On the sun-drenched outskirts of Chania, tucked discreetly among avocado groves and citrus trees, Metohi Kindelis offers a different rhythm of life. This family-run estate, home to the Kindelis family since 1912, marries the legacy of a working farm with the quiet luxury of a small, thoughtful retreat. It is a place where nature sets the pace. The story begins in the 16th century, when the property was first built as a Venetian farmhouse and later expanded under Ottoman rule to accommodate workers in a participative farming model. Today, the historic structure has been carefully restored and reimagined. The original Ottoman olive press, for example, now forms the heart of one of three self-contained guesthouses — each with its own patio and pool, surrounded by wild herbs and fruit trees. Metohi Kindelis is an experience of grounded, intentional living. Since taking the reins, Danai Kindeli has guided the estate into a new chapter rooted in sustainability and slow hospitality. Guests wake to the scent of fig leaves and jasmine, prepare breakfast from just-picked produce, and explore a microcosm of Cretan biodiversity, from avocados and mangoes to lychees, cherimoyas and traditional olives. What sets the estate apart is not only its rare mix of tropical and Mediterranean cultivation, a quiet agricultural experiment since the 1970s, but also the way it invites visitors to participate in the landscape without disturbing it. Guests are given space to unwind, while Danai and her team remain a discreet, daily presence – ready with tips on wine pairings, seasonal recipes, or a good swimming spot. More than a guesthouse, Metohi Kindelis is a place that values patience, respects nature and celebrates the pleasure of simplicity. For those seeking quiet beauty, good food, and the gentle luxury of time well spent, this hidden corner of Crete is worth lingering in.
At Metohi Kindelis, tradition, terroir and hospitality flourish in quiet harmony on the edge of Chania
