The infinity pool at sunset, with the sea and the mountains behind

Villa Serenity: our family home above Almyrida Bay, Crete

Up to 10 guests · 5 bedrooms · 7 bathrooms

We designed and built Villa Serenity together with a local architect, as a place for our own family to gather. It sits on the edge of Plaka, high above Almyrida, on a large plot among olive trees, with views across the sea, the olive groves and the mountains.

When we are not here ourselves, we are happy to share it. Days here are slow: a swim before breakfast, lunch in the shade, a game of tennis when it cools down, and the sun setting over the bay from the pool.

The living room, with the terrace and the sea beyond — The living room opens onto the terrace.

The house

Five bedrooms, each with a king-size bed (180 × 200) and its own bathroom. The open kitchen and living room face the sea through floor-to-ceiling windows that slide fully open. With five en-suite bedrooms spread over three floors, nobody is ever in anyone’s way.

Ground floor

Two bedrooms. Open kitchen, living and dining room, and a guest toilet.

First floor

Three bedrooms, all opening directly onto a terrace with views over the sea, the olive groves and the mountains.

Lower floor

A lounge with sofas and a TV, table tennis, a gym and the laundry room.

Air conditioning and floor cooling
Fireplace
Two dishwashers
Washing machine and dryer
Fast Wi‑Fi

The open kitchen with the living room behind — Kitchen and living room

A bedroom with a glass wall and a view of the sea and the mountains — One of five bedrooms

A bathroom with a walk-in shower and a stone basin — Every bedroom has its own bathroom

The lounge on the lower floor with sofas and a TV — The lounge on the lower floor

Outdoors

Most of the holiday happens outside. The infinity pool looks straight out over the sea and the sunset. In the garden there is an outdoor kitchen with a charcoal barbecue, a wood-fired pizza oven and a fridge, and a long table in the shade of the olive trees. One level down is a full-size tennis court with a basketball hoop.

The long dining table under the olive trees, with the tennis court behind

The pool terrace with sun loungers, a parasol and the sea — The pool terrace

The outdoor kitchen with the pizza oven — Outdoor kitchen and pizza oven

The tennis court with a basketball hoop — Tennis and basketball

Sun and water

Solar panels on the roof help power the house.

The house also has its own biological treatment plant. Waste water is cleaned naturally through a BIOROCK filter, and the cleaned water is used to water parts of the garden. It is one of the things we are most proud of.

The roof of the house from above, covered with solar panels — Solar panels on the roof.

The bay at dusk, seen from the hillside at Plaka

The area

Plaka is a quiet village on the hillside above Almyrida. The house sits high up, which is where the views come from. It is about a 15-minute walk down to the beach in Almyrida; the walk back up is steep, so you may prefer to drive.

Plaka, Almyrida and Kalyves all have good tavernas for lunch and dinner. Chania, with its old harbour and lively streets, is a short drive away.

Good to know

Check-in and check-out: Check-in in the afternoon, check-out in the morning.
Arrival: Self check-in with a key lockbox. You receive the code and directions before you arrive.
Parking: Street parking, a little space in front of the gate, and the (steep) driveway down to the garage.
Included: Bed linen, towels, cleaning before and after your stay, and a welcome pack.
For little ones: A baby cot and a high chair, free on request.
Guest manual: Everything about the house, from the lights to the pizza oven, is in our guest manual.

Stay with us

Villa Serenity is booked through Airbnb, where you can check availability and prices and read what other guests have said.

Through the property manager you can also arrange extras, such as a private chef and airport transfers.

Book on Airbnb