Rouladina Apt 3, Stalos, Crete

Perched on the hillside, 500 metres from the sandy Stalos beach and set amongst a patchwork of green vineyards, this is definitely a property for the connoisseur looking for a family holiday with a touch of comfort and style with impeccable attention paid to the smallest detail.

Introduced to our programme for the first time over 10 years ago, we have been somewhat surprised by, but are very grateful for, the large number of clients who have taken the trouble to write to us, praising on the high standards of Rouladina and the warm welcome and genuine hospitality of the owners, Manolis and Dimitra.

There are a total of three spacious, three bedroom apartments, two apartments with two bedrooms and one smaller apartment with one bedroom. All the apartments are air conditioned, have their own telephones and share the sparkling 10m x 5m swimming pool, surrounded by sun terraces with pretty flower beds and splashes of bougainvillaea adding a vivid touch of colour. Behind the property, vineyards stretch away up the quiet hillside, whilst from your balcony or the poolside, the blue sea beckons beyond the dark green vines. On a more mundane note, the apartments have a spacious reception area tucked away to the rear with 3 guest toilets plus a shower. There is also a washing machine for communal use and a storeroom for luggage, especially useful on departure day. Each apartment also has a small safe for valuables.

The nearest taverna plus 2 small mini markets are only a 100 metres down the road, with a further choice of tavernas and mini markets strung along the coast road 500 metres away. From here there is also a regular bus service to Chania.

All the apartments have an open plan living area with sofa and easy chairs, plus coffee and dining tables. A pine breakfast bar separates the well equipped kitchens with ample cupboard space and work surfaces, plus full electric cookers, sensibly large fridge freezers and microwave ovens. Each of the three bedroom apartments has one bedroom with a double bed and two twin bedrooms. They also have the advantage of both a bathroom and a separate shower room.

All apartments have their own private balconies or terraces complete with patio furniture. A particular feature of the property is the large picture windows or floor to ceiling patio doors at the front of each apartment, making the most of the sea views, whilst double glazing keeps the heat outside where it belongs. For those families with an extra person to accommodate, the sofa in the living room converts into a single bed.

Manolis and Dimitra, the proud owners of the property, are Greek Canadians, who finally decided to return to their Cretan roots along with their two attractive daughters Roula and Dina. They have their own apartment upstairs and take care of the property and their guests with a perfect combination of discreet Canadian efficiency and genuine Cretan hospitality. Your bed linen is changed twice per week and the apartments are kept spotlessly clean, with maid service on a daily basis except Sundays. Be warned though that Dimitra makes the most delicious cakes and other Cretan specialities which she loves her guests to try, so if you are intent on keeping in shape during the holiday, it may take a little more discipline than you counted on!

Note: Manolis has a portable barbecue that clients are always welcome to use. Each apartment also has a TV with Greek channels. At first floor level and reached via a staircase at the far end of the pool, an entrance door leads into the open plan living area with breakfast bar and kitchen at the far end. On one side an archway leads to an inner hallway with a bathroom shared by a double bedroom to the front and twin bedroom to the rear. On the opposite side of the living area is a further twin bedroom with ensuite shower room. A feature of this apartment is the full-length patio windows off the living room and two front bedrooms, leading to generous balconies overlooking the pool and of course enjoying superb seaviews.

We have named the apartments after the owners two daughters, Roula and Dina!

As the apartments are within easy walking distance of all local amenities we consider car hire is not essential.

Stalos, Crete
7 km west of Chania, the village of Lower Stalos fringes a long, sandy beach with the island of Theodorou, said to be a petrified sea monster, rising from the sea just a short distance off shore. 1km inland the small village of Upper Stalos nestles serenely on the hillside amidst a patchwork of vineyards and olive groves. Here you will find a slower pace of life as well as a couple of the best local tavernas in the area, both certainly worth a visit or two! ...More about Stalos >>

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