From May to October, Greece is generally blessed with a pleasant, sunny climate that demands enjoyment. One of the most idyllic ways to do exactly that is to rent a gorgeous villa by the sea where you can relax by a pool savouring the sunset on the horizon with a glass of fine wine, or lie in a room, where the breeze dances with the curtains and the chirping of cicadas competes with the sound of waves. Where you can spend luxurious, quality time with your loved ones in an exclusive paradise.
Although villas come in all sizes and for all budgets, some, like the ones we list here, which are located around Greece, are probably doomed to never being scratched off our bucket list, as they require accommodation budgets exceeding 20,000 euros per week. Still, we believe it’s important to keep enjoying of what could, one day, be.
Thani, Syros
Spanning approximately two kilometres along the western coast of Syros, the grounds of Villa Thani unfold spectacularly. Thoughtfully laid-out paths connect the magnificent building and its spacious terraces to an astonishingly panoramic peninsula and a pair of idyllic bays. Every detail seems meticulously curated to cultivate a rare, privileged ambiance.
Villa Thani will cater to your every whim, thanks to its exemplary staff, which includes a team of stewards and dedicated chefs, ensuring you fully enjoy your stay. The discreet team of stewards work in shifts, covering a total of 15 hours a day, ensuring everything—inside and out—is impeccable and well-maintained. Additionally, the chefs will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner whenever you request, just give them a day or two’s notice.
The head chef, meanwhile, loves to tailor the menu according to the preferences and dietary requirements of the guests, using the most delicious ingredients he can find. Naturally, the raw materials of Syros are utilized, mainly seasonal vegetables (organically cultivated) and fresh fish caught in the island’s waters.
For more information, see The Thinking Traveller or White Key, which is part of the Thinking Traveller.
Roellia, Porto Heli
Roellia is a villa where refined luxury, stylistic cohesion, and a love for life come together to create the ideal home for those seeking effortless indoor and outdoor living and uninterrupted quality. Indeed, thanks to its variety of amenities – which include access to the beach via a garden gate, two swimming pools, a gym, and a basketball court – it has all the appropriate features to exceed your expectations.
Accommodation at Roellia is organized into a main three-story house and two independent residences in the garden. An impressive revolving door leads to a spacious, open plan living and dining area. Walls of fully foldable floor-to-ceiling glass doors bring in the stunning sea view and light, allowing guests to move seamlessly between the interior and exterior spaces.
The very DNA of the villa’s aesthetic is defined by its serene, minimalist spaciousness, with cool grey concrete floor flows organically out to the verandas, white walls act as canvases for vibrant artworks and designer minimalistic furniture offers comfort with an edge of intrigue. Meanwhile the hidden lighting delineates the property’s avant-garde credentials. Everything has been meticulously crafted and flawlessly finished.
Roellia is by the sea, near the luxurious resort of Porto Heli. For many years, the town and surrounding area, located on the easternmost peninsula of the Peloponnese, was a beloved retreat for Athenian aristocrats and Greek shipping tycoons, who built opulent summer estates there. Nowadays, it continues to draw the international jet set — from royalty to business magnates — drawn by its sophisticated ambiance and the sense of prized privacy.
For further information, see The Thinking Traveller or White Key, Part of the Thinking Traveller.
Emeria, Antiparos
Emeria stands above the sea on the northwest coast of Antiparos, offering a haven for those who appreciate clean lines, minimalistic surroundings, and thoughtful design. The spacious, luminous interiors adhere to strict standards, with the boundaries between inside and outside blurred — to the point of vanishing. This allows guests to relish a liberated, carefree way of life in a rare, almost ethereal atmosphere.
Emeria is just 3.5 kilometres from Antiparos port: a quintessential small Aegean harbour town, with narrow cobbled alleyways and picturesque squares framed by independent boutiques and lovely white houses with flower-filled courtyards. Dominating the town centre are the ruins of a Venetian castle, constructed in 1440 to shield the island’s inhabitants from pirates and other would-be invaders.
Around the harbour, there’s an appealing array of tavernas and cafés: it’s sheer delight to while away some time there, observing island life unfold. Come evening, the main square comes alive as traditional coffee houses and distinctive bars fill up. These establishments, in part, are responsible for the island’s almost legendary allure.
For further information, see The Thinking Traveller or White Key, Part of the Thinking Traveller.
Remvy, Mykonos
Located a stone’s throw from the sandy shores of Agios Sostis, Villa Remvy offers beautifully designed features and flexible accommodation for larger groups of families or friends. Here, spacious, shaded verandas abound, letting guests indulge in an untroubled open-air lifestyle. Concurrently, the infinity pool and sea-view jacuzzi provide ample opportunities for fun, relaxation, and joyful summer moments.
The ground floor of the main residence showcases a vast open-plan living and dining space, setting the tone for the overall design of the property. Curved white walls adorned with built-in niches and shelves rise up to wooden beams and reed ceilings. Grey-framed windows usher in the light and captivating sea view, while the classic, cozy furnishings harmoniously blend with wooden antiques. A pair of armchairs and an elongated sofa dominate most of the space, with a fireplace located to one side of it. On the other side, within a niche overlooking the sea, sits the dining area.
An arched opening made of local stone connects this space to a uniquely designed, well-equipped kitchen. The ground floor accommodation is rounded off with a guest WC and two bedrooms each with its private shower. Outdoor living at Villa Remvy is effortless, with numerous shaded and sun-drenched verandas. Whether you’re lounging, dining, sunbathing, or unwinding with a book, there’s a spot for every occasion, both for private moments and for your group’s social gatherings.
To the front of the main residence, a succession of shaded verandas face the sea. Furnished both for sitting and dining, they are ideal for get-togethers at the close of yet another splendid day. Steps lead down to the pool area, which boasts its shaded seating area, as well as a jacuzzi.
Behind the main house, there’s a dreamy, partially covered courtyard enclosed by walls, providing a magically secluded setting for a chat, to recline with a book, or to dine when the summer meltemi breezes pick up. Paths meander around the garden leading to three guesthouses, each boasting its own shaded, panoramic terrace, generously appointed with built-in cushions.
For further information, see The Thinking Traveller or White Key, Part of the Thinking Traveller.
Marike, Paros
Crafted like a contemporary Cycladic home, Villa Marike melds minimalist, modern aesthetics with traditional architectural expertise. The result? A residence that’s wholly in tune with its environment, resonating deeply with Paros’ summer vibes, the sun, and the Aegean’s meltemi winds. With beauty – both natural and crafted – enveloping you, it’s a place to sit back, unwind, and immerse yourself in enchantment.
The villa’s interior spans two levels. From a design standpoint, expect well-conceived spaces, consistency in both style and materials, and an ambiance that’s both airy and distinctively spacious. Accessed via a gated courtyard, the main entrance opens onto a corridor, with two French windows that frame views of the pool and sea.
To your right lies the heart of the home: a generously scaled open-plan space that encompasses a modern kitchen, well-equipped and featuring bespoke wooden cabinetry, a dining area, and, a step down, a spacious lounge adorned with a large white corner sofa and a TV beside a decorative fireplace.
Raw cement ceilings lend a contemporary touch, while the sleek grey floor tiles add warmth. White walls bathe the space in reflected light, and the expansive sliding glass doors ensure easy access to the terraces and pool.
Adjacent to the kitchen, you’ll find a guest W.C. and stairs leading to the first floor, entirely devoted to the master bedroom: a spacious double room with white wooden beams, complete with a generously sized bathroom featuring a shower and handmade geometric tiles. It also boasts access to a truly panoramic terrace overlooking the Aegean.
Back on the ground floor, accessed from the corridor, are two more luminous bedrooms – one twin and one double – which share a shower room. Both rooms open onto terraces with luscious views of the sea and pool. The remaining two double bedrooms have external access; the first from the gated courtyard near the main entrance and the second from a terrace in the rear garden. The former boasts its own shaded terrace, and both are equipped with showers.
For further information, see The Thinking Traveller or White Key, Part of the Thinking Traveller.
Pine Estate, Spetses
The Poseidonion Grand Hotel in Spetses welcomes a new addition to its family this year, introducing a hospitality option for those seeking ultimate autonomy and privacy. Located in a lush promontory in the cosmopolitan area of Agia Marina, the Pine Estate is surrounded by pine trees, olive trees, palm trees, and cypresses. The property is distinguished by its beautiful natural environment and a 360-degree view stretching from the islets of Spetsopoula, Trikeri, and Agios Ioannis all the way to Hydra.
Pine Estate is a ideal for families, as well as groups of friends who desire a combination of privacy and personalized services provided by the team at the Poseidonion Grand Hotel. Simplicity meets the elegance and glamour of another era in a residence that has its own history. Once a hunting refuge, it has been transformed into a stunning property, which from this year will welcome its visitors with the endorsement of a hotel renowned (for over a century now) for its authentic hospitality. Additionally, the villa’s unique location, dominating the promontory above Paradise Beach Spetses, provides direct contact with nature.
The villa offers an exceptional stay experience, capturing the simplicity of Spetses’ traditional architecture through understated luxury. The main residence houses five independent rooms with en-suite bathrooms, accommodating up to 12 guests. These rooms seamlessly converse with their surroundings, whether it’s the ambient garden or the infinity pool overlooking the endless blue of the sea. Additionally, adjacent to the main building, is a fully self-contained guesthouse for two.
The facilities include a fully-equipped kitchen, two lounges, a home office furnished for remote working comfort, a swimming pool, an outdoor bar, a BBQ area, a yoga terrace, and outdoor seating areas with sweeping views of the Spetsiot landscape. Furthermore, Pine Estate boasts unique features and amenities that render it suitable for visitors of all ages throughout the year: a piano, mosquito-netted windows, TV, Wi-Fi, a landline, and luxurious amenities. Finally, a range of concierge services provided by the Poseidonion Grand Hotel team ensures a distinguished hospitality experience.
For further information, see the Grand Poseidonio website.
Ida (by Sotheby’s Realty), Corfu
The Villa Ida is a flawless 4-bedroom property that captivates on first sight, pretty much like the island it’s situated on – Corfu. Positioned on a coastal plot spanning eight acres, it faces south and boasts inspired views of the sea, the mainland, and the other Ionian islands. Its location on the famed northeast coast of Nissaki is a mere 20-minute walk from Kaminaki and from there, another 15 minutes by coastal stroll to Agni.
The villa encapsulates many nuances of contemporary living: a low-rise structure harmoniously integrated with its surroundings, with glass walls that slide back to meld indoor and outdoor spaces. The entrance is graced by ancient gates from Jaipur – India’s Pink City – complementing the rosy-faced stone prevalent throughout the property.
A stunning courtyard with a vibrant blue blossoming plumbago wall and a sprawling root system of a teak tree, presented as an artwork, instantly draws attention. The pink stone pathway leading to the home cascades down the hill in a helical, tiered Byzantine-inspired design. It gracefully gives way to naturally formed rock terraces that glide into the sea.
Venture down to the water via the private stone path, which leads to two distinct coastal terraces; one furnished with loungers and a swim ladder. The northeast coast is perfect for boat exploration, and there’s a small platform facilitating boarding from the rocks. Every detail is meticulously designed to ensure full relaxation for the visitor. An elegant garden terrace, blanketed in lush grass and populated with a variety of trees, adorned with ornamental water features, occupies a splendid vantage point, for the view it proffers is unparalleled. Here, a pergola-shaded seating area is the perfect decompression spot. Elsewhere, various seating areas and al fresco dining spots make the most of both space and view.
For further information, see Ida on the Sotheby’s website.
