Villa Darat
Like it? Add to favourites to compare and share
Overview
Seeing is believing when you stay at the palatial Villa Darat, on the north coast of the Greek island of Crete, set in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. This incredible four-storey, one thousand one hundred and fifty square metres, detached villa, has seven spacious ensuite bedrooms and can comfortably accommodate up to fifteen guests in some style. The villa would make an ideal holiday retreat for a large family gathering or a group of friends get-together. Villa Darat is set in its own grounds and gardens, with sea and mountain views, surrounded by ancient olive groves, and enclosed by high stone walls for privacy, security, and seclusion. This exclusive villa has secure parking for up to eight cars, comes complete with complimentary air conditioning and Wi-Fi throughout, has an internal elevator, and your own private swimming pool, gym, and games room.
The villa is an architectural masterpiece, constructed in an impressive classical style, with white stone walls, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, flooding the property with natural daylight. The interiors are breathtaking, decorated in a clever combination of beautiful Baroque and Regency Rococo styles, using sweeping marble staircases to take you to Louis Quatorze rooms, with crystal chandeliers sprinkling their sparkling light.
Take the marble steps up to the grand entrance, where you will be greeted by a capacious, light and airy, open-plan living space, with access to the sea view terrace. There are three separate seating areas, a seventy-five-inch smart television, a piano, and Hi-Fi system, and a fireplace for those cooler months and evenings. The impeccably dressed fifteen-seater dining set would make for some splendid entertaining. There are two separate fully-equipped kitchens, each with informal dining tables and chairs, and that must-have wine fridge. The first of the seven exquisitely-appointed bedrooms is on the ground floor, with a double bed, a TV, and an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub. Make your way to the first floor, where there are three superb ensuite double bedrooms. The ornate Master bedroom has a king-size bed, a TV, an ensuite bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath, and a sea view furnished balcony. The other two bedrooms have double beds, bathrooms with bathtubs, and sea-view balconies. On the second floor, there is a large bedroom with a double and a single bed, a TV, and an ensuite shower, perfect for a small family.
Access a huge terrace, take a seat at the table and chairs, and admire the panoramic views. The lower ground floor is home to a private garage for up to eight cars, which can be sealed off. There is a professional fully-equipped gym with a shower room, a seating area with a fridge, a sound system, ping pong and football tables, and a separate laundry room. Within the grounds, there are two independent studios, one with a double bed, the other with twin beds, both with ensuite bathrooms, and mini kitchens, perfect for your teenage children or staff.
The grounds and gardens of Villa Darat are a dream. Marble steps lead down to a ladder-entry, heated swimming pool, with a shallow-end kid’s pool, and a hydromassage therapy corner. The pool is surrounded by deep-cushioned sun loungers with shady parasols. Take a walk around the beautifully-maintained gardens, and relax on the well-manicured lush green lawns. Children can amuse themselves in the playground, and all the family can join in a game of football or badminton on the dedicated courts. Enjoy morning coffee and sundowner cocktails at the soft seating spots. Meet at dusk for dinner, and feast alfresco at the outdoor dining set, with dishes prepared in the summer kitchen, and grilled on the built-in, stone barbeque. As the stars come out to shine, raise a toast to the most memorable, magical holiday, in the most romantic of settings.
What you should know…
- The pool can be heated by arrangement and at a charge of 70 euros a day
- Villa Darat is wheelchair accessible; the bathrooms are wide enough for a wheelchair, but they have not been specially adapted for those with mobility issues
- We recommend hiring a car for the duration of your stay, this can be arranged by the villa’s concierge team
Property Features
The Villa
1150m2, 7 bedroom, 8 bathroom luxury sea and mountain view villa, with lift, private heated pool, hydromassage corner, kid’s pool, gym, and garden, sleeps 15
Ground floor:
- Living area with access to the pool terrace
- 3 seating spaces, 75” smart TV, fireplace, piano, Hi-fi system
- Dining set x15
- 2 separate fully-equipped kitchens, mini wine fridge
- Bedroom with double bed and flat screen TV, and bathroom with a bath tub
First floor:
- Living space with sofa, chairs, table, office desk, 42” flat screen TV
- Master bedroom with king size bed, TV, wardrobe, ensuite bathroom with Jacuzzi bath, balcony
- 2x Bedrooms with double beds, TVs, ensuite bathrooms with a bathtub, balconies
Second floor:
- Bedroom with a double and single bed, TV, ensuite shower room, large sea view balcony
Lower floor:
- Private garage for up to 8 cars
- professional fully-equipped gym
- Bathroom with shower
- Seating area with fridge
- Hi-fi system
- Table tennis
- Table football
- Washing machine and laundry area
Studios:
- 2 independent studios one with large double bed, one with 2 single beds, mini kitchens and ensuite bathrooms
Exterior:
- Sea, mountain, and olive grove view terrace
- 75m2, 13m x 7m private heated swimming pool
- Hydromassage corner
- kids pool
- Stone BBQ
- Garden
- Kids playground
- Soccer field
- Badminton court
Additional facilities
- Air conditioning
- Wi-Fi
- Elevator
- Midweek clean
- Private garage x 8
- Professional piano and guitar players by arrangement
- Wheelchair accessible
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa DaratVilla Darat can be found nestled in the countryside in the village of Daratsos, near the north coast of the Greek island of Crete, in the azure Aegean Sea. The villa is eighteen kilometres from Chania airport, a short drive will have you at your holiday home from home. The picturesque village of Daratsos has family-run stores stocked with local produce, a weekly farmer’s market, handcrafted gift shops, and cafes and bars to stop and sample the local dishes. You are spoilt for choice with a selection of superbly organised beaches within a two-kilometre radius. Choose from the nearby sheltered Agioi Apostoli, the sandy shores of Glaros, the golden sands of Chrissi Akti, offering a range of water sports, or the crystal clear waters of Kladissos, great for swimming and snorkelling.
The town of Chania is only four kilometres from the villa. Walk the narrow streets to see the fourteenth-century Venetian harbour, with a sixteenth-century lighthouse, the Archeological and Nautical Museums, and stop at a waterfront restaurant for a dinner of freshly caught fish. Visit local villages, most especially, quaint Aspro, historical Gavalochori, and Kefalas, with a museum showing typical Cretan life. The village of Kokkino Chorio is where ‘Zorba, The Greek’ was filmed, stop at the glassblowing workshops, and for the view alone, dine in a local taverna.
A twenty-minute drive will take you to the port of Souda, where there is the archaeological site of ancient Aptera and an Ottoman fort. Explore the island’s three hundred hidden caves, hike over hillsides, streams, and rocky ravines to discover watermills and ruins, and stop along the way at a local winery to taste the fruits of the many vineyards. All aboard for a day at sea, where you can swim and snorkel, or scuba dive underwater ruins.
For the adrenalin junkies, jet skis or paraglide at one of the many water sports clubs. The port town of Heraklion is a two-hour drive away, take a tour around the ancient Palace of Knossos, visit the Archaeological Museum, walk along the Venetian walls, and stroll through the old quarter, where you can shop for souvenirs. Go further afield to Vai, Crete’s easternmost tip, where you will find lush forests and a unique date palm. Explore Psychro Cave, reputedly the birthplace of Zeus, and rock climb Mount Ida to find the Ideon Cave.
Sitia Geopark is three hundred and fifty square kilometres of the island’s diverse ecosystem, where you can trek through gorges, bathe on beaches, walk the wetlands, bird-watch, and be at one with nature. Hike the Richtis Gorge, stroll through streams to reach the twenty-metre waterfall, and then cool off in the inviting pool. Find solace in the fifteenth-century Toplou Monastery, and admire its exquisite Byzantine icons. Take a boat from exclusive Elounda to the intriguing island of Spinalonga, once a former leper colony with a Venetian fortress, and now an open-air museum. Go to Agios Nikolaos, a harbour town that uniquely houses a lake in its centre, and is home to an archaeological museum of Minoan treasures, and shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants in which to sit, and watch the local life go by.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Chania Airport
(22 km ) |
||
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Port of Souda
(10.5 km ) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Chania
(4.6 km ) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Vamvakopoulo
(2.4 km ) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Yannis Beach
(2.2 km ) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Taverna Koulouridis
(500 m ) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
(1.1 km ) |
||
Region
Head to the West side of Crete to find some of the best beaches and most charming villages in the island. Indulge yourself by visiting the unique Balos lagoon and jumping into its turquoise waters, or have a truly Cretan dining experience in one of the many tavernas by the sea and taste the delicious seafood on offer.
Find more about Chania and the rest of the Southernmost island in Greece with our travel guide below.
Download our Crete Travel Guide >>
How to reach Chania
There are two ways to reach Chania: either by flight or by ferry.
By plane: Chania Airport (CHQ) is only a 20 minutes ride away from central Chania. During the summer months, frequents overseas and domestic flights are performed. In most of the cases, there are available buses that connect Chania city and most of the villas. You can also hire a car from one of the many rental companies at the airport, or alternatively get a taxi to bring you right to your doorstep.
By ferry: If you choose to do an island-hopping trip and use the ferry as a method of transportation, then the closest port is in Souda, only 8km from the centre of Chania. Only ferries from Piraeus in Athens or Heraklion in Crete. Heraklion port has a wider choice: you can also take a ferry from other Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Paros, but you will have to take a longer bus ride to reach your villa. You can easily book your ferry tickets using the link below or the booking engine.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesThere are loads of things to do and places to see for your kids of all ages when you stay at Villa Darat. Starting with your own private pool, and as there are no set hours, they can splash and swim all day. There is a games room where they can play ping pong and table football, and in the garden, there is a children’s playground, and a football and badminton court, which could keep them amused all day. Within a two-kilometre radius there are five family-friendly beaches, take your pick from Glaros, Chryssi Akti, Iguana, Kladissos, and Yannis.
The Aegean Sea is a safe place to enjoy snorkelling and underwater fish spotting, whilst for older children there are windsurfing and scuba diving schools to teach them a new skill. Watercity Waterpark is an aquatic park set in eighty-seven thousand square metres, with thirty-six water games, lots of swimming pools, and slippy slides to keep your kids amused all day. Nearby Chania is well worth a visit, with its harbour, lighthouse, museums, and family-friendly restaurants where you can all enjoy some traditional Cretan dishes. Children love a day out in Heraklion, ignite their interest in history with a visit to the Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum, walk along the harbour walls, and enjoy a meal of local mezes in a family-friendly local taverna.
Your kids will love the CRETaquarium, located in the town of Gournes, which is home to two and a half thousand aquatic species housed in sixty fish tanks. After the aquarium, take the short drive to Dinosauria Park, where you will find animatronic dinosaur models and fossil replicas. If theme parks are their thing, let them get lost in the Greek mythology Labyrinth Park maze, where they can also practice their putting at the mini golf, learn to ride horseback or shoot some arrows with a bit of archery. Go cross country in an off-road Land Rover and open-top Jeep Safari to see the Cretan countryside in a thrilling ride. Travel further afield to Agios Nikolaos, a statue spot around the town’s central lake, climb the culture of contemporary art stairs, and learn about Minoan history in the Archaeological Museum.
Hike the island to see the local flora and fauna, find the cave that Zeus was born in, follow the stream trail to hidden waterfalls, and visit the open-air Sitia Geopark and discover Crete’s diverse ecosystem. A visit to Crete isn’t complete without a trip to Spinalonga, now an open-air museum, reached by a short boat trip from Elounda, the home of a former leper colony and a ruined Venetian fortress, and now the setting for many a film, it makes for a fascinating day out for children and adults alike.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- <1hr to Airport
- Watersports
- Sailing
- Horse Riding
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Playground
- Badminton
- Heated Pool
- Table Tennis
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Pre-Stocked Fridge Available
- Transfers Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
At Oliver’s Travels, we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to travel services, we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team, who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client’s credit card before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 16.00 |
| Departure time | 10.00 |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client’s credit card before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 16.00 |
| Departure time | 10.00 |
| Energy costs included? | Yes, included in rental price |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes, included in rental price |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Internet access? | Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access included in rental price. It is good to note that the speed is dependent on local provider and technical issues may cause reduced speed or cut of service. |
| Minimum stay | 4 nights - Low/Mid season 5 nights - High season |
| Changeover day | Flexible |
| Pets welcome? | Not allowed |
| Smoking Allowed? | Not permitted |
| Other 2 | Parties/Events not allowed |
| Pool heating charge? | For those who require pool heating, there will be an additional charge of €70/per day (to be paid locally on arrival). Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that on occasions, in Greece, extremes in weather can cause water and/ or electric supply to be cut or reduced. Services are normally restored as soon as possible. |
| Pool heating charge? | €70 euros a day requested in advance |
The Greek government requires owners to collect a Tourist Climate Tax, your property manager will collect this in cash:
March-October €15 per night per unit
November-February €4 per night per unit
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 10 people: For every additional guest up to 15, it will cost an additional £60 per person per night.
| Rental period | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 26th 2024 - Mar 1st 2025 | £4,395 | £5,494 | £7,691 |
| Mar 1st 2025 - Apr 1st 2025 | £3,848 | £4,810 | £6,733 |
| Apr 1st 2025 - May 1st 2025 | £4,395 | £5,494 | £7,691 |
| May 1st 2025 - Jun 1st 2025 | £6,043 | £7,554 | £10,574 |
| Jun 1st 2025 - Jul 1st 2025 | £6,585 | £8,232 | £11,524 |
| Jul 1st 2025 - Aug 1st 2025 | - | - | £13,466 |
| Aug 1st 2025 - Sep 1st 2025 | - | - | £14,243 |
| Sep 1st 2025 - Oct 1st 2025 | £6,585 | £8,232 | £11,524 |
| Oct 1st 2025 - Nov 1st 2025 | £6,043 | £7,554 | £10,574 |
| Nov 1st 2025 - May 30th 2026 | £4,395 | £5,494 | £7,691 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
