EOT /AMA Rental License Number: 1042K92003092301
The quaint hamlet of Kambia has magnificent uninterrupted views of Souda Bay, olive and pine covered hills and valleys, and the White Mountains. Villa Eleni is located at the highest point in Kambia with one of the most enviable vantage points on Crete. Nestled on a terrace cut into the mountainside, the land drops away below the villa which allows for an exceptional setting for the entire property. The last 250m of the access road is winding and steep in places but the dramatic views and glorious sunsets make it more than worthwhile.
Villa Eleni has been carefully furnished and equipped to a high specification as quality second home for their English owners, and is therefore not a typical “holiday let”. The quality and comfort will appeal to the escapists amongst you who are looking for a rural retreat with panoramic views, yet only 6 minutes by car to an excellent selection of tavernas, shops and sandy beaches.
The interior of Villa Eleni is just as lovely as the outside surroundings and every effort has been made to ensure that you have a relaxing and comfortable holiday. The light and airy living room and master bedroom suite each have double doors that open out onto the pool and dining terraces. Magical views are revealed when the shutters are opened in the morning. A traditional stone archway leads though from the living room and dining area into the very well equipped modern kitchen, which in turn leads up a small flight of stairs to a hallway with doors to the bedrooms and main bathroom. The elegant décor throughout is predominantly pale cream coloured wood and wrought iron furniture with pretty pale green and cream accessories including candles, cushions, hurricane lamps, and bedding.
On the long, hot summer days that Crete is famous for the pool terrace at Villa Eleni often enjoys a much needed cooling breeze thanks to its elevated position, and it has been furnished with sun-beds and umbrellas, poolside drinks tables, and a new built in stone barbecue. Adjacent to the pool terrace is the dining area which is equipped with a wrought iron and mosaic tiled dining table and matching cushioned chairs. Shaded by a cypress wood pergola, this is the perfect place for private al-fresco dining whilst looking out over the sparkling blue bay during the day or the twinkling lights from the coastline below at night. In keeping with the gorgeous location, apart from a number of flower beds and clay pots planted with bougainvillea, yucca palms, chrysanthemums, bottle brush plants, Hottentot fig, cyclamen, margarita daisies and lemon and nectarine trees,, the land surrounding the villas has been left in its natural state with rocky outcrops, almond and olive trees, and an infusion of wild flowers in Spring.
There is a second detached, split-level villa which shares the electric gate and part of the driveway, but the 2 villas are separated by a 15 metre driveway, and each villa has its own parking area. Despite the proximity of the second villa, screens and the thoughtful design and positioning ensures maximum privacy when sunbathing and swimming – each villa has a sea facing terrace and infinity pool set on opposing sides of the property.
*** As of January 01, 2024, the Greek government have replaced the old “bed tax” with a new tax that is applied to all stays in short-term rental accommodation in Greece. The Climate Resilience Levy is a response to the devastating forest fires and floods that Greece has experienced in recent years, with the government hoping to generate extra funding that will go towards financing reconstruction, supporting victims, and increasing the country’s defences against future natural disasters.
The owners of all short-term rental accommodation are legally obliged to collect the Climate Resilience Levy as a separate tax for all overnight stays (per villa) as follows:
€10.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29.
The Vrbo system does not yet have a section for collecting the Climate Resilience Levy and we have, therefore, had to add it to the billing section as as an extra fee which will show on the booking as a Host Fee (until Vrbo update their system).
Whilst we understand the potential budget concerns of our guests, this tax/levy is beyond our control and we encourage our guests to see this as a way of contributing to the protection of the planet and the beautiful area where they are holidaying.
