Villa Vitalis Mykonos

Hilltop Heaven

Towards the crest of the Kounoupas hill there is a little castle. Well, it looks like a perfectly formed, Cyclades-style little castle. Its walls are washed white, they curve seductively under the blazing sun. Instead of a moat, the turquoise water of an infinity pool glistens. Terraces are built into the sinewy profile of the hill with spectacular views over the Aegean towards other isles – Naxos, Paros, Syros. Although, of course, you scan the horizon not seeking out enemy ships but purely for pleasure. And probably to check out the credentials of the more impressive of the super yachts that cruise, sedately, past.

This is Villa Vitalis and its hilltop location is special. Kounoupas is a picturesque enclave of luxury villas that are resplendent with their views, their privacy, their tranquillity, and yet are just a stone’s throw away from the cosmopolitan party-land of Mykonos. A stone launched by a catapult perhaps. The famous beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise, or the more laid-back vibe of Elias, and the lively nights of Mykonos town, are all close by.

How blissful to have your pristine palace to which to retreat. Villa Vitalis will cleanse your soul as it does your eyes, administering a soothing tonic however hard the battle out there has been fought. Minimalist interiors act to cool and to calm, mixing beauty and purity to perform a sort of alchemy. White brings clarity, ceilings recall the gentle colour of driftwood, hues of sandstone and then a splash of turquoise blue resonate with this rocky, coastal landscape. But it is comfortable and relaxing, with well-equipped kitchens and bathrooms that have progressed well beyond the medieval.

Six bedrooms are found scattered around the levels of this peace-loving citadel. The master suite on the upper level looks majestically out over the pool and out to sea. Another bedroom opens to the gardens and the terrace to the pool. Both are en-suite. Four more bedrooms can be found in the guest house, two en-suite and two sharing a bathroom.

They all feel connected to the glorious outside, where there are plenty of shady terraces to gather, to wine and to dine and to enjoy the drama that is generated by a view so vast and the stillness of a setting that brings peace.