Cycladic Palace

This villa might be on the outskirts of Naxos Town, within easy walking distance of all waterfront bars, restaurants and traditional tavernas, but it’s blissfully quiet. That could be because it’s a bit like a palace, set in oodles of gardens. The design is traditionally Cycladic with smooth, white stone hewn into towers and walls. We love the moat-like swimming pool that surrounds a stone terrace accessed by a humped bridge. Wooden decks and raised stone patios house beanbag chairs, loungers and stone sofas shaded by macrame parasols.

This place was made for entertaining, with a sleek taverna-like bar and semi-open kitchen the ideal spot for drinks and meals in the open air. Stone archways lead to raised lounges with Moroccan-style sofas and there’s a second kitchen with an old fireplace and pots and pans hanging from the centre island like the kitchens of old Greece. Bedrooms are pure romance, with candle-filled alcoves and Cycladic tradition radiating from thick stone walls. Those who value privacy above all else can opt for the separate guest cottage in the gardens.

It's five minutes on foot to the centre of Naxos Town, and also a five-minute walk to the crystal shallows of St George Beach, perfect for swimming.

Home truths:
*One of the bedrooms has three single beds so may be best suited to children at capacity
*One of the bedrooms is in a separate guest suite in the garden
*Your host provides complimentary bicycles if you want to cycle into town, though it is an easy walk
*Daily housekeeping and pool maintenance are included