Our starting point was an almost entirely stone-built roofless assortment of rooms, a typical exhibit of the architecture of the Cretan countryside. Our main purpose was to create a hotel where Cretan culture can be passed on, hence our hard work, passion and utmost respect towards nature.
An authentic Cretan establishment with evident Turkish influences, our hotel’s story can be traced back to the 19th, 20th, and 21st century. Both of EVGE’s south-facing rooms, Thalassa and Nefeli, constituted its Turkish Fabrika, an old olive press used to process the abundant amounts of olive trees fruits that the area is graced with to this day. The olive press began to work during the 19th century and was later abandoned, following Crete gaining back its independence from the Ottomans circa 1898.
In the beginning of the 20th century, countless of settlers from around the Samaria Gorge arrived to the fertile lands of Platanias and Kydonia. Among which was the Kalogerakis family, which settled where our hotel is located today. Making use of the existing facilities, they proceeded to build the central building of the former residence, where our rooms Gaia and Etheras are located today. Both rooms’ east to west orientation creates the ideal climate conditions, on top of the unparalleled living room view of the Cretan Sea and the surrounding lowland areas.
A kitchen, a small storage room, and a toilet could be found in front of that same building, where we have set up our hotel’s indoor breakfast hall, outdoor dining area, reception, kitchen, and bathroom accessible by people with disabilities. The former residence’s roof has now been transformed into an elegant common area where our hotel’s hot tub is located. From this area, our guests can enjoy a view of the endless blue of the Cretan Sea and infinite lowlands, while savouring their cup of coffee, as much as a range of authentic local flavours.
Two more rooms, Lava and Dasos, are to be found towards our hotel’s Northern area. Both of them initially served as utility spaces. The imprint of the old wood-fired oven, an integral part of the gastronomy of the Greek countryside, is still felt in Lava. Dasos, on the other hand, used to be a stable of horses and other domestic animals. Our intervention included the creation of a pool which parallels old irrigation ditches of previous centuries.
Evge’s farmhouse status lasted until the early 1970’s, when the children of the Kalogerakis family moved to the city. In 2022, we took a leap of faith and decided to breathe new life into a traditional way of living that somehow managed to last the test of time, in the most sustainable way possible; by helping people become one with the environment, thus restoring harmony with Mother Nature.
All our visitors are driven by the same need to escape the busy city and discover the raw, unexplored beauties of the Cretan countryside, away from the extremely crowded touristic spots. Each guest has their own special place in our hearts. Our philosophy is to showcase a most genuine and authentic side of Crete, one that allows our guests to fully experience the globally renowned Cretan hospitality, as much as Chania’s unique delicacies and notably diverse landscapes. Drawing inspiration from the Cretan culture, architecture, and tradition, our purpose is that every guest becomes one with our land’s values and customs.
Our hotel’s operations focus on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and the utmost respect towards nature’s numerous offerings. Our vision is for our guests to enjoy our hotel without harming nature, both during the summer and winter months. With an eye to a green future, we also aspire to become a role model of the hospitality industry, in terms of energy self-sufficiency.
All our rooms are thus equipped with double-glazed, thermally efficient windows, to maximise energy performance even during the winter. Furthermore, our solar water heaters provide our visitors with warm water, and our 550 Kw photovoltaic panels meet the hotel’s energy needs in their entirety. During the winter, fireplaces and high-quality, energy efficient stoves make reliable sources of heat, while our pool’s temperature is being adjusted through a heat pump, while a second heat pump is being reserved for cases of emergency.
Nature and well-being
Our hotel operates all throughout the year, thus offering our guests the opportunity to experience their own version of the authentic Cretan euphoric living. Besides, getting in touch with nature and regaining one’s balance have always been vital segments of EVGE’s identity. As Crete enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, countless opportunities for daily activities are available for locals and tourists, varying from hiking and mountain climbing during the summer, to ski mountaineering to Mount Ida or Psiloritis during the winter. The latter stands among the most popular natural snow slopes in the world, and hosts several of the globe’s most skilled skiers.
Body and mind
Evge is a magical haven of relaxation, hidden beneath the beauty of the evergreen Cretan nature. For that sole purpose, we aim to provide our guests with an elaborate experience of balancing their physical wellness and mental health, since reconnecting with nature. Both our facilities and range of available activities focus on aiding our guests to release their tension and regain their mental stability, thus combining the insurmountable benefits of physical and mental activities while drawing inspiration from nature’s resilience.
Culture and gastronomy
One of EVGE’s primary goals is to introduce our guests to the fascinating customs of Crete at local events and traditional fairs, while expanding their culinary horizons through interactive experiences. Enjoying traditional flavours and getting to know the many benefits of the Cretan diet could not be possibly absent from a strictly traditional experience, with activities such as cooking classes and food tasting, which involve delicious local wine, unique sweet and savoury delicacies, and the distinctive Cretan tsikoudia.
Sustainability
Both energy efficiency and zero impact on natural resources are part of EVGE’s mission, a mission that lies at its very heart. To us, implementing environmentally friendly practices and investing in the minimisation of energy consumption are non-negotiable. Besides, the use of renewable energy sources guarantees the seamless operation of our hotel and showcases our appreciation towards nature, without having an impact on the quality of our guests’ stay.
