Maistrali - Architect-Designed Villa, 20m Pool, Ionian Sea Views

Step through the garden wall and Maistrali stops people in their tracks every time. The pool, the terraces, the olive groves, and the views of the Ionian Sea stretching all the way to Kefalonia.

Maistrali is the Greek word for the west wind, and the house was designed around it. The owners, Jane and Robert, spent years researching traditional wind tower architecture before creating a system that channels cool air naturally through the living spaces all day. The result is an eco-friendly, original villa that sits lightly on the hillside and feels unlike anywhere else in Greece. The same craftsmen who built Maistrali later travelled to the UK to build Jane and Robert's British home, which featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs.

The villa sits in the quiet, unspoiled north of Zakynthos. It is entirely private, not overlooked, and surrounded by mature gardens and orchards of olive and almond. Views sweep over the Ionian Sea to Kefalonia and along the full length of the island. Every bedroom has shuttered French doors opening directly onto those views, the terraces, and the gardens.

THE POOL AND OUTDOOR SPACES
The 20-metre freshwater pool runs the length of the terrace, with a walk-in shallow end, teak sun loungers and a poolside shower.
The outdoor kitchen has a wood-fired pizza oven and charcoal BBQ and long evenings on the terrace with the smell of woodsmoke and the sea on the horizon are what most guests remember most. A children's play area sits at the edge of the gardens and as dusk settles, the villa and gardens are lit throughout.

THE BEDROOMS
Four en-suite bedrooms, each one with sea views and French doors opening directly onto the pool and gardens.
Master — The largest suite, with a private terrace directly over the pool and uninterrupted Ionian Sea views. King bed, en-suite bathroom with separate bathtub, and direct access to the pool and gardens.
Italian — A dramatic room anchored by a hand-carved ebony four-poster bed. Rich fabrics, high ceilings and direct access to the pool and gardens. En-suite shower room.
Beach — Light, airy and calm, with twin beds, a Calder mobile overhead and direct access to the gardens, pool and sea views beyond. En-suite shower room. Can be configured as a king on request.
Zebra — A characterful room with a bold zebra headboard and tropical prints. En-suite shower room, king or twin configuration. The same sweeping sea view shared by every room at Maistrali.

THE STAFF AND SERVICE
Giorgios and his team look after the house, pool and gardens throughout your stay. Midweek cleaning and a full linen change are included, with fresh Egyptian cotton towels and Korres organic toiletries replenished throughout. Jane and Robert are always reachable directly and happy to arrange restaurant bookings, boat hire, and anything else before or during your stay.

WHERE TO EAT
These are Jane and Robert's personal recommendations — all within easy reach of Maistrali, and all worth seeking out.
The Old Windmill — Our closest restaurant and one we return to again and again. Panos and his family run this place with real warmth and the food is exceptional — inventive modern Greek cooking with extraordinary sea views over Agios Nikolaos. Book in advance.
Madrakia — Our favourite lunch spot. A tiny traditional taverna right on a small beach at the far end of Agios Nikolaos port. Simple, honest Greek food, cold beer and somewhere to swim before or after. Does not get better than this.
Nobelos — On the right as you enter the port, with its own beach where you can spend the whole day. Excellent Greek cooking, a wine list worth exploring and famous homemade ice cream.
La Storia — Pull up a chair at the water's edge and watch the fishing boats come and go. Simple grilled fish, genuinely local. Book for Greek night when there is dancing.
Micro Nisi — Run by the Peligoni Club but open to everyone, five minutes from Maistrali. Mediterranean and Greek food in a beautiful spot above a tiny beach. One of our favourite places for supper.

THE WATER
Agios Nikolaos harbour is a short drive from Maistrali. You can hire a private boat with skipper for a half or full day — the usual capacity is eight — or join one of the larger boats that run every fifteen minutes through the summer. Self-drive boats are also available.
The Blue Caves — Only reachable by sea, these extraordinary caves on the northern tip of the island have water that glows electric blue from reflected light. Go early before the day trips arrive.
Navagio Beach — The famous shipwreck sits in a cove of blue, accessible only by boat from Agios Nikolaos. Worth going private and going early — the crowds later in the day are considerable. Worth it regardless.
Kefalonia — A twice-daily passenger ferry runs from Agios Nikolaos harbour. A brilliant option for a day on the neighbouring island. A full-day yacht charter is also available from the harbour for a longer crossing.
Swimming — Climati beach is the closest, about ten minutes from Maistrali. Locals swim here at eight in the morning and it is magnificent. Makris Gialos is a wide open bay with beautiful water. Zigias is known locally as the stinky beach for its sulphur springs — the water is collagen-rich and leaves your skin feeling extraordinary.

WHAT TO EXPLORE
Volimes — Five minutes up the hill, this quiet mountain village has barely changed in decades. Go early for coffee and tiropitakia — the local feta pastry — and come back with honey, olive oil and hand-woven linen.
The Olive Press at Ellies — Between Maistrali and Volimes in Askos, run by brother and sister Giannis and Marinetta. The press is over a hundred years old and still working. Their oils, honeys and wines make the finest gifts to take home.
Anofonitria — A beautiful traditional village a short drive away, home to the medieval monastery of Agios Dionysios, patron saint of Zakynthos.
St Spyridon Church — A beautiful 16th-century church in lower Volimes, with distinctive blue walls and an ornate bell tower. One of the most photographed corners of the north.
Skinari Lighthouse — At the northernmost tip of the island, fifteen minutes from Maistrali, the rocks fall straight into the clearest water in the Ionian. A short drive that never disappoints.

GETTING HERE
Zakynthos has its own international airport with direct flights from major UK airports throughout the summer. British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 fly direct from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol and Leeds Bradford. Flight time is approximately three hours.

From the airport, Maistrali is around 55 minutes north by car. A hire car is essential — it is the only way to properly explore this part of the island — and can be arranged at the airport on arrival. Jane and Robert will send full driving directions ahead of your stay.

For any questions: mail@maistrali.co.uk — www.villamaistrali.co.uk — @villamaistrali