Metochi Lodge

A Sleek Stone Lodge Tucked into the Rugged Cretan Coastline

Set on a rugged mountain with breathtaking views of Crete’s wide Bay of Falassarna, this villa owned by Belgian architect and ceramicist Karolien Grosemans makes an ideal island base for a pair of families or a group of friends seeking a bohemian retreat in natural tones and textures.

Grey, off-white and sand tones infuse the stone, cement and plaster structure with an elemental, earthy appeal across its four seaview bedrooms. The living area opens to a covered dining/barbecue terrace outdoors, and the house is flanked by an infinity pool and various outdoor terraces with lounge seating.

The lodge is surrounded by classic Cretan olive groves and has only a handful of visible neighbors dotting the landscape in the distance. Sixty wild hectares dotted with olive trees surround the house.

Layout

Lower level: Open-plan kitchen/living/dining room

Elevated level: Two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. One double bedroom and one family room with a shared bathroom. All rooms have outdoor terrace spaces and sea views.

Outdoors: Covered bamboo dining terrace, infinity pool, barbecue, private parking, lounge seating

Around

Located near the traditional village of Platanos, a small enclave with a bakery, pharmacy, gas station and small supermarket as well as services and restaurants, the villa is close to the famed sands of Falassarna (6km) and Balos on Crete’s west coast. The lodge is reached via a 1.5-kilometer-long dirt road outside of Platanos on the way to the village of Sfinari. For this reason, higher clearance vehicles are recommended for getting to the house as well as ideal for exploring the island’s wilder roads.

Beyond beach days at Balos and Elafonisi, two of Greece’s most loved sands, there’s wine tasting at the nearby Manousakis winery, snorkeling and diving at Ravdoucha Beach, where clear waters are backed by rugged cliffs and twisting coastal forest, hiking coastline trails and dramatic gorges. Yogis can enjoy scheduled retreats at the property, while gastro tourists revel in the island’s abundance of seafood and Mediterranean cuisine classics. There’s a local producer of early harvest organic olive oil on Mount Metochi in Patanos, making olives from Koroneiki olive trees and offering tours and tastings.

Location

Platanos, Kissamos Province, Crete, Greece. Nearest airport: Chania (1 hour)

Best time to visit

April to October