Villa Polemarchi Iris
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Overview
The homely Villa Polemarchi Iris is nestled on a superb, elevated plot near the tranquil village of Polemarchi, four kilometres from the village of Tavronitis and roughly 22km west of Chania. The villa comes with extensive gardens and terraces, four spacious bedrooms, traditionally styled living space and the most fabulous, panoramic views stretching from the White Mountains to the brilliant blue sea and over towards Chania.
Polemarchi is a tiny inland village where you will feel you have got away from all the stresses of everyday life. The village and beach of Tavronitis are named after the River Tavronitis which flows into the area. Tavronitis Beach is a pebbly beauty that actually runs from Kolimbari to Stalos. Near the beach there are many inviting tavernas and restaurants. Just along from Tavronitis is Maleme with its historic airport, the field of the Battle of Crete. Maleme is a delightful, peaceful resort with a fabulous array of bars, tavernas and shops. It sits between Tavronitis and Gerani with a three kilometre beach. Maleme’s lively neighbour Platanias is just fifteen minutes away with its Blue Flag beach and buzzy nightlife. Chania Old Town is thirty minutes away from Villa Polemarchi Iris boasting an incredibly beautiful Venetian harbour and lighthouse and its charming narrow cobbled streets full of unique boutiques, atmospheric restaurants and bougainvillea. Alternatively, you can head west to the island’s astounding beaches of Balos, Falasarna and Elafonissi or for a very active day out, you can hike through the phenomenal Samaria Gorge. Villa Polemarchi Iris certainly offers you some wonderful possibilities to enjoy your holiday in Crete!
Surrounded by nature, Villa Polemarchi Iris offers total seclusion and privacy. It feels like your own oasis of peace where you can admire the hilly landscape, the colour of the sea and sky and the brilliant climate. The gardens are on two levels with the lower ground floor bedrooms opening directly onto the pretty, lower tier gardens. The 8m x 5m swimming pool with its special children’s section sits on the higher level with commanding views and is surrounded by loungers. Just by the pool is an excellent, if slightly rustic, shaded outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining area. You will have fun with the traditional bread or pizza oven and the barbecue, cooking feasts that you can enjoy as you watch the sun go down. There are grassy banks and vibrant colourful flowers everywhere, contrasting beautifully with the mellow stonework of the villa. You will find a table tennis table tucked away in a quiet corner for some family fun. The villa also enjoys several balconies, one of which can also be used for alfresco meals. It is so lovely to have breakfast here looking over towards Chania and the sea.
Villa Polemarchi Iris has been designed with large windows and glass doors which ensure it is bright and airy. The living and dining room is a cheery space offering much charm with its high, wooden, vaulted ceiling and its exposed stonework. Comfy, traditional chairs and sofas sit in the corner, perfectly placed to admire the views and to watch the television while the dining table also enjoys a fabulous view. Doors open to a balcony and allow a soft breeze in. Next comes the country kitchen with its wooden cupboards, breakfast table and feature fireplace for chilly days. Two of the villa’s bedrooms are located on this level, one a charming twin with an ensuite bathroom with a hydro massage bath and the other with a double bed as well as another hydro massage bath. Both of the rooms enjoy private balconies where you can pop out to enjoy the sunrise and your early morning cup of coffee.
The remaining two bedrooms are on the lower ground floor, one with a double bed and the other a twin. Again, they both boast ensuite bathrooms and each has direct access to the garden with its breathtaking views.
Villa Polemarchi Iris may be on the traditional side and not one of the swanky pads by the sea but it certainly has its charms. It enjoys modern comforts, total seclusion and those views are very hard to beat!
What you should know…
- The villa is roughly 5km from the nearest beach so you will need to drive to jump in the sea
- The villa enjoys many modern comforts with ensuite bathrooms for every bedroom though you may find the choice of furniture and fittings to be a little traditional in styling
- You must make sure that you have time to visit Chania Old Town. It is captivating and utterly beautiful with a fantastic dining scene. Although there are plenty of walk-in waterside eateries, it is best to book in advance for some of the more popular restaurants such as Tamam and Pallas with its gorgeous rooftop dining space
This home is a part of our Great Value Collection!
Our great value homes:
- may be traditionally styled for a laid back feeling
- may have some simple amenities and features
- mean that you can enjoy top holiday destinations for less!
Property Features
The Villa
Villa Polemarchi Iris is a traditionally-styled 4-bedroom villa comfortably sleeping 8 guests, with private pool.
Lower Ground Floor
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with twin beds and en-suite bathroom
Ground Floor
- Open-plan living area with dining facilities
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with twin beds and en-suite bathroom
Exterior Grounds
- Private swimming pool (8m x 5m)
- Terrace
- Dining facilities
- Barbecue
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Washing machine
- Iron & board
- Safe box
- Parking
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa Polemarchi IrisVilla Polemarchi Iris enjoys a rural setting with outstanding countryside and sea views. It sits in its elevated position near the village of Polemarchi and 4km above the charming village of Tavronitis, close to the Rodopos peninsula. The villa is within easy reach of Chania, Kissamos, Balos Beach, Falasarna Beach and Elfafonissi Beach. Tavrontis and Maleme, the next village, are laid-back spots where you can truly relax. Being edged by low dunes and sprinkled with towering trees, Maleme Beach is lovely. Snorkelling, fishing and horse riding are available locally and there are some mini-markets and tempting tavernas. The foothills behind Maleme are excellent for fresh country walks perfumed by the wild thyme and oregano. An hour’s ramble out of Maleme takes you to the charming hilltop village of Deres with its whitewashed church and inviting taverna. Maleme is famous for being the place where German paratroopers attacked Crete in 1941. Tavronitis and Maleme are peaceful havens but if you are looking for some livelier entertainment, you can head to Platanias roughly 13km away.
The buzzy tourist resort of Kissamos sits on the edge of the Gramvousa peninsula. Kissamos is also known as Kastelli Kissamou in reference to the former Venetian fortress that used to dominate the town. Kissamos enjoys many tavernas, beaches and plenty of shops. Surrounding the town are fertile olive groves and vineyards. The main beach is Mavros Molos which is sprinkled with trees, sunbeds and parasols. The Archaeological Museum of Kissamos is located on the main square, Stratigou Tzanakaki, boasting an impressive collection of local discoveries from a wide range of historical eras. A little further north of the main port of Kissamos is the quaint, colourful Old Port of Kastelli Kissamou which is brimming with brightly coloured fishing boats, a photographer’s dream.
On the Gramvousa peninsula, Balos Lagoon Beach is absolutely stunning and one of the most photographed beaches in Greece. The lagoon of Balos has silvery white sand and exotic, white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and ideal for snorkeling. The lagoon and wider area with rare species of flora and fauna are protected under the Natura 2000 programme. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves and the area is a shelter for protected monk seal and loggerhead sea turtle. You will think you are in the Maldives or somewhere as it is so beautiful. Balos can be reached by car, though be prepared for a bumpy ride or you can take a boat trip to the beach. North of Balos, in Cape Korykon, there are remains of the small Roman town of Agnio with the temple of Apollo and the picturesque chapel of Agios Sostis.
At the western base of the stunning Cape Gramvousa, 17km west of Kissamos, you will discover Falasarna Beach, another fabulous Cretan gem. The beach has been voted as one of the ten best beaches in Europe in the past. Falasarna Bay actually consists of five consecutive dazzling, silver-sanded beaches. It is huge as well as gorgeous and has such a dazzling, clear, turquoise blue sea. At the northern end of the beach there are ruins of the ancient Grecoroman city of Falasarna. There are several companies offering watersports including Falasarna Activities who offer wakeboard and jet ski tuition.
Elafonisi is also a magical place that consists of a small islet with white and pink sandy beaches. Visitors can wade out to the island to enter another world. The island is an internationally classified nature reserve and home to more than one hundred rare plants including summer flowering sea daffodils that look like white cups. The island is a nature lovers paradise. To the left of the sandbank, windsurfers enjoy the prevailing winds.
The charming and picturesque Old Town of Chania is roughly twenty five minutes away in the car. Its atmospheric 14th century Venetian harbour, old port, narrow, cobbled shopping streets, colourful bougainvillea and waterfront restaurants make this a top-notch evening out. The sunset views are breathtaking with the Venetian lighthouse a focal point. You can walk along the harbour wall to the lighthouse.
Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe at 16km which would take roughly six hours to pass along the whole gorge. Otherwise you can drive to Chora Sfakion and take a boat to Agia Roumeli and walk at few kilometres at the end of the gorge. The Imbros Gorge is also very beautiful and takes approximately two hours. You can combine this walk with swimming in Fragokastelo Beach.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Chania International Airport
(41.3km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Platanias
(13.4km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Tavronitis
(4.2km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Kaneva Barbecue Restaurant, Tavronitis
(4.3km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Eyn Supermarket, Tavronitis
(4.2km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Tavronitis Beach
(5.4km) |
||
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 AgesVilla Polemarchi Iris is a brilliant choice for a family holiday. It is peaceful, spacious and enjoys a fabulous garden. The pool is excellent with its small shallow section for children and the table tennis table always proves to be a big hit. The gardens are lovely with plenty of space for family games. The beaches at Tavronitis and Maleme are delightful though Tavronitis is pebbly. You will also be drawn to the famous beaches of Falasarna, Elafonisi and Balos that you see on many Crete holiday posters. The beaches are absolutely stunning and you will not forget them. Kissamos Beach is close by with several surf schools including Kalo Surf and a number of opportunities to learn to stand-up paddleboard. Also at Kissamos you can take many boat trips, either to Balos or just to enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the clear blue water.
If you’re keen to explore the local environment, you’ll come across some outstanding natural wonders. The well-known Cave of Agia Sophia near Kissamos is a remarkable sight, full of dramatic, twisted stalagmites and stalactites. The Sirikari Gorge that runs from the village of Sirikari down to Polyrrinia can be explored on a three hour walk, where you will see a wealth of beautiful plants and as well as wild animals. Another gorge, the Keramari Gorge near to near Kissamos, is the entrance to the traditional village of Milia. Active children may enjoy mountain biking or hiking in some of the gorges or the eroded, bizarre-looking hills of Komolithi.
Chania Town is a great place for families. Minoan’s World of 3D Museum and 9D Cinema is an immersive cinema where you can learn about the Minoan history while enjoying 11 effects such as earthquakes, snow and much more. The movie stars Zeus as a baby and as a God, abductions, flying too close to the sun and an eruption of the volcano in Santorini causing a devastasting tsunami that ended the Minoan era.
Aqua Creta Limnoupolis is a fun water park close to Chania. It offers extreme adventure with impressive water slides including two freefall slides, a black hole, a triple twist, a rainbow multi-slide and two giant slides. It also boasts a lazy river, a kid’s pool and an artificial island.
The cuisine in Crete is delicious and it is very easy to eat out with children. You should definitely stop at a Cretan bakery for biscuits and pastries. Loukoumades are honey drenched doughnuts that children adore!
Kids Activities Close-by
- <1hr to Airport
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
Onsite Facilities
- DVD
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters 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
- Babysitting/childcare services
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 | There is no security deposit, but should there be any damage or loss caused by you or your guests during your stay you will be liable for the cost. |
| Arrival time | 4pm |
| Departure time | 10am |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | There is no security deposit, but should there be any damage or loss caused by you or your guests during your stay you will be liable for the cost. |
| Arrival time | 4pm |
| Departure time | 10am |
| Energy costs included? | Yes, included in the rental price |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes, included in the 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. |
| 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. |
| Changeover day | Flexible |
| Minimum stay | Please note that there is a 5-night minimum stay, this may be increased to 7-nights across peak dates |
| Pets welcome? | No pets |
| Smoking Allowed? | No smoking |
| 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. In Greece, the plumbing system is not designed to have paper and sanitary items flushed down the lavatory. In these cases a bathroom bin is provided. |
| Insurance | Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, personal belongings and any accidental damage caused during their stay. |
The Greek government requires owners to collect a Tourist Climate Tax, your property manager will collect this in cash:
March-October €10 per night per unit
November-February €4 per night per unit
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 8 people:
| Rental period | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17th 2024 - Apr 27th 2024 | £1,396 | £1,954 |
| Apr 27th 2024 - May 25th 2024 | £1,605 | £2,247 |
| May 25th 2024 - Jun 16th 2024 | £1,747 | £2,446 |
| Jun 16th 2024 - Jun 29th 2024 | - | £3,034 |
| Jun 29th 2024 - Jul 20th 2024 | - | £3,518 |
| Jul 20th 2024 - Aug 24th 2024 | - | £4,105 |
| Aug 24th 2024 - Sep 7th 2024 | - | £3,621 |
| Sep 7th 2024 - Sep 21st 2024 | - | £2,835 |
| Sep 21st 2024 - Mar 29th 2025 | £1,605 | £2,247 |
| Mar 29th 2025 - Apr 26th 2025 | £1,396 | £1,954 |
| Apr 26th 2025 - May 24th 2025 | £1,605 | £2,247 |
| May 24th 2025 - Jun 15th 2025 | £1,747 | £2,446 |
| Jun 15th 2025 - Jun 28th 2025 | - | £3,034 |
| Jun 28th 2025 - Jul 19th 2025 | - | £3,518 |
| Jul 19th 2025 - Aug 23rd 2025 | - | £4,105 |
| Aug 23rd 2025 - Sep 6th 2025 | - | £3,621 |
| Sep 6th 2025 - Sep 20th 2025 | - | £2,835 |
| Sep 20th 2025 - Oct 19th 2025 | £1,605 | £2,247 |
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.
