The villa is perched on the very highest point of the hill/mountain on the south side of Syvota. The views are spectacular. Nothing else is. Getting to it by car, even with GPS co-ordinates, is ludicrously difficult - the upper part of the access road is a 45 degree, rough, unmade, rutted, loose surfaced scramble up a narrow access track which we initially refused to believe could be the access to a modern villa costing a considerable amount per night. But it is the only way up there, and the only way down. The owner’s parents had to escort us up in their truck. We booked through Agni Travel. There is not one sign with their name on it amongst the forest of boards along the first part of the (tarmacced) access road. Instead, we later discovered, a sign for “Dream Villas” was the one to follow - how were we supposed to divine that?
Generally, the precariously steep hillside teems with partly built, partly never to be built, carcasses of new villas. Builders are at work making noise throughout the day. Inside, the property is an utterly characterless white painted modern box. Not one single homely, cosy or comfortable touch anywhere. Warning to older guests and children - a steep wooden staircase goes down to the lower floor, with no handrails at all. Incredible. The kitchen is basic and averagely equipped - why no coffee machine? Why only one small sofa for a house advertised as accommodating six? Why no property handbook or explanation of the various controls, TV and aircon etc? And no hairdryer!
The swimming pool - no warnings that there is virtually no shallow end and that the pool floor slopes sharply down from both ends. Virtually useless - and dangerous - for those who like or need to avoid getting out of their depth. And Syvota itself? Pretty little harbour, lots of yachts and quayside tavernas, bars and a few shops. But absolutely nothing else. Fine for overnighting yachts but far too limited for landbased visitors.
We had booked 4 nights, after having stayed for five in a charming apartment in Itea. So disappointed were we with the location and the villa itself, we left after one night and wasted a lot if money.
Overall, one star is a fair rating.