Holiday home for max. 12 persons
Chania, Crete, (Chania and the surrounding area), Greece

Olive and Thyme Retreat

Being located on the Akrotiri has definite benefits. The Akrotiri is known for the sandy beaches of Marathi, Kalathas, Stavros and Tersanas as well as Seitan Limania. There are many good places to eat and the main amenities one needs. Olives and Thyme Retreat is also just twenty minutes’ drive to the beautiful Venetian city of Chania where one can wonder through the street admiring the Venetian villas and see the history of the city through the archaeological digs. Chania offers a range of eating experiences from giros to fine dining. Olives and Thyme Retreat is also just a few minutes to the Souda to Akrotiri road which means it takes just 20 minutes to be on the national road giving one the opportunity to explore further west, to the stunning beaches of Elafonissi and Falassarna, or journey east to Rethymnon and beyond.

This amazing location does however mean that the Souda- Akrotiri road runs below the villa so glass panels have been installed at the end of the infinity lap pool and the shaded sitting area by the endless pool to reduce the inevitable noise heard specifically when on the two front balconies and the endless pool and outside living area.

Designed by Aristomenis Varoudakis, the natural environment has been used to create some unique features for our guests. ‘The Reading Tree’, a shady quiet spot where you can just relax and read your book, and ‘Carob Circle’, a circular sitting area under a large carob tree, lit up in the evenings, with ‘The Overlook’, a private viewing seat set amongst the shrubs provide quiet spots for two. The olive trees offer a harmonious existence with nature enhanced by the mix of indigenous planted herbs, especially thyme, and colourful shrubs close to the villa. As with most olive groves you will find not just the large carob tree, “harupya” (in Greek), but others, since carob is considered as a necessary tree to have on one’s land. A private drive leads you to shady parking spaces for two vehicles.

The complex consists of the main tower like building, ‘The Keep’, with a separate stone cottage to the left. The Keep has four luxury en-suite bedrooms located on the ground and first floor with The Cottage being able to accommodate up to a further two people, giving a total of up to 10 bed spaces, plus an additional two bed spaces in the Rock apartment. The interior spaces are luxurious with architecturally designed furniture and best quality materials giving a sense of pampering. Big windows provide a feeling of lightness and connection to the outside.

Two swimming pools offer the option of swimming laps or continuous swimming. Both the lap pool and the endless pool are infinity pools and are heated. Both pools have stunning views across Souda Bay. Early swimmers can enjoy the sunrise reflected in the pools making for a sense of oneness with the day. The lap pool, found at ground floor level, can be accessed directly from the two ground floor bedrooms or via steps from The Cottage or the endless pool past the statue water feature. The endless pool, with a shaded terrace next to it, is at the first floor level with the outside kitchen and dining area to its side. The large terrace with a shaded fully equipped outside kitchen and dining area makes a perfect place for outside dining. A second area is next to this but has no shade. Ramps from the first and second floor give easy access to the pool and terrace.

Wi-fi internet is available throughout the entire property.

The Keep.
Four double ensuite bedrooms take up the ground and first floor. A metal and wood staircase gives access to each floor. A glass atrium extends upwards to the top floor housing a large Ficus Alii, or Amstel King, tree growing inside, bringing nature into the home. The top floor is where you will find the living area and fully equipped kitchen, with a large covered and hanging balcony with spectacular views of the whole of the Bay. A metal and wood staircase connects the floors internally with ramps and platforms externally giving access to each floor and to the leisure and outside dining areas.

The Cottage.
An escape within an escape. Set slightly apart from the main villa, this cosy apartment has a good sized bedroom, a full bathroom with walk in shower, a kitchenette and a sitting come office area on a mezzanine floor. Steppingstones lead one to the lap pool in one direction and the main villa in the other.

The Terrace
This is the main outdoor space, giving you views across Souda Bay, large enough to have three defined area. The covered outdoor kitchen with a large gas BBQ, sink and refrigerated unit for all your supplies. Next to this is the large dining table, also in the shade.

Next to the endless pool is a shaded area for sun loungers and a sitting area to enjoy your coffee, after dinner drinks or simply sit and enjoy having the time for conversations. There is also a large, uncovered, area for sun-lovers and evenings.

Being located on a large plot of land with olives trees and of course carob inspired the owner to create different spaces to enhance your stay. Solar lights are used to light up the olive trees and other places of interest around the land.

The Carob Circle
A favourite location of the owner, this large shady carob tree has had a stone and wood semi-circle constructed around the base to create a quiet space to enjoy a place to sit and converse.

The Reading Tree
With its path starting at the Carob Circle a short walk leads you to a shady olive tree set up so you can relax and enjoy a good book. We have only provided room for two, so you don’t get tempted away from your reading.

The Outlook
Between the Cottage and the lap pool you will find a path leading to a two seater bench set up for you to enjoy the view of all of Souda Bay and across to the White Mountains.

The exercise pergola

This large, covered area at the side of the Keep is shaded so that you can comfortably take your yoga class. We have mats and a variety of resistance fitness bands for your use.

The Pools
Unusually there are two swimming pools, both of which can be heated. The lower one being a lap pool of 3 by 14 meters and the higher an endless pool of 6 by 8 meters. A set of concrete steps connect the two pools with the water feature being located between the two. From this water feature a manmade stream runs under glass on a step, through the rocks and feeds two water features. To the right a self-contained pond with water plants and goldfish and to the left a small stream around two sides of one of the ground floor bedrooms with plants and goldfish.