Reviewed by
Amie Marshall
Flowers on the table, wine in the fridge and owners Tassos and Shari to welcome you on arrival. Up in the view-filled hills, a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from a perfect little cove, are 5 stylish villas surrounded by vineyards, facing the turquoise Ionian Sea. For boats and bars there’s Fiskardo (8km); for sand, swims and snorkels, stunning Myrtos and Dafnoudi; for pork souvlaki and fresh fish, the charming taverna at St Jerusalim Bay, just down the hill.
Cricket (sleeps 6) has a wild garden and a sophisticated feel. Swim a lazy lap in the infinity pool, watch the sun set from a rattan lounger, trot up the open-edged stairway to bed. Next door, pale blue-shuttered Gecko (sleeps 6), is wrapped in a walled Mediterranean garden, its courtyard, terrace, loggia and pool reassuringly visible from every room: a parent’s delight. And then there’s Scorpio (sleeps 2), an immaculate, cool haven with more amazing views and an indoor/outdoor infinity pool (one to write home about). Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to leather and steel chairs, slate floors, artfully strewn pebbles and a dozen colourful oars on a pristine white wall. Crows Nest (sleeps 2) and Esmeralda Cottage (sleeps 2) are sleek understated affairs, both with spacious terraces and shimmering infinity pools overlooking the valley and sea.
Cricket (sleeps 6) has a wild garden and a sophisticated feel. Swim a lazy lap in the infinity pool, watch the sun set from a rattan lounger, trot up the open-edged stairway to bed. Next door, pale blue-shuttered Gecko (sleeps 6), is wrapped in a walled Mediterranean garden, its courtyard, terrace, loggia and pool reassuringly visible from every room: a parent’s delight. And then there’s Scorpio (sleeps 2), an immaculate, cool haven with more amazing views and an indoor/outdoor infinity pool (one to write home about). Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to leather and steel chairs, slate floors, artfully strewn pebbles and a dozen colourful oars on a pristine white wall. Crows Nest (sleeps 2) and Esmeralda Cottage (sleeps 2) are sleek understated affairs, both with spacious terraces and shimmering infinity pools overlooking the valley and sea.
Highs
- Breathtaking sea views and stunning sunsets
- Designer looks inside and out, sofa-strewn terraces for chasing shade or sun, and gorgeous private pools
- Welcoming but unobtrusive owners, who live nearby if you need them
- Good kitchens for self-catering, plus BBQs
- Cricket and Gecko are perfect for a group of friends or family; each sleeps 6 in a double and 2 twin/double rooms, and all have ensuite bathrooms; Scorpio, Crows Nest and Esmeralda Cottage are romantic just-for-2 retreats
Lows
- A 7-night minimum stay, though changeover day can be flexible, and payment by PayPal only
- Too secluded for some; you'll need to drive out to most restaurants and bars, and to get groceries
- An unbannistered staircase in Cricket (keep an eye on tots)
- Annoying wasps, but wasps are everywhere on Kefalonia, especially during August
- Ensuite bathrooms are shower only, except Cricket, which has bathtubs in both its double bedrooms
Best time to go
May, early June, September and early October are ideal - perfect for spring colours and gentle exploration, though the sea is a little chilly before June. In July and August temperatures regularly exceed 38 degrees; expect Greek visitors and English yachtsmen. Kefalonia is beautiful, but the weather can turn in October. The villas are open from mid April - mid October, coinciding with direct charter flights from the UK.
Our top tips
Besides fantastic beaches, the island offers fine hiking. Pack a good pair of walking boots and a copy of Walk & Eat Kefalonia, which gives 10 walks (each with a map) plus recommendations for places to eat on the way and some local recipes. It also outlines excursions to Argostoli and Ithaca.