The Setting
Just a 10-minute drive from Chania’s lively harbor, Metohi feels worlds away. You arrive to stillness: verdant trees heavy with fruit, birdsong, and a sense that you’ve entered somewhere gently out of step with the rest of the world.
Wild jasmine climbs over centuries-old stone walls, and every path leads to a pocket of calm – a tiled courtyard, a shaded pergola, a fountain trickling somewhere in the distance. Surrounded by orchards and open fields, the estate offers privacy without isolation.
A Family Story
Metohi Kindelis is a living reflection of layered histories and evolving land stewardship. Originally built in the late 1500s as a Venetian summer villa, it became a communal farm during Ottoman rule, with simple stone cottages for workers. The Kindeli family acquired the estate in 1912 and have tended to it ever since.
In the 70s, Manolis Kindelis returned to Crete and pioneered organic farming on the island, eventually transforming the old olive press into the first guesthouse.
Today, Metohi is run exclusively by his niece Danai Kindeli, who returned from Madrid to her roots. (Small note: Danai also lived in Germany and France, so her background is very international and above all, we very much liked the way, she takes care of her guests. Pretty unique). In other words:
The Farm
One of Crete’s first organic farms, Metohi now cultivates over 25 fruit varieties, including tropical and subtropical species – from avocados to lychees.
What we loved the most? You don’t just witness the farm; you taste it. Morning fruit comes straight from the trees, herbs are snipped fresh for tea, and bird of paradise flowers from the garden find their way to the table. What a treat!
The Guesthouses
The three large guesthouses are self-contained retreats, each with its own garden and pool. They differ slightly in mood, but they all share a common philosophy: quiet, natural luxury with thoughtful details that make the spaces lived-in. We certainly felt like being in our own holiday home.
Traditional Venetian-Cretan architecture has been gently restored, with terracotta floors, soft earth tones, and plenty of natural light. Kitchens are well equipped, and if you’re in the mood to cook, Danai can arrange a basket of just-harvested ingredients and a bottle from her well-chosen Greek wine list (one of her many passions!).
Breakfast
Upon arrival, the fridge is already well stocked with fresh baked bread, eggs, house-made preserves, local cheeses and honey, and whatever fruit the garden is offering in season. So while breakfast is self-prepared, everything is ready to go. During our stay, we enjoyed perfectly ripe avocados, juicy strawberries, and fragrant loquats. There’s also the option to have the basket refilled daily, for an additional charge.
The Experience
There’s no front desk and no set schedule. Danai’s presence is light but intuitive – everything is warm, personal, and quietly intentional. Despite the nearby road (you may occasionally hear the passing cars), nature’s sounds win: birdsong, rustling leaves, the occasional miaus of the resident cats.
Although the guesthouses offer complete privacy, Metohi is still a family home. Some guests never cross paths with anyone, while others might glimpse Danai’s mother watering the flowers, her uncle practicing Qi Ggong in the garden, or the family gathered for a meal on the terrace. It’s a rare and beautiful thing – to stay somewhere where the locality isn’t curated for guests, just simply part of daily life.
Further Afield
Once inside Metohi Kindelis, we felt more like retreating than exploring – but Chania’s old town, beaches, and mountain villages are all within easy reach. Danai will point you to secret beaches in the south, help book a massage, or recommend a quiet taverna off the beaten path. There’s beauty beyond the gate – but we felt no pressure to seek it.
Who It’s For
Ideal for couples, solo travelers, and anyone in need of a soft reset. One guesthouse includes a second bedroom with children’s bunks, but the overall atmosphere is peaceful and grown-up – the kind of place for long books, slow swims, and quiet stargazing.
Rates
From €330 per night / per guest house
Booking & Contacts
Metohi Kindelis
Perivolia,
Chania, Crete
Greece
