Exi Estate | 8-Bedroom Villa in Elounda Agios Nikolaos

Fourteen guests arrive at Exi Estate in Elounda, Crete, and immediately understand why the eastern coastline of Greece commands such reverence. This eight-bedroom luxury villa rental in Elounda commands a waterfront position on the Mediterranean, where a 12-by-6-metre infinity pool seems to dissolve into the sea itself. The property sprawls across three distinct structures—the main villa, a lower ground floor pavilion, and a garden cottage—connected by terraced pathways that descend toward private beach access, a rarity that transforms a villa stay into something closer to owning a slice of coastline.

Inside Exi Estate

Exi Estate sleeps 16 guests across 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, distributed across multiple levels to ensure privacy and independence for extended family groups or friends traveling together.

The first floor houses three primary bedrooms. The master suite occupies its own world—a king-size bed faces a private balcony where morning light catches the Aegean, an en-suite shower room for practical mornings, and a separate Jacuzzi bathroom for evening restoration. Two additional first-floor bedrooms complete this tier: one kingsize with sea-view balcony and en-suite bathroom, one twin (convertible to kingsize) overlooking olive groves toward distant mountains, also with en-suite facilities and private balcony access.

The lower ground floor adds four more bedrooms. Twin rooms share a living area, bathroom, and expansive terrace—ideal for children or companions seeking connected-yet-separate spaces. A superking bedroom with its own seating area and private garden provides another autonomous retreat. A games room on this level anchors the lower floor—pool table, satellite television, and direct access to the pool terrace create a social hub for evening entertainment.

The garden cottage beneath the tennis court contains the final two bedrooms: a double with compact en-suite shower room, and a twin with shower-and-bath combination. This separate structure functions as a guest wing, granting visiting friends or adult children complete independence while remaining steps from the main property.

Common spaces reflect the craftsmanship expected of eight-bedroom Crete villas. The ground-floor living room features a 600-year-old working fireplace, high ceilings that amplify Mediterranean light, and multiple sets of patio doors opening toward the sea. A study lined with books and dominated by a Boston grand piano creates a creative retreat—the kind of room that turns a casual pianist into someone inspired to play for hours. The dining room seats twelve comfortably, with direct terrace access for meals that blur indoor-outdoor boundaries. The kitchen, fully equipped and positioned to catch light and views on three sides, overlooks the pool and gardens—this is the kind of cooking space that transforms reluctant meal-preparers into willing volunteers, though the availability of an on-site chef means cooking remains entirely optional. A secondary kitchen, dining area, and living space in the cottage provide complete food-preparation autonomy for the guest wing.

Utilities run seamlessly: air conditioning throughout, heating for winter months, Wi-Fi across all structures, washing and drying facilities, and a fax-printer for those moments when work briefly intrudes on vacation.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The grounds sprawl across sloping terrain where olive groves meet manicured gardens, all descending toward the sea. The infinity pool—12 metres long, 6 metres wide—anchors the middle terrace, lined with sun loungers that face south toward unobstructed horizon. The pool terrace includes a marble-topped dining table seating twelve, perfect for lunches where conversation competes with the sound of water meeting stone.

Three distinct outdoor eating areas serve different moods: the formal marble table for coordinated group dinners, a shaded veranda with casual alfresco arrangement for morning coffee, and a sophisticated upper terrace for sunset aperitifs. Every space feels like it was precisely positioned to capture specific light and views.

A Davis Cup-regulation tennis court sits on the upper property, adjacent to a boules court—two spaces for active guests or those simply wanting to stay engaged. Equipment is provided on request.

The most unusual feature emerges at the garden’s far end: a Greek Orthodox Chapel with panoramic sea views. Couples planning destination weddings find this setting transcends typical villa amenities—an authentic religious structure that creates ceremony without the theatrical production of rented decorations.

At the water’s edge sits perhaps the villa’s most coveted feature: a private wooden deck suspended above the sea, furnished with loungers, parasols, and a drinks refrigerator. A ladder descends directly into the Mediterranean—swimming becomes instantaneous, unmediated by public beaches or shared access points. A changing room, toilet, and shower serve this waterfront platform, acknowledging the reality that sea swimming requires practical support.

The grounds also include ample parking, essential for groups coordinating multiple vehicle arrivals and departures across a stay’s arc.

Location: Elounda and the Surrounding Area

Elounda, positioned 10 kilometres northeast of Agios Nikolaos on Crete’s northern coast, represents a deliberate contradiction: famous enough to attract international travelers, yet quiet enough to feel like a personal discovery. The town evolved from a fishing village into a luxury destination, now anchored by five-star resorts and high-end villas that maintain the area’s character rather than overwhelming it.

The immediate coastline around Exi Estate offers diverse beaches within short driving distances. Plaka Beach, 8 kilometres north, extends for nearly 2 kilometres of soft sand backed by tamarisk trees—the kind of beach where families settle for entire days. Mikro and Makro Gialos beaches, closer at 4-5 kilometres, provide more sheltered swimming in smaller coves. Vlychard Beach, 12 kilometres south toward the Sitia direction, attracts those seeking quieter, less-developed shoreline.

Spinalonga Island lies 3 kilometres offshore—a Venetian fortress transformed into a 16th-century Turkish stronghold, and ultimately a 20th-century leper colony. Boat trips depart regularly from Elounda’s waterfront, typically 15-minute journeys that reveal layers of Mediterranean history written in stone walls and preserved architecture.

Agios Nikolaos, the regional capital 10 kilometres south, centers around a harbor ringed with waterfront restaurants specializing in fresh fish and traditional Greek preparations. The Thursday market, held near the town center, overflows with local produce, herbs, cheeses, and the kind of regional products that make self-catering feel like shopping from a Mediterranean pantry. Venizelos Street contains pharmacies, supermarkets, and general supplies—everyday necessities exist without requiring significant travel.

Explore our villas in Elounda for additional property options, or browse our luxury villas across Europe for comparative inspiration. Our Elounda travel guide provides deeper destination context, while our full collection in Greece reveals the spectrum of possibilities across the broader region.

Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis,” located 70 kilometres southwest of Elounda, serves as the primary gateway. Transfer time from airport to villa runs approximately 90 minutes by private car—manageable for international arrivals, particularly when coordinated through the villa’s transfer service.

Seasonal considerations matter. May through September delivers consistent sunshine and warm sea temperatures (23-26°C by July-August), though July and August draw peak crowds. April, May, September, and October offer sweet-spot conditions: reliable weather, cooler temperatures, and fewer tourists competing for beach space. Winter rainfall peaks December-February, though Mediterranean winters remain mild and serve those seeking solitude.

Crete’s food culture centers on olive oil, feta, fresh seafood, and herbs grown in backyard gardens. Local restaurants in Elounda and Agios Nikolaos prepare dakos (barley rusks with tomato and feta), saganaki (fried cheese), and grilled octopus with the casualness of everyday cooking. Ouzo and local raki appear on nearly every taverna menu—digestifs that accompany sunset watching as naturally as the light itself.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families spanning three generations find Exi Estate’s eight-bedroom, three-structure layout ideal. Grandparents occupy the master suite with its spa-caliber bathroom facilities. Adult children settle into first-floor bedrooms with sea views. Cousins and their families inhabit the garden cottage with operational autonomy. Everyone gathers for meals yet maintains private retreats for afternoon resting or evening quiet.

Groups of friends—eight couples, perhaps—divide into pairs across bedrooms while sharing the games room, tennis court, and pool for coordinated activities. The separate cottage becomes a recovery space for those opting out of evening activities.

Couples hosting milestone celebrations (anniversaries, renewing vows, commemorative retreats) appreciate the chapel, the private beach access, and the chef’s availability for special dinners that translate effort into experiential luxury rather than kitchen labor.

Business groups requiring a working retreat find adequate Wi-Fi, fax-printer facilities, and spaces—the study with its grand piano and book collection serves as a thinking room—that support productivity without feeling corporate.

Families with children benefit from multiple pools (sea and infinity), the private beach platform eliminating lifeguard anxiety, safe climbing equipment, boules for casual evening activity, and the chef’s flexibility in accommodating varying dietary preferences or picky eaters without negotiating restaurant limitations.

Practical Information

Exi Estate accommodates 16 guests maximum across 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. Capacity breaks down as: first floor (3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms), lower ground floor (4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms), garden cottage (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms). Infant sleeping arrangements (cots or additional beds) can be coordinated based on family configurations.

Heraklion Airport stands 70 kilometres from the villa, approximately 90-minute transfer by private car. Shuttle services can be arranged through the booking process. Agios Nikolaos, the nearest town providing supermarkets and pharmacies, lies 10 kilometres south.

Included amenities encompass all utilities (electricity, water, heating, air conditioning), Wi-Fi across the property, pool maintenance and heating, linen and towel provision, cleaning service (frequency depends on rental length), and equipment for tennis, boules, and board games. Beach towels and pool toys are supplied.

Pre-arrival preparation (pre-stocking refrigerator with preferred beverages and breakfast items) can be arranged. Maid service operates on customizable schedules. Chef services begin from breakfast preparation through three-course dinners, or can provide cooking demonstrations for guests interested in learning regional techniques. Cooking classes conducted by the villa’s chef introduce techniques for traditional Greek preparations—learning to construct proper spanakopita or blend herbs for authentic seasoning occurs in the villa’s kitchen using its own ingredients.

Check-in and checkout times accommodate guest schedules with advance coordination. Transfers to and from Heraklion Airport, boat excursions, tennis coaching, and swimming instruction can be pre-arranged.

Frequently Asked Questions about Exi Estate

How many guests does Exi Estate sleep?

Exi Estate sleeps 16 guests across 8 bedrooms with 8 corresponding bathrooms. The first floor contains 3 bedrooms (master kingsize suite with Jacuzzi bathroom, one kingsize bedroom, one twin convertible to kingsize). The lower ground floor adds 4 bedrooms (two twin rooms sharing a living area, one superking bedroom, one kingsize bedroom). The garden cottage provides the final 2 bedrooms (one double, one twin). Infant cots and additional beds can be arranged through advance coordination.

What is the nearest airport to Exi Estate in Elounda?

Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” serves as the primary gateway, located 70 kilometres southwest of Exi Estate. Private car transfer takes approximately 90 minutes depending on traffic conditions and exact pickup-dropoff timing. The villa can arrange transfers directly, or guests can hire rental vehicles for independent exploration of Crete.

What is the best time of year to rent Exi Estate?

May through October offers the most reliable weather patterns for Elounda. July and August deliver peak sunshine and warmth but also peak tourist crowds. April, May, September, and October provide ideal combinations: consistent sunny days (temperatures 22-28°C), cooler sea temperatures that remain swimmable (19-23°C), and significantly fewer visitors competing for beaches and restaurants. Winter months (December-February) see occasional rainfall and cooler days, suitable for travelers seeking solitude and lower prices. Swimming remains possible year-round in the heated infinity pool.

Is Exi Estate suitable for families with children?

Yes. Multiple amenities serve families specifically: the heated infinity pool with ample lounger space and shallow areas, the private sea-access platform with ladder entry (eliminating public-beach concerns), board games and climbing equipment, and the separate cottage allowing parents and older children semi-autonomous spaces. The chef accommodates varying dietary preferences without restaurant negotiation. Nearby Plaka Beach and other family-oriented beaches provide alternative swimming experiences. Agios Nikolaos, 10 kilometres away, contains family restaurants and a children’s playground near the harbor.

What is included in the rental price at Exi Estate?

All utilities (electricity, water, heating, air conditioning), Wi-Fi, pool maintenance and heating, linen and towel provision, cleaning service, pool toys, beach towels, sunscreen, and access to all amenities (tennis court, boules court, games room equipment including pool table, books, and grand piano). Board games are provided. Parking accommodates multiple vehicles. Additional services such as chef-prepared meals, maid service beyond standard cleaning, pre-stocked refrigerator preparation, cooking classes, tennis coaching, swimming instruction, and airport transfers are available for supplementary fees arranged through the booking process.

What restaurants and shops are near Exi Estate?

Elounda’s waterfront contains numerous tavernas specializing in fresh fish and traditional Greek cuisine within 3-4 kilometres. Agios Nikolaos, 10 kilometres south, offers diverse dining from casual fish tavernas to more formal establishments. Supermarkets in Agios Nikolaos (Carrefour and local chains) provide groceries, fresh produce, cheeses, and regional specialties. The Thursday morning market in Agios Nikolaos overflows with local vendors selling produce, herbs, olives, and regional products ideal for self-catering or chef-prepared meals. Pharmacies and basic supplies are readily available in both towns without requiring significant travel from the villa.