Ippocampi

Snow-white plaster, deep blue shutters and doors, gorgeous bright pink oleander bushes - Villa Ippocampi enchants its guests in perfect Greek style. The exclusive adults-only hotel, nestled between the mountains and the sea in north-eastern Crete, offers its peace-seeking, sun-hungry, Greece-loving guests eleven charming flats and two penthouse suites. The theme continues inside, where the rooms are also held in clean white with deep blue contrasts. Terracotta floors and wooden furniture in the style of the island emphasize the simple and natural atmosphere. The Ippocampi is a wonderful retreat for a romantic holiday or a short break with friends. Despite being located in the middle of Crete's busy and touristy north coast, the villa is quiet and secluded, offering guests privacy and relaxation. Nikos laid the villa’s foundation stone in the early 1980s and built the first four flats. Grandma Jiajia Stella and Grandpa Papous Georgos then transformed the olive grove into the beautiful, lush and flowering garden it still is today. This is the perfect starting point for exploring the island: Vai, the largest (naturally grown!) palm-lined beach is so Caribbean that a commercial for Bounty was even filmed there once; Elafonissi, a little further away, has enchanting lagoons with pale pink water. Fabulous hikes through wild gorges such as the Richtis Gorge (with a real waterfall!) and the Kritsa Gorge should also be part of any trip to Crete and are easily accessible from Villa Ippocampi.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The typical Greek flair in the whole villa and in every single room. White and Blue, we love you!
• The beautifully landscaped garden - a true splendor!
• The long wooden tables where you can eat and drink with other guests - if you’re in the mood for company.
• The quiet location in the mountain village of Koutouloufari and the romantic ocean view from many of the rooms.
• The warmth of the staff, especially Maria, the Villa’s heart and soul
• The excellent recreational facilities, although the area is very popular.
• The pool! Not only is it beautiful, it also has a ritzy pool bar and deck chairs all around it - and an environmentally friendly pool cleaning system. And it’s heated with solar energy.
• The sustainable use of water: waste water from the rooms and the bar is filtered to provide water for the flower garden and olive grove.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• As an adults-only hotel, guests must be 16 or older.
• Breakfast can be booked as an option.
• All rooms are airconditioned.
• Light Greek meals are served from sunrise to sunset.
• Bakery and supermarket are within walking distance.
• There are many tavernas and cafés in the three nearby mountain villages of Koutouloufari, Piscopiano and Old Hersonissos.
• The beach is only one kilometer away, many beautiful bays are nearby.
• The most beautiful palm-lined beach in Europe, Vai, is about two hours drive away.
• The Kritsa Gorge is about 45 minutes away, the Richtis Gorge about 1 3/4 hours.
• Only 25 km from Heraklion airport