Crete is an island that feels timeless—where light moves across olive groves and stone villages as it has for centuries, and the horizon seems to stretch beyond measure. Here, beauty is not manufactured but elemental: the scent of wild herbs carried on the breeze, the shimmer of sea against limestone, the gentle rhythm of island life.
Amid this landscape, Tella Thera emerges as a serene dialogue between design and nature less than an hour away from Chania. It distills the essence of Crete into form, texture, and light. What sets the escape apart is its sculptural language of curves and circular lines—arches, rounded walls, and soft-edged alcoves that echo the organic shapes of the island’s hills and coves. These gestures create a sense of fluidity; rooms unfold like quiet passages of air and light, inviting calm and contemplation.
Inside, natural materials take center stage: limewashed walls, smooth stone, pale wood, and handwoven linen. The palette draws directly from the landscape—sun-bleached neutrals, the muted green of olive leaves, and the deep blue of the Aegean beyond. Morning light filters through rounded openings, tracing arcs across cool floors; by evening, the same spaces glow with a soft, golden hush.
Tella Thera isn’t defined by luxury in the conventional sense. Instead, it offers something more elusive: an experience of stillness shaped by thoughtful design. It’s a place where every curve feels intentional, where architecture doesn’t impose but embraces. It reminds us of the beauty of softness—of circles, silence, and the slow unfolding of time by the sea.
Sustainability & design
“We minimised our ecological footprint from the outset by choosing a location that naturally supports energy efficiency and by constructing buildings that blend seamlessly with the environment through subterranean design.”
Stay
Even the smallest suites offer spacious indoor and outdoor spaces with garden and uninterrupted views of the Aegean Sea. The 380m Signature Villa is equipped with three separate bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, a large living room, kitchen, outdoor dining area, and an infinity pool
Dine
The restaurant Anemoia translates Tella Thera’s quiet elegance into cuisine, serving modern interpretations of Cretan dishes made with local ingredients.
Location
Kissamos, Crete,
Greece
Photos
Christos Drazos