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Villa Minoa With Small Private Beach And Surprising Sea and Mountain Views

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Outdoor dining
Beach
Terrace/patio
Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61722.2 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Chania, Crete
  • Marathi Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Loutraki Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Seitan Limania Beach
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Office 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Villa Minoa With Small Private Beach And Surprising Sea and Mountain Views

Villa Minoa is located at the coastal village "Marathi", in Akrotiri region of Chania. This stunning property, with the surprising views of Suda Bay and "White Mountains", lies only 5 meters over the gold sand and the clear blue water, having its own small beach in front of it. The villa is built in total by natural materials, combining a traditional character with modern comforts, while every single object in the interior and the exterior is a handmade piece of art. The small sandy bays of Marathi provide several qualities of leisure and relaxing, while the city of Chania with all its historical monuments and facilities can be found within a twenty minute drive. This unique site, far away from the unwanted disturbances of the city, with the sandy beach on your feet, the everyday fresh fish and the magical, full of stars sky over your head, it is sure that will charm you.

Property manager

Alex

Languages

English, Greek
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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 1042Κ92003078601

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Chania

Located in Chania, this villa is on the waterfront. Port of Souda and Old Venetian Harbor are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Nea Chora Beach and Golden Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Maritime Museum of Crete and Limnoupolis Water Park. Looking to get your feet wet? Snorkelling, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property.
View more Villas in ChaniaOpens in a new window
Map
Chania, Crete

What's nearby

  • Marathi Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Loutraki Beach - 4 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Port of Souda - 20 min drive - 17.4 km
  • Seitan Limania Beach - 28 min drive - 17.0 km
  • Kiani Beach - 38 min drive - 27.3 km

Getting around

  • Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Olympic Catering Sa - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Labyrinth - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Creat - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Argonaut - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Espressaki - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Villa Minoa With Small Private Beach And Surprising Sea and Mountain Views pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Villa Minoa With Small Private Beach And Surprising Sea and Mountain Views?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Villa Minoa With Small Private Beach And Surprising Sea and Mountain Views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Villa Minoa With Small Private Beach And Surprising Sea and Mountain Views located?

This family-friendly Chania villa is located on the waterfront, within 1 mi (2 km) of Marathi Beach and Loutraki Beach. Souda Bay is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect accommodation, Great hospitality

I've just returned from Crete after staying in the villa for a week. It had everything we needed and a few extras too, such as bottled water, fruit, homemade raki, herbs, spices, coffee, tea, honey etc. The outdoor area was great for lounging around, but the beach was even better, with a few sun loungers exclusive to the owner's properties. The views were spectacular. Checking in was a simple process and Alex gave us a tour of the property on arrival. The owner was very welcoming and kind to us during our stay. We often saw him around the area. We stayed here in the quieter season (October onwards) so the temperature was perfect (25 Celcius) and the area was much more peaceful. I highly recommend this villa for anyone looking for a peaceful base with spectacular views and facilities. Thank you for making our stay comfortable and memorable.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim P.

Perfect summer holiday villa

Wonderful comfortable villa next to a semi private beach looked after by the owner. Stunning 3 bedroomed villa (2 doubles and 2 large twin beds), good air-con, good WiFi, excellent facilities (no dishwasher or washing machine but that wasn’t a problem). Nothing is too much to ask for the owner, who lives next door. There’s tv and internet. There are restaurants and cafes nearby, as well as fishing, diving and boating trips to be had. Safe swimming, crystal clear waters suitable for all ages, in a bay so no waves to speak of. 10 min drive from the airport and 20 min drive into Chania old town. Beautiful drives to be had into the countryside/foothills of the white mountains, full of olive groves and old villages offering old fashioned local hospitality and cuisine.
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Richard A.

Beautiful beach,spacious home,relaxing holiday

We spent two wonderfully relaxing weeks at Villa Minoa. The villa itself is very comfortable with 2 double rooms and one twin. There is also a large family room and well equipped kitchen. The garden has lots of comfortable seating and a dining table and chairs. The best thing though is that the beautiful beach is across a quiet road from the bottom of the garden. Here the owner showed us to our own specially reserved sun loungers on a reserved part of the beach that were exclusively ours for the duration of our holiday. Marathi Beach has golden sands and clear waters and about 4 decent restaurants offering local food. There are a number of sun beds laid out for hire along the beach but even when full the beach is not overcrowded. The villa is only half an hours drive from Chania airport and we hired a car and alternated day trips with chill out time at the beach. All in all a very relaxing villa for families with younger or older children to enjoy! Highly recommend!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matthew B.

Amazing Stay / Wonderful Hospitality

My family and I stayed in this villa for a month and a half from February - April. The location is absolutely amazing, just meters away from the beautiful Marathi Beach. Coordinating the stay was easy with the help of Alex. While staying there, Spiros was available whenever needed and was the most gracious host we've ever encountered. When we arrived, the fridge was stocked with tons of goodies and necessities, while a wonderful basket full of fresh fruit was available on the table. While there, Spiros caught a squid and gave us a good portion of it to enjoy - delicious!!! The villa itself is gorgeous inside and has stunning views of the ocean as well as the gorgeous White Mountains beyond. I cannot recommend this place highly enough.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

deborah w.

FABULOUS!

This house is perfect in every way: owner, manager, location, amenities. The house is large and cool and has everything a family needs on vacation, including beach toys for the little ones and a canoe for the older people. The owner leaves a starter gift of food and wine and is available to help in any way. The house is just steps from the beach and 20 minutes to Hania. We loved staying here.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kate T.

Perfect family holiday, we will be back.

We booked Villa Minoa after some recommendations from Alex, who looked after us on our last visit to Crete in 2015. We usually book a villa with a swimming pool, but Alex did highly recommend Spyros' villa, especially with the sea temperatures in October being so warm, so we went for it... and we didn't regret it one bit. The beautiful villa is designed with a nod to the Ancient Ruins at Knossos decorated with lots of Spyros antiquarian finds from the local seabed. The villa is very comfortable and you have everything you need, including daily fresh fruit and salad vegetables, good toiletries (so leave your soaps, shampoos and lotions at home). There are numerous herbs, oils and condiments for cooking and Spyros and his mother's constant generosity will overwhelm you. We were spoiled! So many highlights of the holiday, here are a few.... Own private beach with sun beds and towels Use of paddle canoe The fishing trips were a huge highlight for our boys, they went out fishing for barracuda one evening with Spyros and Christos - coming home with a bag full of fresh barracuda for the bbq. Then Alex come over for a boat trip which we were invited on, around the headland towards the naval base, which was followed by an invitation to lunch to share the catch. Stunning fresh fish of many varieties - which we all enjoyed immensely. We are big animal lovers and enjoyed having the company of little Fouli on the beach, but regretted feeding the cats on the first night - cue a lawn full for the rest of the holiday (whoops). Swimming and canoeing with Lucy the Goose was an experience. Really fantastic memories. Recommendations - horse riding at Deres (Nteres) was brilliant - highly recommend. Sunset beach was nice too. Manoustakis Winery, surprisingly good wine (combine with a trip to Deres). Things to note - this is common to everywhere we have stayed in Crete - the beds are hard. Really hard - so beware. Don't leave your possessions unattended on the beach on the weekend when locals from Chania come on down, my son had his flip flops taken - we had been lax as it was so laid back. During the week we had the beach and water to ourself. The water is very safe, my youngest is nervous of the water and loved it - soft sand underfoot, no currents and nice and warm. All the local restaurants were good. But over everything it was Spyros and his mum's wonderful hospitality that added the special touch, very special people - thank you x
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lesley R.

Perfect spot - you won't want to leave!

We are a family of 4 who visited Villa Minoa for a week in September 2016. Spiros and Alex made us feel very welcome: we loved the villa and its location with a beautiful outlook and just a few steps from the beach. The villa is well equipped and we found everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Alex was very prompt in resolving an initial problem with the villa wifi: we had no problems afterwards. Chania is about a 20 minute drive and is a lovely city - well worth visiting. Marathi itself is well served by 4 or 5 excellent restaurants all offering fresh seafood at very reasonable prices. We'd heard that Marathi is good for snorkeling and it did not disappoint - safe, easy snorkeling allowed us to see a huge variety of fish. We spent almost all week in the sea. The colours and light are also great for photography. Kayaks and pedalos are available to hire at the beach. A perfect balance of relaxation and activity for those wanting a week away from it all. Definitely one of our best family holiday spots. I would recommend Villa Minoa to families and groups looking for a quiet relaxing holiday. We look forward to returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Adam L.

Beautiful magical holiday

We have just spent a week at Villa Minoa - this is our second time staying there and yet again we had the most amazing, relaxing, fantastic time - Spiros has built such a beautiful paradise and takes such pride in his creation. He couldn't do enough for us and we felt so welcomed by everyone in Marathi. Our children (aged 6 & 9) had the most wonderful time catching fish, picking up starfish, watching octopus and crabs in the rock pools in front of the house. We didn't do much other than stay in Marathi as it is such a wonderful little part of the world. The restaurants on the beach are fantastic and this time the local taverna was open just 50 metres from the house and we spent a lot of time there eating fresh fish and looking at the wonderful view (they even kindly cooked us up the big fish our son caught the morning we were leaving!) As a family we all absolutely love going to Marathi and seeing Spiros and his family and friends, and we have already booked for next year - we can't wait!! Thank you Alex and Spiros again for a most wonderful time in Crete.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

rebecca m.

perfect

If in doubt book it. The villa is beautifully presented & kept, the gardens are well maintained & the beach is a stones throw away. Spiros (the owner) couldn't have been more helpful, bread, milk & the basics were ready for us when we arrived & he regularly appeared with food or toys for ourselves & the kids. We have a 3.5 year old & a 17month old & we all had a fantastic holiday. We would definitely go back.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Toby and Henriette H.

A wonderful, peaceful villa next to the beach - a perfect base to explore West-Crete.

We had a fantastic week here with our 3 teenage children. The villa is located next to a quiet, peaceful beach in a bay which made it quite warm for early April. We swam in the wonderfully clear water every day. We spent many hours just sun bathing on the beach or on the villa patio. We enjoyed beautiful sunrises and sunsets just sitting on the rocks by the coast line a few minutes walk away from the villa. Marathi is a quiet but friendly village with a few lovely restaurants. It was a perfect base for us to explore the rest of Crete, particularly the west. We visited a few stunning monasteries, walked in the mountains, enjoyed a few other beaches amongst which Stavros where Zorba the Greek was filmed. Chania is a very beautiful city only half an hour away and worth exploring. We also had a day trip to Knossos. Alex and Spiros welcomed us the first evening and gave lots of advice about the area. Spiros was around every day and was a marvellous host - he made sure we were comfortable and gave us an insight into Cretan village life. He also took us on a boat trip around the nearby islands which was very memorable. We would definitely go again and recommend this villa to anyone who is thinking of visiting Crete. Before we booked the villa, we also looked at hotels but being in a villa is much better when you go on holiday as a family because it means you spend more time together. The villa had everything we needed - brilliant cooking facilities, including bbq, plenty of towels, a lovely shower and the villa was even cleaned for us mid-week. Having Spiros' pets nearby (cats, dogs and a tortoise) was a lot of fun! Highly recommended to families with children of all ages!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jayne J.

The perfect place for a relaxing holiday

The perfect place to relax and unwind. The villa was amazing, it was well maintained, very clean and had spectacular views across the bay to the mountains. Nothing was too much trouble for the owner and Alex who were both lovely. The sandy beach and clear blue waters were safe and very good for snorkelling. The tavernas near the villa were all friendly and excellent food. The villa is only a short trip away from Chania, a beautiful town where we were even lucky enough to see a Loggerhead turtle in the marina. Overall, without a doubt one of the best holidays we have ever had.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Georgina A.

Wonderful location and service

All of the reviews here are spot on, this is a fantastic place to stay. The location is unbeatable with the beach so close and great restaurants just a short walk away (local shop is a further drive). We were asked by several people who walked by where we found it online. The villa is a great space for a family to hang out in and is uniquely decorated. As others have said, Spiros is an excellent host, being attentive but discreet and surprising us with little extras. Alex made the booking process (and return of the belongings we left behind) very easy. Thanks to everyone for a brilliant holiday.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gina W.

A little taste of paradise!

We loved everything about our stay in Marathi! The villa is quirky and beautifully fitted out with everything we needed. We loved the little beach and personal sunbeds just a short walk away. Spiros the owner was a kind and generous host and keeps everything beautifully. He even sifts the sand every morning so the beach is spotless! The little bar about 50m away does lovely food and you can sit and watch the sea lapping at the shore eating calamari and drinking Methos. We loved the resident "Mrs Goose" and the wild goat walk just round the corner. The two restaurants do lovely food and we tried lots of unusual things like sea urchins and cuttlefish. The town of Chania is delightful with its Venetian harbour and is only about 30 minutes away. Finally Alex gives excellent customer service, made the whole booking very easy and was there to meet us with Spiros when we arrived. I can't recommend this enough and it was definitely a holiday to remember!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

tracey m., Galway

Beautiful location, lovely villa

We stayed in Villa Minoa for two fantastic, relaxing weeks with our 3 young and very lively children. We arrived at night and both Alex and Spiros were there to meet us and had purchased shopping for us prior to our arrival. They are both very friendly and were very helpful to us throughout our stay. Despite Spiros speaking little English and us no Greek this was never a problem. The house is as lovely as it looks on the photos. It is clean and has everything you would need. The is no washing machine but Spiros arranged for our laundry to be taken to the laundrette twice a week which was great. The location is beautiful, there is a very clean, and quiet sandy beach with calm, shallow, crystal clear water right outside the villa. It was so close I could pick up the wifi on my sun lounger. There is one very friendly and reasonably priced taverna a few metres along it. On the other side of the pier is a very beautiful bigger beach with 4 more very good restaurants. We really were spoilt for choice. The surrounding scenery is spectacular. As I sat in the garden or on the beach I looked out across the calm waters of the bay to the white mountains on the other side. It was a very easy holiday with my children, I have been on many holidays with them that we're not so easy! The house was 5 seconds away from the beach so they could return to the villa if necessary but otherwise happily pottered around the beach and played with the local children. When eating in any of the restaurants it was safe for the children to play on the beach as we could easily see them infront of us. They really loved Spiros, he was very patient and gentle with them. He took them around the rock pools and pointed out the octopus and fished out some crabs for them to see. The resident duck on the beach also provided great entertainment or 'Mrs Ducky' as she was better known. You would definitely need a car to stay at this location but we knew that and had one hired. We did visit other beaches but they just didn't match up to our own and the convenience that came with it, ours was so uncrowded and of course we had our own sun loungers. I would definitely recommend this villa, it is as another person has stated a little piece of heaven.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Xaviervan v.

Excellent location, very good service

Location is superb, right on the beach. The service is perfect. Spiros is there to clean your private beach every day. There is good wifi (sometimes slow), tv. Kitchen is very wel acoomodated. No bath tub, just (very good) shower. Two bedrooms are small but good enough. Views and garden are fantastic for small kids. Only downside could be the decoration, that might not be to everybody's taste.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

angela m.

Easter in Crete

As we drove down the hillside to the little bay of Marathi, we knew that this was going to be a special place to stay. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and turquoise sea, unspoilt and peaceful, a small community with a beautiful beach and excellent restaurant. When the sun came out for the Greek Orthodox Easter weekend, it was perfect and my daughter even managed a swim in the sheltered, calm sea. Marathi was totally transformed on Easter Monday, into a bustling little resort. When we arrived, Spiros and Alexis were there to greet us and everything we could possibly need (and more!) was in the villa, making for a very comfortable stay. Easter Sunday is a day of family celebration in Greece and we were honoured that Spiros invited us round to meet his friends and family and share their lamb barbecue, wine and other Easter specialties - he was a lovely host, living close by and willing to help. Such an interesting time to visit Crete to experience local traditions and character.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jaana G.

Heaven on Earth

Magical, spiritual, heavenly, calm. These are only a few words that come to mind when trying to describe this place. We got a chance to spend our honeymoon there and the beauty of the place left us lost for words. It was not only what we expected but so much more! Spiros has built not only a holiday house but created a world where you want to stay forever. Everything about Villa Minoa is truly unique and it is the most special place we have ever stayed in. We can't thank you enough Alex and Spiros!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A Little Piece of Paradise

Just returned from a tremendous two weeks in beautiful Marathi. The villa is immaculate, in a perfect location with everything you may need and indeed if it doesn't then Spiros (the owner) will do everything in his power to ensure he can get it for you. It is physically a stones throw from the beach and what a wonderful beach it is - sheltered, quiet and fantastic for snorkelling. The village has five places to eat with a widely recommended fish restaurant right in the middle of it. We would definitely recommend it! All in all a fabulous holiday.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Daniel G.

Amazing, truly amazing!

Sometimes you are just lucky enough to win the jackpot! This was one of those occasions. We have traveled all over Greece and stayed in many hotels and villas over the years, and this experience turned out to be unique in every way. The villa is truly amazing. Full of character and personality but still with all the comforts. The photos simply do not do it justice. The garden to the front is just truly wonderful with extraordinary views over the sea, the coast and the mountains, day and night. No traffic whatsoever. Absolute tranquility. Bliss! A few steps across the lawn, through the little gate and you are on the beach (So close!); a spotless charming little beach with great sand, and very protected crystal-clear waters. Private loungers under umbrellas await. The beach is ideal for little children, as there are no waves, but also for real swimmers. Further out the waters are very deep and always calm, I just loved going for long swims across the bay. Spiros is a truly amazing host; so generous and friendly, always looking after our needs, yet being very discrete. Alex was also great, always very friendly and professional. Marathi turned out to be a true hit as well; 3-4 tavernas within strolling-distance, and exceptionally good food. Many locals from Chania come to Marathi to eat at the tavernas and there were several big celebrations (baptisms etc) while we were there. All very interesting, fun and authentic. Marathi is very quiet and peaceful at all times without feeling isolated, but one needs a car for groceries etc. We truly loved the stay and would love to come back. We arrived back in the UK with huge smiles and completely re-charged batteries! Don't miss out!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Spiridon V.

amazing house, beautiful spot, unbeatable

This is the best house you can find in Greece in the most beautiful location which remains tranquil even in the busiest months, The house is practically on the beach with a generous private sun-umbrella and sun beds. The waters were a big surprise, shallow and children friendly close to the beach and then deep and blue if you swim further out. The owner lives close by and although he takes care that he remains very discrete, at the same time he is ready to help with everything you need and he surprises you with some unexpected treats. I have traveled extensively in Greece and have rented houses on many Greek islands, this was by far the best.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

The Perfect Relaxing Break

We'd already been to Marathi in the past and knew the village was small and unspoilt. The villa, though, made it a fantastic quiet break - beautifully rustic, full of character and just across a tiny road from its own bit of beach. (Though other people are allowed on it, you have your own reserved sunbeds and palm leaf umbrella). Spiros, our host, was excellent - charming and attentive to every need - and he's an excellent fisherman! We watched him gutting a friend's 7kg white grouper by the water's edge! He made you feel as though you weren't just another tourist, and closer to local life. It's the perfect R&R location! Mornings were so peaceful - no-one around, so tranquil. Spiros has close ties with the very good open air fish restaurant which is just c. 50m along the beach - a perfect place to lunch! (We recommend the sun-dried octopus tentacles!). It's often been said, but we will CERTAINLY be back! Have to say, have reservations about telling everyone how good this place is - we're feeling quite possessive about it, freshly back!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joslin M., London

Amazing house in an amazing spot

We have just returned from spending 2 weeks in this beautiful house in Marathi and we have just had the most wonderful time. We think it has been one of our most relaxing and best holidays to date (since having kids!) Spiros the owner was truly amazing and he made our stay absolutely perfect. He always seemed to know what we needed and was always there to help. Marathi is a beautiful village by the sea and we were there out of season but it was perfect. The restaurant and cafe are fantastic and everyone was extremely friendly. Our kids loved finding star fish and octopus in the rock pools whilst we sat and did nothing! Its very close to the airport and Hania and a wonderful spot for a wonderful holiday. We cannot wait to go back and stay in Spiros' beautiful home again (looking at flights now!!) Thank you Spiros and Alex for making our stay fantastic!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sally B.

Marvellous Marathi

Just spent two idyllic weeks at Villa Minoa directly adjacent to Marathi beach. The accommodation and location surpassed what we were expecting. The view is simply paradise. We recommend learning some Greek, however, despite our own language limitations we were able to communicate with Spiros, the owner, who is the perfect host. Our only regret was the local beach bar being closed on our last night, so we were unable to spend our last night there; it was late in the season and lack of people. However, other tavernas were open locally and throughout our stay having the option to select which fish to eat was a real bonus. You will need a car if you want to see more of Crete. We rented a jeep and went travelling every other day. There are so many places to go to and recommend, but suffice to say that Chania (about 30 mins drive away) was fabulous and we had no difficulty parking. It was from here that we took the local bus to Samaria Gorge. A real highlight of our holiday. Not to be missed if you are fit enough! And Stavros is not far away if your are a fan of the film Zorba the Greek. However, if you just want some time to yourselves then Villa Minoa is the perfect setting to simply chill out and recharge the batteries. This was our first time to Crete, and we look forward to returning soon. We'll have no hesitation in recommending Villa Minoa and Marathi beach to family and friends.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing home/view/area

Villa Minoa is a must stay location. Marathi beach is beautiful and there are several restaurants within walking distance. Alex greeted us and walked us through the entire home and even had some items pre stocked in the fridge for us. I spilled a few drops of water on the floor and there was not one ounce of dirt on the paper towel. This home is spotless. I cannot rave about this property enough. From the booking to the chef we hired, and Alex as our guide to the homeowner conversations, it is one of my most favorite places I have visited. Thank you for such a wonderful holiday, we will see you again.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason & Katie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful week in Marathi

We can not say enough good things about this home in Marathi! Spiro (the owner) has made an extraordinary effort to make the property beautiful and made us feel at home immediately. From the well stocked kitchen with fresh fruits and plenty of food/drinks to get the week started, we were able to relax right away. Alex is an excellent communicator and personally oriented us with the property as well as making great local suggestions for activities and restaurants. Both of them were there to greet us when we arrived. We spent most of our mornings and evenings on the porch lounging and enjoying the beautiful view. The home is every bit as beautiful as the pictures, if not more so!!! As others have noted, there are great restaurants and activities right at your doorstep. The location is also very convenient to the airport and many other attractions such as historic monasteries and other great local beaches. We are already planning our next trip and hope to return to Villa Minoa soon!! Thank you so much to both Spiro and Alex for making our trip very special!!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

About the host

Hosted by Alex

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Languages:

English, Greek