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Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri

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Located in a quiet area with unique outdoor areas with beautiful gardens!
Private pool in the beautiful garden with flowers, trees and herbs!
The veranda in front of the garden
Private pool with sun beds and umbrellas
Outdoor dining area

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 8120 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym
  • Outdoor space

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2 (WC)

Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri


Villa Elli is approved by Greek Tourism Organization with license number: 1041K91002924801 & managed by "etouri vacation rental management".
Tucked away on a quiet lane in the charming village of Prines, Villa Elli is a delightful rural retreat crafted in traditional timber style. Surrounded by lush gardens, colorful flowers, and fruitful trees, it offers tranquility in a stunning natural setting. Just minutes from the beach, this country hideaway is perfect for relaxing, and with a car, its an ideal starting point for exploring all the wonders of Crete.
Just minutes from the beach, this country hideaway is perfect for relaxing, and with a car, its an ideal starting point for exploring all the wonders of Crete. Villa Elli consists of a ground and upper ground floors, along with a first floor in the form of a loft. It can accommodate 6 people in beds and up to 8 if necessary.
Interior Layout- Ground Floor
Open-plan living space featuring a living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen
-Living room includes a piano corner, fireplace, flat-screen satellite TV, and game console
-Guest WC with laundry facilities
-Direct access from the living and dining areas to the veranda and pool-garden area
Upper Ground Floor
-Two double bedrooms, each furnished with a double bed
-Main bathroom
-Both bedrooms feature private verandas with seating arrangements
Loft Level
-Third bedroom with two single beds
-Closet and private balcony
-Intimate space with romantic decor and a cosy atmosphere
Outdoor Area
-Beautifully landscaped garden with flowers and trees, creating a calm and relaxing environment
-Private 20 m2 swimming pool with ladder access
-Pool terrace equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas
-Portable charcoal grill for al fresco cooking
-Shaded veranda with outdoor dining table
-Private parking for up to two cars
-Fully fenced property with gated entrance, ensuring privacy and a peaceful stay
**Accommodation cost excludes Climate Resilience Tax. The amount for the accommodation type is set at EUR15 per night from April to October and EUR4 per night from November to March, payable upon check-in.

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Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air conditioning
Gym
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Accommodation cost excludes Climate Resilience Tax: €15/night (Apr–Oct), €4/night (Nov–Mar), payable at check-in.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 1041Κ91002924801

About the area

Rethymno

Located in Rethymno, this villa is in a rural area and near theme parks. Great Gate and Fortezza Castle are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at St. Anthony Gorge and Municipal Garden. Travelling with kids? Consider Paleontological Museum and Rethimno Kart. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Rethymno, Crete

What's nearby

  • University of Crete - 7 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Rethymnon Town Hall - 9 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Rethymnon Municipal Garden - 9 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Rethymnon Cathedral - 10 min drive - 9.5 km
  • Rethymnon Venetian Port - 11 min drive - 9.9 km

Getting around

  • Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪To Stsvrodromi Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sunset - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪λεσχη αξιωματικων ρεθυμνου - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Bikakis street food & café - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪το γλυκό μου - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri?

As of 7 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri on 17 June 2026 start from AU$399, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Villa Elli - Magical Garden Views by etouri located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly villa is within 6 mi (10 km) of Rethymnon Court House, Paleontological Museum, and Petres Beach. Episkopi Beach and Blue Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 26 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 26 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 26 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 26 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

Very good stay in this house. Matches the description perfectly
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Property in a quiet village

We booked this villa for a trip with our three teenagers. The house is lovely and very clean. We loved the pool and the lounge chairs. The air conditioning worked extremely well and we only had to run it for a few hours in the evening for it to be cool all day and night. The location is great. You are within a 10 minute drive for numerous fantastic beaches and restaurants. You can also walk to restaurants in the village if you don’t want to drive. The host was very responsive and sent a number of recommendations to us.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

James W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Lovely little villa, perhaps a little too rustic

The location is okay, a little noisy with baking dogs and perhaps not the prettiest drive past the scrapyard. We had a few issues with dead flies/mosquitos across the floor of the apartment on the first few days as I believe a door or window has been left open before we arrived. That all being said the exterior of the property is gorgeous and the garden is lovely.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely relaxing holiday in Villa Elli

We enjoyed our stay in Villa Elli in Prines, the villa was lovely, the village was a short 20 minute drive from a few beaches. There were 3 very good tavernas within 10-15 minutes walk and a small supermarket that had pretty much all we needed. The villa is charming and quirky and very clean, it has 3 private verandas where you could sit in the sun or shade, 2 sitting areas indoors large dining table and a smaller one outside. Miss Elli and her family live next door and are available to help if needed but do not intrude, also Etouri customer support were a text or phonecall away if needed and they kept in touch with offers and advice.The kitchen had everything we needed whether making a cuppa to a 3 course meal.The pool was perfect size for us not too deep and plenty room for sunbeds.There are several cats who are regular visitors and very friendly and quite polite too!Overall a very nice holiday I would happily return to and recommend.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Klaus Peter B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Einrichtung ist in die Jahre gekommen. Bad/ Toilette renovierungsbedürftig.
Stayed 18 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Farina G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wir hatten eine gute Zeit in der Villa. Wir wurden herzlich empfangen. Ca. alle 3 Tage wurde gereinigt, auch der Pool. Innerhalb von 15 min (mit dem Auto), kann man am Strand sein. Der nächste kleine Ort ist, 10-15 min zu Fuß entfernt. Es hat uns sehr gefallen, wir würden wieder buchen.
Stayed 15 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

celine F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sejour très agréable tres bon accueil.Villa tres tranquille et proche de Rethymno
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Franz-Josef S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Es war sehr schön

Ein sehr schönes Objekt. Etwas ausserhalb aber alles war sehr gut zu erreichen. Sehr freundliche und zuvorkommende Vermieter. Sehr hilfsbereit aber auch sehr zurückhaltend. Das Haus war sehr liebevoll vorbereitet. Danke dafür. Wir hatten eine sehr schöne Zeit
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely holiday

Villa was as expected, great location ( must have a car) with a great garden space and everything we needed. Elli lives nearby and was wonderful! She left us in private yet regularly left us some of her fruit and veg, as well as some great stuffed peppers :) Thanks Elli! Cleaners came every three days which was much appreciated too. Pool was small but fabulous, especially since we had a 5 year old with us. It wasn’t too deep which meant he learned to swim there too. Luckily, we love cats as there are lots of them :) It was also useful having an Etouri rep on the other end of the phone- quite useful when one of our party broke their ankle and we needed doctors. Etouri also booked us into the Baja beach club on our last day and we didn’t have to pay a penny so thank you guys! Two lovely tavernas and two small supermarkets within 10mn walk from villa too which meant we could have a nice meal without worrying about driving. Fab villa,people and holiday!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An excellent villa and fantastic garden

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Villa Elli. We were welcomed by Elli, the pleasant lady who lived next door. The house was comfortable and very well provisioned and the garden was exceptional, always a delight to relax in before and after our various trips out. We are very happy to recommend this villa.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Louise H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful holiday

We had a lovely holiday at Villa Elli. We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 11 year old, 8 year old & 3 year old) and the Villa was perfect for us. When we arrived Elli’s daughter was there to greet us and show us around the villa. The villa is just as described. It was clean (they cleaned the villa for us 3 times during our 2 week stay), and had everything we needed. There are 3 tavernas which are a 10 minute walk away (which are all excellent), and a small supermarket to get basic bits. Elli the villa owner lives behind the villa and was a lovely lady. She brought us fresh vegetables from her garden and cooked us a lovely lunch. She even bought the kids some animal toys to play with. If there was a problem with the villa then she sorted it very quickly. You do need to hire a car to get around (or get a taxi). The main town of Rethymno is a 10 minute drive away, which has the beaches and a wide selection of shops and restaurants. The management company were also very good and WhatsApp’ed me most days to check if we were ok or needed anything. They booked us into the Baja Beach a club one day which was a great day out with complementary drinks. They provided us with recommended medical centres to get our Covid tests we needed to get home. We will definitely come to stay at Villa Elli again. It was a very relaxing holiday for us and provided everything we needed.
Stayed 15 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tinneke G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay in Greece

We have spent a wonderful week in Villa Eli. The house is very well maintained and looks exactly as in the pictures. we also had the feeling, they take the COVID-19 measures very serious. Everything was perfectly clean, disinfection spray, masks and gloves are provided in the house! Cleaning service once a week was really nice to have included. It is perfect to spend some time with the family or with friends. Great porch and terrace to spend your evenings on... The kitchen is fully equipped and even if something is not working correctly, it is replaced within 24 hours. We were really amazed by the level of service offered, contact with Stella was very easy going, we received a lot of good tips and things to do and for every question we always got a quick answer. The location near Prines close to Rethymno is something we really enjoyed. There are enough really nice restaurants nearby and if you want to visit the city you are there in under 15 minutes. You definitely need a car if you are staying at Villa Eli, and it is better if you like cats as there are quite a few of them around. We would 100% recommend staying here. For us it was the first time in Greece, but thanks to this wonderful stay it will not be the last.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great holiday in great villa

Villa Elli is the prettiest villa we have ever seen. The garden is full of flowers, palm trees, cacti and shrubs. The veranda is so welcoming and the villa is well equipped and comfortable. A quick walk to the village centre and there are 3 tavernas, all good, a shop and pharmacy along with a snack bar. A great base to explore Crete or just laze by the pool.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

steven S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

TERRIFIC

Very well equipped home, nice neighborhood, very attendant property manager and owner. No negatives.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

TINA S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful greek villa

The Villa is a beautiful green oasis, full of trees and pot plants with a nice pool, which make the place really special. The house has a nice Greek vibe and lots of space around the house. Great dinning area is also in the terrace outside and every room has its own little balcony if you need some privacy. You do need a car to move around, but we also do recommend the car rental because it is easier to move around the Island and visit the best beaches the Island has to offer. Cat lovers will love the company of spoiled cats that are walking around the property. The communication with the host and the manager is nice and easy. We had the best Greek lady host who has a beautiful heart and we really felt like at home in Villa Elli. So, we definitely recommend this house if you are looking for a nice Greek experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karsten W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

2 Wochen auf der wunderschönen Insel

Wir verbrachten 2 erholsame Wochen in der liebevoll gestalteten Villa Elli. Alles ist sehr gepflegt und von einem wunderschönen Garten umgeben. Mit dem Auto ist man in in max. 20 min an den schönen Stränden der Nordküste, zur Südküste sind es etwa 40 min. Zu Fuß nächsten erreicht man schnell die nächsten Tavernen und Einkaufsmöglichkeiten. Die Inhaberin wohnt gleich nebenan und ist bei Fragen oder Problemen schnell zur Stelle. Auch die Betreung durch die Agentur war hervorragend. Als kleiner Hinweis: die Straße direkt am Grundstück wird gern als Abkürzung genutzt und ist daher doch etwas mehr befahren , als erwartet ! ... und man sollte Katzen mögen ;) Alles in allem aber eine klare Empfehlung !
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

adam d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and comfortable, easy drive to many beaches and nature walks

Elli and the etouri team were fantastic. Communication leading up to arrival was timely, clear, and helpful. We arrived to a delicious meal prepared by Elli for 3 adults and 6 children, with leftovers. Thank you! The villa grounds are peaceful and beautiful, well kept. There was always a comfortable breeze. We enjoyed multiple sandy beaches with 10-20 minute drive, also drive to a wonderful southern beach 45 mins, and visited some museums (60 mins). Multiple grocery stores were close by, although need a car. We also very much enjoyed the day at the “beach club” arranges by the etouri team. Again, thank you! Note for those with allergies: there were tame cats on the property, which necessitated we close some of the doors during meal time. Our hosts were very accommodating and we are grateful.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Johannes S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful villaat a nice location

We stayed in Villa Elli for two weeks with our two adult sons and the girlfriend of one of them. The villa is a very spacious traditional greek house with a very beautiful garden and swimming pool. The area is quiet and the location is excellent as starting point for numerous trips. When we arrived the fridge was already filled with some drinks, fruits and feta. The owner Elli is very friendly and cooked a delicious cake for us. A very nice place to eat is Giannikos Taverna in Prines. The owner is friendly and has plenty of touristic advices.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely villa, friendly reception

An absolutely lovely villa in a quiet, picturesque location. Miss Elli gave us a very warm welcome and made us feel totally at home. Thank you for a brilliant stay!
Verified

8/10 Good

Christiane M.

Sehr schöne Villa, sehr netter und herzlicher Empfang

Wir verbrachten eine schöne Zeit in der Villa Elli. Die Mutter der Gastgeberin hat für uns griechisch gekocht, was super lecker war und uns sehr gefreut hat. Lediglich das Bett im zweiten Schlafzimmer mit 1,40 m Breite war uns zu klein.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Rachel E.

Beautiful Villa Elli

We arrived at beautiful Villa Elli to a nice welcome by Ms Elli The Villa was well equipped with kitchen utensils etc.. and nicely furnished. Travelling with 4 children never easy but we were glad there was something for all of them, great pool, Xbox , toys for my 3 year old which she loved! Ms Elli cooked us a lovely vegeatable dish grown from her garden which was so kind of her. We enjoyed sitting by the pool and at sunset enjoying a bbq. We also had a beautiful beach 10 minutes away to watch amazing sunsets! And visited a fabulous taverna near by which was recommended by Etouri My family loved their stay here, one thing I would recommend is a shower curtain! Especially when children are staying but I do miss sitting in the beautiful garden ! I would recommend !
Verified

8/10 Good

Jesper T.

Skønt hus i landlige omgivelser

Det er et dejligt hus med fin plads til 5 personer. Skøn have og den sødeste vært. Vi fik endda serveret en god middag af havens grøntsager, som hun tilberedte på bedste vis til os. Lidt slidt hus - men rent og pænt. Tavernaen i Prines var bestemt også flere besøg værd.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sarah g.

Characterful villa on a beautiful island

I have booked many holiday houses in the past and have had access to a nice house and perhaps a welcome pack, but little more than that. The Villa Elli was different. The house is owned by Mrs Stella and her family who live in the house next door. We were welcomed on arrival and had a beautiful vegetarian (our preference) meal made for us in the middle of the week that lasted us for three evening meals! We arrived late at night and were able to request that some food was left in the kitchen for us to eat at breakfast the next day. The family were discrete but were there if we needed anything. The other unique thing about this holiday was the the support provided by etouri. The company provided information in the run up to the holiday about family-friendly activities that I specified we would be interested in. They were in contact during the holiday and booked a boat trip to Preveli for us and also arranged access to the fantastic Baja beach club. The holiday provided accommodation in a traditional Cretan home with the support of a welcoming family and the knowledge and efficiency of etouri which made the whole experience very easy. I travelled with my husband, three children (9, 7 and 2) and my mother. The villa had lots of toys and inflatables for the pool to keep everyone entertained. The kitchen was well appointed with plenty of utensils. The bathroom didn’t have an easy to access shower which was a bit of a challenge for my mum (who has had a double knee replacement) but otherwise the villa was fantastic and I highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

Wonderful family vacation.

A wonderful villa. Great location to explore Crete, or stay put & enjoy the pool and amazing garden. House is very comfortable and well-equipped. Outdoor veranda is lovely spot for meals & reading. Owner is so kind & generous - brought over the most amazing food for us. I will dream of those zucchini fritters for the rest of my life. Booking & check in were so easy. Really appreciated the attention & help in booking outings. Cannot recommend this property enough.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane H.

Excellent 12 day stay at Villa Elli

We were a family of 5 (including a 2 and a half year old) and we had a great time at the villa. As advertised it is a traditional villa with lots of character and superb gardens that the two year old loved investigating and going on a 'bear hunt'. We arrived to a welcome pack of food and drink and were made to feel welcome our whole stay by Elli who even cooked us a superb lunch of traditional Cretan stuffed vegetables which was the best meal we had throughout the holiday. We were able to eat out on the terrace every lunchtime and evening we were at the villa and loved BBQ-ing and preparing food. The pool was a great success with lots of learning to swim for the young one and splashing for the grown ups. The only difficulty we had was arranging the shower head from the mixer taps to not soak the bathroom so perhaps a longer hose and fixing to one of the walls will resolve that. Other than that minor inconvenience we loved the whole holiday and our trips into Rethymnon and along the coast to the superb beaches and the drive into the mountains. We would heartily recommend staying at Villa Elli for a quiet and peaceful Cretan holiday
Stayed 11 nights in May 2018

About the host

Hosted by Kostas Vasilakis

Host profile image

Etouri Vacation Rental Management, founded in 2012 by Kostas Vasilakis, manages over 290 handpicked villas across Crete and is expanding into other iconic Greek destinations, including Athens. Our unwavering commitment to strict villa quality control and exceptional, personalized service has earned us awards for excellence in vacation rentals and concierge services in both 2024 and 2025.

Let us help you create lifelong memories in Greece!

What makes this property unique


The unique benefits of Villa Elli are:
MANAGED BY ETOURI which means:
- We organised the villa down to every detail and check it annually.
- Quick booking process and support in every step of your holidays.
- A personal holiday advisor at your disposal for holiday organisation (free concierge service before and during stay).
- Assistance in booking services and excursions.
Pre arrival service with detailed information of the area of the villa.

Languages:

English, Greek

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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