While others flock to resorts to fry on the beaches, those in search of the real Mediterranean should head to the Greek isles, and one of the best ways is to stay in a private villa.
We asked Ileana von Hirsch, director of Five Star Greece, the leading boutique Greek villa specialists, to share her knowledge. With a long list of repeat clients and referrals built up over twenty years, Ileana’s team go to huge lengths to matchmake clients to the right villas – whether a bougainvillaea draped village house in the shadow of a medieval castle, or a sprawling, contemporary beachfront estate with boat and jetty. Bespoke is the key at Five Star Greece – instead of being yet another on-line platform, no properties are marketed on the website, and a senior advisor will take your brief and then select a shortlist of properties, as well as suggesting those precious little extras – yoga, beauty treatments, a bouzouki party, picnic, or guided hikes.
Matching the guest to the right location or island is as important as the right villa according to Ileana, “Be as detailed as you can in your brief. At the top of the range, villas have all the amenities and services of a 5 star hotel, but with the freedom to wander round in pyjamas, enjoy a private spa, catch a movie in your home cinema, go to your own gym, or board a boat from your private jetty. Just let us know what you want!”
