Estrella - Two Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 4

Located in a fabulously secluded position overlooking Zakynthos's west coast, Estrella has been designed to make the most of its natural surroundings. Wooded mountains rise silently behind, the sparkling blue waters of the Ionian stretch out to the horizon, and sunsets hypnotise with their glowing warmth. Add a 17m-long infinity pool, beautifully finished interiors, and bags of al fresco space, and Estrella becomes an irresistible proposition.

Inside: accommodation at Estrella is laid out over one U-shaped floor.

The front door leads into the bottom of the U, home to a bright, welcoming communal space that perfectly encapsulates the design aesthetics of the property as a whole. Straight ahead, a wall of sliding glass doors brings in the sea views and provides access to the terraces; white ceilings, walls and floor tiles create a luminous atmosphere; splashes of colour, from vibrant house plants to soft furnishings, ornaments and decorative wall panels add vivacity; and integrated lighting and contemporary styling complete the picture.

To the right of the front door is a well-equipped, modern, L-shaped kitchen with blue-grey cabinetry and olive-green tiles. Next to this is a round dining table. To the left are two comfortable sofas gathered round a fireplace.

On either side of this space, forming the vertical lines of the U, are the bedrooms. Both are double-twins with sea views, two sets of sliding glass doors opening out onto the terraces, semi-partition walls doubling up as wardrobes, and glamorous, semi-open, and light-filled en-suite bathrooms with sleek grey marble feature walls, tubs and walk-in showers.

Outside: stone-flagged terraces, a seamless continuation of the stone-clad exterior walls, wrap around the house, offering numerous possibilities for stylish al fresco living.

Guests will spend most of their waking hours on the sea-facing terraces, where glorious views pan out to the blue waters of the Ionian. Between the two vertical lines of the U-shaped accommodation is a shady dining area, accessed from all rooms. A few steps from here is the irresistible 17m-long infinity pool, which features a wide ledge of shallow water for wallowing and an integrated hydromassage area. Flanking the pool on the far side is a stretch of emerald lawn.

To the left of the pool is a voluminous stone-built pavilion with lofty wood-beamed ceilings, a generously cushioned L-shaped sitting area, and a dining table served by an impressive built-in barbecue grill, a little fridge and a sink. Looking out over the pool, the sea and the surrounding countryside, this fantastic space is perfect for long, lazy lunches and convivial dinners.

A few metres to the right of the pool, meanwhile, is a shady, open-sided stone pergola with massage beds, sea views and, round the back, two beautifully finished bathrooms, each one with double sinks and a WC. A door from the treatment area opens into the property’s barrel-vaulted wine cellar, which, fully stocked with Zakynthos’s best vintages, is built into the rocky hillside.

The owner’s passion for wine and food is also evident in the recently planted vineyard below the pool, and the vegetable garden near the treatment area.

Last but not least, a path leads from the stone pavilion living and dining area to a copse of shady, fragrant pine trees with a picnic table looking out to sea.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.
Estrella sits in a fabulously panoramic position in the emerald-forested hills above the west coast of Zakynthos, looking out to the azure waters of the Ionian Sea.

Just 1km to the south is the historic village of Exo Chora, whose 16th-century houses, 17th-century church and 2,000-year-old olive tree survived the earthquake of 1953 relatively unscathed (a rarity on Zakynthos). Easily walkable, it is home to a coffee house with minimarket and a farm shop with a café.

A few kilometres to the north, meanwhile, is the sleepy village of Maries, which has a mini-market and a couple of tavernas.

The dramatic cliffs of Zakynthos's west coast hide a few excellent swimming spots, with the closest to Estrella being the twin beaches of Porto Vromi, about 25 minutes' drive away to the north. The rocky inlets and electric blues waters of Porto Limnionas and Porto Roxa are a similar distance away to the south.

Zakynthos's most popular, most spectacular and most photographed beach is Navagio, located in the northwest of the island. Taking its name from the shipwreck that has lain on its sand since the early 1980s, the bay is surrounded on three sides by spectacular tree-topped white cliffs and is only accessible by boat. This sublime setting and the bay's transparent powder blue waters attract the crowds in high summer, but it's most certainly a sight to behold, both from the viewing point above and from the water below.

For nature lovers, a trip to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos on the south coast is a must. Here the limpid waters of the Ionian Sea wrap around the idyllic islet of Marathonissi and lap Laganas's 6km-long stretch of sandy beach, where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.

At just over 30km long and 20km wide, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is easily discoverable in a week and you're never more than an hour's drive from most places of interest. The island's mountainous and verdant hinterland is peppered with villages and vineyards is a joy to explore. The east coast is home to a series of idyllic bays and, especially around the southeastern tip of the island, long sandy beaches.

Finally, just 45 minutes away from Estrella is the capital of Zakynthos, Chora (or Zakynthos Town), which is well worth a visit. A few of its historic Venetian buildings remain, there are some interesting museums and galleries, and its streets and squares are flanked by a summery buzz of bars, cafés and tavernas.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.