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Villa Samitos: elegance and tradition in undiscovered Crete

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A stone-walled interior with a staircase, a wooden door, a table with a plant, and a cushioned chair.
An arched doorway leading into a room with a wooden door, a sign reading "Samitos Amari Villas," and a stone wall.
A stone pathway leading to a building with a view of a mountainous landscape.
A cozy living room with a stone wall, wooden furniture, and a staircase leading to an upper level.
A stone staircase leading to a building with a wooden table and chairs outside.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Toys
  • Air-conditioning
  • Internet access
  • Refrigerator
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View map
Rethymno, Crete
  • Place, Amari Dam Reservoir
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Place, Arkadi Monastery
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Place, Spili Monastery
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Amari

Located in Amari, this villa is in a rural area and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Platania Gorge and Psiloritis Trail, while Military Museum and Wooden Sculptures Museum are cultural highlights. Snorkelling and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and cycling nearby.
View more Villas in AmariOpens in a new window
Map
Rethymno, Crete

What's nearby

  • Amari Dam Reservoir - 20 min drive - 14.8 km
  • Arkadi Monastery - 23 min drive - 15.9 km
  • Spili Monastery - 27 min drive - 20.9 km
  • St. Anthony Patsou Gorge - 27 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Rethymnon Venetian Port - 54 min drive - 39.8 km

Getting around

  • Heraklion (HER-Nikos Kazantzakis) - 102 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Γλυκες γευσεις - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪agia fwteinh petinos - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Arkadi Café - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Souvlaki - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Παραδοσιακό Καφενείο "Αλλού Ποθές - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Villa Samitos: elegance and tradition in undiscovered Crete pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Villa Samitos: elegance and tradition in undiscovered Crete?

On-site parking is available at the property.

Where is Villa Samitos: elegance and tradition in undiscovered Crete located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly villa is within 9 mi (15 km) of Platania Gorge, Psiloritis Trail and St. Anthony Patsou Gorge. Amari Dam Reservoir and Arkadi Monastery are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 12 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 12 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The best VRBO experience I have ever had!

Manolis and Ms. Rumy were the most amazing hosts. They made us feel welcome and cared for our entire stay. The villa is absolutely beautiful, comfortable, and peaceful. We left feeling grateful to Manolis for sharing his family heritage and homeland with us. We cannot wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you get a chance to stay at this vrbo, jump at it. The host was exceptionally receptive and communicative. the place itself was immaculately clean. The beds were comfy, the water pressure in the shower was strong and the water was hot. The location was ideal as it's in the center of the island of crete. You definitely need a car on this island. we can't say enough good about the host Manolis, and Rumi, who cooked a meal for us. It was absolutely delicious. The place was exceptionally well stocked, and as well, was so very comfortable. There were three different patios, three or four different sitting areas, large kitchen ans dining area. The place was huge. There were plenty of amenities local to the area. We often drove to the little grocery store 10 or 15 minutes away, plus we went to four or five different tavernas a 10 or 15 minute drive. We absolutely loved this place. We were sad to leave!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2026
Archival

10/10 Excellent

How to combine Luxury and village life.

This house has a soul. It is both really beautiful and extremely convenient. Manolis and Roumy are very welcoming and helpful. Roumy's cooking is great and the prices are very reasonable for in-home service. It's the perfect place to stay in Crete with your partner, family or friends either you want to relax in a quiet village or you want to explore Crete (Since it is right in the middle of Crete).
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Amari villa

A five star hotel pampering and treatment by the host Manolis. He left us with many regional delicacies, gave useful tips and precious information helping us make beautiful discoveries. The exceptional services of Mrs Rumy who cooked and delivered all our suppers. Delicious Cretan dishes from her elaborate and refined menu. If we could give Manolis 6 stars, we would. We will always remember Amari valley with astonishing mountains, pure air, natural spring water and sheep bells tinkling. The view from the terraces were just perfect and the historic property renovated with absolute taste. We came from Québec, Canada looking for Cretan taste of life and we found it here. Thank you Manolis and Mrs Rumy for your wonderful hospitality. Andrée and family
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Samitos is the epitome of rural Crete

This was our second stay at Samitos though we have stayed at the sister villa Idi several times. Refurbished by the family whose parents and grandparents originally owned and lived there the layout and decor retains all the rustic charm but provides every possible modern comfort and convenience. The villa is spotless and is maintained by the housekeeper who lives on site. Mrs Rumy ( the housekeeper ) provides a personal cooking service if required and her dishes reflect all the local produce and are delicious. Amari itself is a very quiet village but amenities can be found a few miles away at Agia Fotini and many local merchants visit Amari offering fresh bread fish and other local products. Communication with the host Manolis is both regular and informative-he goes out of his way to provide information and advice regarding both the local area and further afield. We cannot recommend this property highly enough and thank Manolis and Rumi for their care and attention during our most recent stay.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!!

We spent a week at the villa and it was truly wonderful and everything we had dreamed of for a “week of relaxation in a beautiful, authentic Greek village in a very quiet area.” A few things made it wonderful: -Manolis and Mrs Rumy could not be more helpful and ready to help. Manolis waited for us late into the evening our first night so we could meet and he could show us his amazing villa. Mrs Rumy brought the delicious food we had pre ordered. Manolis was helpful and available throughout our stay, providing taverna and day trip recommendations. -the villa is spacious and incredibly relaxing. Our favorite “activity “ was hanging out on the terrace, which is accessed through French doors in the living room, looking at the gorgeous view of the valley and listening to the goats. -beautiful walks around the village and in the nearby woods. Our time in Amari and Crete was the highlight of our trip which included some other amazing places; Santorini, Thessaloniki and Athens. One last thing about Amari-very few tourists!! We liked that :-). I can’t recommend Villa Samitos enough and we hope to return.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ruhe und Natur im Herzen KretasAmari, das gleichnamige kleine Dorf des bekannten Tals ist ein ruhiger authentischer Ort. Unterhalb des alten Glockenturms ist die Villa Samitos inmitten dieser Idylle. Der Blick ins Tal und auf das Idagebirge ist wunderschön.Zum Einkaufen empfiehlt es sich in etwas größere Orte in der Nähe zu fahren. Ein Mietwagen ist unerlässlich.Manolis empfing uns herzlich und wir haben uns sehr über die kleinen Lebensmittelgeschenke gefreut, so hatten wir bei Ankunft schon etwas, wobei wir vorher auch selbst noch einkaufen waren.Die Zimmer waren alle sehr sauber, aufgeräumt und liebevoll eingerichtet. Die Villa ist mit allem ausgestattet, was man üblicherweise benötigt. Mrs. Rumy ist als Ansprechpartnerin vor Ort. Sie war sehr nett und gewissenhaft bei der Reinigung der Villa. Sie bietet auch an zu kochen. Ein interessanter Service.Wir empfehlen die Villa wegen des Standortes für Reisende die Ruhe suchen und Wandern möchten. Ausflüge an die Südküste oder nach Rethymnon bieten sich als Abwechsung an.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

EXCELLENT SEJOUR A AMARI VILLAS EN CRETE

NOUS AVONS PASSE UN EXCELLENT SEJOUR EN CRETE, DANS UNE TRES AGREABLE ET SPACIEUSE MAISON. LE VILLAGE EST PLUTOT BIEN SITUE AU MILIEU DE LA CRETE ENTRE LE NORD ET LE SUD A 35 MINUTES DE RETHYMON. A LA MONTAGNE ET NON LOIN DE LA MER , DANS UN LIEU CALME , AU CLIMAT REPOSANT ET ENSOLEILLE. LE PROPRIETAIRE MANOLIS EST TRES ACCUEILLANT ET TOUT ETAIT PREVU DANS L'HABITATION QUI EST TRES PROPRE , BIEN ENTRETENUE ET TRES BIEN EQUIPEE . JE RECOMMANDE VIVEMENT CETTE LOCATION D'UN TRES BON RAPPORT QUALITE PRIX. DIDIER C.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A perfect place to stay

We had an amazing time in Amari. Manolis was a perfect host and provided many ideas for hikes and excursions in the area. There are many local hikes directly from the villa with sights along the way. We loved Mrs Roumy's delicious food and the luxury of eating on our terrace while watching the sun set over village and mountains. The villa itself was wonderful and spacious and we could not have chosen a better base for our explorations of central Crete.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

A beautiful equipped house in a beautiful place

We came to Villa Samitos with our two daughters and some friends, looking for a place, not to beat about the bush, that would make us feel wonderful. And what did we find? A beautiful drive up from the coast, in towards the mountains, still snow-capped in early spring, wild flowers at every turn, wild tulips and anemones, sparkling sunshine on the green of the Amari valley, songbirds bursting their hearts out with song, delicious tavernas in Meronas and Vizari, long and perfect walks through the olive groves, sheep bells ticktocking in the fields, little Byzantine chapels with rare Byzantine icons and wall paintings, ruined Minoan palaces, honey and wine, swallowtail butterflies, pomegranate trees. We left wondering what the differences could be between Paradise and this place.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

How to combine Luxury and village life.

This place is both really beautiful and extremely convenient. Manolis and Roumy are very welcoming and helpful. Roumy's cooking is great and the prices are very reasonable for in-home service. It's the perfect place to stay in Crete with your partner, family or friends either you want to relax in a quiet village or you want to explore Crete (Since it is right in the middle of Crete). Last but not least, the house has a history and a great soul...
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Traditionally built villa in a perfect setting

We have always had a soft spot for Crete and especially so for the village of Amari. We were therefore pleasantly surprised when we arrived at Villa Samitos to see how successfully one can combine the traditions of the area with a perfectly functional rental villa.... with all the modern amenities and requirements for our day-to-day life. Its location is perfect being in the centre of the village of Amari with amazing views of the surrounding countryside and mountains. This place is perfect for people looking for nature, tranquility and serenity. Both the owner and the manageress made us feel more than welcome and made sure that we did not want for anything. I cannot recommend it enough.... definitely worth visiting this part of Crete where one can still find out what the real Crete is all about....
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