Ilias in the Mani is the home of James and Charlotte Heneage. It took eight years to create this unique collection of houses with extensive mature gardens designed by leading garden designer Tania Compton, laid out to complement the unique nature of the house and its extraordinary views.
The small estate lies twenty minutes north of the village of Kardamili on the Mani peninsular. You’ll need a sturdy car to climb the steep, kilometre-long drive through olive groves that leads up to the main house, but it’s worth the climb to reach the views. There is also a second drive at the bottom of the land. The main house at the top has uninterrupted views far over the Messinian Gulf in front, and deep gorges of the Taygetos Mountains behind. And because of its height, there’s always a gentle breeze that comes up from the sea.
While the main house and guest house sit on the ridge, the rest are scattered throughout the five acres of terraces below, where olive, fig, pomegranate, almond, lemon and orange trees give shade and scent to the separate bedrooms, each with its own terrace and breathtaking views over the sea.
Main House (sleeps 2)
The main house comprises a large drawing room with AC and overhead fans, with library mezzanine, an open fireplace and French windows opening onto terraces facing both sea and mountains.
It has a big kitchen with AC, fully equipped with professional-sized Smeg cooker, two fridges and two dishwashers plus a big farmhouse kitchen table that sits up to 16. Below is a large utility room equipped with food preparation area, freezer, clothes washer, dryer and extra fridge.
The tower master bedroom sits above the kitchen and has emperor sized double bed, AC and overhead fan, bath, shower, wood-burner (for winter months) and two balconies with wonderful views all year round.
Outside is the covered main dining area, seating 20, with views over mountains and sea. There are in total 4 different terraces to sit out on this level – two overlooking the sea – wonderful to watch the sunset from and two overlooking the mountains. There is also a full sized boules pitch, with seating under the shade for spectators. Guest House (sleeps 2-4)The guest house has AC and overhead fan, a wood-burner, doubled bed, en-suite bathroom and French windows. Above is a mezzanine with two beds, ideal for young children
For floor plan of the main house and guest house press here:
SECOND LEVEL
Pool Area
The pool area has a natural-salt infinity pool, measuring 6 X 12 metres, a kitchen, big stone barbeque with spit, pizza oven, ping pong table, cave seating area and shower/loo. There is a circular stone dining area beneath olive trees that seats 14.
Girls’ House (sleeps 4)
Further along on this level is the Girls’ House with two double-bedrooms (beds can be split to make singles), each with AC, a wood burner, overhead fans, en-suite bathrooms and French windows opening onto a front terrace overlooking the sea.
THIRD LEVEL
Boys’ House (sleeps 6)
This has three double-bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, AC, overhead fans and wood-burners. All rooms have double beds (which can be split into singles) and French windows opening onto a front terrace overlooking the sea.
FOURTH LEVEL
Yurt (sleeps 2)
The yurt is a raised, all-weather Mongolian tent with double bed, wooden floor, wood-burner and full-size windows opening onto a wooden decking terrace beneath olive trees. It has an outdoor shower and loo.
FIFTH LEVEL
Shepherd’s Hut (sleeps 2)
This has AC and overhead fan, double bed with an en-suite bathroom, log-burner and its own mini-kitchen. It has French windows opening onto a pergola’d terrace with views up to the mountains. Ideal for resident cook, nanny or extra guests.