Prominently positioned on a cliff top directly above the striking turquoise Aegean Sea, Hermes House perfectly embodies all the best elements of island living, and we are therefore thrilled to add it to our exclusive portfolio of luxury villas. The enviable location at the tip of the headland on the outskirts of Plaka village means that Hermes House benefits from seemingly rural surroundings whilst being within walking distance of the excellent tavernas and shops on the charming village square, and only a short drive to the blue flag sandy beaches and many amenities in the pretty seaside village of Almyrida.
Endless days of sunshine on the sun-loungers next to the large infinity pool are yours for the taking at Hermes House. Your most difficult decision could be whether to spend a lazy day looking out at the stunning blue view where the sky and sea seem to melt into one on the horizon, whilst occasionally take a cooling dip in the crystal clear waters of the infinity pool, or to be more energetic and have a fun game of boules. Whatever you decide to do we are sure that you will take a break for food and the poolside summer kitchen and dining area is sure to be the favourite spot for holiday meals. With a retractable roof cover over the dining terrace that gives you a choice of sun or, at times, welcome shade, a grand stone and brick barbeque, a 4 burner gas hob, a fashionable grey dining table with matching benches, a dishwasher, sink, built-in cupboards, and the picturesque sea view, al-fresco dining has never been easier or more enjoyable. In addition to the poolside dining area there is a second outside dining area set just below the pool terrace with a traditional wood oven that is perfect for baking delicious homemade bread and pizza.
This gorgeous luxury villa is now the much loved second residence of a couple from Belgium who fell in love with the area when they were holidaying in another Villas Crete Holidays villa. After buying Hermes House they spent an entire year completely renovating and updating the villa in addition to landscaping the large 2000m2+ grounds, and building the fantastic infinity pool. The villa has been transformed from a disappointingly ordinary residence in one of the best locations that you could wish for, into a dream property where the modern stylish interiors now perfectly complement the idyllic setting. Bright, smart, and arranged over 3 floors, the thoughtfully designed villa is spacious, comprehensively furnished, and well equipped. The ever present shimmering aquamarine sea serves as a beautiful backdrop though the wide glass doors in the living room, kitchen, and all 4 bedrooms, creating an air of calm that makes relaxing so very easy. The balconies on the top and middle floors of the villa made with glass panes so that the flawless aqua vista is uninterrupted though occasionally a small sailing boat, a kayak, or the brightly lit nightly ferry to Athens will meander into sight.
Both inside and out the emphasis has been placed on effortless vacation living. The owners have provided every amenity that you could possibly desire including free WIFI, a digital TV, a DVD player, a satellite receiver box with foreign channels in English and other languages, a beautiful modern kitchen with all appliances, a utility area with a washing machine and a tumble drier, fully tiled bathrooms, hairdryers, aluminium doors and windows, electric shutters, mosquito screens, and air conditioning units throughout, though the villa’s position so close to the water means that it often enjoys cooling sea breezes that are very welcome during the long, hot summer. The A/C units also double up as heaters, and for the cooler nights early and late season, and there is solar powered hot water or a back-up immersion heater.
The grounds at Hermes House have been sympathetically landscaped so that they remain in keeping with the surrounding countryside. Much of the plot has been left natural and is a canvas of brilliant colour in the Spring when the wild flowers are blooming in abundance. The upper terraces have, however, been planted with typically drought resistant shrubs and trees such as mesembryanthum, ficus, wild garlic, cacti, and aloe. A concrete driveway passes by the top floor of villa and leads down to the ground floor of the villa for ease of access for our guests. Immediately adjacent to Hermes House is Clifftop Villa which is another attractive villa of similar stature that we handle. Larger parties or families of up to 17 persons who like to travel together whilst retaining some level of independence could take the opportunity to book both villas. The pool terrace at Clifftop Villa is overlooked by the front balconies at Hermes House but the Hermes House pool terrace is completely private from Clifftop Villa.
Whilst life at Hermes House could be described as simply heavenly, if the temptation to explore the local surroundings on foot occurs then there is a network of quiet dirt tracks leading away from the villa. Just a few minutes away are some fascinating rock formations which have been shaped over time by the sea, an area with salt flats where rock salt dries out naturally in the sun, and a small stony cove where you can swim from the rocks when the sea is calm. A twenty minute walk though fragrant olive groves takes you to the centre of Plaka village which is generally quiet during the day, but has a fun and friendly atmosphere at night with the irresistible aroma of delicious home cooked food coming from the tavernas that are dotted around the main square. After a mouth-watering meal, perhaps washed down with some excellent local wine, what could be lovelier than sauntering back to your perfect villa on a balmy summer by the light of the moon.
Villa Accommodation
Top floor (5 steps from the top terrace parking, 23 steps to the pool terrace, 18 steps from the middle floor): an open-plan living room and kitchen with sliding doors to 2 balconies with sea views, 1 cloakroom/toilet). The main entrance on the upper terrace opens into an open plan living room and kitchen area. The living room area has a couch, 2 armchairs, and 2 pouffe / stools all upholstered with grey fabric, 1 round white coffee table and 1 round white side table – both on wheels, built-in shelves with ornaments and cupboards, a wall mounted flat screen TV, a window to the next door villa and the sea, and double sliding doors that open out on to a sea view balcony that is equipped with a coffee table and chairs. The kitchen area also has sliding doors that open out onto this same sea view balcony, it is also has a white dining table that can accommodate up to 8 persons, white dining chairs, built-in white kitchen cupboards, light wood counter tops, white back-splash wall tiles, matching Inox appliances including a ceramic hob, a built-in oven and microwave oven, a fridge-freezer, a kettle, a juicer, a toaster, and a full kitchen inventory. The kitchen also has a door that opens out onto a side balcony that looks up to the pool terrace, out to sea, and across to the village of Kokkino Horio. Also on this top floor is a small hallway that has a door to a stair case, and a door to the cloakroom. The cloakroom has dark grey and white/grey tiles, a toilet, built-in white cupboards, a mirror with a light, a sink with a white vanity cupboard underneath, and a frosted window. Top floor (5 steps from the top terrace parking, 23 steps to the pool terrace, 18 steps from the middle floor): an open-plan living room and kitchen with sliding doors to 2 balconies with sea views, 1 cloakroom/toilet). The main entrance on the upper terrace opens into an open plan living room and kitchen area. The living room area has a couch, 2 armchairs, and 2 pouffe / stools all upholstered with grey fabric, 1 round white coffee table and 1 round white side table – both on wheels, built-in shelves with ornaments and cupboards, a wall mounted flat screen TV, a window to the next door villa and the sea, and double sliding doors that open out on to a sea view balcony that is equipped with a coffee table and chairs. The kitchen area also has sliding doors that open out onto this same sea view balcony, it is also has a white dining table that can accommodate up to 8 persons, white dining chairs, built-in white kitchen cupboards, light wood counter tops, white back-splash wall tiles, matching Inox appliances including a ceramic hob, a built-in oven and microwave oven, a fridge-freezer, a kettle, a juicer, a toaster, and a full kitchen inventory. The kitchen also has a door that opens out onto a side balcony that looks up to the pool terrace, out to sea, and across to the village of Kokkino Horio. Also on this top floor is a small hallway that has a door to a stair case, and a door to the cloakroom.
*** As of January 01, 2024, the Greek government have replaced the old “bed tax” with a new tax that is applied to all stays in short-term rental accommodation in Greece. The Climate Resilience Levy is a response to the devastating forest fires and floods that Greece has experienced in recent years, with the government hoping to generate extra funding that will go towards financing reconstruction, supporting victims, and increasing the country’s defences against future natural disasters.
The owners of all short-term rental accommodation are legally obliged to collect the Climate Resilience Levy as a separate tax for all overnight stays (per villa) as follows: In 2024: €10.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29.
In 2025: €15.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29.
The Vrbo system does not have a section for collecting the Climate Resilience Levy and we have, therefore, had to add it to the billing section as an extra fee which will show on the booking as a Host Fee.
