Villa Erinaceus

Description

INSIDE:
accommodation at Villa Erinaceus is spread over a main house on two floors and two separate suites.

The ground floor of the main house is all on one level and revolves around a fabulously spacious open-concept living and dining area and kitchen. In a stylistic sense, this free-flowing space is a blueprint for the design of the property as a whole, and the architectural devices employed here are reiterated throughout. Walls of locally quarried stone echo the cladding of the exteriors, concrete flooring unites the various zones in a smooth sweep, large picture windows and sliding glass doors make the most of the fabulous sea views and allow easy access to the surrounding decked pool terrace, furnishings perfectly combine elegance, quality and comfort, and a soft, earthy palate is perfectly in tune with the hues of the stone walls.

At the far end of this social space, looking out to sea, is the sitting area, complete with a large sofa, a pair of accent chairs and a chaise-longue. At the other end is a large dining table and the sleek, beautifully crafted kitchen, which features a central island bar a separate work surface and enough quality appliances to delight a professional chef. Like the sitting area, the kitchen opens out via a large sliding glass door onto the decked terraces, of which more anon.

To one side of the living and dining area is the welcoming entrance hall, and it is from here that one may access the bedrooms in the main house. The first is a warmly welcoming double with corner fireplace, a sitting area, spell-binding sea views, a large sliding glass door opening out onto a private decked terrace, and a gorgeous en-suite bathroom with sea-view tub and separate walk-in shower.

Back in the entrance hall, a flight of stairs leads down to the lower ground floor, where there are four more bedrooms:

• a spacious double with a large en-suite shower room
• a twin with en-suite shower room and a door connecting to the first bedroom (this can be locked or left open depending on the requirements of the occupants)
• a double with en-suite shower room
• a good-sized double bedroom with en-suite shower room and a door connecting to the third bedroom (again, this can be locked or left open)

All these bedrooms come with sea views and access to the lower pool terrace.

Just across the decked pool terrace from the main house are the two suites, both of which offer fabulous sea views. The first comprises a spacious living area with a pair of built-in daybeds and a sea-view double bedroom with en-suite shower room. The second, up about 10 steps from the first, is an entire apartment boasting a double bedroom with en-suite shower room, a living area, a kitchen, and a sheltered private courtyard garden.

OUTSIDE:
opportunities for al fresco living abound at Villa Erinaceus. We begin on the wide expanse of decked terrace that runs from the main house over to the first independent suite. The living and dining area and the kitchen all flow out via large sliding glass doors onto this space, which features a superb, professionally equipped outdoor kitchen and barbecue area, a shaded dining table and a fabulously furnished sitting area. This is the place for sociable gatherings, a dreamy spot in which to catch up, share memorable moments, and while away the hours in good company.

This area of decking is delimited on one side by the main pool, a remarkable piece of engineering and design, whose infinity edge runs parallel to the terrace (and above the tennis court) before angling out towards the sea. At the far end of the pool is a sea-view Jacuzzi and the sauna.

Steps lead from this decked hub to the lower pool terrace outside the lower ground floor bedrooms. For most villas, this second pool would be a star attraction, but Selene, as you may have intuited, is no ordinary property.

More steps lead down from this area to the gym and on to the tennis/basketball court, both of which are fabulous additions for those who enjoy sporting pursuits.

Linked by steps and bordered by stone walls, aromatic shrubs, flowering plants and olive trees, a succession of terraces open up around the property, offering space for everyone to spread out and find their own private spot. Up above the house is a little chapel and a children’s play area, with swings, a slide, a see-saw and a climbing frame, all proving that Villa Erinaceus really does cater for everyone in your group, from the youngest to the most experienced!