Thalassa apartments offer charming self-catering accommodation for your holidays in Palekastro, Sitia and Eastern Crete.…
Stella’s Traditional
Stella’s Traditional resort is built right on the top of the amphitheatric, fertile valley of Kato Zakros, looking the sea high above the olive, orange and lemon trees .
The sea-shore, which is only 500 metres away, is quite close for someone to enjoy the smell and the sea view and far enough to isolate every undesired civilized sound coming from the visitors’ cars. So the sounds that will disturb you come from birds, cicadas and the rustling of the leaves.
More than one hundred big trees (pine trees, carob trees, fig trees, horse chestnut ficus trees, arocarias etc) in the garden provide a deep refreshing shadow during the hot summer days.
In the evening you will enjoy the aroma of local herbs such as thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage and throumbi (savoury) mixed with jasmine and basil. <<Stella’s Traditional>> is one hundred and fifty meters away from the entrance of the Gorge of the dead, a five minute walk from the Minoan palace an eight minute walk from the beach.
The exterior and the interior décor strictly follows the guide lines of Greek tradition. There are wooden pergolas outside every apartment as well as sun beds, hammocks and isolated corners ideal for reading or day dreaming.
There is also a barbeque and an outdoor kitchen for every apartment.
You will also find an outdoor, gym for weight training under the instructions of Elias (former bodybuilding champion, and writer of the best seller “Enter the modern bodybuilding”) and Stella (sports instructor) who both were gym owners before their move to Kato Zakros.
Phone: +30 28430 23739
Mob.: –
Email: relax@stelapts.com
Website: www.stelapts.com
Inside the apartments you will find a totally rustic atmosphere. Stone built walls, wooden ceilings, hand made furniture and numerous antiques from another era.
But you will not miss the facilities ie to prepare you breakfast or your meal, coffee machine, boiler, toaster, small cooker, oven, cutlery, pans, plates, glasses, as well as refrigerator, air condition, iron, hair dryer, and, and , and… In the cupboards you will find all sorts of herbs and spices and other products (sugar, salt, Greek coffee, filter coffee, Nescafe, olive oil, raki) and a “welcome pack” with some goods for the first breakfast for the newcomers.
All the apartments are equipped with shower or bath with hot water all day around.
Laundry service is also available.
Although the windows are well protected with nets, there are insect-repellent appliances relieving one from possible annoyances.
Notice also that the tap provides you with the best water in Crete.
But above all, you will find the warm hospitality, friendly atmosphere and the smile of Stella and Elias, owners of STELLA’S TRADITIONAL.
Send a message to the owner..
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We have traveled around the inland for 10 days, and this place is the best that we have known. It is very calm et romantic, with a lot of charm. In a word, incredible.
Stayed July 2009, traveled as a couple
Stella’s extended family own the three delightful holiday ‘villages’ in Kato Zakros. Stella’s is certainly the most mature and impressive with beautiful shady trees but Yiannis retreat next door has its own particular charm and I enjoyed its near perfect peace and tranquillity.
We stayed at Stella’s Traditional Apps for a week during the summer of 2009 and it was a most lovely experience!
Stella’s is located above the remote village of Kato Zakro, near the more widely know archaeological site of the Kato Zakros Minoan Palace and the Vallay of the Dead hiking area. From Kato Zakros village it takes a 10 minutes walk (or a short car ride on a dirt road) to reach Stella’s.
Once you enter the area of Stella’s, you almost get the impression of having re-discovered Eden! The little cabins build of hand hewn local stone, the apps, are nestled in a cool, shadowy garden with huge old pine trees, giant figs, many flowers and herbs. This garden is a common area and the guests are invited to relax in lounge chairs and hammocks allotted in the garden. The garden overlooks a valley with olive trees and in the distance you can see the beach of Kato Zakros – a most impressive and romantic view especially in the early morning and when the sun sets. The myriads of cicadas which start humming in the evening add to the perfect atmosphere.
The apps are built to create a feeling of traditional Cretan rural live. Natural materials – local stone and wood – have been favoured. The apps are of different size and decoration each, but the rural theme is common to them all. The hosts, Stella and Elias, have built the apps by themselves and they have put a very high amount of love and care into them which is mirrored by the many lovely details and make you instantly feel comfortable and at home. Quite important for us, the bathroom of the app also was in a very good state – albeit a bit small.
Each app has a fully equipped kitchen (pots, cutlery, coffee maker etc.), but they also feature a gas cooker on the terrace so that we were able to do a lot of open-air cooking which was great fun!
There is also an open-air reception where you can meet Stella if you have a problem, a question or need something. At the reception, Stella also offers a choice of basic food and beverage (honey, sheep cheese, milk, pasta olives, honey, oil, coffee) which you are invited to take and pay the amount you think is appropriate – it’s a service based on honesty. Stella also provides a washing machine and powder so you can clean you clothes (very practical for hikers!).
We used to drive to the village of Palekastro (about 30 minutes by car) for shopping. There ar many very well equipped local stores which provide everything you need (diary, meat, most delicious local cheese, fruits, bread etc.)
If you like to eat Greek food, you will find some tavernas in Kato Zakros, directly at the beach. One of them serves very delicious vegetarian dishes (made with vegetables from their huge gardens) and offers more variety for those who would like to try something else than pork souflaki and lamb chops.
The whole place of Stella’s Traditionals is very tidy and clean; Stella is very concerned with everything being pleasant and nice and will instantly help you if there are any problems. But, since the whole place is so close to nature, you should not get scarred if nature eventually invites itself in! For example, we once had a little gecko as a visitor on our terrace and some ants also liked to tour the app! However, in our eyes this is nothing to complain about and we prefer it very much to a sterile place where every live is instantly extinguished by the excessive use of insect spray and powders!
Every other day, the apps are tidied and cleaned by a maid and fresh towels are provided.
Please note: There is no pool or bar at Stella’s. So, what can you do during your holidays at Stella’s – other than relaxing in the garden? For one, the beach of Kato Zakros (large pebbles) is very nice, crystal clear water and natural shadow provided by some tamarisks. However, there are no sun beds or umbrellas as the place is not yet touristically developed. If you have a car (which is, in our eyes, strongly recommended), you can drive to Xerokambos in about 25 minutes. There you can find a very nice beach (sand and stones) equipped with sun beds and umbrellas (about 5 Euro per day) and some tavernas near by. This place is a bit more touristically developed.
If you like culture and Cretan history, you can visit the Minoan palace of Kato Zakros – the ruins are very impressive (and a magnet for tourist busses from the large tourist centres).
A stuning location with extremely friendly hosts – perfect base for exploring the surrounding area, walking the coastal path or Dead’s Gorge. Really wonderful and a highlight of our visit to Crete.
David & Laura, England
Stayed August 2010, traveled as a couple
I visited Stella’s Traditional Apartments in June of 2010 with a friend and enjoyed it so much I decided to return for Christmas with my husband.
This time we did not stay at the apartments but at the new cottages built by Stella and her husband called “Terra Minoika”. The cottages give a panoramic view of the Valley of the Dead, the Minoan Palace and the pretty bay of Kato Zakros. I was a little concerned that, visiting over Christmas, we might be cold but I need not have worried. Stella had provided heating and we found that the cottage was very cosy and well insulated. She had even put a little Christmas tree in our room and had baked traditional Christmas biscuits for us.
We were made incredibly welcome. Stella and her husband have built the cottages to a very high specification with high quality materials and furnishings. The bed was very comfortable (Dunlopillo mattress and pillows), the kitchen equipped to a level that made it easy to rustle up a decent evening meal. Stella provided all the ingredients for our breakfasts (including her wonderful homemade marmalade).
We love to walk and the big bonus for us were all the great treks and walks that are on the doorstep. Stella and Elias have waymarked some wonderful routes. On Christmas day we walked along the coast to a cave and Minoan quarry. Boxing day was spent climbing MT. Skopelos and the following day we made a circular walk that took in the Gorge. We did not get to explore much further afield – there was so much to do virtually on the doorstep. We enjoyed exploring the spring at Zakros and this is a place we would like to explore further.
Regarding eating out, there was one taverna of sorts open on the beach and there were a couple of other places at Ano Zakros. We loved Napoleon’s Taverna and found the family very friendly and welcoming. The taverna on the beach was more like a shed but the food was good in a basic way.
I cannot think of many places that I would rate with excellent across the board. Stella and her family offer something very special and above average in an amazing location. You add the warmth of the welcome we received and it can’t be beat – we recommend this place unreservedly.
Excellent place and location for a peaceful holiday.
150m walk from the Death valley trek entrance and 3 min from the Beach.
Stella really nice and helpful to give you all infos you need for best places to visit around.
May be more housework in the room would be perfect (once in 5 days slightly weak).
Stayed August 2011
I visited Kato Zakros eleven years ago and stayed at George’s Villas, which are now run by Stella. My friend and I had a wonderful stay. Stella and her family are warm and welcoming and she has thought of everything. Kato Zakros is a very special place and would be wonderful in the simplest of accommodation.
However, Stella has thought of everything and provides lots of little extras – this is great value for money. For example, mosquito coils, lighter, plenty of power points, kitchen roll, cotton wool buds and cleansing pads etc. I particularly liked the idea of helping yourself to breakfast from the fridge and larder. There were even vegetables from the garden and you decide how much you should pay. I will definitely be returning and we are thinking about Christmas…
We have just come back from 3 weeks in Kato Zakro. It was a first time in Crete a first time in Greece even.
We have spent vacations in South Africa, Morocco, Florida and the south of France but nowhere have we enjoyed such peace and genuine hospitality as at Stella’s.
It is hard to put a finger one thing and say this is why. Stella has a natural gift for hospitality and with it that winning combination of making every tiny detail count while at the same time genuinely caring for the guests that come to stay. As a result each and every one feels that they are special. The place is not only beautifully done it is also spotless, there is everything you need if you decide to do your own cooking including some of the basics of a good Greek meal ( olive oil, feta, etc).
Just make sure that you set aside enough time to really appreciate the specialness – it THE place to chill out and regenerate your batteries.
I liked the drive to Kato Zakros, the nature is some of the most beautiful on my trip in Crete .
Arriving at Stella`s , she was very welcoming , but she promised to come by the room later , she did not keep that.
The room is nice and clean, but is does not get clean every day, not that I expect that , but at least change the toilet bin every day..
The walls are very thin and you can hear every word trough them.
The apartments are a fair walk to the beach, which is full of stones.
Stayed July 2009, traveled solo
Stella’s is located above the remote village of Kato Zakro, near the more widely know archaeological site of the Kato Zakros Minoan Palace and the Vallay of the Dead hiking area. From Kato Zakros village it takes a 10 minutes walk (or a short car ride on a dirt road) to reach Stella’s.
Once you enter the area of Stella’s, you almost get the impression of having re-discovered Eden! The little cabins build of hand hewn local stone, the apps, are nestled in a cool, shadowy garden with huge old pine trees, giant figs, many flowers and herbs. This garden is a common area and the guests are invited to relax in lounge chairs and hammocks allotted in the garden.
The garden overlooks a valley with olive trees and in the distance you can see the beach of Kato Zakros – a most impressive and romantic view especially in the early morning and when the sun sets. The myriads of cicadas which start humming in the evening add to the perfect atmosphere.
The apps are built to create a feeling of traditional Cretan rural live. Natural materials – local stone and wood – have been favoured. The apps are of different size and decoration each, but the rural theme is common to them all.
The hosts, Stella and Elias, have built the apps by themselves and they have put a very high amount of love and care into them which is mirrored by the many lovely details and make you instantly feel comfortable and at home. Quite important for us, the bathroom of the app also was in a very good state – albeit a bit small.
Each app has a fully equipped kitchen (pots, cutlery, coffee maker etc.), but they also feature a gas cooker on the terrace so that we were able to do a lot of open-air cooking which was great fun!
There is also an open-air reception where you can meet Stella if you have a problem, a question or need something.
At the reception, Stella also offers a choice of basic food and beverage (honey, sheep cheese, milk, pasta olives, honey, oil, coffee) which you are invited to take and pay the amount you think is appropriate – it’s a service based on honesty. Stella also provides a washing machine and powder so you can clean you clothes (very practical for hikers!).
We used to drive to the village of Palekastro (about 30 minutes by car) for shopping. There ar many very well equipped local stores which provide everything you need (diary, meat, most delicious local cheese, fruits, bread etc.)
If you like to eat Greek food, you will find some tavernas in Kato Zakros, directly at the beach. One of them serves very delicious vegetarian dishes (made with vegetables from their huge gardens) and offers more variety for those who would like to try something else than pork souflaki and lamb chops.
The whole place of Stella’s Traditionals is very tidy and clean; Stella is very concerned with everything being pleasant and nice and will instantly help you if there are any problems. But, since the whole place is so close to nature, you should not get scarred if nature eventually invites itself in!
For example, we once had a little gecko as a visitor on our terrace and some ants also liked to tour the app! However, in our eyes this is nothing to complain about and we prefer it very much to a sterile place where every live is instantly extinguished by the excessive use of insect spray and powders!
Every other day, the apps are tidied and cleaned by a maid and fresh towels are provided.
Please note: There is no pool or bar at Stella’s. So, what can you do during your holidays at Stella’s – other than relaxing in the garden? For one, the beach of Kato Zakros (large pebbles) is very nice, crystal clear water and natural shadow provided by some tamarisks. However, there are no sun beds or umbrellas as the place is not yet touristically developed.
If you have a car (which is, in our eyes, strongly recommended), you can drive to Xerokambos in about 25 minutes. There you can find a very nice beach (sand and stones) equipped with sun beds and umbrellas (about 5 Euro per day) and some tavernas near by. This place is a bit more touristically developed.
If you like culture and Cretan history, you can visit the Minoan palace of Kato Zakros – the ruins are very impressive (and a magnet for tourist busses from the large tourist centres).
Probably the best you can do in the area is hiking. Stella and Elias, the hosts, are enthusiastic hikers themselves and have taken immense efforts to discover and mark (with red dots) the different paths. They will be glad to show and explain you the different routes on a map of the area which is available at Stella’s. The routes cover the rather famous Valley of the Dead and the Kato Zakros coast and hinterland. We also used two hiking guidebooks (“Wandern auf Kreta – Der Osten” (Dumont Aktiv) and “Wanderungen in Kreta – Ost” (Rother) – both in German) to prepare our stay in the region and also did some trips in the area of Palekastro. Especially during the hot summer days, hiking is rather exhausting for inexperienced hikers.
The paths marked by Stella and Elias are relatively easy to find and walk, but some passages are rather steep and you should be sure-footed and have a head for heights. Good hiking shoes are obligatory, too. The landscape is absolutely great and most times we were completely on our own during the hiking trips so we could enjoy nature undisturbed. Only the Valley of the Dead is frequented by tourists more often but not yet overrun.
We would recommend Stella’s Traditionals to people who search for quiet and peace, enjoy relaxing and resting in the tree shadows reading a good book or listening to the wind or the cicadas, and who don’t need a pool bar or animation program to feel comfortable.
The place might not be ideal for small children. Of course, they could play in the garden, but they might not be comfortable with the pebble stone beach at Kato Zakros. The hiking routes are also not suitable for small children.
In our eyes, the place is very recommendable as a “base camp” for active people. As already said, there are plenty of attractive hiking routes which start directly at Stella’s or in the neighbouring villages. Mountain biking is also an option.