CreteTravel

Our View

It is an ancient monument, a remarkable example of local, traditional architecture.

If you combine harmony, tranquillity, privacy, and high aesthetics with warm and gracious hospitality, you’ll have a good sense of this characterful property.

Villa Athermigo, nestled in the foothills of the Apokoronas region of Chania, is in Agios Pavlos near picturesque Gavalochori Village and just a short drive from the sea.

Unique at Athermigo is the 18th century restored olive press. Athermigo is a little paradise that has recently been given a new lease on life as a private retreat for a group of friends or family.

Villa Athermigo is a deluxe private estate consisting of a privately-owned oil press converted into a restaurant-living room and three independent suites named after the trees gracing their entrances. The Elia (Olive tree), the Rodia (Pomegranate tree), and the Karydia (Walnut tree) suites can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests. This property is rented in its entirety as a villa or as individual, self-contained Cottage Houses (Elia Cottage House with shared pool, Rodia Cottage House with shared pool, and Karydia Cottage House with shared pool) each sleeping between 2 and 4 people.

The suites, two quadruples and one double, reveal a successful blend of new and old. Rustic on the outside, country-chic on the inside, they are spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. The bathrooms, partly open-plan, are especially stylish.

Athermigo is a little paradise that has recently been given a new lease on life as a private retreat for a group of friends or family.

Unique at Athermigo is the 18th century restored olive press. Elements such as the main entrance, the stone openings, the interior patio, the traditional exterior oven, the well, and the semi-circular arches typical of the period’s architecture, as well as the original oil extraction machinery, have all been preserved intact.

Immense love and care have been lavished on this ancient house. The careful restoration was carried out concerning the original architecture and the spirit of the place. The renovation process resulted in a luxurious and contemporary guest house complete with a resplendent garden overflowing with fruit trees, shady sitting corners, and colorful flowers and herbs to delight.

The luxurious and atmospheric lounge area with kitchen, blissful chill-out pool, courtyard, and garden give the sense and scale of a boutique hotel, yet with total exclusivity and an array of pampering services for guests to choose from. The gorgeous, chill-out swimming pool (100% ecological with saltwater filtration system) is ideally situated, providing privacy and peace.

The name “Athermigo” is derived from the unique olive oil of the same name, superior for the traditional methods of extraction and production used – never has such a small quantity embodied such unsurpassed quality. Only a few have been fortunate enough to taste it: the workers of the old traditional oil press and those closest to them once savored this pure olive oil. This therapeutic, healing oil. This “sacred” oil.

Why We Like It

- We love the beautiful suites, the gorgeous gardens, and the feeling of complete peace and quiet. This is a true retreat.

- In the heart of this small and most pleasingly friendly, traditional village, three independent renovated stone-built traditional suites with mountain views for a unique Cretan experience.

- Gavalochori Village is near Chania (half an hour by car) in an area of attractive rolling hills speckled with villages. It has some lovely tavernas for sampling Crete's famously healthy cuisine. All within a short drive to the sea and sandy beaches with attractive villages nearby.

- A true invitation to relax and discover the Cretan traditions and the lovely, unique area of Apokoronas.

- The pool is divine and almost chlorine-free, so no worries at all if your children spend all day in it. Time to read a great book! Time for you.

Good To Know

- The villa is normally only rented for group and family bookings but is also available as individual self-contained Cottage Houses (Elia Cottage House with Sharing Pool, Rodia Cottage House with Sharing Pool, and Karydia Cottage House with Sharing Pool) each sleeping between 2 and 4 people.

- We recommend that you rent a car as other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. Note: You cannot reach Villa Athermigo by public transport.

The Villa

Villa Athermigo is rented in its entirety and comprises of three autonomous deluxe suites (non-smoking, smoking is only permitted outdoors), named after the trees that grace their entrances. The Elia (Olive tree - up to 4 people), Rodia (Pomegranate tree-up to 4 people), and Karydia (Walnut tree-up to 2 people) suites can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests in total and all exhibit the same refreshing style and attention to detail.

The luxurious and atmospheric lounge area and kitchen, blissful chill-out pool, courtyard, and garden give this luxury Crete villa the sense and scale of a boutique hotel, yet with total exclusivity and an array of pampering services to choose from.

- Elia is a two-floor Suite and sleeps up to 4 people. There is a master bedroom (1 king-size bed) on the ground floor and an independent bedroom with 2 single beds on a small mezzanine. For safety reasons, I would not recommend it for families with very young children but families with older children (not for 2 couples). Spacious shower bathroom and fireplace. A private terrace with the best views over to the sea and over the olive groves.

- Rodia Suite is on two levels, with a double bedroom and open plan bathroom with bathtub on the ground-floor level and twin beds on the first floor level with another shower bathroom with access onto a sun terrace. It is not suitable for families with toddlers either. Fireplace in the living room for cooler autumn evenings. Please bear in mind that the stairs are steep and un-gated.

- Karydia Suite is normally for two persons (one double bed), but extra beds for children are possible and have direct access to the garden. This suite is fully accessible to the physically handicapped. Fireplace in the living room and bathroom with shower.

Villa Athermigo is normally only rented as a whole. It is indeed ideal for three couples or families. Suites are rented individually upon request.

When Despina Kotsifaki bought the property, it was in ruins. Despina initially just wanted to do it up and keep it as a private hideaway, but soon realized that the only way to justify the huge investment the restoration required was to turn it into a small hotel. With that in mind, she went all the way and ended up creating a little gem.

She turned the olive press into a gorgeous open space with a circular dining table hugging the old stone mill, comfortable couches by an open fireplace, and several more sitting corners. With bare stone walls, arches, high rising wooden ceilings, a skylight, and surprisingly modern furniture, it looks magnificent, atmospheric, and pleasantly funky.

Please find more photos of suites and check prices here!

Eating

Villa Athermingo is self-catered with a fully equipped kitchen and dining area (indoors & outdoors) at guests' full disposal. The old olive press has been turned into a gorgeous open space (110m2) for self-catering with a circular dining table hugging the old stone mill, a wine cellar, comfortable couches by an open fireplace, and several more sitting corners. With bare stone walls, arches, high rising wooden ceilings, a skylight, and surprisingly modern furniture, it looks magnificent, atmospheric and pleasantly funky.

On request, there are several options for meals, from assistance with breakfast preparation and home-cooked meals delivered at the villa to a professional chef or special dinners including serving.

The kitchen has almost all you need: 4 rings, chest-level oven, microwave, a big chrome sink, Bosch dishwasher, a set of chef's pans, a toaster, and a juicer.

Alternatively, several family-run tavernas at Gavalochori Village offer tasty dishes of Cretan cuisine. Near the small village square and within walking distance from the villa there is a coffee shop, a bakery, a mini-market, two tavernas.

More eating places there are at the villages of Douliana, Almirida, Kera or Kalyves just next to the beach.

At Villa Athermigo you could make your wildest dreams and desires come true – all you have to do is ask us.

Whether you dream of an enchanted wedding ceremony or a dinner/party of up to 200 guests, that can come true. Even, if you choose to have your wedding elsewhere, Athermigo is also a perfect honeymoon destination.

Also, you could celebrate your anniversary or birthday with your friends at Villa “Athermigo”, at this very special place.

Athermigo is also the best option for your professional presentations or your mini conventions. It offers spaces for hosting launches of new products, group projects, and business meetings.

Kids

All ages are welcome at Villa Athermigo.

Baby cots available (on request) Two of the suites (Rodia & Elia) can sleep a family of 4, while Karydia Suites can sleep a couple plus one child (using a comfy rollaway bed) - and there would be space for a cot in addition.

The large swimming pool has not a shallow section for the kids (1.20 - 1.60m)

Babysitting: English-speaking babysitters can be arranged.

Activities

- Helpful staff is at your disposal and glad to help you during your stay; informing you about the many attractions and activities of the area. Please ask for her when you arrive.

- Agios Pavlos, only 25 minutes by car from the city of Chania, is a picturesque village in the center of the Apokoronas Peninsula, close to the villages of Vamos and Douliana. Although it is a rural village, Gavalohori has good amenities for visitors, including taverns, cafés, a bakery, a mini-market, and various stores. The village is very close to the magnificent beach of Almyrida and other sandy beaches. They are ‘organized’, so perfect if you like to have a sunbed and an umbrella, less perfect if you prefer to be on a beach you don’t have to share with too many others. The surrounding area is equally interesting. The nature of the village is wonderful. You can make unforgettable walks in the footpaths around Gavalohori, in scenic landscapes of olive trees, carobs, and bushes of herbs, while the historical monuments promise to indulge even the most demanding visitors.

- Gavalohori is a large old village with particularly interesting and well-preserved folk architecture. In this officially protected, traditional village a lot of interesting buildings can be found, such as the 18th century two-roomed, arched olive oil press, the temples of Panagia and Agios Sergios, the old school, and many residences. Many of the well-known Gavaliana wells still stand within a fantastic landscape. Also, there is an excellent folklore museum at Gavalochori Village; here you can see the history and the culture of the village. It is hosted in a renovated Venetian building with stone arches. Finally, there is an agriculture and tourist women's co-operation on the main square, which has a cottage industry producing knitting embroideries and laces of delicate art.

- Nearby Douliana is a small old village with particularly interesting and well-preserved folk architecture. In this officially protected, traditional village a lot of interesting buildings can be found.

- Visit the old town of Chania and explore the whole city with the narrow streets and admire the old buildings with different architectural styles. Visit the maritime-naval museum on the west side of the port and walk along with the port till Arsenali where is situated the Arsenali Centre of Mediterranean Architecture that organizes exhibitions and has a primary goal to promote the Meditteranean arts.

- Rethymno Town is just 38 km away and is another Venetian town worth a visit for its cobbled streets, Ottoman minarets, colorful harbor, and an imposing 16th-century Venetian fortress.

- Swim. Almirida's twin beaches (5km) are sandy and well sheltered, but they can get a bit crowded during Summer; bars and restaurants line the waterfront between them, and there is a diving center. Kalyves (10km) is a larger village with a small bay at its heart and a long beach stretching west.

- If you are looking for more quiet beaches, head west to Falassarna Beach, on the west edge of the island (49km) one of the best beaches in Crete. Or maybe you have heard about the lagoon of Ballos with the turquoise water. You can visit it either by ferry from Kasteli or by car. If you decide to come here by car, just have in mind that you can drive to a specific point, and then you must walk to the lagoon.

- Explore the Akrotiri peninsula: Monastery of Agia Triada - Gouverneto Monastery - Eleftherios Venizelos Tombs (historical site) Drive towards the airport. Visit the Monastery of Agia Triada and then the Gouverneto Monastery. On your way back towards Chania stop at the Eleftherios Venizelos Tombs - a historical site with wonderful views of the old Venetian harbor of Chania. There you also will find a choice of 3 coffee shops for you to enjoy. The Akrotiri peninsula also has good beaches (Stavros, Kalathas, Marathi, and Loutraki).

- Trek through the world-famous Samaria Gorge along (quite crowded) open May-Oct depending on weather conditions) or the Agia Irini gorge (fewer crowds and open all year), a full day’s hike catching a boat and a bus back. Imbros Gorge, next to Samaria gorge, is just 8 km long and you need just 2 hours to pass it. Aradena Gorge is also in that area, and maybe you would like to try the jump of your life ... buggy jumping.

- Visit the Aptera archeological Site. The small archaeological site of Aptera (the ancient town of the Minoan era) is well worth a visit. From here there are wonderful sea views to the port of Chania (Souda) and the Akrotiri peninsula. Continue to visit Itzedin Castle - a Turkish castle, built in the 19th Century (also known as the Kalami fort). Visit the nearby Stilos Village to hike through the classic Cretan countryside: oleander-lined paths lead into a narrow rocky defile.

- The horse riding lovers have the opportunity for exciting galloping along the Cretan sea in Georgioupoli and the countryside as well. A horse riding Centre organizes, early morning and evening ride at 3 different levels. You just need to make a reservation.

- Village “Verekinthos” is an arts and crafts village that stands between Souda & Tsikalaria at the eastern gate of Chania and it aims to revive and sustain the arts which have been always an integral part of Cretan life and culture. At this same place there were many workshops producing pots (tsikalia), giving thus the name to the town and in the very same place nowadays is run silversmith’s and goldsmith’s as well workshops for ceramics, sculpture, glass making, hagiography, painting, masks, mosaic, leather, decorative objects, and traditional Cretan knives. Visiting hours 10.00-14.00 and 19.00-21.00 except Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

- Would you like more activities around Chania, please have a look Find more uplifting activities in Chania area.

House Rules

- Check-in: 14.00 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season

- Payment Policy: Please check here!
- Cancellation Policy: Please check here!

MHTE: 1042K050A0199901

How To Get There

Villa Athermigo is located at the small hamlet, Agios Pavlos nearby the graphic village of Gavalochori in the Apokoronas region.

- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania Airport (36km) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion(119km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.

- By Sea
The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda port (21km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.

- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.

- By Taxi
Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com

Facilities

- Dining: Each suite has a small fridge. Near the small village square and within walking distance from the villa there is a coffee shop, a bakery, a mini-mart, two tavernas.

- Internet Access: Wi-Fi throughout

- Private Office (PC, Printer, Fax, Phone, 24mbps Internet connection)

- Swimming Pool: Private 70m2 swimming pool and Jacuzzi with saltwater filtration system, 100% ecological, chlorine-free. Dimensions : 70m2, 14m x 4m, depth 1.20-1.60m

- Spa Treatments: Available on request

- Disabled Access: Karydia Suite is suitable

- Pets: Not allowed

- Languages Spoken: Greek, English

- Parking: Private parking area

- Cleaning Service: Twice per week

- Services on-request: Professional cook, Baby sitter, Professional masseur/masseuse, Transportation, Driver, Private tour guide, Yacht, Reiki, Scuba diving, Sea kayaking, Sailing, Horse riding, Trekking