house
The Gecko is designed for up to four adults to enjoy a great deal of space and privacy whilst also offering good spaces in which to spend time together. It is a four seasons house, built and finished to a high specification and with professionally designed interiors and landscaping. For various reasons it is not suitable for children.
Behind a traditional facade are cool, airy, modern spaces, sleek, clean-lined, and full of light. The main house is open to glossy white rafters. It has a double height 40m2 living and dining space with concealed workstation, open fireplace, library, DVD and CD players with iPod dock, and safe. There is wireless broadband throughout the property.
Stairs lead to the 35m2 gallery bedroom and sitting area which has two sets of French windows to balconies, and views across the living space to the sea. The large, luxurious bathroom, with fittings from Sottini and Bette, has a walk-in shower, double-ended tub, loo, bidet, two basins and heated towel rail.
The kitchen, with appliances by Miele and Neff, is equipped for the serious cook with a double oven, halogen hob, microwave, two fridges, freezer, panini maker, juicer and blender. There is also a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. All principal rooms have superb views to the sea. The kitchen and bathroom overlook terraces of olive and cypress.
The 50m2 deck suite has its own separate entrance and vast decked terrace with views to the sea. The sleeping/living room and bathroom both open through French windows to the deck. The Sottini bathroom has a walk-in shower, loo, bidet, two basins and heated towel rail. Separate dressing area. HiFi with iPod dock. Wireless broadband. The small kitchen has a fridge, ice-box, microwave, juicer, kettle and toaster. Iron and ironing board and hairdryer are provided in both the house and the Deck Suite.
We have tried to provide our guests with every amenity. There is an extensive library of books, CDs and games, with high quality HiFis with iPod docks in both the main house and the deck suite, and a DVD player in the main house, though there is deliberately no TV. There are mosquito screens on all windows and French windows. Thermostatically controlled underfloor heating and a fireplace in the living room make the house comfortable year round, whilst silent ceiling fans ensure good air circulation. The sophisticated lighting systems, professionally designed, allow combinations for every possible mood, from snuggle to party. Sliding panels conceal a workstation with broadband connection and laptop computer, whilst wifi ensures that guests can use their own computers throughout the property.
The Gecko is furnished to a high standard with a mixture of carefully chosen antiques and classic modern pieces, and with art, objects and textiles from around the world. Sheets are high-threadcount Egyptian cotton, duvets are offered for the cooler months, and there is a choice of goose down or hypo-allergenic pillows. Beds are extremely comfortable, top quality divans, kingsize on the gallery and either kingsize or twin in the Deck Suite.
Outside are extensive decked and tiled terraces and sitting-out areas, both sunny and shady, furnished with hardwood and terrazzo terrace furniture with comfortable all-weather cushions. There are plenty of big umbrellas and two shady pergolas. The first, vine covered, has a Mexican hammock and a casual table perfect for lunch and BBQ, whilst the second is more formal and makes a wonderful venue for dinner under the stars, surrounded by brilliant pink bougainvillea. A large stainless steel BBQ and food preparation station make outdoor cooking a real pleasure.
There are two pools. The first, a spectacular 13x3m infinity edge lap pool with submerged seat runs the length of the front terrace. Below it is a shallow, shady, “reading” pool.
Outside, the land is covered in spring and early summer with wild meadow flowers and poppies; in autumn with wild cyclamen, and through the winter with iris, crocus and orchids. Our own terraces are planted with olive, eucalyptus, cherry and grapes, whilst in the more formal gardens bougainvillea, jasmine, fig, cardoons, lavender, rosemary and nectarines thrive.
Our housekeeper comes twice weekly to care for the house, pool and garden, and is on hand to offer assistance to guests should the need arise.
