Villa Stephania

General Description

Villa Stephania occupies a wonderful plot, in a lovely hillside location overlooking the popular Cretan seaside village of Almyrida. The villa is only 1.5 kms from this laid back and picturesque resort, with its many beach side restaurants, shops and useful amenities.

The villa has been built on a large, private plot of approximately half an acre and benefits from well tended gardens including a large lawned area.The plot is surrounded by olive groves and enjoys views to the sea as well as inland to pine valleys and the majestic White Mountains.

Villa Stephania is peacefully and privately situated at the end of a long driveway off a well surfaced, tarmac road which leads to Almyrida. The villa is modern, spacious, light and airy with a super pool, all surrounded by established gardens containing colourful and scented plants of oleander, bougainvillea and jasmine and to a walled area of olive, cypress and carob trees. Around the pool there are areas for both sun and shade. All of the rooms in the villa are sea facing and all living areas and bedrooms lead to terraces or balconies. There is an outside eating area for those who like to have dinner whilst watching the stunning sunsets.

A good choice for a family with young children and/or a baby as the owners have provided a host of extra facilities for them. As well as a cot and high chair that you will find in all villas, at Villa Stephania there is also, at no extra cost, a stair gate, a buggy/push chair, a bath chair, bed rails, a baby food mixer and children's cutlery as well as an air-bed suitable for a child to sleep on.  Please reserve the facilities you need when making your booking.

Ground Floor

The main front door and two sets of french doors lead from the pool terrace to the open plan, "L" shaped, ground floor living area of Villa Stephania. The dining area and fully fitted kitchen are to the right and a large window above the kitchen sink looks out to the driveway. French doors adjacent to the dining area look out to the pool terrace and the lounge seating (2 sofas and a chair) are arranged in front of another set of french doors so that whether dining or relaxing indoors you can have the pool area in view. This layout allows the outside terraces to join seamlessly with the inside space and sunlight streams in to the villa.

Completing the ground floor accommodation is one of the airy twin bedrooms with plenty of clothes storage space, a hairdryer and another set of french doors opening up to the pool terrace and those glorious views. There is also a shower room with shower, wc and wash basin.

The staircase to the 1st floor is at the rear of the lounge area (see picture gallery).

First Floor

Leading off from the spacious landing are 2 further bedrooms (one double and one twin) and a full bathroom with bath, shower, wc and wash basin. Both of these bedrooms also have hairdryers, plenty of facilities for clothes storage and direct access to the large first floor balcony which is a lovely spot for taking in the sea views.

External Areas

Villa Stephania stands in a wonderful plot in a great location. The villa, pool and gardens are extremely private and yet are only a few minutes drive to the lovely sandy beach and facilities at Almyrida. Immediately outside the villa is a large sun terrace with a table and chairs for al fresco dining, relaxing with a good book or sipping a cocktail as you watch the sun go down. The gas BBQ is located at one side of this terrace. A couple of steps down brings you to the paved area surrounding the sizeable pool.  The gardens at the villa are a particular feature, there is a lawned area which is unusual in this climate and a variety of Mediterranean shrubs and trees. The garden, pool and villa are all maintained to a high standard. 

Internet Access

The internet is provided via satellite with unlimited access.  Full instructions on connecting are in the Villa Information Book in the villa.

More Information

Use the different tabs to view the villa's features and amenities, actual location and distances to the nearest beach, shop and taverna. The prices tab contains details of the weekly rate together with discount information and additional charges where applicable. You can check "LIVE" up to date, availability using the availability tab which will also confirm the price for your selected dates ***. If you want to book you can then follow the online prompts. Also see https://www.crete-escapes.com/booking

*** In some cases relating to the low occupancy discount, the price may need adjusting by us. Please see the note on this page for more details https://www.crete-escapes.com/about-our-discounts

Holiday Rental Licence

Villa Stephania is licensed for holiday rentals with the Greek Tourist Authorities (EOT). Licence number 10 42 K 10 00 00151 00.

General

Chania airport ­- 40 mins drive. Heraklion airport - 1 hr and 50 mins drive.

Nearest Beaches ­- Almyrida - 25 mins walk / 5 mins drive and Kalives - 13 min drive.

Nearest Tavernas and Shops­ - Almyrida - 25 mins walk / 5 mins drive.

NB; all times are approximate and based on average driving and walking speeds. Some walking and/or driving may be on unlit and unmade track roads. Please refer to the map tab to view satellite images of the area.

Booking Information

Change-over days are totally flexible but are subject to existing bookings taken either side. If a booking means that the owner would be left with too many "void" days we might not be able to accept it. If this is the case we will contact you without delay to discuss alternatives.

Payment can be made by bank transfer to our sterling account or by debit or credit card (Mastercard or Visa) only.

Our travel information provides details of how to get to Crete including flights to both Chania and Heraklion airports.

If you want to book, please use the availability chart above to check your dates, you can then either book on-line, email  or call us on 0330 111 0061.

Please note: although the calendars show live availability and you can book on-line, please note that your booking is not confirmed until we have issued a confirmation of booking. You may prefer not to book your flights until we have confirmed the booking. 

Low occupancy discounts - unfortunately the online booking system automatically calculates the single couple or small party discount based on the number of people entered onto the booking form and the start day of your rental. There are 2 problems with this:-

a) If you are 2 people but not a single couple, or 3 or 4 people but not 2 + 1 or 2 + 2, the system will have automatically calculated a discount when it is not due. Please make use of the "additional notes" box on the booking form to tell us and we will adjust the price accordingly before we confirm your booking.

b) If your rental overlaps from a discounted period to a non-discounted one (or vice versa), the discount calculated will be wrong. In these cases we have to make the adjustment manually. You can still book on-line but we will need to change the price on receipt of your booking request. If the price increases we will contact you to confirm the new price before we confirm your booking and take your deposit.

Please don't let either of these issues put you off making a booking. The discounts are genuine and our villa owners welcome couples and smaller parties out of high season. We just can't fine tune the booking system to account for these 2 circumstances - sorry.

We've had a fabulous stay at Villa Stephania! The villa was amazing - we loved the situation, very private with stunning views but within easy drive to the beach. It was so well equipped and had everything we needed. The pool and garden were kept so beautifully and Karen was in touch during our stay ready to support if needed. We've left behind a few body boards which hopefully other guests can enjoy. It was special to return to Almirida after nearly 8 years and to find it relatively unchanged. Thalami still a favourite for us! We would highly recommend the villa and hope to visit again - July 2024.

Had a lovely time here for this week. Enjoyed the pool and the peace and quiet particularly. Comfy beds and all the facilities you would need. Yvonne was helpful and lovely to meet her. She does a good job! Had most of our meals in Almyrida; lots of choice and good food. Sad to be leaving but I suspect we will return - August 2022. 

Hello, I hope you are well. I am sorry for not sending this sooner but here is my feedback for you.

We booked with Crete Escapes in 2019 and due to the fact that we had such a positive experience with them, we decided that if we were going to book a holiday with all the uncertainly around Covid19, then it would only be with them. We took a punt and booked flights when Crete wasn't even open to visitors from the UK in the hope that this would change. We booked the same villa that we had stayed in the year before which is not what we usually do. However, as we loved the villa and the area and we were already taking a risk with booking an overseas holiday, we wanted to have the resassurance that if the trip did go ahead, we knew that we weren't going to be disappointed. The communination from Crete Escapes was brilliant and they managed to reduce the levels of anxiety by responding to matters as they arose and understanding how clients were feeling. We didn't have to pay the final balance until a month before the arrival date with the promise that if travel restrictions were imposed, then we would receive all our money back apart from the deposit which was more than fair. 

The villa was beautifully clean and the people who were maintaining the property and grounds were wonderful and respected all the Covid guidelines. 

We had another fantastic holiday on this beautiful island and were able to discover other areas that we hadn't visited during our 2019 stay.  Thank you for being a ray of sunshine in what was otherwise a rather stressful year - August 2020 

Hello, I just wanted to say that everything was fabulous. The entire booking process was straightforward and stress free and the villa itself (Stephania) was absolutely wonderful. The gardens were beautifully kept and the location was peaceful but close to many towns and villages offering delicious food. Great holiday, just too short ! - September 2019

Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed staying at Villa Stephania. It was a really comfortable, well equipped property and the gardens and pool area were beautiful and private. We’ve stayed at a number of villas in various resorts and Stephania is right up there with the best. Unfortunately, we’d already booked for 2020 otherwise we would certainly have gone back! Hopefully it will still be available in 2021, because we’d love to return. Also, many thanks to Yvonne the House Manager who was really helpful and friendly. Finally, thanks to you guys for handling the booking in a professional and straightforward manner. That’s not always the case!!! - September 2019.

Just returned from a week at Villa Stephania, Almyrida. Lovely villa in a quiet location, suited us down to the ground. Fantastic weather, fantastic villa. Many thanks to Ray for his hard work. Thanks also to Yvonne. We will be back - June 2019.

This was the best of the 3 villas we have stayed in the area over the last few years. Well proportioned rooms, great location, good size pool, fantastic garden & of course not to forget the excellent rep Yvonne who could not have been more helpful. An all round winner - May 2019.

We had a wonderful time at Villa Stephania thank you. A lovely Villa and a really helpful team all round - July 2018.

My feedback on Villa Stephania up the hill from Almirida is all positive and glowing. Fabulous accommodation, spotlessly clean and convenient, a wonderful pool beautifully maintained - a location remote enough to guarantee privacy but near enough to shops for easy food shopping, surrounded by lovely countryside, typical villages, excellent restaurants and still with easy access to the national road and all the sights of western Crete and the south coast, from Chania to Hora Sfakion, from Kalyves to Knossos - May 2018.

The torrential rain on the last day couldn’t spoil the lovely time we have had. This was our second year in Crete and we have enjoyed exploring this corner of the island. Walking to Gavalahori and down to Amyrida were simple pleasures, and driving to Akrotiri, Drapanos lighthouse and onto Georgioupoli was a good day’s drive. We went back to the beach at Georgioupolis and enjoyed a long walk down the front. A day trip to Chora Skafion to get ferry and walk up Samaria Gorge was a memorable day out. We loved the villa and pool and Yvonne looked after us really well and gave us good advice on places to visit. We ate at several of the restaurants on the front in Almrida and two of them we would say we enjoyed the most are Makis and Erotokiris - September 2017. 

Thank you for a very relaxing stay in this lovely peaceful villa with it’s beautiful garden. The beach we liked best was the one at the far end of Kalyves. Nice clean beach and good swimming. Ancient Aptera is worth a visit but get there early before it gets hot. The remains are interesting and the views are fabulous. Also drove through Therisso gorge and onto Kournas. Had lunch at Meskla at the Haiaris Tavern. We were lucky enough to see the frescoes at the Church of Christ Saviour then on to Lake Agia which is very peaceful. Mostly we enjoyed relaxing at the villa and enjoying the pool. Everyone who came to look after the villa – the gardeners, the pool man and the housekeeper, Yvonne, were all very friendly and helpful. We hope to return - September 2017.

Yeah, great villa – we are realy grateful for all the things you have trusted us with. Everything we needed to look at and all the information was well done. Mostly we have enjoyed the gardens and the flowers. We’ve had the “chill out” holiday we needed.  We’d love to come back - September 2016.

We have had a wonderful relaxing time here. It is the best equipped villa we have ever stayed in. It was great to have a bookcase full of books we wanted to read. We juiced fresh oranges every day (get them from the man parked opposite the bakery). Best taverna was Parasia in Vamos and well worth the short drive. We walked down the Samaria gorge – the sand on the beach at the end was black and too hot to walk on. Those in the know brought flip flops! The Calyspo Bar opposite the beach did wonderful food. All in all it’s been a wonderful holiday. Thank you! - September 2016.

Thank you very much for the use of your lovely villa this week. I have never been to such a well equipped villa. Yvonne and all the other visitors to the villa were very helpful and pleasant and the mid week clean was much appreciated. We’ve had a lovely week visiting Rethymno, Agiropli, Lake Kournas, the botanical gardens. The boat trip with Dream Adventure Tours was excellent. What a gorgeous area we’d love to come back - August 2016.

We had a wonderful time at Villa Stephania, thank you. We loved the villa and how well equipped it was for cooking. Yvonne was really helpful. Your information was excellent. We had the chill-out holiday we needed. We're really grateful to you, Yvonne and the villa owner. We'd love to go back! - August 2016.

Just wanted to say thanks to all. We had a superb time at Villa Stephania in Almyrida. The villa was fantastic, comfortable, well equipped, well designed for the sun and shade. Secluded gardens were very attractive as were the views from the balcony over the island towards the sea. We cannot rate it highly enough except to say, we will be back - June 2016.

We enjoyed our stay so much for all the convenience and privacy offered by the villa - October 2015.

Thank you – our stay for the week was most enjoyable. We had a most enjoyable stay and would certainly book again if the dates we have will work. The garden is a delight – what lovely prospects as plants mature. Thank you again for providing such a pleasant villa - October 2015.

I would like to thank you for all your support surrounding our booking for Villa Stephania. It is a really very beautiful villa with lovely gardens and we very much enjoyed our time there. We were also well looked after by the local agent Yvonne Filmer - August 2015.

We returned to Crete after 7 years, to celebrate a 60th birthday - everything has been perfect. It was our first time at Villa Stephania and we couldn't have made a better choice. We wanted peace and quiet and privacy and that is exactly what we have had. The villa was equipped with everything we needed and is a real home from home. The pool and terrace are wonderful and we were really able to relax. Had some lovely trips to the surrounding villages as well as Aptera and Georgioupolis. We also went to the south of the island to Chora Sfakia and Frangokastello and of course to Chania. We enjoyed visits to the beaches at Stavros and to Kalami (far end of Kalives). We have had excellent meals at Elpis in Plaka, Thalami in Almyrida, Monika's in Gavalochori and the little tavernas in Aptera, Kokkino Chorio and Douliana. All the pre holiday advice and information from Crete Escapes was excellent (the 2nd time we have used them) and the service from Yvonne and the team in Crete is outstanding - thank you all so much. We will return to Villa Stephania for sure - but we won't wait another 7 years! - June 2014.

Set in beautiful gardens, very peaceful and private with sea view from your bedroom! Fantastically equipped with everything you could want. Only 3 min drive to Almyrida beach which is shallow, sandy and great for kids. Town has lots of choice for eating out, mini markets, car rental and great bakery. We enjoyed visiting the blue lagoon of stavros beach and chania. Will be recommending to family and friends. Thanks to owners for excellent directions and very helpful cleaner and pool man who visits twice a week - September 2012.