Vous aurez la maison entiĂšre pour vous et ne la partagerez quâavec dâautres voyageurs de votre groupe.
Espera Beachfront Residence, Newly Renewed 2026
The Private Luxury Retreat, is part of an Elite group of ThinkVilla bespoke stays, where hand-picked exceptional properties of outstanding 24/7 service, incredible tailored experiences and unique cultural charm await to inspire you. The private retreat has been certified with the Seal of Approval, a 300â Criteria Rating, for the unique design, innovation, individual quality & inspiring offerings only with ThinkVilla.
We invite you to be among the very first to enjoy this transformed residence, unveiling all-new interiors, refined finishes, and upgraded comfort throughout. The images shown include a curated mix of selected photographs from previous seasons and CGI visuals reflecting the residence following its recent renovation. A small number of original images have been retained to highlight Iris Luxury Beachfront Residenceâs exceptional beachfront setting. While the CGI renderings may not reflect every final detail or exact colour palette and may be subject to minor refinements, they closely represent the intended outcome. All facilities, amenities, and comforts described will be fully provided for your stay.
âšExternal Living | Beachfront Pool, BBQ & Outdoor Diningâš Contemporary in spirit and privileged in position, Espera Residence unfolds across 100mÂČ of private outdoor living space with direct access to the beach. A private 18mÂČ swimming pool (6x3m, 1.20m depth, non-heated) sits just moments from the shoreline, offering refreshing dips framed by uninterrupted sea views. The pool terrace enjoys sunshine throughout the day, perfect for sunbathing or relaxing on bespoke double sunbeds and bespoke beach chairs under the Cretan sun. Guests also have access to reserved private sun loungers directly on the beach, ideal for soaking in the sea breeze and Mediterranean atmosphere. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen with sink, mini fridge, and electric BBQ sets the scene for relaxed meals by the water. The front deck, facing directly out to sea, offers the most captivating sunset viewsâan idyllic setting to enjoy the true Mediterranean feel. As the day fades, this beachfront vantage point provides the perfect place to watch the sun dip behind the Fortezza Fortress, celebrating natureâs most beautiful daily ritual. The property is accessed directly from the main road, providing ease of arrival.
*Please note that the beach profile may change seasonally due to natural wave activity.
âšInternal Living | Beds & Baths Designed on a single level and spanning 145mÂČ, the residence blends modern comfort with understated coastal elegance. Light-filled interiors, natural textures, and a fluid open-plan layout create an effortless connection between indoor living and the sea just beyond, allowing the home to breathe with the rhythm of its beachfront setting. Every space is thoughtfully curated with refined furnishings, contemporary amenities, and dedicated work areas, offering both comfort and functionality. The residence accommodates up to six guests in real beds, with the option to host two additional guests on the sofa-bed configuration formed by two single sofa beds in one of the bedrooms, and two children on sofas in the living areaâmaking it ideal for families or groups travelling together. All three bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, while the family bedroom is enhanced with a sofa-bed configuration formed by two single sofa beds, one of which pulls out, discreetly separated and complemented by a mini fridge, offering added flexibility and privacy. Baby cots can be accommodated in two of the bedrooms upon request, ensuring a seamless stay for guests of all ages. An additional shared bathroom with a walk-in shower is also available off the living area, ensuring added convenience for guests.
Entire Villa Lays at the Ground Floor Living Room with comfy sofa & 65â Smart TV, fully equipped kitchen with direct access to the pool & outdoor dining area âą Shared bathroom with walk-in shower âą Two premium double bedrooms with spacious double beds (1.70 x 2.00), 43â Smart TV, desk & direct access to the outdoor area, each with en-suite bathroom (one of the them featuring a double sink) and walk-in shower âą Family bedroom with spacious double bed, 43â & 32â Smart TVs, desk, and a sofa-bed configuration formed by two single sofa beds, one of which pulls out, discreetly separated from the double bed for added privacy.âšâš
**Please also kindly note that the Villa offers an additional fee of 58 euros per guest/per night, for more than 8 guests. The maximum capacity is 10 guests.
Your Home Stay Includes Welcome basket, courtesy of the owner âą Housekeeping service with fresh towels and linen changes every four days (included for stays of 6 nights and above) âą Pool and garden maintenance twice per week âą Baby cot, high chair, and childrenâs plastic (non-breakable) plates and cups available upon request.
âšPracticalities âš Free street parking beside the residence and bicycle-friendly surroundings âą The property is well-equipped with: Fridge with freezer, Electric stove with oven, Espresso Machine (original capsules), Filter coffee machine, Microwave, Kettle, Sandwich Maker, Toaster, Air-fryer, Juice Maker, Food Processor (Multi), Washing Machine, Iron & Board, Hair dryer, First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher, Safety Box, Smoke Detector.âšâš
Mod Consâš High-quality bath and pool towels âą Bathroom amenities âą Air-conditioning throughout (also for heating) âą Wi-Fi coverage in all areas & desks âą Bluetooth Speakers âą Indoor area 145mÂČ âą Outdoor area 100mÂČ âą Electrical BBQ & outdoor dining âą Private swimming pool 18mÂČ (6x3m) âą Reserved beach sun loungers âą TVs in all bedrooms and living room âą Pets are not allowed âą Events are allowed upon request / Prior notice, extra fees, event contract required âą Pre-stocking service upon request âą Pool operates seasonally (end of March â mid-November) âą 24/7 ThinkVilla concierge service included.
*TO DINE: Whether you're craving fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, or traditional Cretan dishes, a vibrant mix of beach bars, tavernas, and restaurants are just minutes away. For the ultimate convenience, supermarkets, pharmacies, and local shops are within easy walking distance. Here, you can find an even wider selection of attractions, dining options, and activities to explore, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement.
*TO EXPLORE: Crete offers an abundance of attractionsâbeaches, mountains, ancient ruins, and hidden villages. From day trips to Knossos or Samaria Gorge, to boat rides and wine tastings, the island delivers unforgettable experiences for every traveller. Here, authenticity blends seamlessly with nature, offering guests exclusive, tailor-made experiences. Immerse yourself in sumptuous travel with fresh, colourful cuisine that delights the palate and the warm, welcoming Cretan charm that makes you feel instantly at home. Discover a new perspective on luxury and relaxation in this enchanting destination.âš
Out & About Nearest Supermarket & Restaurants : 300 meters | 3 minutes walking Nearest Beach: Directly in front of the Residence Rethymno Old Town: 10 minutes walking Chania International Airport: 65km | 1hr driving Heraklion International Airport: 86 km | 1hr 10 minutes drivingâš
Car Rental is not essential, however, recommended for wider island exploration, if you wish to unravel the hidden gems of Crete, visit authentic villages, towns, unique sandy beach locations and we can gladly assist you with the arrangements.
Climate Resilience Fee
A âŹ2/night/villa tax (subject to change) isnât included in booking prices. It must be paid in euros at check-in to your Host.
Marianna was wonderful when we arrived late in Easter Sunday night. She went above and beyond to help us find dinner on a night where understandably most places were closed. Nicely set up for a family and a walkable area. As others have mentioned be sure to bring beach shoes as the beach is rocky. Little coffee shop a 5 minute walk away. We also enjoyed dinner at two different restaurants also short walks away. Keep in mind that you are at least an hour drive to with airports or ferry port. We rented a car and had a great time exploring.
We loved our week at Villa Espera and wished it had been longer. The villa is really a ground floor apartment but with the exclusive use of the garden and pool and with direct access to the beach. It is spacious and well equipped with comfortable beds and a/c if needed. The outside space is just perfect with lots of different sitting spaces and lovely views to the fort of Rethymno.
Location is great with shops and restaurants close by and you can walk to the town. It is a busy urban area but you donât really feel it in the villa or garden.
The staff who look after the property are absolutely lovely and do a great job.
A fantastic choice - we loved it.
A stunning villa in a stunning location. With direct access to the very quiet beach (beach shoes are a must), the villa is the perfect retreat for a truly relaxing holiday. Marianna and her team keep the villa absolutely spotless and it is very well equipped with everything you will need. Nothing is too much trouble for the team who organised a number of excursions for us. The air conditioning is a godsend at night. Whilst the beach is super quiet, the nearby restaurants can get busy and reservations are a must. The range of food is extensive and prices are higher than in Rethymno itself. It is an easy walk (or short taxi ride) to Rethymno where exploring the old town and tavernas is a must. Thoroughly recommend a stay here.
The villa was beautiful. Spacious living area, fully equipped kitchen, and the bedrooms were lovely.
The beach was a few steps away from the back garden and was warm enough for a daily swim. The pool was slightly warmer and ideal for floating on a lilo. Marianna was the perfect host.
We loved our holiday here at Espera and wouldnât hesitate to recommend a holiday here
This villa was just right for us. The location close enough to Rethymnon to walk, directly on the beach - the space itself is light, modern, spacious and comfortable.
Die Bilder dieses schönen Hauses entsprechen der RealitĂ€t. Das Objekt ist groĂ, alles funktioniert gut und der Service mit Agentur, EigentĂŒmerin und Reinigungskraft ist hervorragend. Das Haus ist sehr sauber, Garten und Strandbereich sind gepflegt. Wir hatten einen schönen Aufenthalt. Einziger Wermutstropfen ist die sehr laute HauptstraĂe, an der das Haus liegt. Der LĂ€rm ist im Haus wenig aber am Pool deutlich und auch störend hörbar. Schade.
I canât say enough good things about this place. Itâs literally on the beach and it has a pool. What more can you say. There were five of us and we rented a car. We were able to drive into town each night park in a car park for about 2 eu And walk around have dinner etc. But you could also walk into town and there are several restaurants that are within a 2 to 3 minute walk. The location is unbelievable. You really donât need a car if you donât wanna explore the island. We enjoyed exploring the island and spending time in old town
Our hostess Marianne is great. There is wine and other snacks there when you arrive. She is very helpful and made arrival simply perfect. I believe we will be back. Just be careful and make sure you watch the red flag on the beach. If itâs out do not go in the water. We learned that the currents are so strong they will literally kill you. So donât go in if the red flags out. This is not an issue because you can sit on the beach and Iâll see youâve got your pool right there. Great great experience donât look anymore stay here Lisa P New York
We had a wonderful 2 week holiday staying at Espera villa, the location on the beach and view is just wonderful. Marianna the host was ever so welcoming with lots of helpful suggestions and booking restaurants and taxis for us.
The front of the property is on a busy road, but it doesnât disturb you and when you are by the pool you donât notice the traffic.
Itâs great to be on the beach but also walking distance from so many shops and amazing restaurants. The best of both!
Old town is very charming and we rented a car for a few days to explore the area. So much to do and see. A very memorable holiday and we came home very well rested! Many thanks!
Lovely villa, everything we needed and a very welcoming owner!
We stayed for one week in May 2018. We arrived late evening, but Marianne the owner was there to welcome us with some essential groceries and a lovely welcome basket of local delicacies. A very nice touch.
The entrance is via a busy road, but once you are in the villa, this is not a problem. In fact it is useful as you're near some local shops and restaurants.
The interior is very spacious and the quality of the furnishings, beds, etc are all very good.
Outside is a lovely pool area, with a small lawn, a built in BBQ, table and chairs, etc
It's about 20 minutes walk into the old town. You can get a taxi back for fixed price of 5 Euros
All in all a lovely place to relax and enjoy the weather
Great villa, amazing welcome basket and local service.. . Marianna was incredibly friendly and helpful. Walking distance of everything. A bit of road noise but, location more than makes up for this.
Spent a week in the Espera Villa during the Oct week. The villa itself is fantastic, it was very well equipped with everything you needed to make your stay an enjoyable one. For us, the highlight was the location of the villa, right on the beach. We swam in the sea every day and it was lovely.
The old town was around a 20min walk or around 4/5 stops on the bus. There is a bus stop within a short walking distance of the villa and cost âŹ1.10 single.
There was a mini market for supplies next to the villa and there were some good restaurants within a few hundred metres which sat overlooking the sea, which were really nice.
Overall we had a lovely week.
Casey-Sneddon Family
We had a great stay at Espera Villa. Our host was very accommodating and generous, taking the time to meet us on arrival at the villa and showing us around. The villa was of a very high standard, clean and well equipped but the outside space is the highlight. A lovely outdoor dining area leading to a pool and seating right next the to beach with a wonderful sea view. The villa and pool were both cleaned during our stay and we were even provided with some welcome essentials. The villa is a 5 minute walk from three lovely restaurants overlooking a cove and there is a coffeeshop and bakery and a mini market for essentials within a few yards. The walk to old town is approximately 20-25mins. We would often walk in for dinner and get a taxi home at a cost of âŹ5. There is a large supermarket called Synca about 15mins from the villa and it had everything we needed for the week and a bbq. Old town is lovely. Lots of nice restaurants and boutique shops. Overall we could not fault our stay and would highly recommend to others.
A beautiful villa in a wonderful position. Stayed here with the family. Two grandchildren aged 8 and 6 loved the pool and easy access to the beach. Close to restaurants and Rethymnon. Well equipped. Mariana made us feel very welcome. The only disappointment was that a week was not long enough. Beautiful place wonderful holiday. Would definitely return.
We stayed at Villa Espera and had a really wonderful time. The location is second to none. Directly on the beach with great views onto the fortress and the cove. The sea on your doorstep. Great for swimming and even snorkelling. Your hosts Mariana and Lana will really look after you. They are simply brilliant! The villa is spacious and impeccably kept. Couldn't have asked for a better holiday. We d love to come back!
We have just returned from a great holiday in the Espera luxury villas in Rethymno Crete.
From the lovely warm greeting we received from Marianna on our arrival to the care Lina took all week, nothing was too much trouble.
There were 6 of us (adults) and we decided not to have a car, therefore we were really pleased to find numerous great tavernas within walking distance and when we did decide to explore Rethymno it was only 20 mins walk away or 5 mins in a taxi.
Having the sea at the end of our garden and a great pool to cool down in meant we were loathe to leave the villa anyway!!
Would love to go back and thoroughly recommend!
From turning on the computer to find a holiday to dealing with Owners Direct booking our holiday was easy. Villa Espera was everything we wanted for our holiday. Marianna, the owner was a fantastic host and we were well looked after by Lina all week. The rooms were immaculate and the garden and pool spotless, we couldn't fault anything. We loved the idea of having a local Cretan meal cooked for us by Lina and she did not disappoint... her orange cake was fantastic!!
The restaurants and car hire that were recommended by Marianna were all excellent as were the taxi company we used to and from the airport.
We would definitely recommend Villa Espera to everyone.
Kate S.
10/10 â Excellent
Kim B.
11 sept. 2016
Superb beach front villa
We have just returned from a weeks holiday in this fantastic villa. There were six of us and the villa had ample space. The facilities are superb, we wanted for nothing. Pool is spotless and with beach access what more could you ask for. Marianna our host was amazing, nothing was too much trouble and the hamper she provided was much appreciated and unexpected. Many thanks to Valia too our booking agent, who couldn't have been more helpful. We all came home totally refreshed and hope to return one day.