Villa Kerasia Hotel, a beautiful countryside inn with a small pool, just 20-25 minutes from Heraklion Town/Airport, quietly greets you standing on the hillside.
Even on the first visit, it feels like seeing a trusted old friend again.
Five rooms and two suites, superb hospitality, delicious dinners, a swimming pool, and fantastic views in the wine-making heartland of Crete.
When you drive up into the hills, the views open and the trees and rocks become interesting.
As all traces of the city, the town, and finally, even the nearby village vanish, Villa Kerasia quietly greets you with its pleasing country house standing on the hillside.
Villa Kerasia offers a welcoming face that only a building of this quality provides, in an ideal setting, with the beauty of the hills rolling into the distance.
This is a busy wine-making area and the vintages on offer are growing in appeal and quality. Kerasia is here to tempt you. A grand country house. A fine small inn.
The building has been completely re-established, constructed out of old stones salvaged from the original house. The house is rebuilt with so much love and aesthetic taste, the garden as well. The longer you stay the more lovely little details you get to know. It’s amazing!
Bedrooms are a perfect blend of light-colored stone and wood finishes – most have wood-beamed ceilings. Doors and window frames are a near-white bleached wood, adding to the light, airy feel created by the modern architecture abutting the ancient stones of this country house.
The air is clear. Morning mists miss you and dampen only those in the valleys below, leaving you and the few lucky guests at Kerasia to enjoy a drier more palatable climate, rarely too hot, always relaxing.
At Villa Kerasia, the lobby and dining area for guests has a discreet, intimate small back room for quiet corner conversations. (It includes the old olive press millstones.) Breakfast (included in the price) in the main hall is a delight and evening meals can be enjoyed at Kerasia when previously requested the same morning. An evening meal is 12 or 15 euros per person (vegetarian or with a meat dish, excluding drinks).
Wonderful estate-produced wine and other drinks are available when you wish. There is a basic bar selection from which to choose.
The L-shaped pool (50 m2) is large enough for morning laps and well-suited for floating and gazing across the beautiful vistas from its cooling waters, which seem to continue into the infinity of the arable landscape beyond and below.
The drive from Heraklion airport is surprisingly short for such a welcome rural retreat – about 35-50 minutes, depending on traffic.
At Villa Kerasia, you are just walking distance from the nearest village via a very pretty walking route.
Clinging to the hillsides are several villages you might visit.
The countryside around beckons – a lush green much of the year, arable and tree-lined, rocky outcrops, colorful boxes of beehives in the distance, and the vineyards beyond.
Should you choose to explore further, the archaeological site of Rizinia affords spectacular views if you walk to it up to the small road which passes Kerasia towards Asites. Drive down towards the main road to Vernerato, just 5 minutes away, and there are several places to eat.
More? Then drive south to discover Gortyna, Phaestos, and Zaros. Or the southern coastal waters lapping the shore at Lentas. Or the cave-surrounded beach of Matala.
The scenic drive via time-worn villages to Amari is also within your reach.
Why We Like It
- There are many good places and among them are a few, usually hard to find, that are exceptional. This is one. So close to Crete's main city and yet emotionally separate, calm, and totally attractive. Therapy!
- Villa Kerasia Inn offers a welcoming face that only a building of this quality provides, in an ideal setting, with the beauty of the hills rolling into the distance.
- Babis, the owner, and his staff are incredibly welcoming and helpful and offer superb hospitality.
- Villa Kerasia Hotel is an ideal starting point for exploring the northern and southern sides of Crete and the most significant archaeological sites.
- This beautiful house, with its own characteristics and its hospitable table for guests, is an ideal choice.
Good To Know
- Not suitable for families with more than two children.
- We recommend that you rent a car as other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. (You cannot reach Villa Kerasia by public transport).
The Rooms
The spacious and luminous 5 Double Rooms and 2 Suites are furnished and decorated with taste. The presence of the stone, the wood, the high ceiling, and the candles provide a warm atmosphere. Most have light-wash colored wood-beamed ceilings. 2 Double Rooms are on the ground floor, the other 3 Double Rooms and 2 Suites on the first floor.
The entrance area leads, via its salvaged ancient iron railing, upstairs to the bedrooms. Two rooms on the ground floor are entered from the outside terrace on the ground level by the main entrance front door. All rooms have a double bed.
All first floor rooms have views (two of them have a small balcony), most across the pool and terrace area, to the rolling hills beyond. Bedrooms have bathrooms with shower or bathtub, air conditioning, TV with satellite channels, chairs for relaxing or writing, Wi-Fi internet access mini-fridge (to keep your own beverages or snacks).
3 rooms for two people and 4 rooms that take three people (these have a double bed and a sofa-bed-0.98x2.00m; one of the rooms has a partly separate bedroom, but without a closing door - the other is single-space).
More details about all rooms below (please check floor plans in gallery):
- Double Room No.1 on ground floor: 35m2 up to 3 people, 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed, bathroom with shower. Direct access to garden and pool. Garden and swimming pool view
- Double Room No.2 on ground floor: 25m2 up to 2 people, 1 Double Bed, bathroom with shower. Direct access to garden and pool. Garden view.
- Double Room No.3 on the first floor: 30m2 up to 2 people, 1 Double Bed, bathroom with a cabin shower. Valley view.
- Double Room No.4 on the first floor with small balcony: 35m2 up to 2 people, 1 Double Bed, bathroom with bathtub. Valley view.
- Double Room No.5 on the first floor with small balcony: 25m2 up to 2 people, 1 Double Bed, bathroom with shower. Valley view.
- Suite No.6 on the first floor: 35m2 up to 3 people, 1 Double Bed and 1 Extra Sofa Bed, bathroom with bathtub. Valley view.
- Suite No. 7 on the first floor: 40m2 up to 4 people, 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed and 1 Sofa Bed, bathroom with bathtub. Mountain view.
Eating
Evening meals in the main hall are a delight and can be enjoyed at Kerasia when previously requested the same morning. An evening meal is 13 or 16 euros per person (vegetarian or with meat dish - excluding drinks). Babis ( your great host) grow and or produces his wine, honey, raki, and olive oil- all excellent quality.
At Villa Kerasia, the lobby and dining area for guests has a discreet and quiet small back room for quiet corner conversations (it includes the old olive press millstones). Wonderful estate-produced wine & other drinks are available when you wish, there is a basic bar selection.
The rich traditional Cretan breakfast is included in the price and it includes delicious homemade recipes and regional fresh products, is served at the dining area or the lovely veranda.
Or maybe you want ( .. not sure) to drive down towards the main road, just 5 minutes away, at Venerato, and there are several places to eat. Babis will be glad to provide the right information.
Good to know :
Greece is characterized by impressive biodiversity and a multitude of interacting local cuisines. Greek gastronomy is based on the use of native, local, and fresh products, and this culinary art derives from the everyday lives of small-scale farmers who are proud of their long healthy lives. These are excellent conditions for certified organic gastronomy.
Bio Hellas has, therefore, introduced the private standard Bio-Kouzina. In September 2012, a launch event was held to award certificates to the first food service companies from Crete. One of the first dedicated companies in Greece to receive the Bio-Kouzina standard is Villa Kerasia!
Kids
Children are welcome but Villa Kerasia is without a doubt ideal for couples.
Children (0-2 years) are free of charge (baby-cot provided).
Activities
- Relax at this unique atmosphere Villa Kerasia offers you by the pool reading a book .... or "dreaming".
- Keep on moving. Pedaling your bike up incredible hills of a wild untamed panorama, on small roads or trails, paved or unpaved around Villa Kerasia, Bicycles available (free of charge).
- Please have a look at our 3-day sightseeing during your stay at Villa Kerasia.
- But Villa Kerasia is a great base to explore as well. Babis is quite familiar with the region and he will show you the best places to visit. The area around Villa Kerasia Hotel is ideal for walking through the old trails that drive to the nearby Byzantine churches. The international mountain track (E4) that crosses next to the settlement, leads to the organized shelter of the mountaineering club (Prinos, 1200m height). It is also possible for you to participate in organized climbing groups to Psiloriti.
The nearby, about 2 km, archaeological site of Ancient Rizinia affords spectacular views if you walk to it on the way up the small road which passes Kerasia to Asites. The city was discovered through excavation between 1906-1908 and prospered from the late Minoan period of 600 B.C. till the Hellenistic period of 67 B.C. The position of Rizinia up to the hill in the center of Crete in a midway between the two large Minoan cities, Knossos and Phaistos, was of great strategic importance. Rizinia or Apollonia prospered from the Minoan period (1600 B.C) until the Roman era (67 B.C). However its most remarkable monuments, its temples are of the Archaic period (7-6th c.). The excavations of the Italian Archaeological school unearthed a small fort of the 5th c. B.C. with metal weaponry. The excavations revealed 2 temples of the 7th c. B.C (one was probably dedicated to Rea). Nearly, a large cemetery has been excavated. Around 680 graves have been found. The area has been used as a burial ground continuously from the 13th c. B.C till 8th c. B.C. when it was finally destroyed.
- In 40 min maybe less you are at the archeological site of Knossos which lies some 5 km south of Heraklion on a low, largely artificial hill. By far the largest of the Minoan palaces, it thrived over 3500 years ago at the heart of a highly sophisticated island-wide civilization.
- On the same day you could visit and one of the most important collections of Minoan art and artifacts anywhere in the world at Heraklion's Archeological Museum. The Museum, as Knossos as well, is almost always crowded (at least in Summer) therefore try to see it early or late for during everyone else's lunch break.
- Or maybe you would like to drive down south to Gortyna, Phaestos, Zaros or the south coast lapping on the shore at Lentas or the cave-surrounded beach of Matala. The scenic drive via time-worn villages, to Amari, is also within reach.
- The nearest beaches are those of the north coast: Amoudara at 20 km or Ligaria close to Agia Pelagia at 30 km. The most lovely southern beaches are almost 40 km away: Matala, Kalamaki, Kommos, Lentas, and Agios Pavlos and the beaches of a more wild character: Agiofarago, Vathi, and Marsalo. Ask Babis for more information and directions.
- More exciting activities on Activities in Heraklion region.
House Rules
- Check-in: 15.00 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy:
Credit card details(Visa or MasterCard) are required to charge the deposit amount in order to confirm reservation.
Deposit amount will be charged two weeks before your arrival.
No additional charges will be made to the credit card unless cancellation charges have to be applied.
Balance amount is to be paid directly to Villa Kerasia at time of stay. Visa and MasterCard are accepted by Vila Kerasia
- Cancellation Policy:
Up to 10 days before arrival - full refund.
In less than 10 days 30% of the total amount will be charged.
Not arriving at the hotel for your booking 100% of the total amount will be charged (at the hotel's discretion).
Departure before booked departure date: at the hotel's discretion, the full balance may be charged by the hotel.
MHTE: 1039K060B2949401
How To Get There
Villa Kerasia is located in a rural environment where beauty dominates the view, at 20 km far from Heraklion, Crete. Babis, the charming host is looking forward to offering you a warm welcome matching the high quality of the place.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Heraklion Airport (23km) or Chania Aiport (164km). 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 Heraklion Port (22km) or even Chania-Souda Port (162km). 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 sister website 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: Evening meals in the main hall is a delight and can be enjoyed at Kerasia when previously requested the same morning. An evening meal is 12 or 15 euros per person (vegetarian or with meat dish - excluding drinks). Babis ( your great host) grow and or produces his own wine, honey, raki, and olive oil- all excellent quality.
- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout
- Swimming Pool: The L-shaped pool (50 m2) is large enough for morning laps and well sited for floating and gazing across arable landscapes from its cooling waters, which seem to continue into the infinity of the landscape beyond and below.
- Spa Treatments: Not available
- Disabled Access: Not suitable
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English, German
- Parking: Private parking area
- Good to Know: Bicycles available
