Prominently positioned on a cliff top directly above the striking turquoise Aegean Sea, Hermes House perfectly embodies all the best elements of island living, and we are therefore thrilled to add it to our exclusive portfolio of luxury villas.  The enviable location at the tip of the headland on the outskirts of Plaka village means that Hermes House benefits from seemingly rural surroundings whilst being within walking distance of the excellent tavernas and shops on the charming village square, and only a short drive to the blue flag sandy beaches and many amenities in the pretty seaside village of Almyrida.

Endless days of sunshine on the sun-loungers next to the large infinity pool are yours for the taking at Hermes House. Your most difficult decision could be whether to spend a lazy day looking out at the stunning blue view where the sky and sea seem to melt into one on the horizon, whilst occasionally take a cooling dip in the crystal clear waters of the infinity pool, or to be more energetic and have a fun game of boules. Whatever you decide to do we are sure that you will take a break for food and the poolside summer kitchen and dining area is sure to be the favourite spot for holiday meals. With a retractable roof cover over the dining terrace that gives you a choice of sun or, at times, welcome shade, a grand stone and brick barbeque, a 4 burner gas hob, a fashionable grey dining table with matching benches, a dishwasher, sink, built-in cupboards, and the picturesque sea view, al-fresco dining has never been easier or more enjoyable. In addition to the poolside dining area there is a second outside dining area set just below the pool terrace with a traditional wood oven that is perfect for baking delicious homemade bread and pizza. Endless days of sunshine on the sun-loungers next to the large infinity pool are yours for the taking at Hermes House. Your most difficult decision could be whether to spend a lazy day looking out at the stunning blue view where the sky and sea seem to melt into one on the horizon, whilst occasionally take a cooling dip in the crystal clear waters of the infinity pool, or to be more energetic and have a fun game of table tennis or boules. Whatever you decide to do we are sure that you will take a break for food and the poolside summer kitchen and dining area is sure to be the favourite spot for holiday meals. With a retractable roof cover over the dining terrace that gives you a choice of sun or, at times, welcome shade, a grand stone and brick barbeque, a 4 burner gas hob, a fashionable grey dining table with matching benches, a dishwasher, sink, built-in cupboards, and the picturesque sea view, al-fresco dining has never been easier or more enjoyable. In addition to the poolside dining area there is a second outside dining area set just below the pool terrace with a traditional wood oven that is perfect for baking delicious homemade bread and pizza.

This gorgeous luxury villa is now the much loved second residence of a couple from Belgium who fell in love with the area when they were holidaying in another Villas Crete Holidays villa. After buying Hermes House they spent an entire year completely renovating and updating the villa in addition to landscaping the large 2000m2+ grounds, and building the fantastic infinity pool.  The villa has been transformed from a disappointingly ordinary residence in one of the best locations that you could wish for, into a dream property where the modern stylish interiors now perfectly complement the idyllic setting. Bright, smart, and arranged over 3 floors, the thoughtfully designed villa is spacious, comprehensively furnished, and well equipped. The ever present shimmering aquamarine sea serves as a beautiful backdrop though the wide glass doors in the living room, kitchen, and all 4 bedrooms, creating an air of calm that makes relaxing so very easy. The balconies on the top and middle floors of the villa made with glass panes so that the flawless aqua vista is uninterrupted though occasionally a small sailing boat, a kayak, or the brightly lit nightly ferry to Athens will meander into sight.   

Both inside and out the emphasis has been placed on effortless vacation living. The owners have provided every amenity that you could possibly desire including free WIFI, a digital TV, a DVD player, a satellite receiver box with foreign channels in English and other languages, a beautiful modern kitchen with all appliances, a utility area with a washing machine and a tumble drier, fully tiled bathrooms, hairdryers, aluminium doors and windows, electric shutters, mosquito screens, and air conditioning units throughout, though the villa’s position so close to the water means that it often enjoys cooling sea breezes that are very welcome during the long, hot summer. The A/C units also double up as heaters, and for the cooler nights early and late season, and there is solar powered hot water or a back-up immersion heater. 

The grounds at Hermes House have been sympathetically landscaped so that they remain in keeping with the surrounding countryside. Much of the plot has been left natural and is a canvas of brilliant colour in the Spring when the wild flowers are blooming in abundance. The upper terraces have, however, been planted with typically drought resistant shrubs and trees such as mesembryanthum, ficus, wild garlic, cacti, and aloe. A concrete driveway passes by the top floor of villa and leads down to the ground floor of the villa for ease of access for our guests. Immediately adjacent to Hermes House is Clifftop Villa which is another attractive villa of similar stature that we handle. Larger parties or families of up to 17 persons who like to travel together whilst retaining some level of independence could take the opportunity to book both villas. The pool terrace at Clifftop Villa is overlooked by the front balconies at Hermes House but the Hermes House pool terrace is completely private from Clifftop Villa. 

Whilst life at Hermes House could be described as simply heavenly, if the temptation to explore the local surroundings on foot occurs then there is a network of quiet dirt tracks leading away from the villa.  Just a few minutes away are some fascinating rock formations which have been shaped over time by the sea, an area with salt flats where rock salt dries out naturally in the sun, and a small stony cove where you can swim from the rocks when the sea is calm. A twenty minute walk though fragrant olive groves takes you to the centre of Plaka village which is generally quiet during the day, but has a fun and friendly atmosphere at night with the irresistible aroma of delicious home cooked food coming from the tavernas that are dotted around the main square. After a mouth-watering meal, perhaps washed down with some excellent local wine, what could be lovelier than sauntering back to your perfect villa on a balmy summer by the light of the moon.

Villa Accommodation

Top floor (5 steps from the top terrace parking, 23 steps to the pool terrace, 18 steps from the middle floor): an open-plan living room and kitchen with sliding doors to 2 balconies with sea views, 1 cloakroom/toilet).  The main entrance on the upper terrace opens into an open plan living room and kitchen area. The living room area has a couch, 2 armchairs, and 2 pouffe / stools all upholstered with grey fabric, 1 round white coffee table and 1 round white side table – both on wheels, built-in shelves with ornaments and cupboards, a wall mounted flat screen TV, a window to the next door villa and the sea, and double sliding doors that open out on to a sea view balcony that is equipped with a coffee table and chairs. The kitchen area also has sliding doors that open out onto this same sea view balcony, it is also has a white dining table that can accommodate up to 8 persons, white dining chairs, built-in white kitchen cupboards, light wood counter tops, white back-splash wall tiles, matching Inox appliances including a ceramic hob, a built-in oven and microwave oven, a fridge-freezer, a kettle, a juicer, a toaster, and a full kitchen inventory. The kitchen also has a door that opens out onto a side balcony that looks up to the pool terrace, out to sea, and across to the village of Kokkino Horio. Also on this top floor is a small hallway that has a door to a stair case, and a door to the cloakroom. The cloakroom has dark grey and white/grey tiles, a toilet, built-in white cupboards, a mirror with a light, a sink with a white vanity cupboard underneath, and a frosted window. Top floor (5 steps from the top terrace parking, 23 steps to the pool terrace, 18 steps from the middle floor): an open-plan living room and kitchen with sliding doors to 2 balconies with sea views, 1 cloakroom/toilet).  The main entrance on the upper terrace opens into an open plan living room and kitchen area. The living room area has a couch, 2 armchairs, and 2 pouffe / stools all upholstered with grey fabric, 1 round white coffee table and 1 round white side table – both on wheels, built-in shelves with ornaments and cupboards, a wall mounted flat screen TV, a window to the next door villa and the sea, and double sliding doors that open out on to a sea view balcony that is equipped with a coffee table and chairs. The kitchen area also has sliding doors that open out onto this same sea view balcony, it is also has a white dining table that can accommodate up to 8 persons, white dining chairs, built-in white kitchen cupboards, light wood counter tops, white back-splash wall tiles, matching Inox appliances including a ceramic hob, a built-in oven and microwave oven, a fridge-freezer, a kettle, a juicer, a toaster, and a full kitchen inventory. The kitchen also has a door that opens out onto a side balcony that looks up to the pool terrace, out to sea, and across to the village of Kokkino Horio. Also on this top floor is a small hallway that has a door to a stair case, and a door to the cloakroom. The cloakroom has dark grey and white/grey tiles, a toilet, built-in white cupboards, a mirror with a light, a sink with a white vanity cupboard underneath, and a frosted window. 

Middle floor (18 steps from the top floor, 18 steps to the ground floor): 1 double bedroom suite with en-suite shower room and sliding doors to a sea view balcony, 1 double bedroom with sliding doors to a sea view balcony, 1 further shower room. The master bedroom has a queen size bed (160cm x 205cm) with a white headboard, 2 matching white bedside cabinets with lamps, 1 white chair, a metal clothes rack, built-in white wardrobes with hanging space, shelves, and drawers, 2 windows that look east over the sea and countryside to Kokkino Horio village, and sliding doors that open out onto the front balcony that is shared with the next door bedroom and has wonderful sea views. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room with dark grey and white tiles, a shower cabinet with a choice of rain shower or a standard adjustable shower, a toilet, a mirrored cabinet with a light, and a sink with a white vanity cupboard underneath. The second bedroom on this middle floor has a queen size bed (160cm x 205cm) with a white headboard, 2 matching white bedside cabinets with lamps, a metal clothes rack, built-in white wardrobes with hanging space, shelves, and drawers, and sliding doors that open out onto the sea view front balcony that is shared with the master bedroom. At the end of the small hallway is the door to the shower room and the door to the area with table tennis and a sand/boules pit. The shower room has white/grey and black tiles, a shower with a a glass screen and choice of rain shower or a standard adjustable shower, a toilet, a mirror with lights, and a sink standing upon a with a vanity unit with grey doors and a black, grey, and silver marble effect top,  a toilet, a heated towel rail, and a frosted window. 

Ground floor. (18 steps down an internal staircase from the middle floor, or 0 steps from the lower terrace parking area): 1 twin bedroom with 2 large single beds, 1 double bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 toilet with sink, 1 utility/laundry area. Both bedrooms have sliding doors that open out onto a covered sea facing terrace.   The steps from the internal stair case some down into the laundry area which is equipped with a washing machine, a tumble drier, built-in white cupboards, a light wood counter top, and a sink. The laundry area has a window that looks out east, a window that looks north to the sea, and a door with a window that opens out onto the ground floor terrace and parking area. Just off the laundry room is a door to the toilet/cloakroom which has dark grey and white tiles, a toilet, a mirror with a light, and a sink with a white vanity cupboard underneath. The small ground floor corridor has 3 doors leading to 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. The twin bedroom has 2 small double beds (125cm x 205cm) with white headboards, 1 matching white bedside cabinet with a lamp, a metal clothes rack, a white wardrobe with hanging space, shelves, and drawers, and sliding doors that open out onto the ground floor sea view front terrace. The bathroom has dark grey and white tiles, a bath with an adjustable shower, a toilet, a mirrored cabinet with a light, and a sink with a white vanity cupboard underneath. The 4th bedroom has a queen size bed (160cm x 205cm) with a white headboard, 2 matching white bedside cabinets with lamps, 1 white chair, a metal clothes rack, built-in white wardrobes with hanging space, shelves, and drawers, and sliding doors that open out onto the sea view front ground floor terrace.

Villa Location

Plaka village square is only 1.1km from Hermes House and is a 20+ minute walk along a quiet country track. Plaka was one of the original village sets for the film “Zorba the Greek” and it still has quaint whitewashed houses and narrow streets just off the mulberry tree lined square. The modern outskirts of the village have expanded recently as have the facilities, which now include 7 excellent tavernas, 2 well stocked mini markets, a hardware shop and 6 cafes. Hermes House is just 5 minutes by car to the lovely village of Almyrida which is built around a crescent shaped sandy beach. The beach is very shallow and safe, which is good news if you have children or are not a strong swimmer. Lining the beach are 12 tavernas 2 pizzeria/pasta restaurants, 4 cafes, 1 bar, 7 gift shops, 3 mini markets, 1 jewellery shop, 1 ladies clothes shop, 1 butcher, 1 fruit and vegetable shop with a deli counter, 1 Italian ice cream shop, 1 bakeries/coffee shop, 1 off license, 1 pharmacy, 4 real estate offices, 1 nail spa, a hair dresser, 3 cash machines, and 1 kiosk.  Also in Almyrida there is a scuba diving office, pedalo and paddle board rentals, and a water sports centre that rents out windsurfers, catamarans, kayaks, and bicycles. We at Villas Crete Holidays can give you information on local  information, and the details of private boat hire, horse riding, big game fishing, boat trips, private sightseeing flights, guided coach or walking trips, cooking classes, and private astronomy and mythology nights at your villa. 

For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 35 minutes away by car.

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Villa Amenities

Views?	Sea/ Mountains /Olive Groves/Coastline/Village.
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Microwave Oven
Fridge / Freezer
TV
Satellite TV
Air conditioned bedrooms
Air conditioned liing area
CD player
Telephone
WIFI  - unlimited
DVD Player
BBQ
Mosquito screens to windows
Central heating	but fuel is not included in the rental price
Fireplace
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Pool Towels
Welcome Basket

Any steps? How many?

0 steps from the lower terrace parking into the ground floor of the villa, 5 steps from the top terrace parking into the top floor of the villa, 18 steps from the parking into the middle floor of the villa,  23 steps from the parking and top floor of the villa to the pool terrace, 18 internal stairs from the ground floor to the middle floor, and 18 stairs from the  middle floor to the top floor.

How private?

The pool terrace is very private because it is set on a terrace above Hermes House that is on the far side of the house from the nearest neighbour. The villa is fairly private but the guests of the next door villa can see the front balconies and terraces if they look up from their pool terrace.

Nearest neighbour?

Nearest neighbour? A villa immediately adjacent to Hermes House. The pool terrace at Hermes House is not visible from the villa next door.

WE RECOMMEND CAR HIRE WITH THIS VILLA.

Villa Rental Prices

2025 Early Booking Offer: All bookings for 2025 made before December 31, 2024, will be at the 2024 standard website price.

All prices shown are per Villa, per Week, in Euros for up to 8 persons (except for the low season price using 3 bedrooms which is for up to 6 persons). These prices include a free Welcome Pack, bed linen, towels, cleaning, a villa information book, and the essential guide book, “Crete on the Road” by Frankie Miles.

*** 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:

In 2024: €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.

In 2025: €15.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29.

We will collect the Climate Levy with your final balance payment and it will be clearly itemised on your Booking Confirmation.

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.

 2025 Early Booking Offer: All bookings for 2025 made before December 31, 2024, will be at the 2024 standard website price.