Nicaela's House on Hydra

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Full Description

Nicaela's House is a stunningly renovated traditional Hydra island countryside home to rent for 2 couples or a family of 4 to share. Perched on the hillside it overlooks Kamini Harbour and is a gentle stroll to the nearest beach at Castello or to the local restaurants & tavernas. Impeccably finished and furnished, it offers upmarket accommodation with two double bedrooms, both with queen-size beds, two shower rooms, sitting room, outside dining terrace, well equipped kitchen, air-conditioning and strong WiFi. The views are stunning and what's best, it's not a killer climb to reach!

Well built paths and steps wind between the pretty houses of lower Kamini to reach Nicaela's and it's an easy stroll up to the house from Kamini Harbour. The house is a true 'country retreat' with it's unique position creating the illusion that you could be miles from anywhere. Of course you aren't because the nearest beach is just a few hundred meters at Castello over the brow of the hill to one side and the wonderful tavernas of Kamini a similar distance the other way. But the illusion is maintained by the peace and quiet at Nicaela's because it stands removed from the rest of the village houses. You just hear the gentle buzz of cicadas, the occasional distant bray of a mule and perhaps the throb of a sea taxi leaving Kamini Harbour below.

From the carefully managed 'rural' atmosphere of the outside, you walk into Nicaela's house from the terrace into a different world of upmarket comfort! The transition is gorgeous: cool white and muted grey decoration, comfortable seating, ingenious tables, every appliance and furnishing kept in excellent working condition to make sure that you will feel pampered and 'at home'.

Downstairs

Downstairs there is an open plan living space with a double bedroom to one side and the kitchen and first shower room to the other.

The kitchen is equipped with a washing machine, dishwasher, electric oven & hob, a fridge/freezer, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee maker as well as a variety of utensils, saucepans, crockery, cutlery, glasses and serving dishes. Even a top chef will be happy to use this well provided kitchen to cook dinner at home!

The downstairs shower room has a W.C. hand basin with a vanity unit with mirror, excellent lighting (so you can do you make up ladies) and there is a hair-dryer provided so you don't have to bring one with you. There are plenty of fluffy bathroom towels (but please use the beach towels that are provided for outside use). You will also find an iron and board at the house so you don't have to be worried about looking crumpled when you go out!

The downstairs Double Bedroom has plenty of cupboard and drawer space so you can unpack and has a very comfortable queen-sized bed. This room has attractive sea facing views to the front and a window that looks west. Both windows have internal wooden shutters so you can close out the heat of the afternoon sun if you prefer not to use the air-conditioning.

Upstairs

The upper floor of Nicaela's House to rent for holidays, feels very much like a private suite. At the top of the stairs from the lower floor you walk into a spacious bedroom which has an en-suite shower room to one side and a west facing private balcony terrace (sunset view) to the other. The feeling of spaciousness is enhanced by the ceiling being open to the rafters as in the traditional style of Hydra homes.

As with the downstairs bedroom, you will find plenty of cupboard and drawer space so you can unpack. (You are welcome to store your empty suitcase on the platform above the downstairs shower room, to further add to the feeling of having moved in!) And again, the en-suite is also supplied with toiletries and a hair-dryer.

Outside Living

Nicaela's features three separate terraces, each with stunning views of the sea, and the village of Kamini. The middle terrace functions as an extension of the living room and kitchen area, and features a custom made teak dining table for six, an outdoor cooking area, and two elegant sun umbrellas. The lower terrace is huge and has plenty of new comfortable deck chairs for lounging around and taking in the views. It also has a really cool outdoor shower area disguised by the cypress tree on the lower terrace, and an custom made antique marble sink. There's even a thoughtfully placed set of hooks to hang your towels on to dry when you come back from the beach!

Hospitality

Your hosts at Nicaela's House are Dino and Trina Bradlee. They keep the house to a very high standard and leave all the information you might need in their house folder so you can find your way around not only the house but where the local restaurants are, how to call a sea taxi, getting to the beach and emergency information etc. Dino and Trina are very aware of the fact that their guests are particularly charmed by the privacy so once you are settled in, they will leave it up to you to contact them if you need help. They are very friendly so of course if you prefer to be more social, you couldn't find nicer hosts to introduce you to the many and various delights of Hydra!

In the Owner's Words

From Dino: "I've been coming to Hydra since I was a young man. I bought (2006) and renovated this house after years of admiring it from afar.

"Our house is an iconic Hydra house. It has been featured on the cover of a German book about Greek houses. The house is also very close to some of the best swimming spots and tavernas on Hydra. The house itself, is beautiful, and situated in one of the most picturesque spots on Hydra.

"What makes this house unique: The house is close to all amenities, yet offers wonderful privacy, as it has a natural buffer created by it's own property boundaries.

"In order to prevent booking fraud, and to help guarantee a completely secure and hassle free online booking transaction for our house, I, the owner, Dino Bradlee, handle all enquiries and booking arrangements personally, this means we never use booking agents. All online payments are made by credit or debit card using the secure Paypal system."

My wife, Trina and I look forward to welcoming you to Hydra Island and Nicaela's House for your next holiday on Hydra Island Greece.

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