Incredibly spacious, both inside and out and exceptionally well equipped, Villa Metapothia is the perfect holiday villa for large parties. There's plenty of space to eat and play together and, as each bedroom has a furnished balcony, also room to just chill. An easy stroll from either of the three tavernas in the village and 5 mins drive from the sea. There's magnificent views encompassing Crete’s White Mountains and the blue sea of Souda Bay glistening down a green and wooded valley. Outside Villa Metapothia Swimming Pool - 9m x 6m with circular area, depth 1.20m - 1.80m, bench with air jets in shallow area plus children pool area depth 0.60m. Barbecue dining terrace - Wooden dining table and chairs for 12 with very large parasol, purpose built barbecue and sink. Table tennis to the side. Covered dining terrace - Large marble topped table with seating for 12 next to kitchen. ‘Chill out’ Pergola - Shaded pergola with rattan sofas and armchairs. Garden - Terraced lawns with a shady olive tree. Covered First Floor Terrace - Rattan chairs and coffee table with mountain and sea views. Bedroom balconies - Each bedroom has its own covered balcony with table & comfortable seating. Kitchen balcony - useful for drying clothes plus views towards the White Mountains. Inside Villa Metapothia Ground floor Open Plan Living Area - Living room area - Sofas and an easy chair grouped around a large fireplace. Massive picture window with wonderful views down the valley to the sea. Windows towards mountain views. Bar with stereo system. Air Con Unit. Dining Area - large dining table and chairs. Iced water machine (starter 10L water bottle supplied). Kitchen Area - Wood fronted cupboards and ample counter-top space. Ceramic hob, eye-level electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, double sink with mountain view, large fridge/freezer. Breakfast table and chairs. Patio doors to covered dining terrace, door to ‘drying’ balcony. Air con unit. Family WC- hand basin and washing machine. *Twin Bedroom/ en suite shower room - 2 single beds, patio doors to covered balcony with rattan furniture, en suite shower room with walk in shower, WC and wash basin. Air Con Unit. *Twin Bedroom/ en suite bathroom - 2 single beds, walk-in closet, patio doors to covered balcony with rattan furniture, en suite bathroom with shower attachment, WC and wash basin. Air Con Unit. First floor Double Bedroom/ en suite bathroom - 1 double bed, double doors to partially shaded terrace with rattan furniture, corner bath with shower over air jets inside the bedroom, TV with local channels. En suite with WC and wash basin. Air Con Unit. *Twin Bedroom/ en suite shower room - 2 single beds, patio doors to covered balcony rattan furniture, en suite shower room with walk in shower, WC and wash basin. Air Con Unit. Lower Level (ground floor) - with external access only to main part of Villa *Twin Bedroom/ en suite shower room - 2 single beds, sofa bed, patio doors to covered balcony overlooking barbecue area, fridge (useful for storing drinks near the pool and barbecue area), en suite shower room with walk in shower, WC and wash basin. Air con unit. Double Bedroom/ en suite shower room - 1 double bed, sofa bed, door to entrance terrace, en suite shower room with walk in shower, WC and wash basin. Opposite the covered terrace with rattan sofas. Air con unit. * All twin beds can be pushed together with no ‘gap’, but can’t be made up as doubles. A lane from the village winds gently up the 130 metres to the villa past a number of neighbouring houses, originally the width of 2 passing donkeys, it has now been widened to accommodate a normal saloon car. There is space for parking people carriers or minibuses at the bottom of the lane or close by, in the village. It's useful to know, for larger groups, that one of the Gavalahori village tavernas offers a great take away service and another of the tavernas in Almerida will deliver take away meals. Essential Information: Sleeps (Max) 12 Bedrooms 6 Shower Rooms 6 Maid Service Included Pool Private 9m x 6m A/C Included & in all rooms Floor Area m² 296 Booking Information: Check-In Any day (after 16:00) Check-Out Any day (before 10:00) Minimum stay 5 nights Local Facilities: Almerida Beach 4kms Nearest Tavernas 300m Nearest Mini Market 250m Distances: Chania Airport 35 km Heraklion Airport 131 km Villa Equipment: DVD CD Satellite TV Dish Washer Washing Machine Hair Dryer Toaster Kettle Microwave WiFi Connection Safe Table Tennis Sun Loungers BBQ Juicer Hand Mixer Water bottle machine for 10L Mosquito Blinds Filter Coffee Machine Iron & Board Pool Towels Espresso Machine Fridge/Freezer The villa and pool is for your private use only as well as the garden. We are here for you if you need us! You will have the details of our 24/7 contact person, Diane, who lives on Crete with 30+ years of experience in the hospitality field & knows the island very well & has many contacts to sort out almost anything! So should you need anything Diane is only a phone call away, to ensure everything goes smooth, before & during your stay with us. Freelance Villas provides a Digital Guide Book, and a Property Manual inside the accommodation, which tells you all about the important things ie. wifi codes, hot water systems, where to take your rubbish & how things generally work in the villa. Plus, you will find further details about places to go, beach maps plus a taverna guide. Gavalohori In the centre of the scenic Apokoronou Penisula, 3.8 km inland from Almerida and at the end of a green and wooded valley leading down to the sea, Amongst the village streets in Gavalohori you'll find 3 excellent tavernas, a bakery and a couple of mini markets, one of which offers a delivery service by quad bike. It's also useful to know, for larger groups, that one of the village tavernas offers a great take away service and another in nearby Almerida will deliver. For history buffs, there's a small museum of 19th century household artifacts and on the outskirts of the village are the remains of an ancient settlement with 30 Byzantine wells. Just a few minutes drive away, the low key resort of Almerida offers a choice of tavernas strung around the crescent of soft sand where shallow waters lap onto the shoreline. There is also a selection of shops as well as a several cafes and bars. The White Mountains beg to be explored and Chania and Rethymnon are both within an easy drive. Although you can walk to the village of Gavalohori it is necessary to have a car in order to discover the island and travel further afield. Taxis are available in the area. Chania Airport 35 km & takes about 55mins drive Heraklion Airport 131 km & takes about 1,5 hours drive. Housekeeping Your Villa will be prepared for you on arrival with fresh bath and hand towels and all beds made up. For stays of 7 nights or more - house towels will be changed every 3 - 4 days. For stays of 14 nights or more - bed linen will be changed every 7 days. Pool/beach towels - one per person for the duration of your stay. If you need a travel cot or high chair, please request when booking so we can have it in the villa for you ready to use. Optional chargeable services: - Large Grocery Pack - Regular Grocery Pack - Second High Chair - Second Cot Note that this is a professionally run rental villa which as been licensed by the Greek National Tourist Organization (EOT) which is required by the Greek law. This license allows the property owners to legally rent their accommodation to holiday makers, so that they comply to a set of standards and specific conditions for the safety & comfort of it's paying customers.