Greek Island Retreat

  • Location: Beach / Coast
    Acropolis - Athens for a day trip: 1h by Ferry boat
    Water Sports Center - kite-surfing windsurfing: 5 mins by boat
    Venetian castle in the City of Karistos: 20 mins by boat
    Other Cycladic Islands: 1-2 hours by motor boat
  • Athens Airport (ATH): 2.5h by taxi and boat
    Airport transfer available on request

You will experience life on your own private island with just the staff and property manager there as well.
You can spend every day on a different beach, bike around the island and learn to windsurf or kite-surf or dive.
It’s a paradise to just relax and get away from it all. Yet you can also do a day trip to Athens easily for museum or flea market hunting.

We recommended hiring a private chef during your stay, so you don’t have to worry about shopping and cooking.

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An introduction to Greek Island Retreat

How would you describe Greek Island Retreat in a nutshell?

The only way I could describe it would be to compare it to a dream, because unless you’ve experienced it, you cannot even imagine that it’s possible to have a beach house in such a location all to yourself. It’s very comfortable and homey, and gives you the feeling of incredible space, the beauty of nature, and the sea.

Our private island is only 2 hours from Athens airport and easily accessible by speedboat, ferry or helicopter.

How did you get started renting out the beach house?

This island in the Cyclades just an hour from Athens has belonged to our family since the early 20th century. My husband and I both previously lived in various cities in the US and Europe but moved back to Greece in 2008 and now live on the island to take care of the property.

Starting out renting the beach house to holiday guests, friends and eventually friends of friends , we decided to more openly share this paradise with like minded travelers, who wanted to experience this unique location. It’s been an amazing experience.

We absolutely love it here on the island and live a very different life from that in a big city. Nature is so inspiring every day. I’m currently planting my vegetable garden. Each seed that sprouts up feels like a miracle. It’s very fulfilling.

Please tell us a bit more about your ecological efforts.

Because we are on a small island here, we understand the need to grow produce organically and to ecologically manage our resources. Otherwise we would destroy the environment very quickly. For example, every time we use the washing machine we are very aware of how much electricity is being used since we use a photovoltaic system. Something we never concerned ourselves with in the city.

In the same way, it’s true with water. We try to collect as much rainwater as possible, so every drop is precious to us. We also keep an eye on our pipes to ensure there are no leaks.

Modern technology is also a great assistance, we have established a system that supplies us and our holiday guests with plenty of energy and water to meet all our needs. A desalinator plant, produces as much water as needed, as well as high speed internet that keeps us connected with the world.

What kind of produce do you grow on the island?

I have to admit I’m a novice, but I’ve been fairly successful with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and an abundance of wild herbs like thyme and fresh oregano and large clusters of fresh basil. The summer sun makes them incredibly sweet and aromatic. We have our own olive oil and also together with a friend we produce great organic honey. We have a Mediterranean climate, so we grow with the seasons. Everything we grow is available to the guests, including fresh eggs.

Private island
Private island
Terrace
Terrace
Terrace
Living area
Villa interior
Bathrooms
Master bedroom suite
Master bedroom suite
Cottage bedroom
Twin bedroom
Interior
Outside dining
Terrace
Terrace
Pier
Private beach
Harbour
View from the ocean
Pier

Greek Island Retreat rooms & rates

This private Island offers full immersion in exclusivity. The main vila is situated on its very own exclusive beach framed by tall trees, a heaven of privacy and comforts, offering endless opportunities to unwind before a gorgeous view.

The beach house was built in the 1920s and was renovated 25 years ago. A couple of years back we brought it up-to-date. We followed the original style of the house, which is a Neo-classical, turn-of-the-century structure, and restored it to make it modern while maintaining the finesse of that time.

The house is very comfortable with beautiful large rooms and tall ceilings. Each bedroom has its own marble bathroom with very nice fixtures. There are terraces all around it that offer beautiful views of the landscape encompassing cypress and olive trees, as well as the sea.

More guest rooms are available and we can accommodate up to 22 guests in the historical Pasha Building and The Traditional Country Cottage.

Within four steps from the house you are in the water. Behind the house is the barbecue area which has a huge wooden table for 20 people.

Besides the beach house, there is the building we live in about 200 metres away and some other buildings used by the employees, but the rest is all nature — beaches, mountains, and the sea. There are no other permanent residents, so it offers a lot of privacy as well.

  • Greek Island Retreat for 14-22 people / 565 m²
    5000 / night
    • 3 Twin bedrooms
    • 6 Double bedrooms
    • 8 Bathrooms (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 2 Dining rooms
    • 2 Kitchens
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • 1 Other rooms
    • 3 Extra beds (on req.)
    • 1 Sofabed (on req.)
    • 4 Baby cots (on req.)
    • Terrace
    • Fireplace
    • Sea view
    • Air conditioning
Included in the rates
There is daily maid service and change of linen twice a week. Beach towels are provided for the guests as well as bathroom amenities.
Optional extras
A gourmet chef is available on request. A speed boat or sailboat can also be hired at an additional charge with or without captain. Other services and luxury packages available – please enquire.
Children & Extra beds
Children are welcome.
Minimum stay
7 nights
Check in time
after 15:30
Check out time
before 10:30
Closed November to March

Facilities & services

  • WiFi
  • Maid service
  • Air conditioning
  • Concierge service
  • Children welcome
  • Terrace
  • TV
  • Washing machine
  • Fireplace
  • Garden
  • Music system
  • Central heating
  • Courtyard
  • Movies/DVDs
  • Iron & Board
  • Pets welcome
  • Toys for kids
  • BBQ area
  • Laundry service
  • Safe box
  • Hair dryer
  • Playground
  • Bicycles

We have a chef available to take care of the cooking if guests so wish. Depending on their needs, they can stay here on a self-catering basis or have us partly or fully cater to them.

The produce here are delicious. There are a lot of things one can get from our farm on the island, and fresh fish from the fishermen. You can find everything else you need from the markets nearby. We have the luxury of an abundance here on the island typical of a big city.

Holiday guests have free access to the water sport equipment and the bicycles. We have a lot of fun activities for children here like going to the beach, swimming, and checking out the farm animals.

Things to do in Cyclades

  • Art / Culture
  • Wine tastings
  • Cooking classes
  • Wildlife / Animals
  • Massages / Treatments
  • Yoga classes
  • Hiking
  • Cycling
  • Scuba diving
  • Sailing / Kayaking
  • Boat trips
  • Fishing

You can go diving, water skiing, sailing or windsurfing, and of course, you can take yoga lessons too. You can go on walks or bike rides or around the island. We can arrange a whole list of sports-oriented activities such as kite surfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding or snorkeling.

One of the things I would recommend which is very unique is to join a fisherman on his boat for a day. The other activity that I personally adore is picnicking. We can organise picnics on the beach or on a different island.

You can go to a different beach every day for at least a week. Some are like being at a swimming pool, others offer amazing colors, and yet another has a river path that joins the sea. They all have their charms. And you can swim from April up to December because the water is so warm.

We have incredible fauna here in the Cyclades such as dolphins, fish, seals, turtles and birds, according to season. The water around the island has beautiful clarity and colors and is absolutely gorgeous to swim in. There are a lot of other tiny islands in the area that are also great to explore.

Should you want to enjoy a day shopping or art and culture, Athens is a hop away and you will be back before sunset to enjoy your drinks on the pier!

Greek Island Retreat reviews

5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
Greece ... What do you think when you think of Greece ? Ancient treasures .... well we found our treasure on Maria and Maris ‘s island . Peace and tranquil, yet close to the attractions if you choose. Delicious food from Olivier , Gorgeous swimming holes , cats and dogs that you want to take home, quiet walks with figs .... we loved it so much that we are going back . If you want a vacation that in the end feels like home , you have reached your destination . We will be back again ...
lesley k.
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in August 2019
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
A belated note on the most wonderful stay we had at Maria’s place back in April 2019.

My husband is from Greece, and we have been travelling to the islands for the past 25 years every summer. We have been to so many different places, nothing compares to their very special island - it is heaven on earth.
We were with my husband’s family and it just perfect for us all to gather and spend quality time with one another. Maria and her husband are the ultimate gracious hosts, discreet and charming, and generous with their time and knowledge.
We went sea urchin harvesting one afternoon and they suggested and arranged a magical impromptu picnic on the beach for us ! As it was springtime (with all the flowers in new bloom splendour), the sea was unfortunately was still too cold for most of us (but we made use of the wonderful fireplaces), we will be going back soon to have some proper swims !
Nikos M.
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in April 2019
4 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
The vacation overall was a positive experience. We wanted both privacy as a family, plus going somewhere unique within Europe, and the vacation delivered on both these requirements. The owners were very respectful of our privacy, while also being available should we need anything (we decided to self-cater and they pre-arranged delivery of all of requests ahead of arriving, plus assisted with things during our stay). The environment was beautiful, with the water unbelievably clear/clean. With the villa being so close to the water, the convenience factor was excellent as it was literally a 30 second walk from the villa to the water. The villa was spacious with 4 large bedrooms/bathrooms, and while it wasn’t modern, and there were items that required a little maintenance (mosquito nets, taps, etc), but overall it was a very charming villa with a lot of character. We went with children and grandparents, and it was nice having additional options during our visit such as diving and sailing. There were elements that could have been better, most notably the situation with the cats and dogs, plus also the transportation to/from the island. On the former, this wasn’t evident on the website or pre-booking. There were quite a lot of cats on the island and often around the villa (especially at meal times). This is important to know if you have allergies or a dislike of cats (and dogs which were also present). Even though we’re an animal friendly family, by the end it became a little too much with the cats’ intrusiveness. On the transportation, it is outsourced to a 3rd party and the boat provided was not suitable (especially with older folks being transported). We didn’t find arranging transportation very satisfactory and I would recommend investing the time to ensure you have this in order and fully understood before departing. It’s definitely a unique place to vacation in Europe, and hard not to enjoy the peace and natural beauty, so overall I would definitely recommend not withstanding the two elements that you should be aware of before going.
Philip M.
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in June 2019
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
5 out of 5! Maria’s Island Retreat is a corner of authentic Greek paradise. We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed every minute of our stay, exploring beaches, jumping off cliffs into the sea, kite surfing, learning about the rich history of the island and meeting the very friendly collection of animals that Maria looks after.
Patricia W. (UK)
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in August 2018
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
Very good stay! We so enjoyed our stay on the island! The house is wonderful and we felt very looked after–lovely linens and towels, warm and attentive service from the owners and staff, and gorgeous views at every turn–but the island is really what makes this place so special. Yes, the water is sublime, and the sunsets are to die for, but walking back from a swim on one of the deserted beaches, plucking warm figs from the trees to nibble on before dinner, and meeting the many animals that call this island home–this experience can't be had in your 'typical' accommodation. This is as authentic as it gets and we can't wait to return!
Meghan H.
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in September 2017
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
My stay was Excellent! The property was a delight. We loved the history behind the property and surrounding land. Accommodations were spot on, with so much attention to detail. From the beautiful bathroom accouterments, to the luxurious over-sized beach and bath towels and ultra comfortable bedding. Even the housekeeping was meticulous! We loved our stay. Everyday waking up to beautiful sunrises, gorgeous azul sea all around us, and the lovely and lively sights and sounds of the island, made our stay unforgettable!
Antonia L. (USA)
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in August 2017
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
Really magical! We visited this amazing island in June 2016 with our team as our first ever summer vacations together as a company and it couldn”t have been more perfect!

We arrived earlier and met with the amazing hosts who were incredibly kind to show us around and tell us the story behind this amazing island and how they landed here over an amazing dinner and some fantastic wine!! Then they worked tirelessly to get the place ready for our team and it couldn”t have been more perfect when they arrived the next day! they managed to fit every single one of us in lovely rooms that had been prepared and redecorated for us - all super comfortable and incredibly charming!! The island in itself i don”t even know where to start - its really magical - we all felt like we were so lucky to be experiencing it!

All the amazing beaches across the coast that we could enjoy on our own to sit enjoy the sun or swim for hours!! the amazing scenery at every turn you”d take, the unspoilt nature and the consideration the hosts have for this place and how carefully they treat it its really inspiring!! The vegetables they grow themselves in the garden made for wonderfull dinners at the amazing barbecue with the whole team around the table resting after a long day of walking, swimming and enjoying ourselves! we even had a local fisherman deliver incredibly fresh fish for us specially that the hosts arranged!!

We couldn”t have been more looked after, we were taken in walks around the island to tell us about the history and enjoy the views from the top, we were prepared beautiful dinners and were always looked after incredibly well!! The hosts even help us plan an amazing boat trip in an ancient greek sailing boat across the neighbouring islands where we could enjoy swimming in transparent waters and sailing around all together lounging on the deck of the boat - it was the perfect ending for a magical trip!!! we bonded over the time we had to spend together in such a wonderful place and all of us left with the precious gift of a home made honey jar that at least was a little treasure to keep from an amazing trip!! im sure if you ask every member of our team now they still hold precious memories and we all long the time we can go back , thank you so much for everything.
Marta M. (UK)
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in June 2016
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
Speechless.
Yuvraj R. (India)
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in September 2016
5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
We rate our stay an absolute 5! We were looking for a private retreat to celebrate our 25th anniversary in an intimate way and we couldn”t have found a better place to do it than on this beautiful island with an overload of untouched nature and surrounded by pristine clear blue water! The property is a beautiful house very stylish decorated with all modern amenities. We opted for the fully catered service and the chef we got, lifted our stay to the next level! The owners of the island that also live on the island are warm people and are more than happy to take you on a walk around the island to show you around and tell you about it”s history. If you look for a quiet place to stay and feel close to nature at it”s best, then this is the place to be!
C.D.B. (Belgium)
stayed at Greek Island Retreat in May 2016

The location of Greek Island Retreat

The island is about 900 acres big. It was bought in 1916, almost a century ago, by our grandfather who fell in love with it. It has been protected and not been spoiled like so many other places since then and we try to continue the legacy. It’s very unique to find something so close to Athens, but still so pure.

There’s a ferry from Athens to a neighbouring island that takes one hour. By speedboat it’s half an hour. By helicopter you can get to the airport in 15 mins.

Once you’re on the island, there is a boat that can be called like a taxi to take you around. Or you can rent a speedboat. Shopping, restaurants etc. are available on the island of Evia about 10 mins away by speed boat.

All in all it takes around 2 hours from the airport in Athens to our little paradise.

When is the best time to visit Cyclades?

Whether it’s Christmas or spring or summer, it’s always incredibly beautiful, abundant and relaxing here. We have a micro climate that’s about four to five degrees warmer in the winter and much cooler in the summer than on the Greek mainland. We have activities for every season — a natural power booster all year round.

Fall and spring are my two favorite seasons. Every day you walk, you see something new happening. There’s an incredible interaction of people and nature here that you can’t get bored of. I feel deprived of life when I have to leave the island.