Aquavisionaire

We stayed here as two families with small children, and we had a fantastic time. The villa sits right over the sea on the east coast of Rhodes, in Pefkos, about four kilometres from Lindos. Pefkos is named after the pine trees on the hillside behind it, and the house sits at the water's edge below them, looking straight across the bay. The bay is beautiful: clear turquoise water, completely flat.

The architecture is a big part of the appeal. The house is long and low, with a linear plan that takes its cue from local farmhouses. It's built in local stone, finished with lava and lime coatings, so it looks like part of the landscape rather than something dropped onto it. Inside, the floors are local stone, the bathroom walls are marble mosaic, and the roof is flat with exposed wooden trusses. The master bedroom has a half-round stone-domed bathroom, lit by small coloured openings. The house is laid out for cross-ventilation, so light and air move through it all day. It's a big house, at about 250 square metres, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and it sleeps up to fifteen. Two families with young children had plenty of room and never got in each other's way.

Life here happens outdoors. We had long lunches in the garden, which stretches out beside the sea, and the children could roam while the adults lingered over the table. In the evenings we took our wine up to the roof terrace and watched the bay go quiet. The kitchen is well equipped, so cooking for a big group is easy, and the pool is heated, which helps early in the season.

You don't need a car for dinner. Philosophia and Amfialos are both within walking distance, and both are local and low-key. Pefkos itself is nothing to write home about, but it has supermarkets and everything else you're likely to need. For a change of scene, Lindos is close by, with its whitewashed streets and the acropolis above, and St Paul's Bay is a short trip away. It's a lovely spot for a swim and a wander.

The one drawback is the timing of our trip. We went early in the season. We had sunny days, though not hot ones, and the sea was a little too fresh to swim in, which was a shame given how good the bay looks. The villa also comes with a steep surcharge in peak season. Book in the shoulder months for better discounts, and use the heated pool if the sea hasn't warmed up yet.

It's a great choice for families, especially two travelling together, or anyone who wants a big, quiet house on the water.