About Villa Breeze East
The headline here is undeniably the practically private beach just 30 metres from the house, with still, crystal-clear waters and backed by sand lilies. Built out of natural stone, Villa Breeze East virtually disappears into the dunes and white sandstone landscape of Crete’s south coast. But the stealthy design belies the property’s scale – as well as nine simple bedrooms, there are several large outdoor dining spaces, a tennis court and an outdoor kitchen complete with brick pizza oven overlooking the eye-wateringly blue ocean. There’s also an ‘antikristiera’ for slow-cooking lamb and a quintessentially Cretan welcome hamper with local oregano, ksinohondros and homemade vanilla submarine.
Wander up a few steps and you might stumble across a small chapel dedicated to Saint Dimitrios, or the shared tennis courts; back at base, the 22m-long infinity pool was designed to imitate the mood-boosting turquoise tones of the sea. Guests are encouraged to pluck thyme and sage from the garden; wild rock samphire is great steamed on salad with olive oil from the grove outside (you’ll find a bottle or two in the kitchen). Tamarind trees create a sense of seclusion and privacy here; even if you fill the place with your nearest and dearest, there’s an unflappably peaceful quality to it. Most of the rooms are doubles, but some have up to three single beds – kids will love the never-ending sleepover.
The location
Overlooking Paralia Xerokampou on Crete’s wild south coast, this is the spot for a carefree barefoot beach holiday. It’s so quiet that loggerhead turtles often nest here in June (you might see hatchling tracks in the sand in August). The owner can organise sound healing, yoga classes or massage treatments on the beach or back at the property, or you can pop to Galazia Akti taverna's seafront terrace in Arvi and the picturesque villages of Keratokampos and Kato Symi nearby.