Stone & Aegean

Souda Bay stretches out ahead of you from the wide terraces, the Akrotiri peninsula hovering on the horizon – it's the kind of view that makes you linger over breakfast. Built from stone and wood in a style that feels rooted in Crete without being rustic, the villa wraps a vaulted kitchen and living space around that same outlook, with a pool below where the mountains rise to meet the coastline. Plaka village is a fifteen-minute walk away, and Chania Old Town's Venetian harbour is a forty-three-minute drive for when the mood calls for something livelier.

Home truths:
* Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms and living room.
* The twin bedroom can be converted into a double on request – let your host know before you arrive if you'd prefer that setup.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair for free – just request them in advance and bring your own linen.
* The walk down to Plaka village takes around fifteen to twenty minutes on foot – but the return trip is uphill. After an evening out, you may prefer to drive back rather than walk in the dark, as the route lacks lighting and pavements.
* You'll need a car to get the most out of this area. The beach at Almyrida is about seven minutes by car, Chania town is around forty minutes' drive, and the airport is roughly forty-five minutes away. Parking is available.