Villa Plaka Dimitra Greece

The sensational, newly built Villa Plaka Dimitra occupies a prestigious spot in Plaka enjoying sensational, uninterrupted views across the glistening Elounda Gulf to the island of Spinalonga. With fabulous amenities, six spectacular bedroom suites and wonderful entertaining space, this villa is perfect for up to twelve guests wanting to enjoy extraordinary scenery and wonderful peace and serenity. Villa Plaka Gina is beautifully finished throughout with extraordinary attention to detail. Its warm stone exterior blends harmoniously against the hilly backdrop. The villa’s three storeys are set gently into the hilly slope making full use of the outstanding panorama.
The pretty village of Plaka is located in the Mirabello Bay, opposite Spinalonga and 16km north of Agios Nikolaos. Plaka was originally a quaint fishing village which offered access to Spinalonga Island when it was a colony for lepers. Now it is a sophisticated, peaceful resort with natural beauty and spectacular views. Hikers enjoy the numerous caves around the mountains. Plaka offers a good selection of seaside bars and restaurants and is in close proximity to the cosmopolitan, buzzy town of Elounda. Elounda and Plaka host two of the most important archaeological sites in Crete, the sunken city of Olous and the Venetian Fortress of Spinalonga Island.
Villa Plaka Dimitra enjoys a very spacious open plan living space on the ground floor. Its furnishings are quite unique with dining chairs upholstered with material the colour of the sea, matching the scatter cushions on the enormous corner sofa. The Italian hardwood floor blends perfectly creating an inviting ambience. The neutral walls are covered in vibrant, modern art, mostly with a seaside theme. Guests will certainly be lounging and dining with a view from this heavenly spot. The chefs in your group will be delighted with the high-spec white kitchen which offers top notch appliances and plenty of space. The wine fridge will ensure you always have chilled wine on hand. You can throw the doors open to access the terrace and enjoy a very special view out to sea. There is a second, quiet living space on the lower ground floor where you can escape with a good book and gaze at the pretty courtyard garden.
The villa boasts six luxurious bedroom suites, all calm, serene and full of beautiful furnishings. Each of the king-size beds is adorned with luxury linens and colourful soft furnishings. The decor is classy and sophisticated and each bedroom enjoys an immaculate marbled en-suite bathroom with the very best in fittings. The bedroom suites are luxurious havens where you can slip into your robes and slippers and relax. The bedrooms are spread over the first and lower ground floors, most with stunning sea views and access to a terrace or the inner courtyard garden with its lush palms.
The outside spaces of Villa Plaka Dimitra are absolutely stunning. The gorgeous stone exterior of the villa and silvery stone terrace blend beautifully with the bright turquoise waters beyond and the mostly cloudless skies. The terrace is enormous with a gorgeous contemporary infinity pool drawing your eye. Guests can laze on superior loungers and corner sofa admiring the spectacular seascapes over to the island of Spinalonga and the Elounda Gulf. If you haven’t already read it, you should pack ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop so that you can imagine life on Spinalonga. The shaded alfresco dining area is superb with the most amazing dining table, bench arrangement and seats, all enjoying the breathtaking sea views. Guests have use of a fabulous gas barbecue and an amazing, contemporary, shaded outdoor kitchen with a bar. There is also another alfresco lounge area, the perfect spot for early evening cocktails and watching the sun go down. The garden sections offer lush lawns, olive and locust trees and other beautiful planting. Steps lead down through the terrace and gardens to the waterfront. This is truly a very magical spot with the architectural design making you feel very secluded and private. If you can bear to leave this wonderful villa, you can wander into Plaka with its authentic traditional Greek appeal to visit one of the alluring tavernas.  Villa Plaka Dimitra is located in a very prestigious spot in Plaka. Nestled at the base of the hills, the villa is waterfront with astounding panoramic views across the Elounda Gulf to the island of Spinalonga. Plaka is picturesque, very traditional and very friendly. You will receive such a warm welcome at the tavernas and restaurants. Plaka is located in the Apokoronas region of of Crete, 2km from Almirida, a resort it overlooks. There are some fabulous walks around the village, through olive groves or to the next villages of Kampia and Kokkino Chorio. The pebbly beach is delightful with a promenade and backed by tamarisk trees.
The island of Spinalonga has a fascinating, if sad, history. The name of Spinalonga was given by the Venetians. Spina means ‘thorn’ and longa means ‘long’. In the 20th century (1903 -1957) Spinalonga was used as a leper colony. The lepers used a tunnel known as ‘Dante’s Gate’ in order to enter the island. Once on the island, the patients received food, water and medical attention. For half a century, this barren rocky island was a home to life’s outcasts who lived in extreme pain. As science progressed and a cure for leprosy was discovered, the lepers were cured and the hospital shut down in 1957. Nowadays, the island is uninhabited. It is a recognised archaeological site with one of the few examples of Venetian fortress building in Eastern Mediterranean. It is a popular tourist attraction with boats leaving from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
Elounda is an upmarket little resort on the island’s emerald-swept coast. Elounda is very popular with the rich and famous for its seaside luxury resorts. Greece’s ex Prime Minister spent his summers in Elounda and it is frequently visited by the royal family of Saudi Arabia. Elounda was used for the filming of the BBC television series ‘Who Pays the Ferryman?’ and is featured in Victoria Hislop’s ‘The Island’. This superb seaside town revolves around its colourful harbour and the main square. You will discover plenty of authentic Greek tavernas and friendly bars as well as a wonderful, Blue Flag sandy beach. The quieter Driros Beach is a 15 minute walk south along the coastal path. If you are walking south you will also come to the remains of the submerged ancient city of Olous. Five huge stone windmills were excavated and today they stand next to the bridge and are open to the public. If you take a 30 minute drive, you can wander freely amongst the ruins of the Minoan Palace of Malia dating back to 1450 BC.
Crete is mountainous with a high range crossing from west to east. The island also boasts numerous gorges which are amazing to visit such as the Samaria Gorge, the Imbros Gorge and the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The island is Greek’s fifth largest island so you will not be able to see everything in one holiday! There are some sublime beaches, some of which are on the other side of the island. There are a number of islands, islets and rocks that hug the coast. The big cities are Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Lerapetra, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. The island’s archaeological sites include the Minoan sites of Knossos, Malia and Phaistos. The island offers a fabulous range of activities and adventures. There are unique beaches, canyons, falls, trekking, kayaking and many watersports. Crete is a very friendly island and the food is absolutely delicious. You will have a ballAt Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the
concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfill your requests!