Equestrian Hotel
Greece Crete
A charming hotel in nature
The Country Hotel Velani*** and the Odysseia stables are located on the same estate,
offering a relaxing stay in nature with beautiful horse riding on endless trails.
The equestrian hotel is located on a unique hill side location, near the village of Avdou in Crete, Greece.
The equestrian hotel has:
- 12 lovely rooms with private garden or veranda
- a unique hill side location with stunning panoramic views
- a personal, family-run atmosphere
- a large infinity swimming pool
- a restaurant serving home cooking with fresh, local produce
- space, tranquility and beautiful nature
- flowers, fruit and vegetable gardens
- free and fast WiFi in the entire property
- wellness suites with infrared sauna
- our own equestrian centre, the Odysseia Stables with
- 18 reliable, willing to go and lovely horses
The hotel is open all year round so you can enjoy a touch of Cretan life whatever the season. Accommodation is available for winter occupation.
Unique location
The country hotel Velani*** is perched high on a hillside overlooking the Langada Valley in the foothills of the Dikti Mountains. It is a secret haven hidden in a rocky wilderness of ancient stone and protected Kermes oak forest. It is these oak trees with their evergreen leaves and ‘Velani’ fruits that gave our hotel its name.
The charming family-run hotel has 12 spacious and comfortable rooms. All rooms have a breathtaking view and give you a feeling of relaxing with nature on your doorstep.
The Country Hotel has a large infinity pool as well as a separately located children’s pool. Relax on the sun deck enjoying the spectacular vista before you. Or reserve the jacuzzi for a romantic evening.
Stay in our wellness suites with an infrared sauna. For a personalized wellness experience inside the intimacy of your own room.
Restaurant
The Country Hotel, with its 4 hectare estate, also has various gardens for fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as an olive grove for the production of our own olive oil.
The Velani restaurant uses its own fruit and vegetables to prepare the famous healthy Cretan diet; our kitchen utilizes our home-grown produce as well as that of the local farms and surrounding villages. Try typically Greek dishes with extra virgin olive oil, Cretan wine made from ancient grape species, meat and cheese from the free-ranging sheep and goats of our neighbors, or honey from the local beekeeper.
Activities
Undertake several activities to make your holiday unforgettable.
It is possible to go bird-watching; we often see the majestic Griffon vultures from the hotel.
Explore the area by yourself; this is the perfect place for walking and biking enthusiasts and ambling along one of the many mountain paths and tracks is the ideal way to work up an appetite for a sumptuous Velani meze lunch. Hike uphill on the E4 footpath from the hotel straight to the Lassithi plateau.
For groups we offer cooking lessons to learn all about Greek food, preparation and taste.
For experienced paragliders there is a take-off located right behind the hotel and a landing field down in the valley, both visible from our terrace.
On site we have an outdoor Yoga platform and meditation area, located under very old ever green Oak trees and a fantastic view on the valley. In the summer months we offer Yoga sessions for groups with Vinyasa Yoga in the morning times to waken and energize the body, and Yin Yoga in the evenings for relaxation and releasing tension.
The riding made you stiff? We also offer Swedish, Cretan deep tissue and Tai Massages by a professional therapist. Combine it with a body treatment or an aroma therapy of local herbs and olive oil.
What better way to experience a country?
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