I found this picture-perfect property while looking for alternatives to the time and expense of traveling to one of the islands. This place was exactly what I envisioned! Yes, that entire pool area is for the sole use of this property. We would sit poolside drinking coffee in the morning or wine in the evening, enjoying the sound of the waves on the rocks below. The pool is simply stunning at night, the surface like clear glass. The stars, the Aegean, ahhh...

There is a semi-private beach area just below the property that is accessed by a long flight of stairs. It's a rocky beach with tables, umbrellas, and a ladder into the water. It's a very pretty, protected spot that is great for swimming. Just be careful--sea urchins!

There were five in our party, my husband and I, and three teen boys. The three air-conditioned bedrooms (two with queens, one with two twins) had beds that were comfortable. There are two bathrooms. There is plenty of space for people to spread-out, so everyone had privacy should they want it. We prepared most of our meals on-site and found the kitchen to be outfitted better than any VRBO we've visited. We had every appliance we wanted and enough tableware for us to eat two meals without having to do dishes. We'd take our meals out on the patio to enjoy the gorgeous weather and views.

Families hoping to do laundry should note the washing machine is very small and clothes need to hang dry. I think this is typical? Just be aware this is NOT your huge front-loader.

Groceries, banking, dining, just about anything you might need is in the nearby town of Lavrio. We drove up to Athens twice, taking the longer route along the coastline. It's a beautiful drive! There are a couple nearby ruins to visit: Poseidon's Temple (south of the property) and the Thorikos Theater (north of Lavrio). The theater takes some work to find (it's not well-marked), but it's a wonderful site.

Perhaps the best part of this property was the hospitality of the owner, Alexandros. He greeted us warmly and shared the history of this old stone house and the surrounding area. When someone in our group stepped on a sea urchin, he came to the house and was ready to take us to a local urgent care facility. Instead his mother came to the house bearing supplies and advice on how to remove the spines on our own. This sort of attention goes above and beyond!

If you're looking for a private, quiet, Greece beach vacation, this is the perfect spot!