We consider Villa Helios to be one of the most impressive and stylish villas on Crete. Finished and furnished to a very high standard with a choice of terraces for either sun or shade, and gorgeous panoramic views of Souda Bay, The White Mountains, the beach and village of Almyrida, and the olive clad valley and surrounding hills, it is easy to see why this villa is already a very popular choice. Villa Helios and its smaller sister, Villa Thalassa, are only 4 minutes walk from the sandy beaches, shops, and tavernas in Almyrida, set above a small, quiet access road on the top of a cliff with a few neighbouring villas. Helios and  Thalassa mean Sun and Sea in Greek, and these villas definitely live up to their names. Completed in April 2008, these very spacious villas have been beautifully designed to incorporate the highest building standards with luxurious modern comforts and facilities, and the traditional features of a classic island home. Local stone has been used for the wide stone staircase, and for the flag stone paving on the front and pool terraces, local wood has been used for the open beamed ceilings, pergolas, doors, windows and shutters, terracotta tiles have been used for the balconies and upstairs terraces, and marble has been used for the window and balcony ledges. The villas stay cool during Crete long, hot summers thanks to thick walls, high vaulted white wood ceilings with extra insulation, tilt and turn windows which take advantage of the sea breezes, and air-conditioning units in the bedrooms in the ground floor. For the cooler nights at the start and end of the season the a/c units also double up as heaters. Another clever design feature is that none of the bedrooms share adjoining walls which gives total peace and privacy to each guest. The mattresses are quite above the standard quality, to ensure relaxing and comfortable nights. No expense has been spared by the artistic and creative owners who have endeavoured to ensure that your stay at Villa Helios is as relaxing and as comfortable as possible. Every piece of furniture and all of the appliances are of the highest quality including: a state-of-the-art Pioneer surround sound stereo system with a DVD player, satellite TV and the facility to listen to your MP3 player highest quality appliances such as a washing machine, and the sumptuous Bo Concept couches. The fabulous modern bathrooms are in a class of their own with individual mosaic tiles, shaving points, and the single and double washbasins that are set in their tiled vanity shelves. Enjoy the lovely views and great weather with an ample supply of garden furniture on the terraces and around the pool area including; dining tables and chairs, a BBQ, umbrellas and sun-beds. All around the property there are traditional clay pots and colourful flowerbeds that have been planted with an array of typical Mediterranean flowers, bushes and trees. Villa Helios is ideal for the uncompromising holidaymaker who expects luxury and comfort within a short walk of sandy beaches and excellent tavernas.

Accommodation. Ground floor (1 step from the semi covered front patio, 11 steps from the parking, 4 steps from the pool area): 1 double bedroom with en-suite shower room, 1 twin bedroom with en-suite shower room, 1 double bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 1 large entrance hall, 1 utility cupboard. 1 step up from the pergola covered front patio, through the double front doors, is the very large entrance hall which has couches, the wide open staircase, and the utility cupboard which houses the AEG washing machine. To the right of the entrance hall is the door which leads to the spacious double bedroom suite. This bedroom furniture that includes a queen sized bed, 2 bed side tables and reading lamps, and built-in floor to ceiling wardrobes with hanging space and drawers. There is a traditional inset shelf built in above the bed, and double French doors which lead out onto the covered front patio with 2 charming arches. The en-suite shower room has natural/khaki-colored tiles, a vanity shelf with washbasin, mirror and spotlight, a large shower unit with a glass door, and the toilet. A long hallway leads from the left side of the entrance hall to the 2nd double bedroom, main bathroom and twin bedroom suite. The 2^nd double bedroom has a double bed (from which you have a view to the sea), 2 bedside tables and reading lamps, floor to ceiling built-in wardrobes with hanging and drawer space, and double doors which lead out onto the pergola covered front patio. The main bathroom has terracotta tiles, a vanity shelf with 2 washbasins, mirror and spotlight, a full bath with a shower attachment, a toilet, and a frosted window. The twin bedroom suite has 2 single beds, 2 bedside tables with reading lamps, floor to ceiling built-in wardrobes with hanging and drawer space, double doors opening out on to the front patio, and window looking out onto the pool terrace. The twin beds can be joined to form a double bed, without having a gap between the beds. The en-suite bathroom has sandy coloured mosaic tiles which have bronze detailing, a shower unit, a vanity shelf with a washbasin, mirror and spotlight, a toilet, and a frosted window. First floor (17 steps up a very wide stone staircase with iron railings, from the ground floor): Open plan living room, kitchen and dining area, 1 twin bedroom, 3 balconies/terraces. The wide stone staircase leads up to the open-plan living area which is on 2 sides of the staircase and has a 5 metre high white wood vaulted ceiling.

The lounge/dining area is well equipped with among other things: a sumptuous couch, a dining table and chairs, a sideboard, a 5+1 surround sound stereo system, and a TV with a DVD and satellite TV. The living area has windows that look out to sea or a set of double doors which lead out onto a large terrace which is equipped with a dining table and chairs and looks out over the pool to the sea. On the far side of the staircase is fully equipped country style kitchen that has cream wood cabinets, and walls and work surfaces that are tiled with natural coloured matte tiles. The stainless steel kitchen appliances include a ceramic hob and built-in oven, a cooker hood, a fridge/freezer, a coffee maker, a white dishwasher and microwave. The window looks out to The White Mountains, and double doors lead to a sea-facing balcony. White double doors lead from the kitchen into the upstairs twin bedroom. This bedroom has 2 single beds, 2 bedside tables and reading lamps, an inset wall shelf, a window that looks south to Villa Thalassa and The White Mountains, and double doors onto a sea and mountain facing balcony. The heart of the village of Almyrida is only 300m from Villa Helios, and is built around a pretty crescent shaped sandy beach, with a small fishing harbour at the eastern end. The beach is very shallow and safe, perfect for children. Lining the beach are an excellent selection of tavernas, cafe/bars, bakeries, a jewellery shop, mini-markets, gift shops, ATM, internet access and an off-license. There is also a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers and catamaran. A few minutes by car from Villa Helios, there are a huge variety of archaeological sites and traditional villages with wonderful tavernas. There is also an interesting selection of small craft centres and museums, including glass blowing in Kokkino Horio, lace makers in Gavalohori, and silk makers in Kalamitsi. For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 35 minutes away by car.