With so much coastline in Greece, you’d think it would be easy to find a stylish little cottage by a secluded beach. But it’s not. Most islands have rows of cheap identikit pensions, or a busy road between you and the water, or both. But this isn’t an island;
it’s the southern Peloponnese, a 3-hour drive from Athens, way off the island-hoppers’ radar.
And the beach is pebbly (though the waters are gloriously clear). Both of which go some way to explain how there comes to be such a hidden gem on this lovely sweep of azure sea, fringed by those famous olive groves and backed by cloud – capped Mt.Taygetus.
But it doesn’t explain the wonderful, unexpected, almost Scandinavian chic-ness of the interiors – pastel shades, gleaming kitchenettes, contemporary sofas, white – painted eaves and pure pine floors. That’s down to owner Stavros’ obsessive quest for the best: it took him 5 years to build the first 10 cottages, stone by stone, with another 14 completed later. He and wife Fani also run the taverna by the beach – which, unsurprisingly perhaps, is among the best in the region.
