This is what  Panokosmos was like, a relaxing holiday in Crete away from it all.   Spectacular views, peace and tranquillity, fine dining, and the uniquely personal service

But now the business is closed and this website provides a record of Panokosmos – our dream!  Take a dip into it, or go to our blogs for ideas about what to do and what to see in your holiday in Crete.

Take  an eagle’s eye view with this stunning drone video

In 2010 we bought the land, designed and built this house, and have run our business for 9 years.  We’ve hosted 99 parties of guests, served over 1300 breakfasts, and over 300 three course evening meals.  They experienced this unique mountain location with spectacular panoramic views, warm personal and friendly attention, luxury and privacy in a special “away from it all” experience – a hotel exclusively for themselves!  They were able to relax, unwind and experience the country.

Now we need to move on, with some sadness but also excitement and the next stage in our lives.  We aim to spend many more years in Crete and will  finally have time to explore the nooks and crannies of the island.  And maybe even explore the mainland beyond IKEA at Athens airport!

Our strapline has always been:

Panokosmos:
the luxury of a first class hotel,
the privacy of a private villa,
the atmosphere of staying with friends.

Panokosmos is the realization of our dream and we tried to make it special in every way.  We’ve always wanted to share the wonders of this place – the spectacular views, the clear mountain air, the crystal clear pool, the plants in our gardens which thrive in the wonderful Mediterranean climate.

Panokosmos – “on top of the world” in Greek – has spectacular panoramic views of mountains, gorges and the sea and offers peace and tranquillity, a personal and intimate “away from it all” experience.

We are passionate foodies, and loved to use the local Cretan produce to make special dishes.   We didn’t try to emulate the local cooking, but rather recommended those special places where it is prepared and cooked with particular care and love.  Rather we fused the local ideas with our own cuisine, drawing from ideas and recipes we have seen, tried and loved.

We delight in surprises, and our guests never knew what they were going to get, be it a breakfast, mezzes or a three course dinner.   Then we served it in different locations around our grounds, so that they never knew what the views were going to be nor the atmosphere and “feel” of the space.  They could linger over their meals, to savour all the tastes and flavours, to enjoy the surroundings.

We showcased Cretan wines to our guests.  Every year in the Spring we spent two days at the wine fair in Chania, where the 33 wineries in Crete exhibit their wines.  In our last wine list we offered 18 wines from 9 different wineries.   We love our cocktails and offered a nightly special on our blackboard.

So we have kept this website on as a record of our 10 wonderful years at Panokosmos.  Take a look, or use the blog for all sorts of advice and ideas about how to spend your holiday in Crete.