About Arbora Olea Luxury Resorts
Discover an exclusive sanctuary where contemporary luxury meets Cretan authenticity at Arbora Olea Luxury Resorts, an extraordinary wedding venue comprising three identical luxury villas nestled within a pristine 12-acre olive grove in Skaleta, Rethymno. This exclusive-use property offers couples the rare opportunity to celebrate their wedding surrounded by ancient olive trees, with the Cretan mountains as your backdrop and complete privacy for you and your closest guests. Each of the three villas—named Koroneiki, Tsounati, and Agrielia after Crete's finest olive varieties—embodies minimalist elegance with subtle touches of traditional Cretan culture, creating an atmosphere that's both sophisticated and warmly authentic. The 150-square-meter villas are harmoniously designed across three levels, featuring four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and the capacity to accommodate eight guests each, making the entire property perfect for intimate destination weddings of up to 30 guests staying on-site. What sets Arbora Olea apart is its unique combination of exclusive venue rental, luxurious villa accommodations, and stunning natural setting—your guests don't just attend your wedding, they experience a multi-day celebration immersed in Cretan hospitality. The resort's outdoor spaces are nothing short of spectacular: each villa features two magnificent infinity pools connected by an impressive waterfall, creating a dramatic focal point for your ceremony or cocktail reception. The meticulously landscaped terraces, sun decks, and garden areas throughout the 12-acre estate provide multiple ceremony and reception options, all framed by the silver-green canopy of ancient olive trees. Imagine exchanging vows on a terrace overlooking the olive grove as the Mediterranean sun casts golden light through the branches, or hosting your reception dinner under the stars with the gentle sound of waterfalls in the background. The venue's design philosophy emphasizes "minimal aesthetics with discrete touches of traditional culture," featuring locally-inspired artwork depicting traditional agricultural scenes in olive groves, connecting your celebration to the land's rich history. Located just 15 minutes from Rethymno's charming old town with its Venetian harbor and Byzantine architecture, and a 13-minute walk from Skaleta Beach, Arbora Olea offers the perfect balance of countryside serenity and accessibility to Crete's attractions. The property is designed for large groups—whether families, couples, or friend groups—making it ideal for multi-day wedding celebrations where everyone stays together under one roof. Each villa is equipped with full modern amenities including state-of-the-art kitchens, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free WiFi, washing machines, and all the comforts of a luxury home. The outdoor spaces feature professional barbecue facilities, multiple dining areas, and expansive terraces perfect for pre-wedding gatherings, welcome dinners, and post-wedding brunches. With its exclusive-use model, you have complete freedom to customize your wedding timeline, use your preferred vendors, and create a truly personalized celebration. The resort's wedding packages start at €15,500, covering four nights of exclusive accommodation for up to 30 guests, private venue rental, and professional wedding planning services—representing exceptional value when you consider you're securing accommodation, venue, and coordination in one comprehensive package. Past couples have praised Arbora Olea's "stunning grounds and views," with one couple declaring they "couldn't have asked for a more beautiful place" for their wedding. The venue has been featured in multiple wedding publications, showcasing real weddings that highlight its rustic charm combined with modern luxury. The resort holds an impressive 9.6 rating on Booking.com, with guests consistently praising it as an "excellent modern villa, perfect for a large group, beautifully maintained." Whether you envision an intimate olive grove ceremony, a poolside cocktail reception, or an elegant dinner under the Cretan sky, Arbora Olea Luxury Resorts provides an unparalleled canvas for your destination wedding. The combination of exclusive privacy, stunning natural beauty, comprehensive accommodations, and authentic Cretan character makes this venue perfect for couples seeking a unique, intimate, and memorable wedding experience. Your wedding here isn't just an event—it's a multi-day journey that brings your closest loved ones together in one of Crete's most beautiful and authentic settings, creating memories that extend far beyond the ceremony itself.
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Amenities
Three luxury villas with exclusive use
Two infinity pools per villa (6 total)
Jetted hot tub with waterfall feature
12-acre olive grove estate
Private terraces and sun decks
Professional BBQ facilities
Fully equipped modern kitchens
Air conditioning throughout
Free WiFi in all areas
Flat-screen TVs with satellite channels
Private parking on-site
Mountain and olive grove views
Multiple outdoor dining areas
Garden and patio spaces
Tea and coffee making facilities
Washing machines in each villa
Private balconies in bedrooms
Free toiletries and bathrobes
Hairdryers in all bathrooms
Outdoor furniture and loungers
Lighting for evening events
Sound system capabilities
Wheelchair accessible paths
Services Offered
Wedding planning and coordination
Exclusive venue rental (4 nights minimum)
On-site accommodation for 30 guests
Multiple ceremony location options
Reception space setup
Poolside cocktail areas
Welcome dinner hosting
Rehearsal dinner facilities
Post-wedding brunch venue
Vendor liaison and coordination
Timeline planning assistance
Setup and breakdown services
Tables and seating arrangements
Outdoor lighting setup
Sound system coordination
Photography location scouting
Guest accommodation management
Airport transfer coordination
Car rental arrangements
Local recommendations and bookings
Multi-day event planning
Kitchen facilities for catering prep
Breakfast service options
Concierge services
Good to Know
From port:Approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Souda Port in Chania, the main ferry arrival point for guests traveling from Athens (Piraeus) or other Greek islands. The drive takes approximately 90 minutes heading east along the north coast highway. From Heraklion Port (another ferry option), the distance is approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) with a drive time of about 75 minutes heading west. While most international wedding guests arrive by air, some European guests enjoy incorporating the ferry journey as part of their Greek island experience. Port transfer services can be arranged similarly to airport transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The starting wedding package at €15,500 includes four nights of exclusive accommodation across all three luxury villas for up to 30 guests, complete private venue rental with full access to the 12-acre olive grove estate and all facilities, and professional wedding planning services to help coordinate your celebration. This comprehensive package means your guests stay on-site in luxury villas while you have exclusive use of the stunning outdoor spaces, pools, and terraces for your ceremony and reception. The package represents exceptional value as it combines accommodation, venue rental, and coordination services in one price.
Arbora Olea can accommodate up to 30 guests staying on-site across the three luxury villas, with each villa sleeping up to 8-10 guests in four bedrooms. For the wedding ceremony and reception, you can host up to 40 total guests, with the additional guests staying at nearby hotels or accommodations in Skaleta or Rethymno (15 minutes away). The exclusive-use model ensures complete privacy for your celebration, with the entire 12-acre estate dedicated solely to your wedding party for the duration of your stay.
Arbora Olea offers multiple stunning ceremony and reception options throughout the 12-acre olive grove estate. Popular ceremony locations include the elevated terrace overlooking the olive grove with mountain views, the poolside area with the dramatic waterfall feature as a backdrop, and intimate clearings within the olive grove itself for a truly rustic feel. For receptions, couples typically use the expansive terraces connecting the villas, the poolside areas for cocktail receptions, or the garden spaces for seated dinners under the olive trees. The property's layout allows for creative use of multiple spaces throughout your wedding day—ceremony in one area, cocktails by another pool, and dinner on a different terrace—giving your celebration variety and flow.
Arbora Olea operates with an open vendor policy, giving you complete freedom to select and work with your preferred wedding vendors including caterers, florists, photographers, DJs, and decorators. The venue's wedding planning team can provide recommendations for trusted local vendors they've worked with successfully at the property, or you can bring in your own choices. The fully equipped kitchens in each villa provide excellent preparation space for caterers, and the property's layout accommodates various vendor setups. There are no corkage fees or restrictions on bringing in outside food and beverage services, giving you full flexibility to create your perfect menu and celebration style.
While Crete enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, Arbora Olea provides excellent backup options should weather be a concern. The large covered terraces attached to each villa can be enclosed or opened as needed, providing sheltered space for dining and dancing while maintaining views of the olive grove. The indoor spaces across the three villas total approximately 450 square meters, offering ample room for a seated dinner and celebration if fully indoor arrangements are needed. Many couples opt for a hybrid approach with ceremony outdoors during a break in weather and reception in covered areas. The property's multiple buildings and covered spaces provide flexibility to adapt your timeline and move between indoor and outdoor settings as conditions allow.
Absolutely! Arbora Olea is ideal for multi-day wedding celebrations with excellent spaces for all pre-wedding activities. The three separate villas provide natural separation for wedding party preparations—many couples designate one villa for the bride and bridesmaids, another for the groom and groomsmen, with the third for family. Each villa has spacious bathrooms with excellent lighting, mirrors, and counter space perfect for hair and makeup. The property is also perfect for hosting a welcome dinner the night before your wedding, rehearsal dinner, or post-wedding brunch, with BBQ facilities, outdoor dining areas, and full kitchens available. Having everyone stay together on-site creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere for the days surrounding your wedding.
Arbora Olea is located in Skaleta, Rethymno, approximately 75 kilometers (about 1 hour) from Heraklion International Airport, making it easily accessible for destination wedding guests. The resort is just 15 minutes from Rethymno's charming old town, famous for its Venetian harbor, Fortezza castle, and beautiful beaches. Skaleta Beach is a 13-minute walk from the property, and the famous Arkadi Monastery is about 20 minutes away. Despite feeling secluded within the olive grove, you're well-positioned to explore Crete's attractions—the spectacular Kourtaliotiko Gorge is about 30 minutes away, and Ancient Eleftherna is 30 kilometers southeast. The venue offers airport transfer coordination services to help your guests reach the property smoothly.
Arbora Olea is available for weddings year-round, with the optimal season running from late April through October when Crete enjoys consistently warm, sunny weather perfect for outdoor celebrations. May and June are particularly beautiful as the olive grove is lush and green, temperatures are comfortable (24-28°C), and you avoid peak summer heat. September and early October offer another ideal window with warm weather, lower humidity, and beautiful light for photography. July and August are the warmest months (30-35°C) but the property's pools and shaded olive grove provide natural cooling. Spring months (April-May) and autumn (October-November) offer excellent value pricing and more availability, with generally reliable weather and the charm of shoulder season Crete.
As a private villa estate in a countryside setting, Arbora Olea offers more flexibility than hotel venues, though reasonable quiet hours should be observed out of respect for the surrounding community. Most couples plan for music and celebration to continue until midnight, with quieter gathering continuing later if desired. The property's secluded location within a 12-acre olive grove provides natural sound buffering from neighboring properties. There are no strict curfews imposed by the venue, but couples should coordinate with their wedding planner regarding local regulations and community courtesy. The intimate size of weddings here (typically 20-40 guests) naturally keeps noise levels manageable.
Arbora Olea offers a completely different experience from traditional hotel weddings through its exclusive-use model—the entire property is yours alone for your celebration, not shared with other guests or events. You're not just renting a ceremony space for a few hours; you're securing a private estate for multiple days where your guests live together, creating an intimate, house-party atmosphere that fosters genuine connection and celebration. The authentic Cretan setting within a working olive grove, combined with modern luxury amenities, provides a unique blend of rustic charm and comfort that hotels can't replicate. You have complete control over your schedule, vendors, and celebration style without hotel restrictions. The villa accommodations, professional kitchens, and multiple entertaining spaces give you flexibility to host welcome dinners, rehearsals, and post-wedding brunches all in one stunning location, creating a true destination wedding experience rather than just a wedding day.
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