Country Hotel Velani ***
Greece Crete Island

The country hotel Velani is located in rural area near the village Avdou, in the province of Heraklion, on the island of Crete in Greece.

Unique location

The country hotel Velani is perched high on a hillside overlooking the Lake Aposelemis, 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 small 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.

The Country Hotel, with its 5 hectare estate, has various gardens for fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as an olive grove for the production of our own olive oil.

Treat your inner body and soul with our healthy Cretan cuisine, delicious home cooking with home grown organic produce, making your stay complete.
The Velani restaurant uses its own fruit and vegetables as well as the produce 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.

Wellness

Treat your body and soul with a personalized wellness experience in the intimacy of your own room. The Velani Hotel has wellness rooms with a private sauna cabin inside your room. These 2 person infrared cabins come complete with color therapy and sound system to create a relaxing atmosphere. Lay down to rest on the sun patio in your private garden or spent a romantic evening in front of  your own fire place.
Complete your stay with a massage by the professional therapist Dimitri. On request reserve a Swedish, Cretan or Tai massage with the use of local herb, essential oils and olive oil. You can complete the massages with a face or body treatment. The massages take place in the privacy of your room or garden.
A central Yoga deck and meditation area under old Kermes Oaks is available for all. A Professional Manduka yoga mat, blocks and blankets are available at a charge.
A 5 person Jacuzzi with hydro massage, located on a view point can be rent for private use.

Activities

We organize several activities to make your holiday unforgettable.
The hotel has its own professional equestrian center ‘The Odysseia Stables’ on-site. We provide horse riding week treks, lessons, hacking, daytrips and trails for all levels and ages on excellent horses.
At Velani you straight ride or hike out into nature. It’s possible to go bird-watching on your own, or spot the majestic Griffon vultures straight from the terrace. The nearby Lake Aposelemis attracts a variety of birds.
Velani is the perfect place for walking and biking enthusiasts. 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 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.  What better way to experience a country?

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.

Free and fast WIFI on the entire property.

Let us welcome you with Greek ‘filotomo’ (=hospitality). The Owners

Manolis & Sabine Fragkakis