| Kapsaliana Village Hotel | |
|---|---|
|
Kapsaliana Arkadiou, Rethymno 74 100 Crete |
find it on the map |
In a blissfully peaceful spot in the hilly countryside of Crete, a tiny hamlet has been transformed into a stylish small hotel. Few of the houses were standing when architect Myron Toupogianis fell in love with it back in the 1980s. The hamlet’s raison d’être had been an olive press worked by the monks, close to the famous Arkadiou Monastery, but after in 1955 the press stopped operating, most people left. Myron bought the ruined press, and little by little acquired the plots of land and houses around it and started rebuilding them. It was a process that took many years, but the result is a hotel that combines history, nature, Cretan traditions, culture and hospitality in the best possible way. 12 stone guesthouses, separated by flag-stoned terraces and flights of steps, are large and pleasantly uncluttered. Rooms offer plenty of luxury – superb beds, comfy sofas, large showers, delicately embroidered robes, natural beauty products – but nothing is over the top. Meals are served in the charming restaurant and there are two sitting rooms where you can cuddle up by the open fire on chilly days; one is in the old olive press which doubles as a small museum. Outside, you’ll find large terraces, an inviting pool and views stretching all the way to the sea.
What makes it special to me:
The comfort of the rooms, the stylish interiors, and the relaxed atmosphere. I only stayed for 24 hours, but I didn’t need more to feel the peace and quiet rhythm wrap around me and to become friends not only with Myron, but also with Flemish manager Brigitte, Athenian escapee chef Maria, and adopted stray dog Irma. Next time I’ll stay longer.
But what you should keep in mind:
Because of the stone walls and relatively small windows, some rooms are a bit on the dark side (but they stay nice and cool this way). Also, not every room has a view.
| Owner | Myron Toupoyiannis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Address | Kapsaliana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkadiou, Rethymno | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 74 100 Crete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tel. | 28310 83400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fax | 28310 83062 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| info@kapsalianavillage.gr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | http://www.kapsalianavillage.gr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opening period: | All year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children: | Welcome | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dogs: | Allowed upon prior agreement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prices: |
4 Oct-31 March
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit cards: | AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA, DINERS, MASTERCARD |
| Accommodation | 1 single 6 standard doubles 5 superior doubles with private terrace |
| Room facilities | En-suite bathroom (shower)
Telephone
Television with DVD player
CD player
Internet access
Mini-bar
Fireplace (not in all rooms)
Air conditioning
Safe
Hairdryer |
2 sitting rooms with fireplace
Restaurant
Small library
Terraces
Outdoor swimming pool
Small museum in the old olive press |
|
You’ll eat well. The hotel has its own restaurant – a lovely space for winter dining plus a shaded terrace for summer meals – serving deliciously fresh and seasonal food. Maria is in charge. She’s from Athens, but gave up here life in the city to do what she truly loves: preparing culinary feasts. She serves a combination of traditional Greek food and local specialties, anything from crispy salads and delicious little pies (perfect for lunch) to wonderful cooked food and stews for dinner. Breakfast is a spread of healthy and tasty options (most things healthy, all tasty) with fruit salad, bread, pies, orange juice and eggs (all very fresh), as well homemade marmalades, local honey, cold meats and cheeses.
There are not many eating-out alternatives in the direct surroundings of Kapsaliana, just a few local village tavernas, but if you want a change you can drive for an evening out to the old town of Rethymno, that has a great choice of restaurants. Ask Brigitte to give you some recommendations and make reservations.
|
|
Kapsaliana is in a beautifully green and peaceful spot in the hilly countryside near Rethymno. If you are looking for quiet and like to go walking, you won’t even have to use your car. The monastery is about a 1,5 hour hike from the hotel. Otherwise, if you can tear yourself away from the pool and you are in for some more exploring, the beach is only 8 km from the hotel, the old town of Rethymno is a 20-minute drive, and the possibilities for longer excursions are endless. |
find it on the map
|
|
Kapsaliana is about 15 km from Rethymno, which in turn is about halfway between Iraklion and Hania. You can fly or take a ferry to either of these two towns, and then it is no more than a one-and-a-half-hour drive to get to the hotel. It is about 20 minutes from Rethymno. The fastest way to get there is by leaving the main road (the coastal ‘highway’) at Sfakaki or Stavromenos, about 10 km east of Rethymno. From there you take the country roads via Asteri, Hamalevri and Amnatos. Near the village of Amnatos (1,2 km from Kapsaliana) you will see a sign for the hotel. I recommend you get hold of a detailed map beforehand, as there are quite a few turns to take. But don’t worry too much if you take a wrong turn somewhere (I did several times), you can also just follow signs for Arkadiou and the monastery, and head from Amnatos from there. |
|
The island of Crete has everything to offer, and so does the province of Rethymno by itself: a historical town to explore, countryside where you can get a taste of traditional life, mountains great for outdoor activity and beautiful beaches. The only thing it doesn’t have is a major archaeological site, though there are some smaller ones. (And of course Knossos, one of the most impressive sites in Greece, is not far.)
|
|
Read here what others said about Kapsaliana Village Hotel
|
Kapseliana is a very pleasant and very pretty place and everybody was so nice and friendly. I think the great cook Maria is leaving at the end of the season. A pity, because she cooks very well and it makes a difference. Owner charming, gave me a present !
It was unbelievably hot when we went, near 40, and the air conditioning in the rooms is not really working all that well - it is the only negative
thing I can say. All the rest perfect.
Marion L. Geneva, Switzerland September 2009 |
![]() |
| « < / > » |
see more pictures
find it on the map

Did you stay here?I'd love to hear how you liked it