Citrus

Inside

accommodation at Citrus develops over two floors. The main entrance opens into a welcoming grey marble-floored hallway. On the right is an open black steel staircase leading up to the first floor, while to the left a door leads into the kitchen (of which more later).

Heading straight on and down a couple of steps one comes to the social hub of the home, a voluminous open-plan communal space that shows off the property's eclectic style to great affect. Traditional stone-flagged flooring is countered by raw concrete ceilings and industrial light fixtures, colourful, bohemian, maritime-inspired artwork adorns the walls. To one side is a striped sofa, an old desk, and an antique, glass-fronted dresser; at the centre is a large, venerable wooden dining table; at the far end, gathered around a fireplace, are two more classic comfy sofas. Each area has French doors opening out onto the sea view terraces.

At the centre of the room, near the dining table, a couple of steps lead up through a wide opening and into the kitchen, where the eclectic, artistic vibe continues with marble floors, concrete cupboard surrounds and worktops, bespoke cabinetry, a carved marble sink (a motif revisited in the bathrooms) and a selection of antique curios, including a centrally positioned well-head and a rustic cylindrical butcher's block.

On one side of the kitchen a door opens into a handy utility room with sink, laundry facilities, extra storage and a large fridge-freezer. This in turn connects to the staff's quarters. On the opposite side of the kitchen, meanwhile, a walk-through storage area with a shower room to one side leads back into the entrance hall.

Accommodation on the ground floor is completed by the first of the three bedrooms, accessed from a door near the bottom of the stairs. It features a large built-in concrete dais topped with a double mattress (a single mattress could also be added on request), an en-suite shower room, and French doors opening out onto a terrace to the side of the property.

The first floor is home to the two remaining bedrooms off a central landing with access to a large terrace:

• the principal bedroom, a bright, spacious sea-view double with lofty wood-beamed ceilings, a sculptural in-room stone sink, a fireplace, two sets of French doors opening out onto the large shared terrace, and an en-suite shower room enclosed by a semi-partition wall
• a double bedroom with a sitting area, a large built-in concrete dais topped with a double mattress (a single mattress could also be added on request), and an en-suite shower room

Outside

al fresco life at Citrus plays out to the metronomic rhythms of the waves caressing the shoreline at the bottom of the garden.

Three French doors in the communal space on the ground floor open out onto a shaded sea-view terrace running along the whole façade of the house. Hosting a dining area, a table and chairs, and a couple of sunloungers, this is a magical spot from which to soak up the sea views and relax.

A couple of steps down from this terrace, outside the ground floor bedroom, is a sitting area with a comfortably cushioned built-in sofa and a collection of lounge chairs.

Next come the gardens, which are laid to lawn and planted with secluding olive trees, fragrant rosemary bushes, oleander and other classic Mediterranean flora. A 12m-long wooden boardwalk cuts across the grass to the sea gate, beyond which is Paralia Plakes, a long pebbly beach, and the irresistible emerald and aquamarine waters of the Aegean.

As evening falls, you may wish to make your way up to the large terrace on the first floor, which is accessed from the principal bedroom and from the landing. There are two sitting areas, one with convivial U-shaped built-in seating and day beds, the other with a sofa and a few easy chairs. The views from here, which pan out across the sea and the northern coastline of Hydra to the island of Dokos and beyond, are absolutely unforgettable, especially when the blushing sun slowly melts into nothingness behind the silhouetted mountains of the Peloponnese.

Please note that Hydra is a car-free island, and the only way to get to it is via sea taxi. This service is included from Hydra port to the villa. Please contact us for further details.

Please note that this villa does not have a pool.

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and/or around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

This property is surrounded by countryside, some of which is unfenced and may include drops or steep slopes. We therefore recommend that younger children are supervised by an adult when exploring the grounds.

Just along the beach from Citrus is Hydra’s Four Seasons Hotel, whose beach club and restaurant, Tassia’s Tavern, are accessible to guests staying at Citrus.

Please note that due to the risk of wildfires, the use of fire pits and barbecues is restricted when the weather is windy or temperatures are high. This is particularly common in July and August. More information will be provided in your House Guide and via your local specialist.