porto heli is a little known area to outsiders even though it’s just a couple of hours drive from athens or a few hours by yacht. exclusiveness is its hallmark and, although on first sight it looks just like any other small greek coastal town, if you dig a little deeper you will discover that it is actually an area full of stately hillside mansions and very private beaches that usually come with their own super yacht jetties.
known endearingly as the riviera of the peloponnese, it’s not difficult to understand why. the former king of greece, constantine ii, has an impressive palm-shaded property there, with neighbours including sean connery, roman abramovic and several wealthy greek magnates, amongst others. it’s stunning natural harbour and protected cove offers crystalline waters, lovely pine-clad hillsides and pretty fishing boat vistas. the small hamlets of aghios aimilianos, ververontas and costa are the privé playgrounds of the kind of mega rich who don’t need to draw attention to themselves. luxury resorts sit in the wings, such as amanzoe in kranidi, a fabulous escape for jet setters seeking solace for all the senses, while the trendy nikki beach offers miami style vacations to affluent european sun seekers with mediterranean trimmings.
you can jump on a water taxi to the cosmopolitan island of spetses which sits just opposite, and step back in time to the elegant past of the belle époque, with its horse-drawn carriages, captain’s mansions and french riviera feel. otherwise, speed over to the charismatic island of hydra, where artists like leonard cohen found their creative juices running and so decided to take up permanent residence there it’s all oh-so-positano and the beauty of it is that you can zip from one stunning location to another and still be back home for dinner, whether that be a selection of the finest seafood on a waterfront taverna or a discreet dinner on your moored pleasure yacht.
nestled in porto heli’s agios aimilianos region, laurel is a brilliant seafront residence for those wishing to enjoy a greek way of life in perfect privacy, surrounded by natural beauty and views of the sea.
the residence has an underground floor with a large master bedroom and two extra bedrooms with a single bed each, all of them opening up onto their own beautiful verandas. in addition, there are two bathrooms and a large laundry room fitted with home appliances, facilitating families or residents opting for longer stays.
on the ground floor there is a fully equipped kitchen, which also leads to a veranda, while the open plan living room makes for a special space to unwind, entertain and relax in. an additional guest bathroom is also to be found on the ground floor as well as a fireplace that proposes a wonderful winter hub for the colder seasons.
complete with sensational views towards the island of spetses and a 40sqm pool, laurel is encircled by lush gardens and stands out as a truly welcoming property.
the décor’s aesthetic centres around shades of blue, bringing along an element of island beauty that instantly relaxes, while the inclusion of stone, both outside and within the property, connects the ensemble with its surroundings.
two master bedrooms are located on the property’s first floor, each of them benefiting from the privacy of an ensuite bathroom. each room also hosts a mezzanine with two single beds, increasing each room’s sleeping capacity to four people and underlining the property’s inviting and group -friendly nature. each of the rooms looks out on to a vast 23,8 sqm terrace, a gorgeous setting for lounging under the sun, simply taking in striking vistas of the sea, laurel’s gardens and the pool below.
perfectly positioned, laurel is only 4,5 km away from the nearest marina, an attribute guaranteed to entice yacht owners and lovers of seafaring adventures. furthermore, the property is less than one kilometre away from the nearest beach while it also allows for explorations of nearby destinations and the town of porto heli, approximately 6 km away. what’s more, laurel is sure to attract the culturally-inclined, as well, as it is situated less than an hour away from the impressive ancient theatre of epidaurus.
combining the lightness of the sea with the upscale ambience of agios aimilianos and the allure of a peaceful retreat, laurel makes for the ideal home in porto heli, for anyone in search of a sun-kissed home on the greek mainland.
