Away from the humdrum picture of tourism ,sun - sea, every place has another world - which lasts more than just the few months of the tourist season - whose roots are well embedded in tradition. Tradition is still alive but well hidden, like a precious jewel, from the eyes of the ephemeral visitor. Andreas Metaxas, General Manager of the Maris Hotels, with his love and respect for Cretan tradition had a dream and dared to experiment. Thus, Villa Arhanes is a proposition for a different type of holiday, which combines tradition and a return to nature, rural tourism and frugal luxury, entertainment and communication with the locals and time for contemplation.

The 4-star Traditional Apartment lie on a hillside overlooking Arhanes & Youhtas Sacred Mountain. This original Cretan mansion was built in 1890 and was renovated during the period from spring to winter of 2000. The foundations of this old house, its stone walls ,60-80 cm thick, its frame and woodwork have remained intact.The Hotel has tried to respect and preserve the architectural arrangement of the apartments and all other spaces using old building materials to obtain all the amenities that are necessary for a comfortable and decent accommodation, attractively restored in just 6 exclusive apartments. It is a new type of vacation, for people showing sensitivity and particular sympathy for: nature, relaxation, exercise, nutrition with pure ecological products, taste and delight, entertainment and communication with the locals, and time for recollection.

From prehistoric years to this date it has been an important financial centre of the surrounding area. It is speculated that in Arhanes lay the summer palace of King Minos. The area boasts a particular natural environment (gorges, hills, mountains, cultivable plain expanses, rare flora and fauna, but the buildings also encapsulate the neo-classical tradition with Venetian architecture.