A handcrafted stone villa nestled in ancient olive groves, minutes from the Mediterranean's most iconic beaches.
A heritage Cretan retreat, handcrafted from the earth itself.
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Our Story
In the sun-drenched village of Spilia — a name whispered through centuries, drawn from the sacred Cave of Saint John hidden in the Marathokefala hills — we built something more than a home. We built a feeling.
SpiliaInn was born in 2011 from a deeply personal vision: to create a place where the wisdom of Cretan stone masonry meets the comforts a modern traveler deserves. Every wall was laid by hand. Every beam was chosen with intention. Every detail was shaped by our own travels across the world and the quiet understanding of what makes a stay truly unforgettable.
The result is a luxuriously appointed stone maisonette, cradled in the tranquility of a centuries-old olive grove, just a thousand meters from the crystalline waters of Kolymbari. Step outside your door and breathe in the scent of wild thyme and warm stone. Look to the horizon and see nothing but the shimmering Cretan Sea. Look up on a clear night, and find the Milky Way waiting for you.
Our guests tell us the views are "better than the pictures." That they "felt like they were at home." That it was "the most breathtaking view they have ever seen." We built SpiliaInn to be all of that — and more.
“The views are stunning and better than the pictures.”
“Definitely the most breathtaking view I have ever seen.”
This is not a hotel. It is a home in one of the most beautiful corners of the earth, watched over by people who genuinely care. And it is waiting for you.
2011
Built with meraki
9
Guests welcome
4
Bedrooms
4.65
Average rating (23 reviews)
The Space
SpiliaInn unfolds across three distinct levels, each revealing a new dimension of Cretan living. Hand-hewn stone walls, exposed wooden beam ceilings, and warm natural light define every room.
Step through the entrance into an open-plan living space where a modern kitchen flows seamlessly into a comfortable lounge area. But the real magic lies just beyond: a grand stone terrace furnished with handcrafted monastery-style wooden furniture, offering sweeping views over the verdant village rooftops and the shimmering Bay of Kolymbari. This is where mornings begin with Greek coffee and sunsets end with local wine.
Ascend the original stone staircase to discover three bedrooms, each a masterclass in rustic elegance. All feature built-in wardrobes and share a fully appointed master bathroom with a full bathtub.
Nestled below the main house, surrounded by ancient olive trees, lies a completely self-contained 24m² studio apartment with its own private entrance via a charming garden path. Featuring a queen bed, single bed, private bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette with refrigerator, dining area, and TV — the perfect retreat for families seeking independence or friends wanting their own space.
Three beautifully appointed bathrooms feature natural stone, modern fixtures, and pebble-mosaic accents. One includes a full bathtub and in-unit washing machine. Premium Whirlpool appliances throughout.
The Space
Each room reflects a different face of Crete — the sea, the mountains, the olive groves.
Upper Floor
A queen-size bed in a spacious, minimalist room where rough-cut stone meets soft linens. Panoramic balcony views stretching all the way to the sea.
Upper Floor
Two single beds framed by honey-toned stone, with balcony doors that open to sweeping mountain vistas.
Upper Floor
An intimate space with a wrought-iron double bed, hand-painted folk art, and the golden glow of wood-beamed ceilings.
Garden Level
Self-contained 24m² with private garden entrance, full kitchen, bathroom, and peaceful olive grove views.
The View
The terrace at SpiliaInn is not a perk. It is the centerpiece — seven distinct vistas of bay, sea, mountain, valley, and village.
Dawn
Watch the sun rise over the mountains while the village below still sleeps.
Morning
Take your coffee as the olive grove catches its first golden light.
Afternoon
The Bay of Kolymbari glimmers on the horizon.
Dusk
The sky turns amber and rose over the ancient hills.
Night
On a clear night, when the village is quiet — look up. The Milky Way stretches overhead.
“The views are stunning and better than the pictures.”
“Definitely the most breathtaking view I have ever seen.”
“A view you won't soon forget.”
Gallery
Every image is a real room, a real view, a real moment. No staging. No filters.
Amenities
58 thoughtfully curated amenities — because the best hospitality is the kind you don't notice until it's missing.
The Experience
An authentic Cretan welcome from people who genuinely care.
Despina and Stelios are Athenians who fell in love with a hillside olive grove in Spilia and built their dream retreat with their own hands. Though they live in Athens, their warmth travels ahead of them — guests arrive to find fresh fruit, coffee, and the golden oil pressed from the property's own ancient olive trees waiting on the table.
A trusted local caretaker is always nearby, ensuring your stay is seamless from first key turn to final goodbye. Their response rate is 100%, and they typically reply within the hour.
“She came specially from Athens to welcome us and brought fantastic oil from their olive trees!”
Location
Spilia sits at the crossroads of Western Crete's most legendary destinations. From your doorstep, world-famous beaches are all within easy reach.
The vibrant city of Chania, with its Venetian harbor, leather-lane markets, and world-class restaurants, is just 25 minutes by car.
Kolymbari Beach
Your nearest swim — 1 km from the property
Falasarna
Vast golden sands & blazing sunsets
Balos Lagoon
Caribbean waters, Cretan soul
Elafonisi
Pink-sand paradise
Paleochora
Bohemian coastal village
The Village
Spilia is not a resort. It is a real Cretan village, perched on a hillside above the coast, where roosters mark the morning and the smell of thyme drifts through open windows. Your neighbour tends his olive trees and keeps chickens. The village square has a taverna serving food the way it has been cooked here for generations.
Some guests come for the silence. Some for the strategic location — within an hour of Elafonisi, Balos, and Falasarna, yet completely removed from the tourist crowds. Many come for both.
“Away from mass tourism, yet close to everything.”
Claude (5-week stay)
“A quaint, pretty village — which it is.”
Tamir
“A walk down to the church you can see from the balcony is well worth it.”
Dennis
Guest Reviews
4.65 out of 5 — 23 reviews on Airbnb
“Most breathtaking view I have ever seen.”
I highly recommend it!!!!! Definitely the most breathtaking view I have ever seen. Peaceful, perfect for relaxing! Despina and Stelios were so friendly and willing to help you whenever you wanted. The house is so cosy and clear, very comfortable rooms.
Maria
February 2023
Reviews shown in the language originally written by guests.
Honest Notes
We believe the best guests arrive informed. Here's everything we'd want to know ourselves.
The village location means WiFi works best on the terrace and upper floor. We recommend embracing it as an opportunity to unplug — or connect via mobile data indoors.
Spilia is a working village. You may be woken by a rooster, a distant tractor, or the bells of sheep grazing nearby. Our guests consistently tell us this is one of their favourite parts of the experience.
The nearest beach (Kolymbari) is a short 5-minute drive. SpiliaInn is the ideal base for exploring Western Crete — not a beachfront property.
The studio is a self-contained 24m² apartment with its own private entrance, full kitchen, bathroom, and olive grove views. It does not have a private outdoor terrace.
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