It is 30 years since we first set our foot on this majestic island and we were never able to leave.

All these years we have worked in Istron Bay Hotel, among people who came again and again for their holidays, praising the precious light, the innumerable colors and sounds of the earth and the sea and the feeling of being truthfully welcome. In year 2000 we took a decisive step in a new concept. It was clear by then that for some people, independence and privacy would be more important than all the amenities a hotel could offer. The idea was simple and inspired. We created a group of four luxury villas each with its own pool, in the same bay with the hotel, near enough to enjoy all the facilities, yet far enough away to protect from any disturbance. It worked out so well that, three years later, powered this time by people’s appreciation and our gained experience, we presented another group of self-catering villas. The success came to us as no surprise as we never deviated from our principle: We made them with love.

Settled on a hill, just a two minute walk from the sandy beach of Istron Bay, the property is literally sunk in a green carpet formed by wild nature, olive groves, vegetable gardens and majestic palm trees all magnificently merging with the ever changing colors of the sky and the million blues of the sea.

Each villa occupies a different level on the hill with fences and shades having been carefully designed to secure that guests can enjoy their crystal clear swimming pool or perhaps a romantic alfresco dinner in full privacy.

On entering the Villas, the feeling of ‘‘being home’’ is overwhelming. Features from tradition blend harmonically with elegant modern furniture in rooms full of lights and vistas creating an atmosphere of inescapable relaxation, while contemporary technology completes the comfort. As you would expect of an accommodation of such quality, Villas are kept immaculate and a technician is always available to face all minor problems that might occur. A mini market, a laundry service and safety deposit boxes supplement our range of services but that is not all.

The presence of Istron Bay in the premises provides the option of using all the facilities and services a five star hotel can offer, including Beach with watersports, tennis court, diving courses, Children’s Club, Babysitting Service, Pool, Breakfast buffet, Lunch or dinner in one of the four restaurants and especially Meltemi a romantic restaurant just by the sea, Half board, Room service, and a bar on top of the hotel overlooking the idyllic bay of Istron.

Equipment

• All rooms are equipped with Air-conditions.


• Master bedrooms with bathroom en suite, hairdryer, beach towels.


• Fully equipped kitchens with fridge, freezer, dishwasher, microwave, coffee-maker, toaster.


• Lounges with TV, Video or DVD, CD stereo, desk with telephone connection.


• Iron and board, Safe.

Laying on the most spectacular part of the entire north coast of Crete - the Mirabello Gulf - our villas offer an incredible variety of options for all the curious spirits.
The property is settled in Istron, widely known for its magnificent beaches that have been awarded with the Blue flag for a series of years. For those who enjoy the atmosphere of a small town, Agios Nikolaos, the main town lies to the west just a 15 minute drive. With its shady avenues, its picturesque harbour lined with shops, cafes, bars and tavernas and of course the breathtaking inner harbour Voulismeni, which, tradition has it, is bottomless, it offers a different perspective of the Cretan lifestyle. The harbour shelters both caiques and fishing boats which run out to Spinalonga island, the abandoned yet evocative leper colony. Driving a little further along the gulf of Mirabello will reveal Elounda, Crete’s famous resort. The waterfront here is lined with shops and several romantically-inclined tavernas which set their tables on small jetties just above the clear and shallow water. From Ag. Nikolaos you can also choose to head towards the village of Kritsa, famous for its weaving. In this direction its worth stopping to marvel at the beautiful frescoes in the Byzantine church of Panayia Kera, the oldest in the whole of Crete, or to visit the Greco-Roman city of Lato perched high in the hills. Seekers of an authentic taste of Crete can drive even higher on the mountains towards the Plateau of Katharo in an amazingly beautiful route, as the extra ordinary nature here blends with the majestic sight of the huge Gulf, itself backed by the dramatically soaring mountains of Sitia. More surprises await explorers who decide to move east, towards Sitia or Ierapetra, two towns hardly affected by the evasion of tourism. Just a few minutes drive away, a first stop in the Minoan town of Gournia offers some glimpses to the past. Driving further along the Gulf under the imposing sight of the Gorge of Ha, the road climbs up the mountains of Sitia and a glorious panorama unfolds before your eyes. Again the options seem unlimited. You can choose to visit Mochlos where fresh fish is guaranteed or explore a little further away the fertile, full of trees and running water villages. Even from Istron there is direct access to the mountains where a handful of hospitable villages cary on over the centuries the values of filoxenia (considering the stranger a sacred person), the very essence of the Cretan Spirit.

Driving times:
To Airport 1.20 min
To Ag Nikolaos 15 min
To Ierapetra 20 min