Villa Iliosmou

Iliosmou sits on the hillside in Sapsila in central Patmos, between Skala and Grikos. It’s a very picturesque setting with views of both the Little Bay and the Aegean. You can walk down to the quiet sandy beach; the waters here are said to be some of the warmest on Patmos. The small pebble beach of Loukakia is also close by, surrounded by green slopes and close to the Monastery of St. Nektarios. You can swim out the the small islet of Pilafi which helps to protect the beach from the wind. There’s a great restaurant, Benetos, also within walking distance of the villa.

Accommodation is spread across two attractive stone buildings both with lounge and kitchen. All five bedrooms have outdoor access. In the larger building, there are two bedrooms on the upper floor, with sea views, access to the large balcony and to the inner walled courtyard. The lower floor houses a self-contained one-bedroom apartment, also with sea views. The second two-storey building has two bedrooms, a circular bathroom with panoramic views and a large balcony facing out to sea. The decor is fresh and modern with pale walls, touches of cool greys and modern art adorning the walls. It’s a great set-up if you want to holiday with friends but have your own space.

Both buildings have inviting little pools in which to cool off from the heat of the day, with terraces on which to soak up the sun. They’re within the walled courtyards, so both private and shielded from the winds. An outdoor kitchen, barbecue and al fresco dining areas provide lots of opportunities for making the most of outdoor living. Two dining tables, one for four and the other for six give flexibility for meals. There are spaces to sit both in the sun and shade. You could easily spend a day lounging on the terraces, taking in the scenery and enjoying the tranquillity; but equally, Iliosmou is well place for exploring the island and all it has to offer.