Cretan Still Life

Sink into the rhythm of Cretan life at this villa in Stavromenos, where a sun-soaked terrace and open-air kitchen invite lazy pool days and leisurely lunches. Inside, velvet sofas, a grey and gold kitchen built for entertaining, and a crystal chandelier above the main bedroom give the villa a confident, contemporary edge. Stavromenos Beach is just 1.5 km away, and the historic centre of Rethymno is a short drive – close enough for evening dinners, far enough to feel like a proper escape.

Home truths:
* This is a single-storey home, so everything – bedrooms, living spaces, and kitchen – is on one level with no stairs to navigate indoors.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair. It's worth requesting these in advance to make sure everything is ready on arrival.
* The pool has a uniform depth of 1.5 m from end to end – there's no shallow end, so it's worth keeping that in mind if you're travelling with young children.
* You'll need a car to make the most of your stay here. The nearest bus stop is 1km away and Rethymno Town is 11km out, so most outings will involve a drive. There are two open-air parking spaces at the villa.