DESTINATIONS CRETE | VILLA HOLIDAYS
Book of life
A new villa in Crete can put clients at the heart of a beloved British novel, writes Alice Barnes-Brown
g
travelweekly.co.uk
azing towards the islet of Spinalonga from the villa’s pool terrace, I can’t help but picture the characters from Victoria Hislop’s novel, The Island, set during Spinalonga’s
days as a leper colony in the mid-20th century. I watch as Maria, the teacher, walks along its dusty paths on her way to school, while on the water, her husband Giorgos rows over supplies from the village of Plaka – the only connection between Spinalonga and the rest of the world. But my favourite character, the kindly Dr Kiritsis, is sequestered in the old hospital facing me, working on a cure for the patients who once inhabited this island. Having such a storied scene within its sights, it’s no wonder this new villa in Crete has been named Villa Hislop. As a fan of the author, I jumped at the chance to see the island up close and stay in her namesake villa.
VILLA LIFE
Villa Hislop was built in 2025 and is one of the latest additions to the Oliver’s Travels portfolio. Besides its phenomenal panorama and infinity pool, the stone-built villa is well equipped for big bookings.
Its 10 en-suite bedrooms feature beds that can be configured as doubles or twins, with most offering private terraces and sea views, while the cinema room, table tennis facilities and array of games will keep everyone entertained. A lift helps guests get between the three floors,
and the ground floor comes with a hammam, sauna, gym and two hot tubs. Outside, there’s a small adventure playground for children, a kitchen and barbecue area and even a whitewashed wedding chapel with the Greek flag fluttering overhead. From here, I stroll down the mastic tree-lined path to the private beach that Villa Hislop shares with the rest of the complex. It’s small but perfectly formed, with comfy beanbags and dappled shade. Advise clients to bring a snorkel mask to spy the marine life.
MIND AND BODY Because this villa is part of Oliver’s Travels’ Wellness Collection, clients can book various experiences, including in-villa massages and yoga classes. One morning, while the air is still cool, we are guided
² 25 JUNE 2026 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
