Welcome to Olives and Thyme Retreat, a unique totally private space being accessed only from the
one road, with no one overlooking it. Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking Souda Bay and
across to the majestic White Mountains and above the Souda to Akrotiri road gives Olives and
Thyme its unique location. Its mix of stone, wood, glass and metal creates a New York-Swedish style
while sitting in a Cretan olive grove. Designed by Aristomenis Varoudakis, the natural environment has been used to create some unique
features for our guests. ‘The Reading Tree’, a shady quiet spot where you can just relax and read
your book, and ‘Carob Circle’, a circular sitting area under a large carob tree, lit up in the evenings,
with ‘The Overlook’, a private viewing seat set amongst the shrubs provide quiet spots for two. The
olive trees offer a harmonious existence with nature enhanced by the mix of indigenous planted
herbs, especially thyme, and colourful shrubs close to the villa. As with most olive groves you will
find not just the large carob tree, “harupya” (in Greek), but others, since carob is considered as a
necessary tree to have on one’s land. A private drive leads you to shady parking spaces for two
vehicles.
The complex consists of the main tower like building, ‘The Keep’, with a separate stone cottage to
the left. The Keep has four luxury en-suite bedrooms located on the ground and first floor with The
Cottage being able to accommodate up to a further two people, giving a total of up to 10 bed
spaces.

The interior spaces are luxurious with architecturally designed furniture and best quality materials
giving a sense of pampering. Big windows provide a feeling of lightness and connection to the
outside.
From the architects. Aristomenis and Georgios Varoudakis
‘An olive grove with volcanic rocks overlooking Souda bay and the White mountains is the
context of this distinctive and sophisticated residence.
It was envisioned that the volcanic rock would become the main masonry material of the
interior and the exterior. A look to the past of the island of Crete led to the architectural
design of this three story tower structure. The three levels are all connected with a green
central communication core to accentuate the tower feeling from the interior.
All the interior finishes and furniture, fabricated from wood, metal and glass, have been
designed as a unique entity in harmony with the natural light conditions.’
Two swimming pools offer the option of swimming laps or continuous swimming. Both the lap pool
and the endless pool are infinity pools and are heated. Both pools have stunning views across Souda
Bay. Early swimmers can enjoy the sunrise reflected in the pools making for a sense of oneness with
the day. The lap pool, found at ground floor level, can be accessed directly from the two ground
floor bedrooms or via steps from The Cottage or the endless pool past the statue water feature. The
endless pool, with a shaded terrace next to it, is at the first floor level with the outside kitchen and
dining area to its side. The large terrace with a shaded fully equipped outside kitchen and dining area
makes a perfect place for outside dining. A second area is next to this but has no shade. Ramps from
the first and second floor give easy access to the pool and terrace.

Wi-fi internet is available throughout the entire property.
Being located on the Akrotiri has definite benefits. The Akrotiri is known for the sandy beaches of
Marathi, Kalathas, Stavros and Tersanas as well as Seitan Limania. There are many good places to eat
and the main amenities one needs. Olives and Thyme Retreat is also just twenty minutes’ drive to
the beautiful Venetian city of Chania where one can wonder through the street admiring the
Venetian villas and see the history of the city through the archaeological digs. Chania offers a range
of eating experiences from giros to fine dining. Olives and Thyme Retreat is also just a few minutes
to the Souda to Akrotiri road which means it takes just 20 minutes to be on the national road giving
one the opportunity to explore further west, to the stunning beaches of Elafonissi and Falassarna, or
journey east to Rethymnon and beyond.
This amazing location does however mean that the Souda- Akrotiri road runs below the villa so glass
panels have been installed at the end of the infinity lap pool and the shaded sitting area by the
endless pool to reduce the inevitable noise heard specifically when on the two front balconies and
the endless pool and outside living area.

The Keep.
Four double ensuite bedrooms take up the ground and first floor. A metal and wood staircase gives
access to each floor. A glass atrium extends upwards to the top floor housing a large Ficus Alii,
or Amstel King, tree growing inside, bringing nature into the home. The top floor is where you will
find the living area and fully equipped kitchen, with a large covered and hanging balcony with
spectacular views of the whole of the Bay. A metal and wood staircase connects the floors internally
with ramps and platforms externally giving access to each floor and to the leisure and outside dining
areas.
The Cottage.
An escape within an escape. Set slightly apart from the main villa, this cosy apartment has a good
sized bedroom, a full bathroom with walk in shower, a kitchenette and a sitting come office area on
a mezzanine floor. Steppingstones lead one to the lap pool in one direction and the main villa in the
other.

Detailed description of bedrooms and layout.
This section would go in the ‘Read more’ section.
The Keep.
Bedrooms.
The four large bedrooms in the Keep have comfortable king size beds, two of which can be
separated to make single beds. Walk-in showers and double sinks give personal space to each guest.
Open wardrobes provide plenty of hanging and shelf spaces, with a few drawers providing plenty of
room for all your clothes and personal items. Large wood shelves can be used as writing space or
simply a space to put your books on. All the windows, internal and external, have blinds for privacy
and to shut out light. The two ground floor bedrooms have walk out access the lap pool and the two
first floor bedrooms have a walk-way access to the endless pool and leisure area.
Ground floor bedrooms.

These two bedrooms are accessed by a ramp leading from the parking area. There is a metal
staircase leading to the outdoor living space and endless pool.
Bedroom 1. This bedroom has the man-made stream around three sides with water plants and
goldfish. This room has been designated as a possible twin as it is possible to separate the beds. A
truly relaxing room with a door out to the lap-pool. There is a dressing area with a very large sink
and separate walk-in shower and toilet. A large wooden work surface on the south side provides
space for working or being creative should you wish to draw or paint the amazing rock or just watch
the goldfish.
Bedroom 2. This room is next to the atrium with the Ficus Alii tree, and its eastern window looks out
onto a large rock with shrubs growing in its crevasses. E=here you will find a wooden work surface.
The large private bathroom with dressing area includes two sinks and a separate toilet. Its south
facing French widows give stunning views across the bay and allow for immediate access to the lap-
pool.
First floor bedrooms.
These two bedrooms are accessed from inside up the metal and wood staircase or from the car
parking up via ramps. A platform leads directly to the outside living area and endless pool.
Bedroom 3. Located immediately above bedroom 1 this room also has the possibility of being a
double or twin bedroom. With its stunning views of the bay and mountains across the rocks to the
pool.
Bedroom 4. Located immediately above bedroom 2 this bedroom has the top of the Ficus Alii tree as
its backdrop. The large private bathroom with dressing area includes two sinks and a separate toilet.
A private balcony overlooking the lap-pool gives views across the bay.
(The Rock Apartment).
This ultra-modern metal and glass apartment is set within excavated rock and beneath the outside
living area. Having a large bedroom with ensuite bathroom, a living room and small kitchen it is large
enough to accommodate up to four people if we set up the sofa bed. The floor to ceiling glass walls
ensures plenty of light giving an open and airy feeling.)