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Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views

Family-friendly stay with in-room kitchens in Chania

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A coastal property with a clear view of the sea, a sandy beach, and mountains in the background.
A stone-walled room with a bed, a sofa, and a small table. There are framed pictures on the wall and a wooden door.
A bedroom with a stone wall, a wooden cabinet, a bed with white linens, and a view of an outdoor area with lounge chairs.
A patio with a round table, two chairs, a stone wall, and a view of a beach and water.
A dining area with a large wooden table, leather chairs, and a view of a lake through large glass doors.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathrooms1722 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Chania, Crete
  • Place, Marathi Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Loutraki Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Port of Souda
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis)
    ‪14 min drive‬

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About the neighborhood

Chania

Seaside stay .Stay at this Chania villa and you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Marathi Beach and 2 miles (3 km) of Loutraki Beach. Souda Bay is within 2 miles (3 km) and Agia Triada Monastery is within 9 miles (15 km).
View more Villas in ChaniaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Marathi Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Loutraki Beach - 4 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Port of Souda - 29 min drive - 11.8 miles
  • Old Venetian Harbor - 29 min drive - 11.8 miles
  • Nea Chora Beach - 32 min drive - 12.5 miles

Getting around

  • Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Anchor - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Souda Bay Coffee Bar - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Olympic Catering - Everest - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪5' Minutes Shop & Coffee - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Fayi Restaurant - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Entire place

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

Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views

Villa Minoa is located at the coastal village "Marathi", in Akrotiri region of Chania. This stunning property, with the surprising views of Suda Bay and "White Mountains", lies only 5 meters over the gold sand and the clear blue water, having a small beach in front of it. The villa is built in total by natural materials, combining a traditional character with modern comforts, while every single object in the interior and the exterior is a handmade piece of art. The small sandy bays of Marathi provide several qualities of leisure and relaxing, while the city of Chania with all its historical monuments and facilities can be found within a twenty minute drive. This unique site, far away from the unwanted disturbances of the city, with the sandy beach on your feet, the everyday fresh fish and the magical, full of stars sky over your head, it is sure that will charm you.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Massage

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Fishing nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,722 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

Property Registration Number 1042Κ92003078601

We should mention

  • Onsite cash transactions can't exceed EUR 500, due to national regulations. For more details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views to the airport?

This villa is 6 mi (16-min drive) away from the Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this villa.

How close is Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views to the beach?

This villa is a short 5-minute walk from Marathi Beach and 11.4 mi (34-min drive) from Nea Chora Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views offer free breakfast?

This villa does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views?

No, there is no casino at this villa.

What time is check-in at Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views?

Free parking is not available at this villa.

Does Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views have a pool?

This villa does not have a pool.

Does Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views have a spa?

This villa doesn't have a spa, but it does offer massages.

How close is Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views to downtown Chania?

This villa is 0.1 mi away from Marathi.

Villa Minoa just next to the Beach, with Surprising Sea and Mountain Views Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 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

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

barbara w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous people, house, and surroundings. Thank you all.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Akshay G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place is amazing, even better than in the pictures. It is immaculately clean, beautifully decorated, very comfortable, and well provisioned with enough food and supplies to get you started. The host is very responsive, and generous with information and assistance. You can walk out of the garden and straight onto the idyllic beach, and come right back to chill in the yard. There are decent dining options a 5 minute walk from the house, so you really don’t need to get in the car to go anywhere during your vacation unless you want to. Chania is only about a 20 minute drive, and the airport even closer. We loved our stay and will probably be back again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had the pleasure of spending 2 weeks at Villa Minoa. It was without a doubt the best vacation home we have ever rented. The villa & its location were spectacular - actually better than the photos. With respect to cleanliness, the unit was immaculate with complete cleaning every 3 days! The location couldn't have been any better with the beach at our doorstep and 3 wonderful tavernas within walking distance. Spiros, the host, was amazing and provided a plethora of food and supplies for us. You know you've made the right choice when people from the new JW Marriott stop to admire the villa and flash you a thumbs up. We highly recommend this superior rental and hope to visit again.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andreas F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just beautiful!

To put this first: We usually don't visit holiday places twice, but Villa Minoa at Marathi Beach had to be an exception. The house, the beach, the whole place is just awesome. We (family with two kids) were there in june 2022 and again in june 2023 and enjoyed each stay so much. Alex is such a nice guy and awesome to communicate with, so organizing the trip is an easy one. Same goes for Spiros who owns the house and is always so helpful! If you are looking for a relaxing time at the beach this is the place to be!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melissa D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing home/view/area

Villa Minoa is a must stay location. Marathi beach is beautiful and there are several restaurants within walking distance. Alex greeted us and walked us through the entire home and even had some items pre stocked in the fridge for us. I spilled a few drops of water on the floor and there was not one ounce of dirt on the paper towel. This home is spotless. I cannot rave about this property enough. From the booking to the chef we hired, and Alex as our guide to the homeowner conversations, it is one of my most favorite places I have visited. Thank you for such a wonderful holiday, we will see you again.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect accommodation, Great hospitality

I've just returned from Crete after staying in the villa for a week. It had everything we needed and a few extras too, such as bottled water, fruit, homemade raki, herbs, spices, coffee, tea, honey etc. The outdoor area was great for lounging around, but the beach was even better, with a few sun loungers exclusive to the owner's properties. The views were spectacular. Checking in was a simple process and Alex gave us a tour of the property on arrival. The owner was very welcoming and kind to us during our stay. We often saw him around the area. We stayed here in the quieter season (October onwards) so the temperature was perfect (25 Celcius) and the area was much more peaceful. I highly recommend this villa for anyone looking for a peaceful base with spectacular views and facilities. Thank you for making our stay comfortable and memorable.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kerry B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique home steps from the beach.

We love Villa Minoa. Spiro, the owner, clearly loves his property and has taken great care to decorate it with unique pieces from his travels in Bali. He has thought of everything. The house is spotless and well-stocked, including several bottles of water, delicious fresh fruit and Greek yogurt. The location just across from a lovely calm beach is perfect. Spiros has two beach chairs under an umbrella permanently on hold for the guests. There are a couple great beachside tavernas right there along with kayak and SUP rentals all right there on the beautiful bay. Alex was great explaining all the details in advance and meeting us to check-in even though we arrived quite late, and he shared many recommendations for local shopping, restaurants and activities. We only wish we could have stayed longer. The house would be perfect for a family - very child friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tim P.

Perfect summer holiday villa

Wonderful comfortable villa next to a semi private beach looked after by the owner. Stunning 3 bedroomed villa (2 doubles and 2 large twin beds), good air-con, good WiFi, excellent facilities (no dishwasher or washing machine but that wasn’t a problem). Nothing is too much to ask for the owner, who lives next door. There’s tv and internet. There are restaurants and cafes nearby, as well as fishing, diving and boating trips to be had. Safe swimming, crystal clear waters suitable for all ages, in a bay so no waves to speak of. 10 min drive from the airport and 20 min drive into Chania old town. Beautiful drives to be had into the countryside/foothills of the white mountains, full of olive groves and old villages offering old fashioned local hospitality and cuisine.
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jason & Katie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful week in Marathi

We can not say enough good things about this home in Marathi! Spiro (the owner) has made an extraordinary effort to make the property beautiful and made us feel at home immediately. From the well stocked kitchen with fresh fruits and plenty of food/drinks to get the week started, we were able to relax right away. Alex is an excellent communicator and personally oriented us with the property as well as making great local suggestions for activities and restaurants. Both of them were there to greet us when we arrived. We spent most of our mornings and evenings on the porch lounging and enjoying the beautiful view. The home is every bit as beautiful as the pictures, if not more so!!! As others have noted, there are great restaurants and activities right at your doorstep. The location is also very convenient to the airport and many other attractions such as historic monasteries and other great local beaches. We are already planning our next trip and hope to return to Villa Minoa soon!! Thank you so much to both Spiro and Alex for making our trip very special!!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Elinor C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Simply the best!

Villa Minoa, Marathi beach, all the nearby tavernas, and Crete itself - all exceeded our expectations. The villa was just wonderful- spacious, cool in the summer heat with a lovely shaded veranda to sit and while away an evening enjoying a local fish on the barbecue. We really appreciated being able to eat in some nights and eat out on others with our 3 grown children. The local tavernas are only a few minutes walk away and offer the best of Crete’s delicacies from land and sea. The beach was beautiful and the ability to have our own sun beds whenever we needed them was so appreciated. The sea was an amazing turquoise blue coloring, clear to the bottom with beautiful fish to watch whilst snorkeling. We also enjoyed the use of the villa’s paddle board. The location of Marathi is super too giving the opportunity for various day trips including of course Chania, Rethymno, Samaria Gorge, mountain tavernas, olive oil farms etc. And then of course there is Spiros - the host who cares deeply that all his guests have a wonderful holiday- delivering fresh figs every day for breakfast, and ensuring we lacked for nothing. We loved meeting him and all his feathered and furry friends - a more warm hearted man would be hard to meet, As a family we have had the good fortune to have many lovely holidays but this was definitely one of the very best! Thank you for everything Spiros!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A piece of heaven in Marathi

This home is an absolute jewel. Located steps away from the most peaceful beach with the clearest water I have ever seen, and full of treasures— shells and objects from the sea and prints based on the murals from the palace of Knossos are found throughout the villa. Our host Spiros was so kind and ensured we had reserved lounge chairs at the beach and that they were covered with the thickest covers. And he made sure the villa was well stocked with fresh fruit, water, and coffee. He even left us cold beer and a bottle of wine! The Villa is comfortable and honestly we had the best shower there that we had the whole time we were in Greece, but the outdoor living area is idyllic. The outdoor lighting makes the space magical whether you want to eat a meal or lounge in one of the many lounge chairs. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect space and my only regret is that we couldn’t stay there for a few additional days!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sven W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super

Wunderbar, Spiros hat ein wunderbares Haus gebaut. Lieblingsort.
Stayed 9 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diane S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic, Unbelievable

This villa was very much more than we expected. The villa was immaculate. We were in awe when we entered the grounds, so well kept. The refrigerator was well stocked with beverages and assorted food. On the grand table was a large bowl of all varieties of fresh fruit. There was great attention to detail in the furnishing of the villa. It was just a few steps from a beautiful beach. And best of all, the host was so very gracious. Wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Martin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Villa Minoa

Top Unterkunft, der Hausherr ist grossartig
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Zoltán P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The place worth going back definitely!

Super villa which is locating at absolutely marveolus place. You get, what you expect, even more! Spiros is so nice and friendly man! It was amazing when we realised the almost full fridge, when we arrived. We rented several villas at many corners of the World but we had never such a surprising welcome! House is realy fully equiped and everything is available even for long staying. The beach is clean and children friendly and only a steps away from the villa. Within 5 minuts walking distance, we can find two tavernas, which served us delicious food in familiar ambience. We can recommend this villa for those people who are looking for something high quality on reasonable price at peaceful environment!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2019
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Richard A.

Beautiful beach,spacious home,relaxing holiday

We spent two wonderfully relaxing weeks at Villa Minoa. The villa itself is very comfortable with 2 double rooms and one twin. There is also a large family room and well equipped kitchen. The garden has lots of comfortable seating and a dining table and chairs. The best thing though is that the beautiful beach is across a quiet road from the bottom of the garden. Here the owner showed us to our own specially reserved sun loungers on a reserved part of the beach that were exclusively ours for the duration of our holiday. Marathi Beach has golden sands and clear waters and about 4 decent restaurants offering local food. There are a number of sun beds laid out for hire along the beach but even when full the beach is not overcrowded. The villa is only half an hours drive from Chania airport and we hired a car and alternated day trips with chill out time at the beach. All in all a very relaxing villa for families with younger or older children to enjoy! Highly recommend!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Matthew B.

Amazing Stay / Wonderful Hospitality

My family and I stayed in this villa for a month and a half from February - April. The location is absolutely amazing, just meters away from the beautiful Marathi Beach. Coordinating the stay was easy with the help of Alex. While staying there, Spiros was available whenever needed and was the most gracious host we've ever encountered. When we arrived, the fridge was stocked with tons of goodies and necessities, while a wonderful basket full of fresh fruit was available on the table. While there, Spiros caught a squid and gave us a good portion of it to enjoy - delicious!!! The villa itself is gorgeous inside and has stunning views of the ocean as well as the gorgeous White Mountains beyond. I cannot recommend this place highly enough.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

Lovely house, lovely beach, lovely restuarants, wonderful owner

The house is great, the location is just steps away from the beach. The beach is great and comes with two resident ducks! The owner is so responsive and his hospitality is amazing. Beach towels, maid service, fresh fruit, wine, and lounge chairs with umbrellas saved for us each day are all included. There are 4 restaurants that you can walk to with outside seating on the water. 20 minute drive to Chania. We loved our stay and we would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

deborah w.

FABULOUS!

This house is perfect in every way: owner, manager, location, amenities. The house is large and cool and has everything a family needs on vacation, including beach toys for the little ones and a canoe for the older people. The owner leaves a starter gift of food and wine and is available to help in any way. The house is just steps from the beach and 20 minutes to Hania. We loved staying here.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kate T.

Perfect family holiday, we will be back.

We booked Villa Minoa after some recommendations from Alex, who looked after us on our last visit to Crete in 2015. We usually book a villa with a swimming pool, but Alex did highly recommend Spyros' villa, especially with the sea temperatures in October being so warm, so we went for it... and we didn't regret it one bit. The beautiful villa is designed with a nod to the Ancient Ruins at Knossos decorated with lots of Spyros antiquarian finds from the local seabed. The villa is very comfortable and you have everything you need, including daily fresh fruit and salad vegetables, good toiletries (so leave your soaps, shampoos and lotions at home). There are numerous herbs, oils and condiments for cooking and Spyros and his mother's constant generosity will overwhelm you. We were spoiled! So many highlights of the holiday, here are a few.... Own private beach with sun beds and towels Use of paddle canoe The fishing trips were a huge highlight for our boys, they went out fishing for barracuda one evening with Spyros and Christos - coming home with a bag full of fresh barracuda for the bbq. Then Alex come over for a boat trip which we were invited on, around the headland towards the naval base, which was followed by an invitation to lunch to share the catch. Stunning fresh fish of many varieties - which we all enjoyed immensely. We are big animal lovers and enjoyed having the company of little Fouli on the beach, but regretted feeding the cats on the first night - cue a lawn full for the rest of the holiday (whoops). Swimming and canoeing with Lucy the Goose was an experience. Really fantastic memories. Recommendations - horse riding at Deres (Nteres) was brilliant - highly recommend. Sunset beach was nice too. Manoustakis Winery, surprisingly good wine (combine with a trip to Deres). Things to note - this is common to everywhere we have stayed in Crete - the beds are hard. Really hard - so beware. Don't leave your possessions unattended on the beach on the weekend when locals from Chania come on down, my son had his flip flops taken - we had been lax as it was so laid back. During the week we had the beach and water to ourself. The water is very safe, my youngest is nervous of the water and loved it - soft sand underfoot, no currents and nice and warm. All the local restaurants were good. But over everything it was Spyros and his mum's wonderful hospitality that added the special touch, very special people - thank you x
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lesley R.

Perfect spot - you won't want to leave!

We are a family of 4 who visited Villa Minoa for a week in September 2016. Spiros and Alex made us feel very welcome: we loved the villa and its location with a beautiful outlook and just a few steps from the beach. The villa is well equipped and we found everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Alex was very prompt in resolving an initial problem with the villa wifi: we had no problems afterwards. Chania is about a 20 minute drive and is a lovely city - well worth visiting. Marathi itself is well served by 4 or 5 excellent restaurants all offering fresh seafood at very reasonable prices. We'd heard that Marathi is good for snorkeling and it did not disappoint - safe, easy snorkeling allowed us to see a huge variety of fish. We spent almost all week in the sea. The colours and light are also great for photography. Kayaks and pedalos are available to hire at the beach. A perfect balance of relaxation and activity for those wanting a week away from it all. Definitely one of our best family holiday spots. I would recommend Villa Minoa to families and groups looking for a quiet relaxing holiday. We look forward to returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Adam L.

Beautiful magical holiday

We have just spent a week at Villa Minoa - this is our second time staying there and yet again we had the most amazing, relaxing, fantastic time - Spiros has built such a beautiful paradise and takes such pride in his creation. He couldn't do enough for us and we felt so welcomed by everyone in Marathi. Our children (aged 6 & 9) had the most wonderful time catching fish, picking up starfish, watching octopus and crabs in the rock pools in front of the house. We didn't do much other than stay in Marathi as it is such a wonderful little part of the world. The restaurants on the beach are fantastic and this time the local taverna was open just 50 metres from the house and we spent a lot of time there eating fresh fish and looking at the wonderful view (they even kindly cooked us up the big fish our son caught the morning we were leaving!) As a family we all absolutely love going to Marathi and seeing Spiros and his family and friends, and we have already booked for next year - we can't wait!! Thank you Alex and Spiros again for a most wonderful time in Crete.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

rebecca m.

perfect

If in doubt book it. The villa is beautifully presented & kept, the gardens are well maintained & the beach is a stones throw away. Spiros (the owner) couldn't have been more helpful, bread, milk & the basics were ready for us when we arrived & he regularly appeared with food or toys for ourselves & the kids. We have a 3.5 year old & a 17month old & we all had a fantastic holiday. We would definitely go back.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Toby and Henriette H.

A wonderful, peaceful villa next to the beach - a perfect base to explore West-Crete.

We had a fantastic week here with our 3 teenage children. The villa is located next to a quiet, peaceful beach in a bay which made it quite warm for early April. We swam in the wonderfully clear water every day. We spent many hours just sun bathing on the beach or on the villa patio. We enjoyed beautiful sunrises and sunsets just sitting on the rocks by the coast line a few minutes walk away from the villa. Marathi is a quiet but friendly village with a few lovely restaurants. It was a perfect base for us to explore the rest of Crete, particularly the west. We visited a few stunning monasteries, walked in the mountains, enjoyed a few other beaches amongst which Stavros where Zorba the Greek was filmed. Chania is a very beautiful city only half an hour away and worth exploring. We also had a day trip to Knossos. Alex and Spiros welcomed us the first evening and gave lots of advice about the area. Spiros was around every day and was a marvellous host - he made sure we were comfortable and gave us an insight into Cretan village life. He also took us on a boat trip around the nearby islands which was very memorable. We would definitely go again and recommend this villa to anyone who is thinking of visiting Crete. Before we booked the villa, we also looked at hotels but being in a villa is much better when you go on holiday as a family because it means you spend more time together. The villa had everything we needed - brilliant cooking facilities, including bbq, plenty of towels, a lovely shower and the villa was even cleaned for us mid-week. Having Spiros' pets nearby (cats, dogs and a tortoise) was a lot of fun! Highly recommended to families with children of all ages!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jayne J.

The perfect place for a relaxing holiday

The perfect place to relax and unwind. The villa was amazing, it was well maintained, very clean and had spectacular views across the bay to the mountains. Nothing was too much trouble for the owner and Alex who were both lovely. The sandy beach and clear blue waters were safe and very good for snorkelling. The tavernas near the villa were all friendly and excellent food. The villa is only a short trip away from Chania, a beautiful town where we were even lucky enough to see a Loggerhead turtle in the marina. Overall, without a doubt one of the best holidays we have ever had.

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