Villa Meli, Sfinari, Crete  ****As featured in Conde Nast 20 Affordable Villas****

An extravagant and contemporary three bedroom Villa just beyond the parameters of a small village on the west coast of Crete, Villa Meli has stunning sea views, is within walking distance of a choice of excellent tavernas, has air conditioning, wi fi connection and a beautiful infinity pool  you may feel like reading on.

Shining white granite floors and mellow stone walls throughout the villa provide a calming backdrop for the minimalist interior finish. Squashy black leather sofas, a satellite plasma screen TV, a glass topped dining table and run of sleek black kitchen units in the open plan living area  do nothing to play down the real star of the show, which is the arresting view through the wide glass doors. A sail cloth shaded dining terrace fronts the 51 sq m infinity pool, with child's pool and plays front of stage to a wide expanse of sparkling sea. Naturally, the kitchen has all the usual requirements of ceramic topped full cooker, dishwasher, microwave and fridge freezer.

On the ground floor, the double bedroom with en suite full bathroom with hydro massage bath shares a shower room with the twin bedroom. Both bedrooms have sliding glass doors to a garden terrace, pool and of course impeccable sea views. An under the stairs cupboard houses a small laundry with washing machine.

The top floor is the indulgent domain of the sea view master bedroom suite.  The light and spacious double bedroom comes with an extraordinary en suite bathroom where almost everything comes in duplicate, with two spaces moulded into the double hydro massage bath and there's a duo of recessed and extravagantly sized wash basins but just a single loo, we were relieved to see! The quite sensational balcony, furnished with comfortable rattan lounging furniture and sun beds is the ultimate viewpoint to watch phenomenal sunsets.

A 200m stroll through the olive groves brings you to a pretty little shingle and sand beach backed by tamarisk trees under which six tavernas position their tables and serve the freshest of fish dishes. Walking a similar distance in the opposite direction you will arrive in the tiny village of Sfinari with simple shops and a further 3 tavernas. The long sandy beach of Falassarna is a 15 mins drive away. Boat trips from the harbour town of Kastelli, 20 mins drive away can be taken to the truly beautiful beach at Balos.

Above the coastline and just below the little village of Sfinari on the west coast of Crete, its location is such an antithesis to Villa Meli's cutting edge design that it brings to mind the teddy bears picnic if you go down to the woods today leaving the village and following the track though the olive groves you'll certainly be in for a big surprise.

Location of Villa Meli
Sfinari, Crete
17km from Kastelli, betwixt the rugged mountains and the endless blue sea, on the very far western tip of Crete, Sfinari nestles in the folds of olive green hillsides, a haphazard scattering of little white houses and with a main street somewhat shorter than the braking distance of the local bus from Kastelli, which invariably grinds to a halt beyond the last house! ...More about Sfinari >>

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