If Giannis home is available during your stay on Andros -- or during any prospective to any vacation anywhere in Greece -- do not waste a minute looking elsewhere: BOOK IT IMMEDIATELY. Even if that means picking Andros over initial plans to be somewhere else. This house is, itself, a destination.
Built from the ground up as a new construction in 2003, it perfectly fits into its surroundings. In that sense, it is an architectural success. Based upon all of the carefully considered designed choices (including the construction of the tiniest Greek Orthodox chapel brimming with antique icons -- ON THE PROPERTY), one can immediately tell that the house was a labor of love built by and for the family who owns it. (Dad, son and daughter are all civil engineers). Made of stone hewn from the surrounding grounds, it was built with impeccable attention to detail. Stone walls with tasteful and architecturally accurate abutments, enclaves and nooks, high ceilings made of massive roughly hewn and beautifully rendered timbers and Honey-colored, broad planked floors fittingly frame the space.
The open floor plan features two very comfortable opposing sofas, ottoman stools, floor pillows sufficient for entertaining large grounds, or merely reading a book away from the midday sun. The kitchen is large, modern and well appointed -- with three different ways to make your morning coffee. A well-designed and out of the way bathroom on the first floor limits trips upstairs. Three double doors (west) lead from the living room to a massive outdoor dining area fitting with a table that can accommodate 12 under a shaded arbor, which is graced by two stylish overhead metal lanterns. There are also doors from the dining room (southwest) and kitchen (west ) leading to a smaller dining area where we took breakfasts.
Speaking of the outside, there is also a teak sofa, chairs and coffee/cocktail table offering the most amazing sunset views of the five uninhabited islets of Megalo, Akamatis, Gaidaros, Pltai, and Tourlitis a couple of km off the coast below. There is a deep plunge pool whose glass framed two sided surround thoughtfully provides unobstructed sunset views as well. There is an amazing outdoor stone bar equipped with a barbecue capable of accommodating charcoals or wood, a working stone underbar sink, and an outside beverage refrigerator -- the bar itself accommodates four high stools. If you prefer to take drinks lounging by the pool rather than sitting at the bar, there are four comfortable wooden chaise lounges with sturdy, metal framed bamboo umbrellas to provide shade. There is a path above the house from which ever more stunning sunset pictures can be taken.
Back inside there is a master bedroom with bath, that features a spiral staircase to a sleeping loft. An oversized balcony off the master is ideal for a morning coffee overlooking the pool. Two other bedrooms -- one with two single bed and the other with a two-person bed -- plus a larger shared bathroom finish the top floor. Andros has pleasant evening breezes, so we rarely used the AC in the master bedroom, but can report that it quickly and quietly cools the room down when necessary. The rooms are tastefully and appropriately decorated for the period and style of home evoked by the design. The baths are equipped with bath gel, shampoo and toilet paper, and the home receives a cleaning in the middle of a weeklong stay.
The location of the home is also ideal. Close enough to the liveliest beach town (Batsi (5 minutes)) , brimming with cafes, shops, patisseries, and tavernas featuring fresh seafood, grilled meats, as well as a plethora of the vegetarian delights that are staples of Greek cuisine (wild greens, baked broad beans, zucchini fritters, chickpea fritters, mashed fava beans, eggplant salad, pole beans, rocket salads), but far away to be quiet and private. The siting of the house -- high above the road -- as alluded to ablove provdes jaw dropping vistas. There is stone garage, carved into the cliff face, on the road that makes coming and going a breeze with no parking hassles that apply elsewhere throughout the Greek islands.
Finally, the hosts: Giannis is your main host, through whom all communication in advance of your stay is arranged. He mans the Airbnb site. He is great and communication with him is a breeze. Seemingly always available on island are his parents, Olga and Lefteris. Olga orients guests to the home and its amenities, arranges for cleaning and operation of the pool cleaning robot daily. She and her husband are a complete joy, demonstrating the best of Greek hospitality. They offer great suggestions as to beaches, restaurants, anything one could want. One day when I literally asked to borrow the proverbial "cup of sugar," I got not only that, but six energy bars to keep our strength for a long day at the beach. There were many other courtesies extended that I will omit so as to minimize the pressure on our tireless hosts. Hospitality was through the roof.
A shoutout to the Wifi: even in the hills above the sea, it was perfect. I had to do two Zoom interviews and upload significant content over a US government VPN for a stubborn work assignment that demanded a few hours attention during our stay. Never a hiccup. What a relief.
I, myself, was Superhost some years back and have stayed in more than 40 Airbnb accommodations, principally in the US and Greece. This was -- head and shoulders -- the very best. If I could give six stars, I would have.
Run, don't walk, to book this place for your next vacation to Greece. Especially great for a large family traveling together or a couple like us, it is a perfect get away. I cannot recommend it more highly,