Crete
About Elounda The Villas
The Location
Situated on a gentle hillside overlooking the sea, the site is surrounded by handmade stone walls. It contains mature gardens with numerous olive trees, flowers and other Cretan / Mediterranean vegetation.
MoreSpreading around the bay, the town of Elounda, once a fishing village, holds the reigns of the diva of the Cretan summer and the ultimate escape for discerning travellers and celebrities, including many distinguished stars, artists, politicians and royal families from all around the world.
With a starting point of the Villas, one can visit the charming villages of the area, the fortress on the island of Spinalonga, the tropical island of Chrissi, the mythical palm forest of Vai or the windmills on the Plateau of Lasithi.
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Teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover, Crete is, after all, a small universe that literally has everything and is perfect for everyone, for all ages, and all tastes.
Whether you’re there for the beautiful remote places, the authentic island life, to party until sunrise, fine dining or extreme pampering, there’s something that will make the Cretan experience unique for everyone!
CRETE WILL CAPTIVATE YOUR SOUL..!!
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Find out more about the area
The Location
The Architect
MARINA BIRDIMIRI was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She studied architecture in Canterbury, Kent from 1994 to 2000. Has designed and worked on projects all over Greece. Has done two solo photography exhibitions in Athens, one in 2010 with the title “Section Stories” and one in 2016 with the title “Deep in the clouds”.
Marina has an origin from Crete and spent quite a few of her childhood summers on the island. She has always loved sketching around the rural areas and admired the old original, honest and simple architecture of the island. The light and energy of the area led her, in 2009, to first start designing and building in Elounda, Crete.
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Grabbed the opportunity to create these exclusive residences with great respect to the local architecture as well as the environment. The aim was to design buildings that would only offer their guests a remarkable holiday in a unique location, balancing traditional elements and materials with contemporary lines and needs. Large openings conscientiously framing views, high ceilings in the public areas, earthy colours, thoughtfully designed inside to outside liaisons, local materials such as stone, timber and coloured plaster. Each relaxing and social area is carefully considered and designed to offer comfort and pleasure. Each pathways’ promenade is walked through and studied to offer the best possible experience.
Marina still sketches around, travels with her camera and keeps an eye open for the next challenge / project.
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Press References
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MAISON DE CAMPAGNE
2012, pages 166-175
Deusio (L'AVENIR) DE L'ETE
2015, pages 14-15
WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGASINE, AUGUST
2018, pages 129 - 132
WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGASINE, SEPTEMBER
2018, pages 130 - 135
Red Magazine - Oliver's Travels
January 2019
Conde Nast Traveller
January 2019
Elounda / cosmopolitan and historical
still means charming!
Conde Nast Traveller
June 2021
To me, the true gauge of a space is how you feel when you wake up... the sheets against your skin, the light pouring through the window, the fragrant smells wafting in... and stepping outside and being immersed in another world that was created just for you to experience. The inspiring design, the details... and all of this remains imprinted for years to come, ultimately changing who you are. That is the power a space can have…
Melissa Gidney, Photographer, @theperfecthideaway for @eloundathevillas June 2019