pool makes the most of the views with lounging areas scattered poolside and amongst the olive trees. For dinner under the stars, there’s an impressive outdoor kitchen with an al fresco dining table (plus another outside and 1 inside). Fit parents can follow running tracks towards the beach or make use of the gym equipment in the villa. The Villa Manager can arrange for in-house treatments and yoga classes and there is a spa next door at Porto Elounda for further pampering. For occasions or big groups traveling together, there’s the option of renting Villa 1 and Villa 2 together. The villas are 180 meters apart with easy access between them, but each retains its own privacy due to orientation, site terrain and landscaping. There is a new pergola structure that can seat up to 30 guests at a long dining table with views of the Mediterranean.

Why Kids Love it

Kids will love the pool of course, that can be heated on request. But there are also toys for up to 12 years old and a fully-equipped playground in the grounds between the 2 villas where children can play freely and safely on site. The timber play equipment is from Finnish maker Lappset and includes a mobile seahorse, balancing beam, swing set suitable for babies and toddlers, seesaw, climbing frame, abacus, playhouse, and even a shaded area for parents. For older kids there is a table tennis table and a foosball table in the villa and teens might appreciate the gym. There are large bedrooms, common spaces, pathways for walks or games in the grounds, while hammocks strung in olive trees provide relaxing spaces for all the family. Other nearby activities include snorkeling, watersports, horse-riding, boat trips, hidden caves and the animal reserve of Amazonas Park where you can feed the monkeys.

Things to Know

Minimum stay: 7 nights, Saturday to Saturday. High season rates apply in July & August. The pool is now gated but there are unfenced drop offs around it and children will need supervision around it. There are open stone stairs as well. A baby crib, baby bath and travel crib, two high chairs and two strollers, toddler bed and pool toys are available in both villas. Rental of the villa includes daily cleaning and a 24 hr concierge service. The pool is heated upon request (€500/week, to be paid directly to the host on arrival) and pets are also allowed on request. Amenities include air conditioning, a BBQ, espresso machine, gym equipment, Wi-Fi and iPod docking station. Please note there is a washing machine but no dryer. Other services such as a private chef, beauty treatments, boat trips, transport, yoga lessons, massages by the pool and a babysitter are available on demand for an extra charge. Please contact the host for further information on additional services. It can be rented in conjunction with Elounda Villa No.2 for large groups (book both villas together for a 5% discount). NOTE: The host requires a copy of the lead guest passport on check in.

About the Location

The villa is in Elounda, a small former fishing village on the north coast of the island of Crete. Elounda is a top luxury destination and is known for its discretion and privacy where high-profile guests can escape the crowds. For serene waters and sand, local beaches Driros, Schisma, and Kolokitha are a short drive away. The must-see Bronze Age archeological site of Knossos is a 40-minute drive and day boat trips run to the uninhabited island and former leper colony of Spinalonga. Heraklion International Airport, the main airport on the island, is 1 hour, 10 minutes taxi or car ride along the coast. Car hire is recommended to reach the nearby beaches and explore the villages and their restaurants.

Accommodation Details

Villa 1 has 8 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms on 3 levels. On the ground floor is a fully-equipped kitchen and a spacious open-plan living / dining area with a fire place, satellite TV and DVD player, study area, and a dining table seating up to 8. French doors open to a shaded terrace. Also on this floor is a guest bathroom and 2 double / full bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (1 with a tub) and sea views. Upstairs is a queensize master bedroom with a 4-poster bed with an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower and a large terrace with sea views. Another bedroom, accessed by an external staircase, is another double / full bedroom with an ensuite bathroom (tub and shower attachment) and 2 terraces with sea views. On the lower ground floor are the remaining 4 bedrooms – 3 kids’ rooms have 2 single / twin beds in each and ensuite shower rooms, while 1 double / full bedroom has an ensuite shower room and doors to the pool area. You’ll also find a laundry room, mini gym and table tennis table here. Two cribs and 2 travel cribs can accommodate up to 4 babies. Outside is a pool, pergola, 2 dining tables, lounge area, children’s playground and outdoor kitchen.

Style Notes

Boutique luxury. Designed by Greek architect Marina Birdimiri, who is originally from Crete and feels affinity with its landscape, this contemporary villa has featured in many architectural magazines for its clean lines and unique beauty. Traditional materials such as stone, wood and plaster are blended with modern furniture and soft colors. Large doors and windows frame the views and each area has been designed with relaxation and socializing in mind. Carefully considered paths through the olive trees provide lovely, shady walks with spots to escape and read a book. We love the elegant outdoor rattan lamps next to the simply magnificent pool area, the shaded, stone-topped, large outdoor kitchen and many terraces with comfy cushions to enjoy the view and feel the sea breeze in your hair.

  • Air Conditioning
  • Baby Bath
  • Baby Monitor
  • Babysitter / Nanny
  • Backyard / Garden
  • Balcony
  • Bathtub
  • Bed Rails
  • Bicycles
  • Cabinet Locks
  • Changing Table
  • Chef / Catering
  • Children's Dinnerware
  • Corner Guards
  • DVD Library
  • DVD Player
  • Dishwasher
  • Elevator
  • Fireplace Guards
  • Game Console
  • High Chair
  • Housekeeper
  • Outlet Plugs
  • Parking
  • Pet-friendly
  • Pool
  • Pool Gate
  • Stair Gates
  • Television
  • Toys / Children's Books
  • Washer / Dryer
  • Wifi
  • Window Guards
SLEEPS 17
4 king
8 twin / single
1 toddler bed
sleeps 4
2 baby crib
2 travel crib
marina b.
Member since October 23, 2018
Marina Birdimiri was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She studied architecture in Canterbury, Kent. Has designed and worked on projects all over Greece. Has done two solo photography exhibitions in Athens. Marina BirdimiriMarina has an origin from Crete and spent quite a few of her childhood summers on the island. She has always loved sketching around the rural areas and admired the old original, honest and simple architecture of the island. The light and energy of the area led her, in 2009, to first start designing and building in Elounda, Crete. Grabbed the opportunity to create these exclusive residences with great respect to the local architecture as well as the environment. The aim was to design buildings that would only offer their guests a remarkable holiday in a unique location, balancing traditional elements and materials with contemporary lines and needs. Large openings conscientiously framing views, high ceilings in the public areas, earthy colours, thoughtfully designed inside to outside liaisons, local materials such as stone, timber and coloured plaster. Each relaxing and social area is carefully considered and designed to offer comfort and pleasure. Each pathways’ promenade is walked through and studied to offer the best possible experience. Marina still sketches around, travels with her camera and keeps an eye open for the next challenge / project.

Crete, Greek Islands

Ruins, rocky outcrops and rural charm

Off the southern coast of mainland Greece, beautiful Crete is the largest of the islands, packed with rural charm, archeological sites and fabulous mountains - a land where shepherds still tend their flocks wearing traditional dress. Blow the kids’ minds at the enormous Samariá Gorge, tantalize them with tales of ancient civilization, and check out the cave where Zeus was said to have been born.

2 reviews

Diane K.
Visited in June 2023
What an unforgettable week we had here! The property is as advertised - beautiful views, well appointed, comfortable for multiple families traveling together. Marina and her onsite partners took wonderful care of us, helping to arrange experiences and outings that made our vacation one of the best we've had. They went above and beyond to make all of us feel so welcome. Highly recommend the villa for your next holiday!
MARIA G.
Visited in September 2021
The villa is gorgeous and luxurious. It was perfect for our group of 12 to spread out and enjoy. But the host, Marina, and villa manager, Anna, took it to the next level. From helping us pick and book hiking trips, boat trips, car rentals, etc., to helping us book a doctor appointment and get medicine for our littlest traveler with an ear infection, Marina and Anna took care of our every need. They made travel across the globe as easy as being at home, but much more fun.