West Crete is an ideal choice for family holidays; its quiet sandy beaches, gently shelving sea, all perfect for young children, combine with leisurely easy walks in shady countryside and gorges. There are archaeology sites to explore, frescoed churches and a day cruise to the turquoise lagoon and white sands of Balos Bay. You can watch birds of prey and migrants from the roof of the house. At night the stars are fabulous. There are flower meadows for picnics and you can buy local produce in the village and in the local town of Kasteli/Kissamos. It's all on your doorstep.

Our Stafilia House was built in 1996 and is designed for living in a warm climate with private patios, both shady and sunny for your pleasure. They are furnished for outdoor dining and lounging, linking your accommodation to gardens and the olive groves beyond. We are off the beaten track and here you can freely roam.
The House is divided into two, all designed for easy living. Let me take you on a guided tour:

The Apartment

Sleeps up to four people. You enter through a restored Cretan archway, pass into the lounge with a comfortable sofa and the dining area. Here, there is a small library and games. Pass through to a well equipped modern kitchen, with electric kettle, full oven and gas hob and lots of utensils and work surfaces. It is designed for living. Beyond is the toilet and shower room, equally accessible from this main room and the bedroom where you have a choice of twin beds or king-size double.
The sofa converts easily into a double bed which you can restore each day, or there's space to leave it as a day bed for a siesta with the breeze coming through the archway, if you wish.
The main view from the archway and bedroom is of mountains with dramatic craggy white peaks, turning pink in the evening light.

The Studio

Sleeps up to four people, in a family room. You enter via the studio's garden path, elegant gazebo and patio, all cooled by an ancient olive tree, into one large room. It's spacious for children to play or for personal practice of yoga, there are windows all around and so it is airy and light.
There's a futon sofa bed with cushions for lounging, dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen with lots of surfaces, small oven and hob and a quiet fridge. If you have slept in a studio with the rumble of a fridge you'll feel the difference. There is a sleeping area with twin beds or king-size double, with large wardrobe. The futon can be made into another double and we can add one further single bed if needed. So, it's flexible. Off this living area is the toilet and wet room.
The main view is across the valley to the olive clad hills which catch the early morning sun. Other views are of olive groves with flowers in the Spring and baked golden by midsummer.

In the whole of Stafilia House all rooms have more than one window for a natural air flow so that fans, though available, are rarely requested and there's no need for air conditioning.

Reunions

Large parties or families can take the whole house, and if you want, we can then remove the sound insulated panel and link both apartment and studio. You can still find space for peace and quiet away from the whole group.

To your health!

If you wish to add a touch of healthy living to your holiday you can. You can choose a yoga or discovery holidays for yourself, knowing that your family can really enjoy their stay too. If you wish to sample a meditation or yoga class just tell us when you arrive so you can join one.
We also offer treatments including aromatherapy massage and kinesiology for health and relaxation. Our garden is often our consulting room and we have time to really listen to you. It's this supportive atmosphere that makes a holiday with us quite unique. As we live nearby you can often spend time with us.

Getting around

We include a Group B car in the price, using a local, well established rental office. If you prefer you can rent bikes, use taxis and local buses and the walk to the beach is just 35 minutes – and it's flat. We use all forms of transport and really enjoy not driving everywhere. So, if you don't want a car – and we have bus times and all the know-how. We have off the road parking for 2 cars.

We give you lots of information about things to do, we've lived here 18 years so we know the area and what's available very well. There's also Greek language information - with a word game too. Nowadays English is generally spoken in town, but not so much in the villages – it's a lovely step back in time and smiles go a long way.

Hospitality

You'll find a welcome pack of drinks and biscuits and you can pick fresh herbs and fruit from the garden. We often bake and so you might come home to little freebies. Any queries you have – we are there.

Children

Children are made very welcome, in fact Greeks really welcome children wherever you go. Our houses include flat roofs so young children must be supervised out doors. We have a play pen/cot and a high chair for a baby and games for both children and the young at heart.

Laundry and personal care

We machine wash clothing for a small charge and an iron and board is available. We have a hairdryer, on request.

Keeping in touch

We have free wi-fi access at Stafilia House and the Mill.

Getting here

Your rent car comes with a detailed map of how to reach us and we suggest that you carry our phone number, just in case. We do like to know your estimated time of arrival so that we can receive you.

Cretan life

Our neighbours are farmers, tending trees and small holdings. They have self respect and this is reflected in the low crime rate here. You are safe to roam. If you pick an orange, you may be given a bag of them.

Cretan food has the reputation of being the most healthy diet. This traditional food is still available in the village tavernas and even in Kastelli where much pride is had in making the local dishes. And as well as self catering you can eat 'at home' and we will cook for you, feeding you delicious veggie food.

Café life abounds and it's relaxing to stop and watch the world go by, sipping a Greek coffee or Gazoza.

What our world holds

Apart from the quiet of our local area where you can spend time roaming the olive groves and sunbathing on the beach you can take short journeys to other beaches, such as Falassarna and a little further away Elafonissi. One local gorge has griffon vultures nesting there and the Samaria Gorge is a day excursion. Hania historic town and high quality craft shops are 30 minutes by car and its harbour nightlife will keep you alive till the early hours – for a change of pace.
There are hill villages and local family churches to visit as well as Kasteli for its museum – splendidly showing the sheer wealth of the cultural history of this area.

Joining a Group activity

If any of you want to join a Yoga or Discovery holiday for a week and take breakfast too with the group the price is £170 per person.
Stafilia House is a really relaxing place to be for convalescence or for creative works such as writing and painting.

Price and what's included

For a week with rent car Stafilia Apartment up to 4 people £520 / without car £340.

For a week with rent car Stafilia Studio up to 4 people £480 / without car £300.

For monthly rentals and winter rates please contact us.

Price includes Welcome pack of drinks and biscuits Information pack, including local walks All household linen incl. mid week change of all towels Daily refuse collection Internet access Cot with bed linen and high chair if requested. Extras: winter heating, shopping for food for your arrival. Not what you're looking for? We can search and book accommodation to suit you in the Kissamos area. For this service please use the Contact us button, below.

You will be made most welcome here - your hosts, Dave and Juliet