The Residence is a luxury two-bedroom villa in Elounda, Crete. The hotspot flaunts year-round sunshine and is surrounded by tree-dotted mountains, set in a secluded bay of turquoise-lapped sands. The villa holds a prime, elevated, spot overlooking the Venetian Castle on the island of Spinalonga – the setting for the bestselling novel ‘The Island – and the sparkling Aegean Sea. This high-flying hideaway is uniquely decorated with hand-picked local art, hand-made wooden furniture and sleek lines. The low-lying brick walls blend elegantly into nature for a tranquil feeling. Oversized windows and a sweeping veranda let the beautiful natural light into the villa and truly let those idyllic vistas do the talking. Air conditioning comes as standard – perfect for when you need some reprieve from the sun – and theres plenty of seating options for the whole family to kick back on after a day of lounging by the pool or exploring the beautiful surrounds. Outside, theres an infinity swimming pool, as well as a private terrace with a sofa, sun lounger and armchairs – the ideal place to while away the afternoon basking in the sunshine, get stuck into your favourite holiday read or dine alfresco. Meanwhile, theres a spacious living room inside, a marble bathroom which is connected to the master bedroom and theres also another bathroom connected to the second bedroom. When youre not relaxing here, the areas best beaches are on your doorstep. The villas in Mirabella Bay, and is close to the small fishing villages of Plaka and larger Elounda, in the east of Crete. Water lovers can go snorkelling in the bath-warm waters. Or, if you prefer things a little livelier, there are plenty of water sports to get to grips with. Theres also a marina where you can sit in a cafe or taverna, and soak up the scenery. From here, you can hop on a boat to Spinalonga Island. Prices charged include half-board meal plan, for full-board prices please enquire to our Concierge team, #### Features The Villa The Residence 2 bedroomed villa is a contemporary property that offers privacy, luxurious design and full resort services. It has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and can accommodate up to 4 people Exterior - Swimming pool - Terrace - Pergola with seating zone - Outdoors dining area - Sun loungers Interior - Open-plan living room and fully-equipped kitchen - One double bedroom with en-suite bathroom - One twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom Amenities - Wi-fi - Hairdryers - Smart TV - Safe - Air conditioning - Mosquito nets - Toiletries #### Location Lying east of the capital Heraklion is Elounda, a picturesque coastal village on the idyllic Greek island of Crete. Its encompassed by picturesque hilly terrain and overlooks the shores of the curving Mirabello Bay. With soft sandy beaches, quality local tavernas and a welcoming atmosphere its a perfect place for couples or family-friendly holiday. The main beach holds Blue Flag status and has clear and calm waters that are ideal for swimming. Its sands are next to the promenade and the harbour, so you can grab lunch during the day. Tavernas, cafes and restaurants line the villages boat-dotted marina, too. Here, you can spend lazy afternoons watching boats bobbing in the water over a cooling iced coffee or try local Greek cuisine like mezes and grilled octopus. Elounda also offers regular markets, where you can pick up everything from fresh fruit to local cheeses. Its a great chance to pick up some Greek delicacies for a picnic lunch on the beach. For fun day trips, a visit to Spinalonga Island is a must do. Although the island is now completely deserted, the crumbling ruins of the Venetian fortress still stand. Boat trips leave for Spinalonga from Elounda harbour, and Santorini is also only a short boat trip away. Youll find plenty of cafes and restaurants along the seafront. Head into the capital, Fira, and wander the cobbled streets. The beaches at Perissia and Kamari, which have also been awarded the Blue Flag, are also a must visit. For more offshore adventures, Elounda Lagoon is a great place to go, too. It boasts clear waters where you can spot shoals of shimmering fish and explore underwater wrecks –whether youre an experienced diver or a laid-back snorkeller.