Selene - Sept Chambres Villa, Couchages 14

With its prime seafront location, its refined contemporary interiors and its endless array of high-end of amenities, Selene is a villa that never stops giving.

Designed to echo the colours, textures and atmosphere of its surroundings, Selene is an almost organic extension of its habitat. Discreet it may be, but it is also charismatic and capable of inspiring awe: its sea views are breathtaking, its serenity is pulse-slowing, and its quality is evident in every detail. Expect charm, joie de vivre, and a profound sense of generosity.

Inside: accommodation at Selene is spread over a main house on two floors and two separate suites.

The ground floor of the main house is all on one level and revolves around a fabulously spacious open-concept living and dining area and kitchen. In a stylistic sense, this free-flowing space is a blueprint for the design of the property as a whole, and the architectural devices employed here are reiterated throughout. Walls of locally quarried stone echo the cladding of the exteriors, concrete flooring unites the various zones in a smooth sweep, large picture windows and sliding glass doors make the most of the fabulous sea views and allow easy access to the surrounding decked pool terrace, furnishings combine elegance, quality and comfort, and a soft, earthy palate is perfectly in tune with the hues of the stone walls.

At the far end of this social space, looking out to sea, is the sitting area, complete with a large sofa, a pair of accent chairs and a chaise-longue. At the other end is a large dining table and the sleek, beautifully crafted kitchen, which features a central island bar a separate work surface and enough quality appliances to delight a professional chef. Like the sitting area, the kitchen opens out via a large sliding glass door onto the decked terraces, of which more anon.

To one side of the living and dining area is the welcoming entrance hall, and it is from here that one may access the bedrooms in the main house. The first is a warmly welcoming double with corner fireplace, a sitting area, spell-binding sea views, a large sliding glass door opening out onto a private decked terrace, and a gorgeous en-suite bathroom with sea-view tub and separate walk-in shower.

Back in the entrance hall, a flight of stairs leads down to the lower ground floor, where there are four more bedrooms:

• a spacious double with a large en-suite shower room
• a twin with en-suite shower room and a door connecting to the first bedroom (this can be locked or left open depending on the requirements of the occupants)
• a double with en-suite shower room
• a good-sized double bedroom with en-suite shower room and a door connecting to the third bedroom (again, this can be locked or left open)

All these bedrooms come with sea views and access to the lower pool terrace.

Just across the decked pool terrace from the main house are the two suites, both of which offer fabulous sea views. The first comprises a spacious living area with a pair of built-in daybeds and a sea-view double bedroom with en-suite shower room. The second, up about 10 steps from the first, is an entire apartment boasting a double bedroom with en-suite shower room, a living area, a kitchen, and a sheltered private courtyard garden.


Outside: opportunities for al fresco living abound at Selene. We begin on the wide expanse of decked terrace that runs from the main house over to the first independent suite. The living and dining area and the kitchen all flow out via large sliding glass doors onto this space, which features a superb, professionally equipped outdoor kitchen and barbecue area, a shaded dining table and a well-furnished sitting area. This is the place for sociable gatherings, a dreamy spot in which to catch up, share memorable moments, and while away the hours in good company.

This area of decking is delimited on one side by the main pool, a remarkable piece of engineering and design, whose infinity edge runs parallel to the terrace (and above the tennis court) before angling out towards the sea. At the far end of the pool is a sea-view Jacuzzi and the sauna.

Steps lead from this decked hub to the lower pool terrace outside the lower ground floor bedrooms. For most villas, this second pool would be a star attraction, but Selene, as you may have intuited, is no ordinary property.

More steps lead down from this area to the gym and on to the tennis/basketball court, both of which are fabulous additions for those who enjoy sporting pursuits.

Linked by steps and bordered by stone walls, aromatic shrubs, flowering plants and olive trees, a succession of terraces open up around the property, offering space for everyone to spread out and find their own private spot. Up above the house is a little chapel and a children's play area, with swings, a slide, a see-saw and a climbing frame, all proving that Selene really does cater for everyone in your group, from the youngest to the most experienced!

Selene features a fantastic infinity pool, offering swimmers stunning views while in the pool. There is a drop off the infinity side so we recommend children are supervised at all times. Please refer to our general safety page if you would like more information about infinity pools.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and/or around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

As this villa is located on an island, we recommend extra caution when booking your flights to avoid problems or delays with ferries and hydrofoils. It may be advisable to arrive a day earlier and depart a day later. Please contact us for any information or advice.

You will need a car to get to shops, restaurants, beaches and other amenities and sites.
Selene sits on the southwest coast of Kea just a short drive from the gorgeous sandy beach of Kambi and about 15 minutes from the village of Pisses, which has a small mini-market and a traditional taverna.

Kea is the closest Cycladic island to Athens so relatively easy to reach. This proximity also makes it popular with residents of Greece’s capital, many of whom have chosen the island for their holiday homes. They are also drawn by the many fabulous beaches and the charming scenery, much of which, especially around the coast, is planted with vines and fruit trees. In the rolling hills of the centre, meanwhile, one will find ancient mule tracks, monasteries, fascinating rock formations and windmills.

Most visitors arrive at the port of Korissia, which is a picturesque little town with small shops, cafés and tavernas dotted along its narrow streets. A little further north is the yachting marina of Vourkari, while in the island’s interior is the historical capital, Ioulis, a fascinating place to explore, with pretty streets, an archaeological museum, houses tumbling down a hillside and a good selection of shops, bars and tavernas.

There is an embarrassment of choice when it comes to beaches, and, apart from Kambi, mentioned above, guests staying at Selene can quickly reach several, including those gathered around the bay of Koundouros (good for watersports enthusiasts), Pisses, and Liparo. The beaches on the south and southeast coast are most easily accessible by boat, and we warmly recommend you hire one for a day or two, if not for your whole stay.

For those interested in history (or just a good hike), a visit to the archaeological site of Karthaia, which dates back to the 8th century BCE, is a must. There, perched above the sea in a striking setting, are the remains of a theatre, a Doric temple dedicated to Pythian Apollo and the various other ruins. Please note that Karthaia is not accessible by car: you'll have to park at Stavroudaki and then continue on foot. The hike down to the ancient city takes approximately 40–60 minutes, depending on one’s pace. The trail is considered fairly easy and well-maintained, though because of the incline, the return leg is more challenging, with a steady uphill climb.

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.