Beyond just a three-bedroom villa, Villa Sofia, (also known as The Architect's Stone House) is an immaculately restored 19th century dwelling offering travelers an all-in-one architectural, historical and cultural experience.
***This property is a great choice for travelers who wish to avoid crowded areas and mass tourism. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking extra precautions to keep the property even more spotlessly clean than before.***
This unconventional property is located in the oldest part of the rustic village of Prines, right in the middle of a cluster of mostly uninhabited archaic stone abodes dating back to the Ottoman and Venetian eras. It is a playful and experimental renovation, merging the characteristics of a 19th century Cretan dwelling with a modern and minimalist aesthetic. Boasting a patio space with a small pool and a spacious veranda overlooking the Leuka Ori mountains, this property is ideal for groups of up to eight people.
If you are a fan of history and architecture, Villa Sofia is definitely a treat. The use of space in this property is phenomenal. The original dimensions and features of a 19th-century dwelling integrate seamlessly with a modern interior. An imposing stone arch, hand-chiseled slabs of stone, iron bars used to secure the windows, and iron rings used to hang tools are brought to the spotlight through the meticulous use of modern building materials. This property offers the experience of living in the very center of a cluster of houses while maintaining total privacy. Every angle and small detail has been carefully thought out to create a sense of integration with the unique setting in which this property is based. Moments, minutes or even hours of total silence, birds chirping every morning, dogs barking in the distance, the neighbor's sheep next door, the occasional sighting of a skunk, a great white owl or a hawk. This property's guests will be exposed to all the stimulus of a typical Greek village as it has existed for many centuries. All in all, Villa Sofia bridges the archaic with the contemporary while refusing to make any compromises.
Even though this villa will make you not want to leave, it is also conveniently located almost at the center of Crete, a few minutes away from the national road and the major driving routes leading to both the northern and the southern beaches of Rethymno. The closest beach is a 10-minute drive away and there are multiple tavernas and a mini-market within a short walking distance. In other words, Villa Sofia is perfectly located for those who wish to explore Rethymno, Chania and parts of western Heracklion.
Spatial description:
The main entrance of the Villa faces north. Upon entering, one views an open area consisting of a living room, a fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen and dining area that is separated by a stone arc. Part of the living room is a converted space that was originally used as wine press. It now hosts a couch that can turn into a double bed if needed. A second arch and a few steps lead to the rear portion of the ground floor. Here one will find a bedroom with two single beds and ample storage space, a full bathroom, and a small room with a washing machine and storage where cleaning supplies and linens are kept. These rooms are connected via a corridor which leads to a courtyard containing a small swimming pool, adobe oven, barbeque, seating space, and two sunbeds.
A winding wooden staircase connects the ground floor with the second floor of the property. In between the two, a small storage space which used to host large barrels of wine has been converted into a mezzanine serving as a small office.
On the second floor of the property, there are three rooms and a large veranda. The master bedroom hosts a queen-size bed, ample storage space, a small desk and an air conditioning unit. The second bedroom on this floor is a bit unconventional. Upon entering it, one views a desk, a double sofa which can turn into a double bed if needed and a small staircase leading to a small attic space with storage and a full-size bed. This room is definitely a space one and children tend to love it. In between the two bedrooms, there is a small bathroom.
The property's veranda stands a bit higher than the second floor. It is connected to it by a few wooden stairs. The veranda is very spacious. It hosts a large table and a small lounge area with plenty of seating space overlooking the Lefka Ori mountains, neighboring fields, a small forest of oak trees, the archaic stone buildings which surround the property and the ocean in the distance. This area remains partially shaded throughout most of the day. It is one of the most unique aspects of this property, as its multifaceted view embodies the nature of this renovation project. Most guests report that they spent most of their time relaxing in this space.
Villa Sofia is ideal for all-year-long bookings:
The thick stone walls, high-quality building materials and the careful planning of the house make it heat-resistant during the very hot summer months. In fact most guests report using the air conditioning unit scarcely. The courtyard area faces south and the veranda area faces north, which means that you can catch sun and shade at all times of the day. On the other hand, during the relatively colder months of the year, the underground heating pad system (on the first floor), the heating units (on the second floor) can heat the property very efficiently during the winter months. Although the tourist season peaks during the summer months, this property is one of the few receiving interest during the winter season as well. It makes for a great getaway for long-term winter bookings.
