Does location, location, location ALWAYS make top billing when it comes to our most popular villas, or is it something else, like accessibility, familiarity, value for money, size, or a bit of all of them?
Is having a pool a deal breaker (nearly all of our villas have them), or will access to the sea suffice? Is push-the-boat-out luxury a necessary factor in making a holiday a hit, or having an en-suite for each bedroom the must-have?
We’ve gone through our booking statistics to find out whether there’s a winning formula when it comes to the perfect holiday property. From traditional converted rural farmhouses in the mountains to state-of-the-art contemporary villas with sea views, you may be surprised by just how wide and varied our best-selling properties are in Crete, Kefalonia, Mallorca, Croatia and Sicily.
CRETE
Villa Karissa sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Where? Gavalohori
Why? We only launched this newly built, two-storey villa at the end of 2024, but it’s fast become our best-selling luxury holiday property in Crete, and a summer sell out. Location is definitely a factor explaining its popularity, sitting as it does just below the tiny hamlet of Agios Pavlos, yet the thriving artisan village of Gavalohori with its tavernas, bakery and coffee shop is less than a kilometre away. The sandy beach and shallow waters of Almerida are also just 10 minutes away. Encircled by gardens with views over cypress and pine hillsides, the boho-chic villa’s extremely large air-jet pool is the highlight!
How to book Villa Karissa
Villa Argiro sleeps 7, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Where? Plaka
Why? There are a few things which make this villa such a hit with customers: accessibility (there’s two twin bedrooms on the ground floor; value for money, – with the whole villa priced from EUR 129 per night – and location, just 100 metres from the tavernas and shady square of Plaka. Spacious and clean, with mountain and sea views from the upper floor are added bonuses.
The sandy sweep of Almyrida is just 1 kilometre away.
How to book Villa Argiro
Villa Galania sleeps 5, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Where? Armeni
Why? Looks can be deceiving and no-where is this truer than our consistently popular Villa Galania. Outside, it’s traditionally built, in a simple period style and using simple local materials. Step over the threshold, though, and there are some gorgeous touches, from beautiful oak furniture, atmospheric terracotta walls, and surprising modern touches, like the outside kitchen.
Swing in the hammock under the shade of the holm oak. Play table football near the outside terrace. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere surrounded by gardens with banana plants and beautiful flowers. Take in mountain views from first floor balconies. The pool takes centre stage in this rural idyll, just 800 metres from the village of Armeni. There’s also a shallow pool for small children.
How to book Villa Galania
KEFALONIA
Villa Odysseus sleeps 7, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
Where? Spartia
Why? “The location was outstanding, right on the coastline with stunning views just 20
metres from your door. Stunning!” Not our words, but just one of the 10-star customer reviews given for this outstanding luxury villas. Watch the super-yachts ply the waters across the Liakas peninsula to Zante beyond from the infinity pool and you’ll feel like royalty.
Stay cool under the outside terraces. Head out to the rocky outcrops of Spartia if you fancy a change of sunbathing spots, which also has some lovely tavernas, or the Kefalonian capital, Argostoli just 15 miles further.
How to book Villa Odysseus
Villa Alexandros sleeps 9 people, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Where? Spartia
Why? Sitting on its own plateau of land on the Liakas peninsula, this handsome villa is ideal
for large groups and families who want fabulous views, privacy and the luxury of each bedroom having its own en-suite.
Step out of the floor to ceiling patio doors to the wide covered terrace and take your pick of where to perch pool side, surrounded as you are by fabulous gardens, sun terraces and pergolas offering shade from the midday sun. The village of Spartia, with its great tavernas, is a few minutes away and a wonderful place for a quiet place to swim.
How to book Villa Alexandros
Villa Seagull sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Where? Skala
Why? Is this the perfect fly and flop? We think so and judging by how many people return here again and again, it seems we’re not alone! Whilst the great beach of Skala, with its beachside tavernas and chilled atmosphere is appealing enough, Villa Seagull’s location, just 1.2 along the coast from the larger resort offers the best of both worlds, and oh, what sea views!
There’s also a quiet pebbly cove with clear waters and two tavernas within a few minutes’ walk of the two-storey villa. Travelling with friends or family? The almost identical properties of Villa Sakos and Villa Korfos are adjacent.
How to book Villa Seagull
MALLORCA
Hort Den Gelos sleeps 8, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Where? Pollenca
Why? Picture perfect, this traditional old farmhouse has been transformed to create the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern customer expectations. All rooms have oak beamed ceilings with windows which peep out just below the original tiled roof on to the rural scenes beyond. Expect stone walls within and without, simple décor, a lovely pool, gardens packed with roses, palm trees and holm oaks, and total tranquillity. The villa is accessed via a small country road which meanders through pastoral scenery between Old Pollenca and the village of Campanet, just 4 kilometres away.
How to book Hort Den Gelos
Cana Joana sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Where? Santa Margalida
Why? Get away from it all with this off-the-beaten-track villa with pool. As customer Malcolm
reviews, ‘set in the countryside, the seclusion and quiet is near total, with only nature supplying the soundtrack.’ Located on high ground amidst extensive almond groves and a 60,000 square metre organic farm. The ground floor comprises open plan living room, kitchen, and dining area with all four bedrooms, ideal for those with accessibility issues. Views from the first floor sitting area are panoramic, encompassing nearly half the island! Garden games include table tennis, mini golf, and a children’s sized goal post. The quiet market town of Santa Margalida is 4 kilometres away.
How to book Cana Joana
CROATIA
Villa Vicina sleeps 7, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Where? Milna
Why? Just LOOK at the position of this simply stunning villa, sitting as it does in an elevated position in the fishing village and yachting port of Milna, a mere 80 metres from the sea. Here, you’ll be surrounded by high stone walls and fruit trees, so although you’re right in the middle of things, you’d almost forget! The property dates back over 200 years but has been beautifully and sensitively renovated recently. One of our favourite features is the rooftop terrace with breath taking panoramic views. The ground floor has a farmhouse kitchen, with a pool, terrace, and gorgeous gardens outside. Seafood restaurants are a speciality here, so do indulge!
How to book Villa Vicina
SICILY
Villa Lisca Bianca sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Where? San Vito Lo Capo
Why? Although we offer over 30 properties in Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, it’s the boho – chic seaside house of Lisca Bianca in San Vito Lo Capo, which is our most popular. Why? Well, as well as being located between two nature reserves, newly built and oh, so tastefully furnished, the two-storey property is also one of our best value properties here ( -Sicily is not known for its wallet friendly options!). Close to San Vito lo Capo beach (aka The Caribbean of Europe), restaurants and shops, the coastal pad also makes a great base from which to explore the northwest of the island.
How to book Lisca Bianca
If you’d like more information about these or any of our other villas or locations,
please get in touch. We’d love to here from you!
and then