Rooms

You enter into a calm, neutral living space, with pale plaster and creamy stone walls, an open kitchen, and two plate glass windows looking west (sea and sunset) and north (maquis covered hills). With its earthy natural hues offset by impeccably chosen artefacts - a ceramic vase of dried flowers, a retro Marshall radio - it all feels very insta- and eco-friendly. It's possibly a little cosy for four on an all-day basis, but perfect for two, or for occasional evenings in a quatre. There's also an adjustable air-con and a Bluetooth Sonos sound system running throughout the cottage.

The master double bedroom is accessed from here: not a huge space but quite enough for a queensize double bed (1.6x2m, pushed against one wall) which faces out to the sea, with French windows onto the terrace. In the open wardrobe, a beautifully minimalist curved black clothes rail is all you need in this summery environment. Behind the signature dividing wall of semicircular tile segments (which we thought lends a geometrically Greek element) is a simple glass-walled shower bathroom, with overhead rain shower and handheld nozzle, solar heated water, towels, slippers, and local toiletries from Olive Era.

The second bedroom - a near replica, but with the queensize bed in the middle of the room so you can walk around it - is reachable only from the terrace, giving it an extra degree of privacy. It also enjoys uninterrupted sea views, plus blackout blinds, underbed storage, eye-catching straw hat lampshades, and additional mini-spot reading lights which you can angle straight onto your copy of Patrick Leigh Fermor's Mani travelogue.

The only pity, but quite understandable given the space constraints, is that neither room can be set up with twin beds, nor fit an extra bed or cot.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bluetooth sound system
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Radio
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

In the indoor kitchen, you'll find an easy open-plan space with cooking island, Smeg fittings, high bar stools, and low sofas running along two sides of the room. Appliances include a retro coffee maker, an oversized fridge-freezer, a four-ring induction hob with nattily integrated extractor fan, an oven, and a tasteful range of cutlery and crockery in earthy greys and burnished coppers.

There's also a simpler outdoor kitchen, with sinks, barbecue and cushioned concrete benches, as well as a shapely oak table for 4-6 under the sea-facing pines, which is no doubt where you'll take most of your meals.

If you don't fancy cooking, the acclaimed restaurant of Elies Hotel is 5 mins' walk north along the beach, while 5 mins' walk the other way brings you to the simpler Gialos restaurant. Continue another 5 mins and you're in the hearth of Kardamyli village, with 2 small but well-stocked supermarkets on your left, and several excellent eateries ahead, from simple Greek to upscale seafood. Pick of the bunch are Lela and Harilaos on the harbourfront; book ahead for these two.

Features include:

• Bar
• Barbecue
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• The long pebbly Ritsa beach (2 mins' walk) has mixed pebbles and sand, lovely clear water, and some loungers and parasols reserved for you
  
• Grab one of the cottage's SUPs or its sit-on kayak and explore the local coastline: there are gnarled rocks and caves, as well as a small island beyond the village
  
• The medieval settlement of old Kardamyli is worth a wander, for its imposing tower-house (museum) and pretty Maniot chapel
  
• The rest of the village is a delight to potter around: clothes and jewellery boutiques, iced yoghurt cafés and an enclosed fishing harbour
  
• Peaceful footpaths, many of them on ancient cobbled routes, lead up into the foothills of Mt. Taygetus or through dramatic limestone gorges; get yourself a map, lace up your boots and off you go
  
• With a car or local bus, head south to the secluded coves of Foneas or Delfinia (4-5km, seasonal snack bars); or to the sandy beaches at Stoupa (7-8km, Kalogria has diving)
  
• Hire mountain bikes or speed boats - the lovely concierge Litsa can advise - to head off the beaten track on land or sea

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Caves
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Snorkelling
• SUP
• Swimming

Kids

While children of all ages are accepted, no extra beds or cots are available, so you'll have to make do with the two double (queensize) bedrooms: fine for a couple with one child, or two who are happy sharing, but not ideal for most families. The proximity to the beach is a major draw, but bear in mind it is mostly pebbles, with only small patches of coarse sand.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The house is just outside the lovely coastal village of Kardamyli (or Kardamili), 45 mins' drive south of Kalamata in the Peloponnese.

By Air
Fly into Kalamata (45km), or Athens (300km / 3.5 hours) for a wider choice of flights.

From the airport:
You can either hire a car which of course will make it easier to visit the region; or take a taxi from the airport and use local buses to explore: there are 3-4 per day running from Kalamata to Itilo and back, with a stop in Kardamyli. It's 10 mins' walk into the village.

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