Villa Plaka Danae - Five Bedroom Resort, Sleeps 10

The newly built Villa Plaka Danae occupies a prestigious spot in Plaka enjoying sensational, uninterrupted views across the glistening Elounda Gulf to the island of Spinalonga. With fabulous amenities, five spectacular bedrooms and many wonderful treats, this villa is perfect for up to ten guests wanting to enjoy extraordinary scenery and wonderful peace and serenity. Villa Plaka Danae is beautifully finished throughout with great attention to detail. Its warm stone exterior blends harmoniously against the hilly backdrop. The villa’s three stories are set gently into the hilly slope making full use of the outstanding panorama.

The pretty village of Plaka is located in the Mirabello Bay, opposite Spinalonga and 16km north of Agios Nikolaos. Plaka was originally a quaint fishing village which offered access to Spinalonga Island when it was a colony for lepers. Now it is a sophisticated, peaceful resort with natural beauty and spectacular views. Hikers enjoy the numerous caves around the mountains. Plaka offers a good selection of seaside bars and restaurants and is in close proximity to the cosmopolitan, buzzy town of Elounda. Elounda and Plaka host two of the most important archaeological sites in Crete, the sunken city of Olous and the Venetian Fortress of Spinalonga Island.

Villa Plaka Danae enjoys a very spacious open plan living, dining and kitchen space. It is very sophisticated with a formal dining table where you will feel like royalty. The living area is very smart and the neutral walls are covered in elegant, modern art, mostly with a seaside theme. You will find metal fish wall plaques, striking shell art alongside striking, intricate mirrors. The furnishings are a fabulous blend of traditional pieces alongside contemporary wonders. The chef in your group will be delighted with the high-spec kitchen which offers top notch appliances and plenty of space. The wine fridge will ensure you always have chilled wine on hand. You can throw the doors open to access the terrace and enjoy a very special view out to sea.

The five bedrooms are calm, serene and full of beautiful furnishings. The decor is classy and sophisticated and each enjoys an immaculate marbled ensuite bathroom with the very best in fittings. They are luxurious havens where you can slip into your robes and slippers and relax. Two of the bedroom suites are located on the first floor with their own sea-facing balconies, wonderful spots for your early morning cup of coffee or a late night glass of wine. The remaining three bedrooms are on the lower ground floor and open onto the beautiful internal garden with its lush palms and with the sea beyond.

The outside spaces of Villa Plaka Danae are absolutely stunning. The gorgeous stone exterior of the villa and silvery stone terrace blend beautifully with the bright turquoise waters beyond and the mostly cloudless skies. The terrace is enormous with a gorgeous contemporary infinity pool drawing your eye. Guests can laze on superior loungers and day beds admiring the spectacular seascapes over to the island of Spinalonga and the Elounda Gulf. If you haven’t already read it, you should pack ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop so that you can imagine life on Spinalonga. The shaded alfresco dining area is superb with luxurious furnishings and a fabulous barbecue and outdoor kitchen area. There is also another shaded alfresco lounge area, the perfect spot for early evening cocktails and watching the sun go down. The lower garden section offers a lush lawn and children’s playground as well as some beautiful planting. Steps lead down through the terrace and gardens to the waterfront. This is truly a very magical spot with the architectural design making you feel very secluded and private.

The villa also offers some extra treats. There is a very well equipped gym and a hamman. Perhaps you may like to pay for a personal masseuse for a pampering session. If you can bear to leave this wonderful villa, you can wander into Plaka with its authentic traditional Greek appeal to visit one of the alluring tavernas.

Features:

The Villa

Villa Plaka Danae is a luxurious 5-bedroom villa sleeping 10 guests, located on the outskirts of the village of Plaka and within easy reaching distance of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

Lower Ground Floor
- Bedroom with king-size bed, en-suite shower room and garden access
- Bedroom with king-size bed, en-suite shower room and garden access
- Bedroom with king-size bed, high level window
- Bathroom
- Hammam
- Outside gym area

Ground Floor
- Open-plan living and dining area
- Fully-equipped kitchen

First Floor
- Bedroom with king-size bed, balcony and en-suite shower room
- Bedroom with king-size bed, balcony and en-suite shower room

Exterior Grounds
- Private infinity pool
- Terrace
- Dining facilities
- Sun loungers
- Barbecue
- Children's play equipment

Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Travel cot & highchair available on request
- Parking

Location:

Villa Plaka Danae is located in a very prestigious spot in Plaka. Nestled at the base of the hills, the villa is waterfront with astounding panoramic views across the Elounda Gulf to the island of Spinalonga. Plaka is picturesque, very traditional and very friendly. You will receive such a warm welcome at the tavernas and restaurants. Plaka is located in the Apokoronas region of of Crete, 2km from Almirida, a resort it overlooks. There are some fabulous walks around the village, through olive groves or to the next villages of Kampia and Kokkino Chorio. The pebbly beach is delightful with a promenade and backed by tamarisk trees.

The island of Spinalonga has a fascinating, if sad, history. The name of Spinalonga was given by the Venetians. Spina means ‘thorn’ and longa means ‘long’. In the 20th century (1903 -1957) Spinalonga was used as a leper colony. The lepers used a tunnel known as ‘Dante’s Gate’ in order to enter the island. Once on the island, the patients received food, water and medical attention. For half a century, this barren rocky island was a home to life’s outcasts who lived in extreme pain. As science progressed and a cure for leprosy was discovered, the lepers were cured and the hospital shut down in 1957. Nowadays, the island is uninhabited. It is a recognised archaeological site with one of the few examples of Venetian fortress building in Eastern Mediterranean. It is a popular tourist attraction with boats leaving from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

Elounda is an upmarket little resort on the island’s emerald-swept coast. Elounda is very popular with the rich and famous for its seaside luxury resorts. Greece’s ex Prime Minister spent his summers in Elounda and it is frequently visited by the royal family of Saudi Arabia. Elounda was used for the filming of the BBC television series ‘Who Pays the Ferryman?’ and is featured in Victoria Hislop’s ‘The Island’. This superb seaside town revolves around its colourful harbour and the main square. You will discover plenty of authentic Greek tavernas and friendly bars as well as a wonderful, Blue Flag sandy beach. The quieter Driros Beach is a 15 minute walk south along the coastal path. If you are walking south you will also come to the remains of the submerged ancient city of Olous. Five huge stone windmills were excavated and today they stand next to the bridge and are open to the public. If you take a 30 minute drive, you can wander freely amongst the ruins of the Minoan Palace of Malia dating back to 1450 BC.

Crete is mountainous with a high range crossing from west to east. The island also boasts numerous gorges which are amazing to visit such as the Samaria Gorge, the Imbros Gorge and the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The island is Greek’s fifth largest island so you will not be able to see everything in one holiday! There are some sublime beaches, some of which are on the other side of the island. There are a number of islands, islets and rocks that hug the coast. The big cities are Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Lerapetra, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. The island’s archaeological sites include the Minoan sites of Knossos, Malia and Phaistos. The island offers a fabulous range of activities and adventures. There are unique beaches, canyons, falls, trekking, kayaking and many watersports. Crete is a very friendly island and the food is absolutely delicious. You will have a ball

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€1500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner before/upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
4pm

Departure time?
10am

Energy costs included?
Yes, included in the rental price

Linen & towels included?
Yes, included in the rental price

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes, included in the rental price

Internet access?
Yes, Wi-Fi is included in the rental price

Changeover day?
Saturday

Minimum stay?
Please note that there is a 7-night minimum stay, this may be increased across peak dates

Pets welcome?
No pets

Smoking Allowed?
No smoking

Pool heating charge?
For those who require pool heating, there will be an additional charge of €100 per day (to be paid locally on arrival). Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.
Smoking - not allowed