Villa Arete, a villa rental in Paros, Greece

A Hilltop Haven on Paros

This hilltop villa is made up of a trio of structures—a main house and pair of private guest houses—connected by an outdoor pathway and anchored by a vast shaded patio on a breathtaking Aegean Sea view lot. Created to accommodate 14 guests, it's a great getaway for a crowd seeking the pleasures of Paros island's miles of beaches. The stone-clad shade structure that stretches along the house is so well-equipped it's practically a home unto itself, set with cushy, seaview sofas and armchairs, a full kitchen with a prep island and barstool seating, and a dining area for 14.

There are three rooms in the main house and two bedrooms each in the guest houses, making for a total of seven, and all are en suite. The villa’s well-appointed outdoor area offers unmatched Aegean Sea views, with the islands of Naxos, Iraklia, Ios and Folengandros on the horizon beyond the 12m x 5 meter infinity pool. Plus, there’s a wind-protected wooden yoga deck off the jacuzzi also overlooking the sea.

Additional features

There’s daily housekeeping and a concierge available to guests, with cruises, babysitting, wellness and spa treatments, sports guides, shopping and private chef service available upon request.

Layout

Main house: living and dining rooms, kitchen, 3 en-suite bedrooms and a WC

Two guest houses: each with living room, kitchenette, 2 bedrooms and bathrooms, terraces

Annex: panoramic hot tub/wooden yoga deck space

Around

Paros island is one of the Cyclades’ most popular islands for its traditional, bright whitewashed architecture and its transparent waters. With some 120 kilometers of coastline, the isle offers an endless variety of beaches, from cliff-backed to golden-sand-covered, with green mountains inland and small villages clinging to the hillsides. Its proximity to both Athens and other Cycladic sister isles such as Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos, means it’s a great base for island hopping. And the island’s popularity makes for a jubilant nightlife scene after a day spent on the beach.

Located only a kilometer from Golden Beach and just over ten kilometers to Farangas Beach, this home offers access to one of the island’s largest beach, a 700-meter long stretch on Paros's southeastern coast. Golden Beach is named for its shimmering sands and famed for its ideal wind conditions drawing windsurfers. There are sunbed rentals and parasols on site, and the vast crescent beach is a favorite of swimmers, too, for its crystal-clear waters. The great wind here means the beach hosts a pro windsurfing world cup competition each year, and there’s plenty of activity along the sand, with bars, cafes and restaurants lining the bay road.

Paros Farangas Beach (11km) is also a quick drive away, home to fine sands and clear waters above a pebbly shore. It’s a bit wilder, with only a small beach bar and resort restaurant on it.