About this property
Within walking distance of the charming mountain village of Rodia and with the most spectacular, mesmerising sea views over to Heraklion, Villa Hesperos offers lavish, five star accommodation for large families or groups of friends. Brimming with marble, extravagance and stylish furnishings, you will enjoy the holiday of your dreams when staying at Villa Hesperos. The villa sits in stunning landscaped gardens making it a truly luxurious base to explore the countryside, the island’s ancient archeological sites, breathtaking beaches and fabulous dining scene. Perched on a seaside mountain, Villa Hesperos is not really comparable with many others. The villa boasts five extraordinary bedrooms and eye-catching living spaces.
Rodia is utterly charming with a pretty church, a handful of traditional Cretan tavernas, a few shops and spectacular views over the Gulf of Heraklion. The village is surrounded by countryside with fantastic hiking trails winding through rugged woodland such as Canyon Spiliotissa. The capital city, Heraklion, is just twenty-five minutes away, a modern city offering an excellent range of amenities and fabulous restaurants. Heraklion Airport is just twenty minutes from the villa making it a very short transfer. The famous Palace of Knosses is just a few miles from Heraklion’s city centre and the phenomenal Phaistos Palace is also nearby. The closest beach to Villa Hesperos, Palaikastro, is one of the most popular in the area and the lovely Ammoudara Beach will make you grin from ear to ear!
No expense was spared when building and designing Villa Hesperos. It is one of a kind that even the most descerning of travellers will look at with admiration and wonder. The lower level is home to three of the villa’s five bedrooms as well as a stylish family bathroom. In order to make the most of the villa’s astounding views, the main, split level living spaces are upstairs with another bedroom. The third level is home to a gorgeous master suite with a dressing area, balcony and ensuite bathroom. The villa and its grounds are totally private, a gorgeous retreat where you can meander through manicured, fragrant gardens, your own private Eden, basking in the Cretan sunshine. You can relax by the pool and dine alfresco while watching the sun go down. On arrival, as you drive along the stone driveway into your walled private garden, you will realise that you are in for a wonderful treat. Villa Hesperos is a unique, marble-covered property that glistens in the Cretan sunshine. The entire outside of the villa is marble and its interiors magically combine marble with beautiful, exposed stone walls and lavish furnishings.
The ground floor bedrooms are luxurious, elegant havens with atmospheric, exposed stone walls, rich dark wooden furniture and a warm, inviting ambience. The beds are all beautifully dressed with crisp white cottons and beautiful soft furnishings. The family bathroom is like a work of art with the best of fittings and charming, tasteful decor.
Upstairs, the living areas are extravagant and bold with marble everywhere, a sumptuous modern corner sofa that sits in front of a huge feature fireplace, a formal dining space, glass doors that open to a huge terrace and giant picture windows that offer the most amazing seascapes. The fireplace is stunning, made from a rare river stone from India that resembles polished wood. Intricate banisters lead to the exquisite, chef’s dream of a kitchen just above. Here you can prepare delicious feasts using top of the range appliances including an enormous American style fridge freezer. One of the villa’s stunning bedrooms also sits on this level with beautiful views.
The top floor master suite is amazing. You may have to draw straws for this one even though all of the bedrooms offer the height of luxury. With its sumptuous kingsize bed, spacious dressing area, astounding views from the balcony and a luxury ensuite bathroom, it is just wonderful.
Despite, absolutely stunning interiors, Villa Hesperos’ major plus is its astonishing gardens and terraces. Your very own stunning paradise will awake your senses with powerful scents coming from the lavender and jasmine and your eyes being drawn to the deep blue collage of the sky meeting the sea. You will discover secret corners of the garden where you can sit and contemplate your luck staying in such a captivating, beautiful corner of Crete. The garden enjoys many paths and levels to explore, lines of towering Cypress to admire and fruit trees laden with delicious fruits that you are welcome to pick. The villa’s swimming pool is utterly gorgeous, surrounded by a stone terrace, luxury loungers and a gorgeous double day bed. The surrounding mountains of Crete make for a fantastic backdrop. You can dine alfresco in style with your master barbecuers cooking a feast on the built-in barbecue or serving pizzas straight from the brick pizza oven. The huge ‘monk’s table’ seats twelve guests comfortably. Villa Hesperos truly offers a lot more than the average Cretan holiday home. You will definitely leave with magical holiday memories when staying here.
Villa Hesperos boasts a truly enviable mountain spot within walking distance of the mountain village of Rodia, overlooking the glistening sea. With far-reaching vistas of Heraklion city and the Gulf of Heraklion, it is a dreamy spot where guests can enjoy a total privacy. Rodia is very friendly with the locals making you feel very welcome. If you drive past the villa, you can visit the beautiful, serene Savathania nunnery, another beautiful place with gorgeous views. The scenic mountain road leads to Agia Pelagia, a stunning beach at the bottom of the mountain.
Heraklion has something to offer around the clock. From gorgeous beaches, lively hangouts, dusk-til-dawn clubbing, a fine dining scene and plenty of ancient buildings, there is something for everyone. Heraklion’s charm concentrates around the Old Town and its Venetian harbour. You can discover the impressive church of Agios Titos, the square originally built by the Byzantine emperor Nicephorus Phocas in 961 or the armoury and city hall. Another wonderful spot is the lively Morosini Square with its Lions’ Head fountain. At the entrance of the harbour, the Koules Fortress stands proud gazing out to sea. It took its final form between 1523 -1540 and served as a prison during Ottoman rule. Across from the harbour, the Venetian shipyards make for a romantic backdrop. Many visitors enjoy walking along the city’s Venetian walls, pausing in small shady parks and admiring the work of the famous Venetian architect, Michele Sanmicheli, who designed the walls and bastions more than 400 years ago. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is considered to be one of the most important museums in Europe. The pedestrianised Daedalus shopping street is full of designer stores, perfect for those with room in their suitcases!
The Palace of Knossos is close by where according to legend, the foundations of the Bronze Age city were filled with an inescapable labyrinth that was guarded by a vicious minotaur. The master craftsman Daedalus built the labyrinth for the mythical King Minos. His son, Theseus, slew the minotaur and found his way out of the labyrinth with the help of Minos’ daughter, Ariadne, according to legend. The palace flourished during the Minoan period as the religious centre of Crete. Thanks to the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans’ excavation and careful restoration, the Palace of Knossos is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Greece.
The city’s surrounding hiking trails cross impressive gorges, picturesque villages, ancient sites and end in secluded coves. Gortyna or Gortys was an ancient city of Crete and was the capital during the Roman era. Nowadays, it is a beautiful archaeological site. According to the myth, Zeus took refuge there.
The Rouva forest sits 55km south of Heraklion, one of the most rugged and secluded parts of Crete. The forest sits on a plateau at the southern part of Psiloritis Mountains and can be reached from the Nida Plateau or Gergeri village.
To the west of Villa Hesperos, you can visit Rethymno where you will be rewarded by its history, its delicious local wine, its waterfront tavernas and its stunning beaches. In the old quarter, the buildings date back to the 16th century and its pretty, cobbled streets and stamp-sized piazzas are lined with restaurants and unique shops. The Venetian styled harbour is beautiful and is overlooked by the castle. The nearby beach resorts of Bali, Agia Galini, Plakias and Adelianos Kampos are gorgeous. The historical monasteries of Preveli and Arkadi are very popular visits.
Accommodation
The Villa
Villa Hesperos is a 5-bedroom villa sleeping up to 10 guests, located just a 15-minute drive from lovely Ammoudara beach.
Ground Floor
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with twin beds
- Family bathroom
First Floor
- Living room with TV, dining area and balcony access
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Bedroom with double bed
- Cloakroom
Second Floor
- Master suite with double bed, dressing area, balcony access and en-suite bathroom
Exterior Grounds
- Private swimming pool
- Pergola covered dining facilities
- Barbecue
- Pizza oven
- Sunbeds
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Washing machine
- Iron & ironing board
- Hairdyrers
- Travel cot available on request
- Parking for 4 cars