Arbeli House

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Full Description

Arbeli House is a perfect, traditional, idyllic Hydra Island house overlooking Mandraki Bay with spectacular views and only a short flight of steps to the beach. It's a wonderful holiday home for families who want a more simple beach, sun & messing around-in-the-sea type of holiday. But it's only a 20-minute walk, or quick boat ride, into Hydra harbour for those who also want the bright lights of town. There are 2 beaches in Mandraki Bay with taverna dining at 1800 or the Mandraki Beach Resort for gourmet dining.

From the level coast road, there is a short flight of 58 steps through the garden of Arbeli House which brings you to the back, top terrace. Here you will find the traditional oven & grill for times when you want to cook out-of-doors and steps that lead up to the roof terrace.

Living Space

The door into the house leads straight into the open-plan, top floor living room. To the right is the kitchen, dining area & door to the dining terrace, in the centre, there are stairs to the lower floor and to the left of the sitting area there is Bedroom 1 with its ensuite.

This is a wonderful, airy space with plenty of light from the sea-facing windows that also catch the gentle sea breeze. And with marble flooring & 80cm thick stone walls, it's deliciously cool. There is plenty of space to dine in, but the view from the dining terrace is so glorious that you will undoubtedly eat alfresco most of the time!

Bedroom 1 (Top Floor)

With its queen-size bed, ensuite including a full-size bath and independent access via a covered side-terrace, bedroom 1 on the top floor is the master bedroom of Arbeli House.

The terrace is a perfect place to watch the sunrise or enjoy an evening nightcap.

Downstairs Bedrooms

The coolest part of the house is downstairs where the back wall of the property is subterranean. Arbeli House was built by one of Hydra's master builders following the tradition of using the advantages of Hydra's terrain to be as environmentally friendly as possible. So following this sensible adaptation you are guaranteed a comfortable and refreshing nights sleep to recharge yourself before another lazy sun filled day!

Downstairs Bathrooms

Bedroom 2 has an ensuite shower.

Bedrooms 3 & 4 share the family shower room on the lower floor.

The family shower room also doubles as a utility room with a washing machine for guests to use.

There is a door opposite the stairs that opens to the main terrace that overlooks Mandraki Bay.

Getting To Arbeli House

When you arrive at Hydra harbour to start your holiday, your bags will be carried along the coast road by mules and you will follow them to Arbeli House. Or if you are tired from a long journey, you can avoid the 20-minute walk along the level coast road by taking a sea taxi to the jetty at Lefteris's Taverna just below the house. Please note that the cost of Mule transport or sea taxi is not included in Lily's house price.

Things to do locally

In addition to spending lazy days and nights 'at home' enjoying the atmosphere, sunbathing, eating together admiring the view and possibly painting, Mandraki Bay is also a good base for those who enjoy walking. The coast road continues behind the Mandraki Beach Resort and then the 'road' continues to zig-zag up to the top passing three monasteries.

Walking & Hiking

You can choose whether to go straight over and down to the other side of the island (6 km) or you can go east towards the end of Hydra where you will be able to see Hydra's lighthouse and another monastery at Zorva. It is strongly recommended that each of our guests brings a lightweight rucksack and a reusable water bottle with them.

Beaches & Swimming

The closest beach is below Lefteris's taverna which operates the beach too. It's the smaller beach in the bay with a mix of sand on the beach but shelves gently on pebbles into the water. This is a great spot to look for sea creatures such a starfish, urchins and the occasional baby octopus (but please leave them in the sea!). A little further along you reach the Mandraki Beach Resort which is a much larger, 100% sandy beach and offers an upmarket beach experience. It's more expensive but you can, of course, dine at their restaurant for lunch or dinner as non-residents are welcome without having to sunbathe there which is nice if you want to dress up for a special occasion.

Beach Boats & Taxis

Throughout the summer season, beach boats go back and forth from Hydra Harbour to Mandraki Bay. The drop off point is the jetty in front of the main resort building on the opposite side of the bay. Arbeli guests can use the beach boats even if they're not staying at the resort. When you buy a ticket, it will be a return ticket and you must remember to board the same boat for your return journey. We recommend that you always double check the return journey time with the driver. When you leave the house, turn right out of the garden, follow the road round and then down, go through the resort door and along the beach to the jetty. 

Alternatively, you can call a sea taxi from the house, watch it coming into the bay from the terrace then go down the garden steps to meet it at the Lefteris's taverna jetty.

Rent-A-Boat

If you would like, and you have a boat driving license, you can rent a small speedboat/rib or if you don't have a boat license but do have a driving licence you can rent a low engine boat from one of the boat rental companies. You can rent it for a week or just a day and if for longer than a day, you would be able to moor in Mandraki Bay.

Harriet's Hydra Horses

Harriet Jarman operates a horse trekking company with one of her rides specifically to Mandraki Bay. But she can also offer Arbeli guests the option to walk into town, saddle up then ride up to Ag. Matrona and instead of coming back into Hydra Town, to come down via Mandraki Bay, dropping you at the garden steps. Read More

Wishing you a happy holiday at Arbeli House in Mandraki Bay.

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