Villa Danae Mykonos

Beauty on the South-West

Villa Danae has style, some would say pure class, and that phrase is used respectfully. It is set in a prime position above the resort and beach of Agios Ioannis, so prime that it is the viewpoint for the picturesque chapel that looks serenely down on the town. The house itself is gracious, both inside and out.

Outside living embraces the Greek sunshine and respects the heritage of this lovely site. A chill-out area with white-washed stone walls and timber ceiling where gauze curtains, hanging plants and deep wicker sofas lend a colonial feel. The wide terrace where the curving infinity pool looks across the bay, like an amphitheatre, to the island of Delos, as its turquoise waters shimmer. There is space enough for spreading out and finding some peace, or for coming together by the pool or for a barbecue as the sun goes down. Explore and you find a corner where walls of sandstone protect a romantic swinging chair and petal strewn granite bathtub, a private nook shaded by bougainvillea, intriguing steps cut into the hillside.

The inside. An ingenious balance of rusticity and elegance creates an interior that makes a stylish statement while never conflicting with the majesty of the panoramic views from windows and terraces. Ceiling beams are painted white, large sofas are all linen and cushions, lighting reflects the beach or the exotic. It is a pure space set off by an imaginative collection of curios and artwork, with a large glistening-white open plan kitchen, dining and seating areas, that opens directly onto the pool terrace.

Four of the six double bedrooms are in the main house on two levels with two more in a guest house. They have individual styles that bring a sense of luxury to seaside living and share spectacular views towards the sunset. That sense of balance seeps into attractive bathrooms that combine a use of natural materials and a hint of glamour.

Agios Ioannis is, for some, the most beautiful beach on Mykonos’s southwest coast. Mostly sheltered from the wind, its soft sands and clear waters make it popular for families with children. Streets of white buildings draped with flowers of pink and purple are rich with cosmopolitan bars and restaurants. And Villa Danae, surveying it all from its hallowed spot, brings a sense of the exquisite to a holiday by the beach.