Why we like it:
Style, traditional atmosphere of Crete, quality, quiet
& tiny hilltop village, soothing expansive views
OUR REVIEW
Samonas village is a tiny village of the Apokoronas
region, a hamlet, with a handful of houses. The village reveals the historic heart of
Crete, not just in appearance, but because it has the
atmosphere of a "village in the hills" - the best of places to experience the warmth and uniqueness of Crete. The history,
the hospitality, the mountain fragrances, the cool mornings, the
sounds of local life and the spirit.
This is also a wondrous place for walking and hiking with trails
leading to attractive mountain villages.
Samonas Inn is a group of craftsmen-finished and
appealingly designed maisonette houses, each with one bedroom, a living room with
fully equipped kitchen and dining area. These stone buildings - old
hewn stone with flower-decorated pathways between that suggest a
village in their own right. Each one provides spacious and stylish comfort,
ideal for 2 people.
Samonas Inn has high quality and discreet decor, with a sprinkling of good
antique furniture. The bird-shaped door stops, enormous antique keys, vases with displays, glass
cabinets with relics even in the bathrooms - all add to the flair and
pleasure of the place.
Your holiday home is designed on two floors. Traditional style of
exposed timbers, stone walls. Living areas have stone floors, bedrooms
wood floors. These buildings solid as they are, remain cool even on
hot days, but air conditioning is ready to polish away a hot day's sizzle.
You can stay in touch by telephone. Internet
connection can be made from your laptop in some of the houses or the
kafeneio.
Mood can be changed in the living areas using the
light
dimmer switches.
The dining area has large table and 4 chairs.
Bedrooms: double beds with orthopedic mattresses, ample wardrobe
and clothes stowage, full length dressing mirror. Wooden hangers are
provided in wardrobes.
Bathrooms continue the tasteful country-house
decorative touches and have all the useful facilities (of course hair
dryers are provided) and are equipped with showers.
The swimming pool and its terrace provide ample lounging and room for
sun-worshippers, or those who wish to alternate reading or chatting
with a cooling dip. Near the pool, there is a traditional wood oven
and barbecue which you are free to use - your host will show you how.
A steam room is available for your use at extra charge.
You will have views across the hills and the valley
(even the sea beyond) that fans out from the White
Mountains and houses villages such as Armeni, Maheri and the
toe-paddling doorway to the sea that is Kalyves.
But will you really want to go anywhere further than for
a mountain walk? There is after all a pool to swim in and to relax.
Perhaps get some exercise. A small gym with regular workout equipment
is at your disposal. Or, if you prefer, you can rent a bicycle and explore the area on two wheels.
Fancy a quick snack? The mews on the hillside, the tiny 4-house cluster that
is Samonas the place to stay and just be, has its own authentic
kafeneio for
guests...help yourself to coffee and snacks, soft drinks and basics and
just leave the money in the jar - trusted, yes you are!
The one and only taverna in the village offers home made Cretan
cooking with fresh and local ingredients. What is cooking today is what is on
offer today. Unless you ask the owner and cook that morning for something
in particular, for the evening's feast. But if the main theme of the day
does not please, then the potato omelettes are as good as such a
simple dish can be, the salads fresh and crisp, local wine and that fine
view blends in your senses with the aroma of herbs and the sounds of well, the Cretan
countryside.
Another taverna is a few minutes, on the drive down to the village
of Provarma - and in another minute's drive you can be seated
outdoors by
the water springs at Stylos.
ALL HOUSES
These are two-storey (maisonettes) built in stone and wood.
Each is built stepped up on the slopes of the hillside,
with common courtyards but independent verandas or balconies
with outdoor table and chairs, several quiet corners.
Each maisonette has two entrances.
All have air conditioning and heating on both
floors and hot water from solar and electric water heater.
Furniture is handmade, carved from beech wood. Linen draperies
are embroidered and there are quilts and feather pillows on the beds.
Ground floor: kitchen with full size oven with ceramic hotplate
surface, large fridge/freezer, dishwasher,
microwave, electric kettle, frappe maker, toaster, small electric
vacuum cleaner, pressure cooker, utensils, ample pots, pans, cutlery,
glasses and dishes.
Dining room with a large table made of wood and marble and
hand-made engraved chairs.
Sitting room with fireplace, TV, DVD-player, stereo, telephone,
sofa (with orthopedic mattresses which can
convert to two single or one double bed). First floor: gallery/loft bedroom with double bed, orthopedic mattress,
wardrobe, screen, full-length mirror, iron, ironing-board, telephone.
Bathroom with shower, washing machine and washer dryer, hair dryer.
(The Malotira house has a closing door to the bedroom)
THE HOUSES
No.2 Mantzourana (Marjoram or Marjory) - 50 m2
For 2 (up to 3) people. Built on four different levels. With balcony
and a covered veranda.
No.3 Diktamos (Dittany) - 60 m2
For 2 (up to 4) people. Bedroom is on the ground
floor. Private courtyard. No.4 Faskomilia (Sage) - 70 m2
For 2 (up to 4) people.
With traditional wooden stove and its large chimney and an original well.
Covered veranda, a large independent courtyard and access to the roof
with a magnificent panoramic view.
No.5 Malotira (Cretan mountain tea herb) - 75 m2*NON-SMOKING*
Triple room, for 2 (up to
4) people. An
internal arch and indoor veranda with view to the
Akrotiri and Apokoronas peninsulas, two private courtyards and access to the roof with mountain
and sea views. It has direct access internet connection (dial-up).
No.6 Fliskouni (mint/pennyroyal) - 80 m2 (available from April 2008)
Located higher up, for up to 6 people. Bedroom with sloped roof, jacuzzi bathtub. Two covered verandas with open views. It has direct access internet connection (dial-up), office equipment (laptop, scanner/printer/fax machine, documents shredder).
DISTANCES
Neo Horio - 6 km, Kalyves beach - 12km, Almyrida beach - 14 km. Chania
- 28 km. We recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent (you cannot reach Samonas by public transport).
Rates are per house/maisonette (2 people), per night.
They include air conditioning, heating, firewood and all taxes.
MINIMUM STAY: 1-5 nights, depending on season.
Rates above apply for stays of 3 nights or more. For
stays of 1 or 2 nights, it is plus 50 euros total on the stay.
* Special offer for May/June bookings of 5 nights or more: No charge for extra people in each house, plus a treat of an authentic Cretan meal at the local taverna.
NOTE: Samonas Inn can be tiring and aggrevating for children under 12 years old.