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Luxurious villa with private private heated pool & spectacular views

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Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Interior
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms6 bathroomsSleeps 14280 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View map
Rethymnon, Crete
  • Place, Reptisland
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Melidoni Cave
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Rethymnon Venetian Port
    ‪39 min drive‬
  • Airport, Heraklion (HER-Nikos Kazantzakis)
    ‪70 min drive‬

Room options

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About the area

Melidoni

A stay at this villa places you in the heart of Mylopotamos, a short 4-minute walk from Reptisland and within 4 minutes by car from Melidoni Cave. .This villa is 5.5 mi (8.9 km) from Livadi Beach and 5.9 mi (9.5 km) from Church of Agios Yiorgos.
View more Villas in MelidoniOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Reptisland - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Melidoni Cave - 2 min drive - 1.2 km
  • Rethymnon Venetian Port - 39 min drive - 33.0 km
  • University of Crete - 40 min drive - 36.8 km
  • Georgioupolis Beach - 56 min drive - 54.6 km

Getting around

  • Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sinolakis Tavern - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Gusto - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Serano Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Bro Café - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Baboo - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Luxurious villa with private private heated pool & spectacular views

This house invites you to enjoy its elegance and nobility and to share with it the gifts of the beautiful garden and the sense of the tranquility. On leaving the house, you will feel emotionally and mentally richer. Arethousa proves that a house is not only a place to live in, but can also change your senses and make your spirit gentle and sweet. It is one of the noble houses of Melidoni, a village rich in architecture and history. It is construction to be preserved, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture, and was restored in the 2005 under its supervision. It was the owner’s Christina Hatzidakis’, birthplace, built 200 years ago and its decoration bears her sensitivity and taste. It is a house that gives you a feeling of love.


The nearest airport of Heraklion (HER) is located 50 km east of the villa, while the port of Rethymnon lies at a distance of 29 km.
The airport of Chania (CHQ) is another 90km to the west, that is a 1 hour 30 mins drive. A car rental can be arranged to pick you up at the airport and drive you to your villa. Perama is at a distance of 3 km and the traditional village of Panormo with the beautiful restaurants near the sea is at a distance of 9 km/10 mins drive!


There are some interesting excursions you can go in Kastri, Melidoni and the outskirts. The distances and routes are shown on the map in the webpage.


The gardens area is 2000 sq.m. Inside the garden there is a kiosk, BBQ area, beautiful plants, fruit trees and many corners to relax. There is also a 50 sq.m adult swimming pool and a 12 sq.m children’s swimming pool which can also function as a hydro massage, providing you with serenity.
The nearest beach of Bali lies at a distance of 6 km, it is sandy and offers many opportunities for water sports. There are also quiet locations for guests to enjoy the beach without being annoyed by nearby jet-skiers or water-skiers. The sandy beach of Panormo offers you a second choice for your swim near the area. There are plenty of beautiful beaches in the area also!
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned villa, which features a fireplace and a private pool. There's a private balcony. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. The bathroom with a shower/tub combination features a jetted bathtub and a hair dryer.
Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this villa include concierge services and barbecue grills.
Breakfast is available for a fee.
Featured amenities include limo/town car service and laundry facilities.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Massage
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Limo/town car service
  • Car available
  • Car recommended
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • Chef service

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 6 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Up to 25 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible parking space
  • In-room accessibility
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Limited housekeeping
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the city centre
  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Heated pool
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Property located in a resort
  • Unit size: 3,014 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

2 total (up to 55 lbs per pet)

Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 1099044

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Luxurious Villa Private Private Spectacular Views Rethymnon

Luxurious Villa Private Private Spectacular Views

Luxurious Private Private Spectacular Views Rethymnon

Luxurious Private Private Spectacular Views

Luxurious Villa Private Private Spectacular Views Rethymnon

Luxurious Villa Private Private Spectacular Views

Luxurious Private Private Spectacular Views Rethymnon

Luxurious Villa Private Private Spectacular Views

Luxurious Private Private Spectacular Views Rethymnon

Luxurious Private Private Spectacular Views

Luxurious villa with private private heated pool & spectacular views Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 45 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kevin P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing large property with your own pool. Hear the sounds of nature while surrounded by fruit trees. The home was clean with lots of room. Host left us a basket of local items and a bottle of wine. The local store in town had all items we could need.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Deb G.

Liked: Cleanliness
What an amazing house this is. Beautiful surroundings, wonderful pool and peace and quiet. The height of luxury. Owners left us a lovely welcome pack due to our late arrival and were easy to communicate with and very responsive to any problems or questions we had during our stay. Even helped us with hiring a car.The small village had all we need in the way of a taverna, 2 shops and 2 restaurants (which were sadly closed during our stay to get ready for the start of the season). All the villagers were very friendly.Would definitely recommend staying here and my family will definitely return.
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Patrick L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, very clean and loved the setup of the home. The pool was a great spot to relax and take in the views. The hosts were very friendly and provided a wonderful arrival basket. Really charming experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Georgina C., Leicester, England

Liked: Cleanliness
What a stunning property - much bigger than we were anticipating -we had a fantastic stay. Rooms are huge, beds really comfortable. Pool and pool area is clean and well kitted out for loungers and umbrellas. Kitchen has everything you might need. Outside is a huge marble table with barbecue and pizza oven. Maid cleans twice a week - we had a couple of problems (a shower head and a light bulb) both problems where dealt with quickly by the owner. The owners are so helpful and super friendly - we had a huge welcome pack which was really appreciated after our late evening arrival - owners came to meet us an showed us around the property - nothing was too much trouble. Small shop in village great for bits. Lovely friendly restaurant with good food.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephenie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful experience staying at this villa! The property manager met us at the house upon our arrival and helped us get settled. She even left us with food and treats to welcome us. The house had plenty of space for our party of 8 and had room for the teenagers to have their own rooms. Each room had its own bathroom and air conditioning. The pool was wonderful and we spent a lot of time in it. The villa is within close walking distance to the small village of Melidoni where we enjoyed the restaurants and stores. We visited the local olive oil farm and the Melidoni Cave monument, both of which were great. I highly recommend staying at Villa Arethousa—you won’t be disappointed!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

liz m.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great villa in pleasant village

A delightful old house, beautifully converted and with a splendid pool. We had the pool heated and it was really warm in April so the children spent hours in it. The village is charming with a restaurant and a brilliant shop that has everything and is open on bank holidays, evenings, Sundays. Our children loved 'Reptisland' a reptile sanctuary where they could cuddle snakes and lizards and learn about them. They went three times! We all enjoyed the honey museum and olive oil museum and the Mili walk downhill was a huge success, even with our 4 year olds. We ended in a village where a St Georges ceremony was happening and were invited to share the lamb stew! Antonios' family who manage the property were amazing: one of the rings on the hob didn't work and they had a new hob installed the next day!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Orna M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Outstanding villa and hopitslity

Villa located in a nice village ,very private and quiet.We were a family of 7 adults and 2 babys and we had a great vavation. The rooms were nice and clean, kitchen well equiped, the pool was great. Hosts were kind and attentive! Warmly
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful villa

What a stunning property. The attention to detail was exceptional. The villa is a very traditional property and has been decorated in a very authentic style. We arrived to be met by a member of the family who showed us around. There was a welcome pack waiting for us which was unexpected. The pool area and garden is amazing with stunning views of the mountains. There was a lovely lady who came in twice a week to clean the villa, change the bedding and towels. Just be aware that this is not a standalone villa and is in fact a terraced house, but you wouldn’t know as you are surrounded by a wall which gives you all the privacy you will need. The local village has a few bars and a lovely restaurant, which is highly recommend. The only thing was that the directions to the villa weren’t very clear on VRBO and it took us quite a while to locate the villa. Overall we had a fabulous holiday and would highly recommend this amazing villa.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie G., Northville USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Fabulous family adventure

Villa Arethousa was perfect for our extended family of 14. The pool and the villa were beautiful and clean. The rooms were spacious and each had its own en suite. The villa was practically soundproof, which was an added benefit when traveling with small children who needed to go to bed early. We used the pizza oven, grill, and outdoor dining area frequently and having two refrigerators was great. Melidoni is a charming village and we met many kind, hospitable people. I wouldn’t hesitate to book again in the future.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marta M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Simply Perfect Family Vacation Villa

Amazing 200 year-old beautifully-restored villa, with vintage-esque furniture and decorations, but also included all modern utilties (air-conditioner, showers, wifi, dishwasher, washing machine, two refridgerators, etc.). The entire property was gorgeous, with tons of fresh oranges and lemons on the trees. The pool was a good size and very clean, and perfect for cooling off after a hot day in the sun. Plenty of room inside and outside for large groups. Located in the middle of an adorable little town with a two minute walk to the local tavern, store, and cafes. By the way, the tavern is supposed to close at midnight, but very often stays open longer and the owner will eagerly teach you how to dance traditional Greek dances. Property owners are very friendly, hospitable, quick to reply, and ready to help with any issues or provide any recommendations. We hope to be back one day!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

jolyon miles M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Just so easy

Property has the best of both worlds. Privacy and seclusion and easy walking access to the heart of the village with x2 restaurant/cafe and x2 minimarkets. Bakery a 10 minute drive. Beaches from 20 minutes. The drive to the property is a bit hairy on the first occasion - go slow and use google maps.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nick W.

Liked: Cleanliness

What a find! A gem of a villa

This cherished house has been in the proud ownership of the same family, over many generations, and they have lovingly maintained and updated it with great care and attention to detail, ensuring guests are comfortable and welcome. The property comprises a superb swimming pool and sun lounger area, a large outdoor dining area with bbq and pizza oven, the main house, and a garden house. Everything just works really well and, for those who like to cook, the kitchen is well appointed with plenty of crockery, cutlery, glasses, and cookware. Our family prefers the freedom of self-catering villas, and this is without doubt one of the best properties we have rented. The local town square of Melidoni is five minutes walk, and has two small supermarkets and restaurants/bars - Dili-Dili (run by Ioannis and family) and Carob & Olive (Katarina and team) - which are both great for when you want to go local and sit alongside the residents and soak up the atmosphere. Perama is 15 minutes drive and is great for larger supermarkets, restaurants and bars. Can recommend Thraka.com for food, and the bakery next door for fresh baklava, pastries, and bread. Rethymno is good for a day out (recommend Nyn & Aei for small-plates style lunch), and Panormas, a charming port town closer to home, with restaurants overlooking the old port. Beaches at Bali are bustling and great for sunbathing and cove swimming. If you want a quiet swim there are many coves to explore away from the big towns. Just loved it, and was sad to say goodbye. Next time, we will visit Chania and other places we didn't make it to! Many thanks to Chrysoula and family for an unforgettable holiday.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Caroline E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely Property

This was an exceptional villa in Crete. We would highly recommend to all! The pool and grounds were extremely spacious and beautiful. We made freshly squeezed orange juice daily from the fruits on the trees. The villa itself has a lot of character, is clean and exceptionally well maintained. It was easy to relax and spacious for two families. The hosts were extremely lovely and responsive. I hope we get to return one day!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

STEFAN D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great property

Fantastic property with all amenities in a great little village. Swimming pool is fantastic only whished we had better weather to enjoy it. Rethymno is a little gem , beaches nearby are fantastic
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

David T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Our holiday at Villa Arethousa 27/7/19 to 10/8/19

A magnificent villa set in impressive grounds.The villa is spacious and had no problem in accommodating our party of 8 adults and 4 children. The kitchen had more than enough crockery , glassware and cutlery for our needs and the outdoor eating area was where we had most of our meals. The pool is simply fantastic and the spacious grounds are lovingly maintained. A wonderful experience and we were very sad when our fortnight came to an end.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina K., Los Angeles

Liked: Cleanliness

Creten Hospitality

The property hosts were so helpful. When we had unexpected extra guests for 1 night, they brought us extra folding beds to accommodate and when I stupidly kept the key with me, they were able to arrange to get it back to them when I was at the airport the following day. Thanks so much! This property is in a very quaint tiny town with a super friendly and yummy restaurant for when you just want to take a break from going places.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Janette B., Lake Oswego, Oregon United States

Family Reunion in Crete

We chose Crete to meet up with our 3 daughters and their families for 10 days because none of us had been there before. We were very lucky to have chosen this picturesque town with its narrow curving streets where everyone was friendly and the beautiful villa which was very comfortable. Fragrant fruit trees line the Villa walkways and everyday with breakfast we had freshly made orange juice. The young children swam each morning in the protected heated pool and our afternoons were spent exploring the area. The Paraschakis Family Olive Farm was wonderful, the Melidoni Cave was close and the beautiful city of Rethymno with its Venetian old town provided some shopping opportunities. We ate out almost every night at at the new restaurant in Peramo because the main courses and the deserts were delicious. We had an amazing adventure and our hosts were very accommodating!
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Veronica M.

Superb Villa!

A fabulous 5 star property with pool and jacuzzi. A very high standard throughout. Local villagers couldn't be more friendly and helpful, special thanks to Maria, Sofia, Yanis and Stavros! Highly, highly recommended, thank you for a wonderful holiday!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jo-Anne A.

Great villa. Lovely pool and view of the hills.

Relaxing, traditional home. We based ourselves here for a week. Found it easy to travel to places of interest. We loved the home made olive oil and wine that was left as a gift.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Daphne L.

The Brilliant Sunlight Streams Down from Heaven

The villa was perfect. It is located in the center of Melidoni, a charming ancient village with a couple of cafes, a small store and almost no tourists. The villa has a front entrance, for walking, off a narrow street a block from the center of town. The rear entrance, when driving, is approached down a short narrow road through an olive grove. You enter through a remotely controlled power gate. The villa itself is charming. It was recently renovated and is tastefully decorated with lovely touches of Greek culture, and all the modern conveniences. Each of the four bedrooms in the main house has its own bathroom, as does the bedroom in the separate pool house which was perfect for two college aged boys who typically slept until 1pm. The air conditioning in the bedrooms was a welcome relief after the heat of the day. We ate most of our meals at the outside stone table. A neighborhood cat would periodically come by for a handout. We were well supplied with lemons that fell from the trees at our feet. The grapes, alas, were not yet ripe. The pool was very modern and very well maintained. The owners arranged to have a local lady cook us a traditional meal one evening for the birthday of our 22 year old daughter. It was lovely. If you want a relaxing holiday in a beautiful setting, I highly recommend this villa.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Keith S., Walkern Herts

Tranquility !

One of the most beautiful villas in which we have ever stayed. The design of the main accommodation has been carefully designed to give everyone privacy but not isolation. The outside area with the BBQ and swimming pool was exceptional. Tina, the maid, was a gem! She cleaned everything until it sparked! Nothing was too much trouble for her. As for Christina and George, they were lovely hosts. Unfortunately, my wife contacted a severe chest infection and had to visit the nearby health centre for an antibiotic. Whilst we were waiting Christina arrived, spoke to the doctor and then to the nearby chemist and arranged for our prescription to be made up. As we do not speak Greek she made an unpleasant episode much easier to bare. She was wonderful! My wife is recovering well now! Everyone enjoyed their stay, and there were ten of us at times! A beautiful village with friendly people completed the virtuous circle! Highly recommended. Keith Strowger
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Emma D.

Exceptionally high quality villa

This is definitely a 5 star villa, extremely clean & furnished to a high standard. Beautifully landscaped gardens with a large pool. Amazing views of the beautiful Cretan mountains set in a charming village. George and his daughter were warm and helpful hosts, we will be back!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Louise L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic villa with wonderful views. Very responsive and nice hosts.
Stayed 21 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karl Heinz K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Es war alles bestens, so wie in den vorangegangenen Bewertungen bereits mehrfach beschrieben.Herzliche Vermieter, sehr saubere und schöne Unterkunft, nettes Dorf mit lebendigem Ortskern.Ein Verbesserungsvorschlag an das Online-Vermietportal Fewo-Direkt: Die Anfahrtsbeschreibung ist zu ungenau und daher unbrauchbar. Die Vermieter haben uns nach einem kurzen Anruf während der Anfahrt ganz unkompliziert eine Whats-App mit exaktem Standort der Unterkunft gesendet, daraufhin konnten wir das Objekt auch sofort finden.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2025