Rooms

The villas are split-level and adjoining, with large, breezy bedrooms and light living spaces. Bianca (sleeping 4-6) sits in the middle, Ble and Verde (sleeping 2-4) are either side . On the top floor are the master bedrooms, which open onto a sea-view balcony. Ble and Verde's heated jacuzzi is on this balcony; Bianca has a second bedroom upstairs, too, and its jacuzzi is on the downstairs terrace. The other 'bedroom' in each villa is in the open-plan living area on the ground floor; a platform bed, strewn with cushions - better suited to daytime naps, perhaps.

Each villa has 2 shower bathrooms (one on each level), dressed in natural textures - pebble floors, stone walls, beaten marble sinks. Greek Apivita bath products are a treat and various essentials are provided at cost price (toothbrushes, make-up remover etc). Huge wooden wardrobes and dressing tables come with shoe boxes, proper hairdryers, even straighteners. There are fluffy bathrobes and slippers (though brushed concrete floors are lovely for padding about barefoot), and snazzy flat-screen TVs. The only downside is that sunlight filters through to the bedrooms.

Downstairs are sofas, the sleeping platform, a dining table and a home-style kitchen. Glass doors lead onto a terrace, where you'll find a dining and seating area, with great views.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is included in your stay; pre-choose from a menu, decide what time you want it delivered, and get set for a relaxing morning. An unlimited supply of free Nespresso pods is a perfect accompaniment, as is the sea view from your terrace dining area.

For other meals, fully-equipped kitchens are designed for cooks, with real ovens and proper hardware. There are grocery shops in Chora or you can request a shopping service in advance of your stay. But if you're feeling lazy, there's a whole menu of meals that can be delivered. The lobster spaghetti, an expensive local delicacy, is well worth it. There are also various snacks, drinks and local treats like thyme honey in the Smeg for very reasonable prices - better than your average hotel minibar!

It’s a 15-minute walk to the cafes, tavernas and bars up in Chora or down at the harbour at Pera Yialos. By the windmills, Meltemi does delicious breakfasts (especially omelettes), and Ilias and Irene, on the waterfront at Maltzena, is an old-time taverna with the freshest fish and a friendly family vibe. Be sure to taste traditional wild saffron and goat’s cheese rusks during your stay, at Iliana or Maroulio bakery in Chora.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Kids' meals
• Meal delivery service
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Shopping service
• Toaster

Activities

• Wander the tangle of whitewashed alleys encircling Chora's Castro - especially magical at sunset or sunrise
  
• Drive to Chora's beach (3km) or take a boat trip to the castaway isles of Koutsomiti and Kounoupes, where the sea is bright green and turquoise
  
• Rent a motorboat at Livadi and putter along the coast to find your own secret cove
  
• Marvel at the riches on display in Chora's tiny Archaeological Museum, which contains only a fraction of the island’s buried treasure
  
• At Kaminakia beach, feast on roast goat, grilled fish and fried aubergine at Linda’s taverna, where everything is grown, produced or caught by the owners
  
• Explore the ruins at Vathy, a secluded lagoon where archaeologists recently uncovered some of the world’s oldest rock engravings
  
• Light a candle at Panagia Portraitissa, an ornate 18th-century church with an impressive iconostasis and miracle-working icon!
  
• See our other local tips for the island

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Wildlife

Kids

The owners are extremely welcoming and accommodating to families. The villas are best suited to babes in arms, or older children who can enjoy the jacuzzis (under supervision), giant day beds, and ample space to spread out. Not ideal for toddlers due to all the steep steps

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Villas Ble and Verde each have a master bedroom with space for a baby cot, and a sleeping platform in their living room which older kids will love. Villa Bianca has 2 upstairs double bedrooms and a sleeping platform in the living room

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Astypalaia is the westernmost island in the Dodecanese. The Melograno Villas are on the outskirts of Chora, the main small town.

By Air:
There are regular flights from Athens to the tiny airport of Astypalaia (aka Panaghia), 12km away. There may also be flights from Leros or Rhodes. Check Sky Express and Aegean Air or ask the property when making your enquiry.

From the Airport
Free transfers are provided, and the island is small, so you may not need a car. If you want to hire one, there are several local companies; do consider getting a jeep as most roads are unpaved. Each villa has a covered parking space. In August, it’s better to walk into town, as parking around the main square is impossible.

By Ferry:
There are ferries from Piraeus via Paros - Naxos - Amorgos, or from Rhodes via Kos - Kalymnos; both routes will take several hours, but you can often get a cheap cabin.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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