THE FACTS ABOUT SKINOS

Greece Ionian_islands

If Odysseus had lived at Skinos, he would have had good reason to brave the sirens and Cyclops on his long journey home to Ithaca. This low-slung house, hidden in 400 acres of pine-scented hills, is a world apart. The decor may hark back to its 1960s heyday - simple and somewhat spartan with rattan furniture and brass beds - but its sublime location, on a private peninsula, a skip away from its own sandy beach, attracts the super-rich and super-famous. With two cooks and three maids, a live-in caretaker/gardener, manager and boat captain, even the most demanding guests are catered for. Idlers can snooze in a huge hammock to a soundtrack of cicadas, dine by lantern-light under bowers of bougainvillaea, and skinny dip under shooting stars. There are toys galore for the restless: beach tennis, badminton, two Jeeps and a fleet of speedboats, paddle-boats, canoes, plus an old-fashioned caique for trips to castaway coves, where Captain Tassos will whip up a feast of just-caught octopus, sea urchins and ouzo. SLEEPS Ten in the main house (two doubles, three twin-bedded rooms), plus three cute cottages. The Wine-House sleeps five (one three-bedded room, one twin). The Piano House, on its own beach, is great for couples. New for summer 2005 is The Chapel, a double bedroom with bird's eye views COST On application CONTACT Five Star Greece (020 8422 4885; fax: 8423 4956; www.fivestargreece.com)