Owned by an award-winning garden designer and TV presenter, and his partner, who is also a gardener, if you love being surrounded by foliage and flora, bird song and scenery, then Villa Buoys is definitely the place for you. Enjoying a privileged and peaceful location in the heart of the countryside, at the end of a 300m track on the very edge of the small, quaint, and typically Cretan village of Palailoni, but only 1.8km from the 4 tavernas and 2 minimarkets in Kefalas, 6 minutes’ drive from a rocky cove with spectacular, crystal clear turquoise water, great snorkelling, and a lovely taverna nestled on the rocks, and is approx. 1 minutes from the many amenities and soft golden sand, blue flag beaches in Almyrida.

 From its truly wonderful spot on an elevated hillside 500m above sea level, the living room and 3 bedrooms, the private pool and the outside terraces all take in the quite exceptional and far-reaching views over the sparkling blue Aegean Sea, along the north coastline to Rethymnon, and inland to Mount Ida in the Psiloritis mountain range. Villa Buoys is undoubtedly welcoming and stylish, cool and airy, and ideal for laid-back summer living. The tasteful design cleverly fuses traditional elements including stone archways and nooks, and beamed ceilings made from fragrant local cypress wood, with contemporary furnishings and every modern comfort including gleaming bathrooms, a fully fitted kitchen with a comprehensive inventory, air conditioning throughout, WIFI, a TV with an Amazon fire stick, a portable WIFI speaker, and the most sumptuous memory foam mattresses that we have come across. In addition, there are a myriad of delightful embellishments including ancient irons, a shepherd’s crook, a goat bell, turtle-shaped pot stands, a traditional wall hanging, and shells, sponges, and coral from the sea to name just a few.

 The benevolent Cretan climate guarantees that, despite the charming interiors, our guests at Villa Buoys spend most of their time relaxing outside, but with an array of furniture on the different terraces, you may find it difficult to decide where to sit. Perhaps it will be in the 2000m2+ enchanting garden and pool area, enjoying the peace and quiet and the breathtaking vista. Taking centre stage is the infinity edge swimming pool surrounded by non-slip natural stone paving and tiles, which is the place for family fun and cooling off, flanked by a dining area shaded by a pergola covered in delicate Wisteria, a summer kitchen with a traditional barbeque, and a private outside shower room. Alternatively, the spacious upstairs terrace with the best views of all and a comfortable couch, armchairs and coffee table could be your choice, particularly if you want to chill out with a good holiday read or have an early morning breakfast whilst watching the sun rise over the sea.

 With the owners being professional gardeners, it is no surprise that for the different sections of the grounds, they have carefully selected a multitude of typically Mediterranean flora that will flourish in the long, hot summers. Growing up the exterior walls of Villa Buoys are colourful and fragrant Cape Honeysuckle, climbing Roses, and Bougainvillaea. There are terracotta pots with geranium and succulents, well-tended gravel flowerbeds encircle the house and pool terrace and are planted with Lavender, Oleander, Pride of Madeira, Aloe Ferox, Aloe arborescens, Tulbaghia, Dasylirion, Gaura, Pomegranate, Bitter Orange trees and Olive trees among others. The north side and the rear of the plot have Almond bushes and are blessed with shade from Olive, Pine, and Cypress trees, whilst the lower level of the slope that drops away below the villa and pool terrace has been left natural with wildflowers and shrubs which are at their most vibrant in the Spring. The private parking area is set just outside the main garden gate and has a shaded area for 1 car and space for 2 further cars.

 Villa Buoys couldn’t be more perfect for anyone seeking quality accommodation, in a quiet Cretan hamlet where it is easy to leave behind the hustle and bustle of daily life yet is well placed for a short drive to a choice of village tavernas for a delicious meal, and for exploring west Crete.

VILLA LOCATION

Villa Buoys is approx. 40 – 50 minutes from Chania Airport and approx. 1hour 20 minutes from Heraklion Airport.

Palailoni is an unspoilt village that is named after the old stone threshing circle that was previously used by farmers to thresh wheat and corn using donkeys. The main route through the village is lined with tall eucalyptus trees. The village centre has a kafenion and some traditional houses, whilst some fine newer properties (including Villa Buoys) are scattered on the edges of Palailoni. Despite being 500m above sea level, Palailoni is a mere 6 minutes by car to the gorgeous rocky cove at Ombrosgialos, which is famous for its clear turquoise water, great snorkelling, and lovely taverna nestled on the rocks.

 Palailoni effectively adjoins the community of Kefalas which is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in the region, thanks in part to the narrow and winding bougainvillea-lined streets, and the ruin of an ancient windmill on the outskirts. The village has 4 tavernas, 2 well stocked mini markets, and 4 kafenions. There are eight churches in Kefalas, some of which are historic, and the villagers celebrate with a feast day on August the 15th. The 2 tavernas in the hamlet of Drapanos are 2.2kms from the villa and the ever-popular village of Almyrida, which is built around a crescent-shaped sandy beach, is only 7kms away. This beach is very shallow and safe, which is good news if you have children or are not a strong swimmer. Lining the beach are many excellent tavernas, cafes and shops. Also, in Almyrida there is a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers, catamarans, pedaloes, and paddle boards. guided coach excursions. A visit to both Chania and Rethymno are recommended to enjoy the influences of Venetian and Ottoman architecture mixed with local styles. The old quarters are particular beautiful with their narrow lanes, tavernas, cafes and shops.

Villa Buoys – Summary

Overview:
Villa Buoys is a peaceful and stylish villa set in the Cretan countryside near the traditional village of Palailoni. Owned by a pair of professional gardeners (one an award-winning TV presenter), it features beautifully landscaped Mediterranean gardens and exceptional views over the Aegean Sea.

Location:

• Located at the end of a private 300m track, just 1.8 km from the village of Kefalas (with tavernas and mini-markets).

• 6 minutes from the rocky cove at Ombrosgialos (clear turquoise water and great snorkelling).

• 7 km from Almyrida’s family-friendly beach, tavernas, and watersports.

• Approx. 40–50 mins from Chania Airport and 1 hr 20 mins from Heraklion Airport.

Property Features:

• Elevated 500m above sea level with panoramic sea and mountain views.

• 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, private pool, and various outdoor terraces.

• Stylishly combines traditional Cretan design (stone arches, cypress wood beams) with modern comforts (A/C, Wi-Fi, Amazon Fire TV, memory foam mattresses).

• Fully equipped kitchen, outdoor summer kitchen, BBQ area, and shaded dining space.

• Infinity-edge pool, outdoor shower room, and comfortable terrace furniture.

Gardens & Surroundings:

• Over 2000m² of garden area.

• Mediterranean flora including bougainvillea, lavender, aloe, citrus and olive trees.

• Natural wildflower area and private parking for 3 cars.

Ideal For:
Travelers seeking a tranquil retreat in a traditional Cretan setting with easy access to beaches, nature, and authentic village life—perfect for relaxation, nature lovers, and families.