Villa Muriel Greece

Enjoy a vacation in the cool, calm, contemporary Villa Muriel, located on the west coast of Mani, on the mainland Peloponnese peninsula of Southern Greece. This semi-detached, two-storey villa has three bedrooms, and can comfortably accommodate up to six guests, ideal for a family or group of friends sharing. The villa is built into the hillside of an ancient olive grove, constructed out of locally hewn stone, surrounded by a securely fenced wall, with a paved terrace, a private infinity swimming pool, and stunning Aegean Sea views. There is on-road parking, and the property comes with complimentary Wi-Fi and air conditioning throughout. The interiors have been furnished to the very highest standards with lots of natural wood, the décor is a neutral palette of shades of grey and creamy beiges, and a scattering of modern art and artefacts completes the look. Floor-to-ceiling shuttered doors and windows allow in lots of natural light and cooling sea breezes, and reward the guest with panoramic sea views.
Enter the villa at the ground floor level, where you will find a welcoming holiday home of open-plan living. The seating area has a smart L-shaped dove grey sofa, a smoked glass coffee table, facing a flat-screen television and cabinet, and an enclosed fireplace. The adjacent dining area has a wooden six-seater table, ideal for some impressive indoor entertaining. The fully equipped wood and stainless steel kitchen has everything you will need to cater for a happy holiday, including a family-size fridge freezer, built-in oven, hob, and dishwasher, and that must-have morning coffee maker. The ground floor is home to two light and airy, beautifully appointed double bedrooms, with natural wood furniture, flat-screen televisions, enclosed fireplaces, and French-style shuttered windows. A shared small bathroom completes this floor. Take the stairs to the first floor, where there is a fully furnished double bedroom under the eaves, and a shared spacious bathroom with a large walk-in shower, hand basin, and WC.
Access the lower terrace from the living space, where there is your own private step-entry infinity swimming pool, surrounded by curved sun loungers and coffee tables, ideal for relaxing in the Aegean sun. Under the veranda-style terrace is a six-seater dining set, just right for eating in the shade, and a soft seating area where you can relax and catch up with this year’s best seller. The upper terrace has a soft grey L-shaped sofa and coffee table, a dining set for six, and comfortable sun loungers, and as far as the eye can sweeping sea views to the horizon and beyond. It’s the perfect place for cocktails as the sun sets, before dining alfresco under a Grecian sky.Villa Muriel is located on the hillside of the small village of Lefktro, in West Mani, on the Western Mani Peloponnese Peninsula, in Southern Greece. There is a new road that connects the international airport to Kalamata and is approximately fifty-five kilometres, a one and a half hour’s scenic drive through the Greek countryside. The village itself is a short walk away, where you will find plenty of local provisions for your stay, including welcoming cafes and bars, lots of family-run restaurants, and a Greek orthodox church or two.
There are two great beaches within the area, the nearest is Stoupa, fed by the freshwater morning streams from the mountains. And just over the hill is Kalogoria with its inviting turquoise water and rich marine life, made famous by Nikos Kazantzakis and the film Zorba, the Greek. Other notable beaches in the vicinity include the crystal clear waters of Ritsa, the official beach of Kardamyli, and similarly at the Paralia of Delfinia, Kalamitsi, and Foneas. The Taygetos mountains form a fabulous backdrop to the villa and provide some great trails for those who like to hike and see the area’s natural flora and fauna. The fishing village of Agios Nikolaos is a walkable three kilometres from the villa, where you can delight in the charms of traditional Greek life. The village of Limeni is also well worth a visit, a thirty-five kilometre drive from the villa. Renowned for its wild beauty and emerald waters, Limeni is a historic harbour town, where you can explore the recently restored 1762 Castle of Movromichalis. At Limeni you can access the sea via steps or platforms from the rocks, then enjoy its unique ambience in one of the many cafes and restaurants.
The flourishing financial and cultural centre of the town of Aeropolis is a twenty-five minute drive away. Famed for its tower houses built out of local stone, it has a new and old town, and an open-air market every Saturday. Reputed to be the starting point of the revolution against the Ottoman Empire, discover its history in the Pyrgos Pikoulaki, the museum of Mani. Meet in Plata Athanaton, the central square, where you will find the Taxiarches Cathedral, a museum of religious artefacts, and the Byzantine Chapel of St John. Stroll down the picturesque streets, shop for souvenirs, sip ouzo in a local café and watch the world go by. And if it’s nightlife you are after Aeropolis is the place to be. The Mani Peninsula is famed for its food, most notably the local delicacy of glina or syglina, a smoked pork sausage, the wild herbs of thyme, oregano, and mint, and homemade honey naturally scented with pine or orange blossom from the indigenous flora. Kalamata claims to be the best olive oil in the world, and you can test this for yourself with a walking tour and tasting with a dedicated olive oil sommelier. The Maniots claim to be descendants of Mycean, Dorian, Spartan, Byzantine, Franks, Saracens, Italian, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures, all play a part in their local history.
Take the car and discover the numerous castles and fortresses, churches and chapels, monasteries and ruins scattered throughout the coast and peninsula. For those who fancy a more relaxing holiday, the area is blessed with many beautiful bays and beaches, such as Neo Otilo or Itylo, where you can sunbathe on loungers with parasols. Whilst the more active can practice water sports at Vathy or Mavrovouni beach and jet ski in its deeper waters. Follow in the steps of the author Patrick Leigh-Fermor to Kardamyli, where you can visit the home which inspired many of his books. And for film fans, it is also the setting for the romantic comedy Before Midnight. Further afield make a cultural odyssey to the ancient towns of Argolis, Sparta, Mystros, Monemvasia, Diros, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, and the Corinth Canal, where you will discover the world of Homer and the ancient Greeks.At Excellence Luxury Villas, we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to travel services, we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team, who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!