Luxury Hotels - Challenge: Luxury Villa as part of hotel in Europe

Amex Centurion couldn't help, so I try it here:

Looking for a Villa (should be part of a hotel) with the following prerequisites:

- in Europe
- Villa with Pool
- should be directly at a beach/ direct beach access

either with
- 2 master bedrooms or
- 2 Villas close to each other
as we are two couples.

Hope you can help me find our perfect European Summer holiday. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

A good start may be here:
http://www.thesardiniavillacollection.com/

I would phone them and explain exactly what you want and your budget. They will sort you out. Don't even think about booking something like this through FHR- or get a good Virtuoso agent (which are many here on this board) or a service such as the one above or Quintessentially.

Great, thank you.
Important for us is that it is part of a hotel - but I will talk to them directly.

Any other ideas?

Great, thank you.
Important for us is that it is part of a hotel - but I will talk to them directly.

Any other ideas?

Aman in Montenegro

There are some places like this in Puglia also- however typically they are part of a "touristic village" as it is called- something like a very high end Club Med. Again the Virtuoso team should be able to sort this out.

I don't know if you consider Turkey part of Europe, however if you do the new Aman there looks absolutely stunning and should meet the conditions I think (I have not been there- just seen reviews).

I imagine there must be something like you describe in Formentera- however I don't know for sure- I rented a little villa with a pool there for a week one summer and had a cook at night- it was good. Heaps of places for rent at the moment.

The Marbella Club in Spain has some private beachfront villas- unfortunately when I went there I received dreadful service and won't return- the location is quite nice however.

I guess you have to wait for amanzoe to fully open . That would be worth the wait ... I think.

plenty of 2BR+ (lux) hotel pool villa.. (including centurion/platinum FHR)
problem is beachfront.. especially if you mean sandy considering lack of sandy in EU.. (why EU?)

budget?

Marbella Club in Spain has some private beachfront villas
beachfront? i had forgotten
amanzoe
obviously best but not beachfront
hotel might just be connecting instead of 2BR
but there are also villas

Kageh , had Amanzoe's amazing looking villas in mind, there MUST be a beachfront mega villa somewhere in the master plan !! Otherwise , am sure Aman can arrange 24hr sedan chair access to beach .

If all else fails , I guess one has to beg , borrow or pull some ropes or pay a phenomenal price for mr Armani's villa on Pantelleria.

Europe Villa Cortes is another exceptional choice. I stayed there fro a week in starting of this year and wow, what can i say. This is an outstanding hotel, from start to finish. Staff is very cooperative, excellent food and the breakfast was superb. No queues for food, everything is spotless. Never a problem getting sunbeds. In fact if you want a stress free holiday, this is the place for you.

Amex Centurion couldn't help, so I try it here:

Looking for a Villa (should be part of a hotel) with the following prerequisites:

- in Europe
- Villa with Pool
- should be directly at a beach/ direct beach access

either with
- 2 master bedrooms or
- 2 Villas close to each other
as we are two couples.

Hope you can help me find our perfect European Summer holiday. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Europe rarely has direct access to a beach. Indeed, few European resorts have a beach at all!

Aman Sveti Stefan is no good as the Sveti Stefan Suite in 1-bed and has no direct beach access. Lovely pool though.

Amanruya villas are 1-bedroom and none have direct beach access. great pools though.

Vila Vita Parc Algarve - good pool villas but you have to walk to the private beach. http://www.vilavitaparc.com/rw_vv/main.asp?WebID=vv_parc3c_e&PageID=296

Anassa, Cyprus - The new Aether Suite - a standalone villa with pool. beach access requires a little stroll. http://www.anassa.com.cy/en/pool/aether/aether.html

Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat - Villa Rose Pierre - no direct beach access, but everything else. http://www.grand-hotel-cap-ferrat.com/uk/index.php#villa-rose-pierre.php Alternatively take 2 Pool Villas there - again sea views but no direct beach access.

Maybe you should invest in a beach resort with pools & direct beach access. Should be a hit!

plenty of 2BR+ (lux) hotel pool villa.. (including centurion/platinum FHR)
problem is beachfront.. especially if you mean sandy considering lack of sandy in EU.. (why EU?)

budget?


beachfront? i had forgotten

obviously best but not beachfront
hotel might just be connecting instead of 2BR
but there are also villas
no budget restriction. EU because of preferably short flight for the very little kid

... for your ideas - i see, no easy task, going through the list now

^

clarifying re beach would help with recommendations

im assuming these are residences adjacent to marbella club >
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marbella+club&ll=36.504328,-4.917487&spn=0.001544,0.00192&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=club&hnear=0xd72d803e0793dff:0xe1a598b7e9c63af6,Marbell a,+Spain&cid=0,0,1898449914838098840&t=h&z=19

clarifying re beach would help with recommendations

im assuming these are residences adjacent to marbella club >
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marbella+club&ll=36.504328,-4.917487&spn=0.001544,0.00192&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=club&hnear=0xd72d803e0793dff:0xe1a598b7e9c63af6,Marbell a,+Spain&cid=0,0,1898449914838098840&t=h&z=19

Hi Kage-

Great shot.

You can see the beach club as they call it of the Marbella Club in the photo. I believe the two structures immediately to the east in the picture are both for rent through the hotel.

My only two comments are:
1) I personally received poor service here- enough so I won't return
2) The beach is not that spectacular- in general as many have pointed out most of the beaches in Europe are not the "Sandy Carribean or SE Asian" type of beaches. They are pretty- however it is different.

Lastly- if I had no budget restrictions as the OP has posted I would just go to Sardegna and be done with it- a villa with staff type of situation- there are some amazing places to rent there. My understanding is that the quieter side of Ibiza is similar.

so not great beach, and very high density in spain

vs portugal >

vila joya probably has best beach, and lower density, even though not low
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=vila+joya&ll=37.07949,-8.314&spn=0.001573,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=vila+joya&cid=0,0,7927622077108545064&t=h&z=19
(not mentioned because of villas)

* vila vita parc must be best considering (small) private beach and villa location
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Vila+Vita+Parc&ll=37.099998,-8.376861&spn=0.001572,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Vila+Vita+Parc&cid=0,0,5898889059431988042&t=h&z=19
(vuittonsofstyle mentioned above, and mentioned both in a beach thread i started)

anassa cyprus >
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=anassa&hl=en&ll=35.043779,32.370352&spn=0.003228,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=anassa&radius=15000&t=h&z=18
probably also not great beach, but much lower density even though not private (no villas)

unless beachfront is flexible, and depending on how beach is defined

Beaches are very nice in Portugal (Algarve) but water is really cold, even in summer... I would rather go to a less nice beach and have warmer water, especially with a child.

clarifying re beach would help with recommendations

im assuming these are residences adjacent to marbella club >
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marbella+club&ll=36.504328,-4.917487&spn=0.001544,0.00192&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=club&hnear=0xd72d803e0793dff:0xe1a598b7e9c63af6,Marbell a,+Spain&cid=0,0,1898449914838098840&t=h&z=19
as for the beach, it is basically important to us to have DIRECT access to the sea without having to cross any roads or walk longer than 30 seconds... literally sea access directly from the villa

Aman in Montenegro

There are some places like this in Puglia also- however typically they are part of a "touristic village" as it is called- something like a very high end Club Med. Again the Virtuoso team should be able to sort this out.

I don't know if you consider Turkey part of Europe, however if you do the new Aman there looks absolutely stunning and should meet the conditions I think (I have not been there- just seen reviews).

I imagine there must be something like you describe in Formentera- however I don't know for sure- I rented a little villa with a pool there for a week one summer and had a cook at night- it was good. Heaps of places for rent at the moment.

The Marbella Club in Spain has some private beachfront villas- unfortunately when I went there I received dreadful service and won't return- the location is quite nice however.
how is it possible to get in touch with the virtuoso team? just had a quick glance at their website from my mobile and couldn't find anything.. do you have to be a member?

Kageh , had Amanzoe's amazing looking villas in mind, there MUST be a beachfront mega villa somewhere in the master plan !! Otherwise , am sure Aman can arrange 24hr sedan chair access to beach .

If all else fails , I guess one has to beg , borrow or pull some ropes or pay a phenomenal price for mr Armani's villa on Pantelleria.
interesting... but the villa on pantelleria is not part of a hotel, is it? do you know where it is possible to find further info - http://www.monasteropantelleria.com/ is under construction...

interesting... but the villa on pantelleria is not part of a hotel, is it? do you know where it is possible to find further info - http://www.monasteropantelleria.com/ is under construction...

.... It's not part of a hotel .... Also , unless youre on Mr Armani's speedial ... It would prove somewhat difficult to get in .. ;) ..however after really putting on me thinking cap .....I think your best and most practical bet would be the Rocco Forte 's hotel resort in Sicily ... visit Rocco forte s hotel s website .

Hope that helps .

unfortunately not ;)
i was thinking about Rocco Forte's hotel resort in Sicily... but they don't have it. I won't give up and the search will be continued! :)

monastero pantelleria isnt armani, but rather ferri, 3 or 4 villa resort with common areas
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/siren-song/3

as for the beach, it is basically important to us to have DIRECT access to the sea without having to cross any roads or walk longer than 30 seconds... literally sea access directly from the villaso no beach required.. there is a lot of seafront in greece. unfortunately also lots of high density. actually some of these have have beaches, presumably not quality.

grecotel exclusive resorts >

amirandes doesnt look bad for greece
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=amirandes&ll=35.33591,25.324135&spn=0.003216,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=amirandes&cid=0,0,10865214440705435068&t=h&z=18

same with corfu imperial
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=corfu+imperial&ll=39.666157,19.859703&spn=0.003035,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=imperial&hnear=0x135b5c00bfd150d7:0x400bd2ce2b99410,Corfu,+ Greece&cid=0,0,9875185585193225017&t=h&z=18

mandola rosa is "part of" another grecotel
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grecotel+Mandola+Rosa&hl=en&ll=37.858651,21.106743&spn=0.006226,0.008937&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=Grecotel+Mandola+Rosa&radius=15000&t=h&z=17

grecotel >

kos imperial is less dense area
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=grecotel+kos&ie=UTF8&ll=36.877308,27.349434&spn=0.003154,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=grecotel&hnear=0x14bdf8b8adb6bedb:0x83c13846fcbf519c,N%C3%A Dsos+Kos&cid=0,0,14620574493021524010&t=h&z=18

creta palace
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=creta+palace&ll=35.370221,24.519403&spn=0.001608,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=creta+palace&radius=15000&t=h&z=19

kalliston
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=kalliston+crete&ll=35.512044,23.97348&spn=0.001605,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=kalliston&hnear=Crete,+Greece&t=h&z=19

other >

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=elounda+peninsula+resort&hl=en&ll=35.243166,25.739508&spn=0.025761,0.035748&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=elounda+peninsula+resort&radius=15000&t=h&z=15
in order from north to south
elounda bay palace
elounda beach hotel and villas
(above 2 helios)
elounda mare
porto elounda
elounda peninsula
(above 3 elounda hotels and resorts)

other helios = lagonissi
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=lagonissi&hl=en&ll=37.77649,23.885962&spn=0.006233,0.008937&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=lagonissi&radius=15000&t=h&z=17

vila vita parc must be best considering (small) private beach and villa location
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Vila+Vita+Parc&ll=37.099998,-8.376861&spn=0.001572,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Vila+Vita+Parc&cid=0,0,5898889059431988042&t=h&z=19
(vuittonsofstyle mentioned above, and mentioned both in a beach thread i started)

= 30 meters or less to hotel's private beach

if really no budget (thousands a night) ask about these >

im assuming these are residences adjacent to marbella club >
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marbella+club&ll=36.504328,-4.917487&spn=0.001544,0.00192&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=club&hnear=0xd72d803e0793dff:0xe1a598b7e9c63af6,Marbell a,+Spain&cid=0,0,1898449914838098840&t=h&z=19

dont remember if villa milocer has a pool, or if the pictures are just of a water feature, but that might be another possibility if no budget - booking 6/8 suites, asking about exclusive use

2 of porto heli collection seafront villas are seafront
not sure theyre sold/built yet, then would depend on owner renting
website mentions housekeeping and catering, wonder if can be aman
aman beach club said residents/members have access
would be great to see porto heli collection masterplan

edit >

hmm, best no budget is probably romanos (starwood)
looks like top 3, and only top 3, are on beach?
seeing pics where #2/#3 show beachfront while #1 does not

also seems like some dune suites at forte village are right next to beach with pool

so no beach required.. there is a lot of seafront in greece. unfortunately also lots of high density. actually some of these have have beaches, presumably not quality.

grecotel exclusive resorts >

amirandes doesnt look bad for greece
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=amirandes&ll=35.33591,25.324135&spn=0.003216,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=amirandes&cid=0,0,10865214440705435068&t=h&z=18

same with corfu imperial
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=corfu+imperial&ll=39.666157,19.859703&spn=0.003035,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=imperial&hnear=0x135b5c00bfd150d7:0x400bd2ce2b99410,Corfu,+ Greece&cid=0,0,9875185585193225017&t=h&z=18

mandola rosa is "part of" another grecotel
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grecotel+Mandola+Rosa&hl=en&ll=37.858651,21.106743&spn=0.006226,0.008937&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=Grecotel+Mandola+Rosa&radius=15000&t=h&z=17

grecotel >

kos imperial is less dense area
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=grecotel+kos&ie=UTF8&ll=36.877308,27.349434&spn=0.003154,0.004469&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=grecotel&hnear=0x14bdf8b8adb6bedb:0x83c13846fcbf519c,N%C3%A Dsos+Kos&cid=0,0,14620574493021524010&t=h&z=18

creta palace
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=creta+palace&ll=35.370221,24.519403&spn=0.001608,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=creta+palace&radius=15000&t=h&z=19

kalliston
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=kalliston+crete&ll=35.512044,23.97348&spn=0.001605,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=kalliston&hnear=Crete,+Greece&t=h&z=19

other >

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=elounda+peninsula+resort&hl=en&ll=35.243166,25.739508&spn=0.025761,0.035748&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=elounda+peninsula+resort&radius=15000&t=h&z=15
in order from north to south
elounda bay palace
elounda beach hotel and villas
(above 2 helios)
elounda mare
poro elounda
elounda peninsula
(above 3 elounda hotels and resorts)

other helios = lagonissi
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=lagonissi&hl=en&ll=37.77649,23.885962&spn=0.006233,0.008937&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&hq=lagonissi&radius=15000&t=h&z=17


= 30 meters or less to hotel's private beach

if really no budget (thousands a night) ask about these >


dont remember if villa milocer has a pool, or if the pictures are just of a water feature, but that might be another possibility if no budget - booking 6/8 suites, asking about exclusive use

2 of porto heli collection seafront villas are seafront
not sure theyre sold/built yet, then would depend on owner renting
website mentions housekeeping and catering, wonder if can be aman
aman beach club said residents/members have access
would be great to see porto heli collection masterplan

monastero pantelleria isnt armani, but rather ferri, 3 or 4 villa resort with common areas
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/siren-song/3
this is great, thank you!!
I only found 2 others... if you are interested, pls let me know, happy to share

I think we could name this "the forum dilemma" as there have been plenty of discussion(s) on this board regarding Europe and resorts with direct beach access....clearly not an easy task!
But I'm gratefull for you and everybody to bring this out again as it stimulates costantly new discussion on the subject, that is pretty relevant for me at least.

That said, I think in Europe the country that is focusing more on private pools is Greece; plenty of resorts there with many rooms/villas with pools. But very few with direct access to the beach.
Two properties I have been looking to recently are Olympia Resort in Peloponneso (a big complex made of four or five hotels and their flagship, Mandala Rosa, has villas with private pools and direct beach access....but I'm not sure they are worthy the price) and Costa Navarino always in Peloponneso....those resorts are built stright on very long beaches and seems to be very enjoiable for kids....but i doubt they could be considered "luxury" by the standard of this forum.

Aman Sveti Stefan has a property just on the side of Villa Milocer that is made of two suite...it might work for your group....it is very close to the beach but no private pool....and unfortunately kids pool is not open yet there.

You could look as well to Verdura Hotel by roccoforte hotel in Sicily...if my memory works they have some rooms with pools...but i might be wrong on this. And the beach here is not really top notch imho.

I think we could name this "the forum dilemma" as there have been plenty of discussion(s) on this board regarding Europe and resorts with direct beach access....clearly not an easy task!
But I'm gratefull for you and everybody to bring this out again as it stimulates costantly new discussion on the subject, that is pretty relevant for me at least.

That said, I think in Europe the country that is focusing more on private pools is Greece; plenty of resorts there with many rooms/villas with pools. But very few with direct access to the beach.
Two properties I have been looking to recently are Olympia Resort in Peloponneso (a big complex made of four or five hotels and their flagship, Mandala Rosa, has villas with private pools and direct beach access....but I'm not sure they are worthy the price) and Costa Navarino always in Peloponneso....those resorts are built stright on very long beaches and seems to be very enjoiable for kids....but i doubt they could be considered "luxury" by the standard of this forum.

Aman Sveti Stefan has a property just on the side of Villa Milocer that is made of two suite...it might work for your group....it is very close to the beach but no private pool....and unfortunately kids pool is not open yet there.

You could look as well to Verdura Hotel by roccoforte hotel in Sicily...if my memory works they have some rooms with pools...but i might be wrong on this. And the beach here is not really top notch imho.
it is really an interesting challenge!

I had a look at Grecotel: Kos Imperial Thalasso and Creta Palace. Unfortunately I have the impression (after checking all reviews etc.) that it is more of a 4star hotel who wants to provide some super villa, so only as long as you stay within the villa you ll have a great time (and don't bother to go to the buffet where you find another 800 people and not great food). I have to say though that the Royal Villa brochure looks great. But I just don't find any reviews on that.
Creta Palace looks more modern... but I am not 100% sure with Grecotel...

Looking now at Mandala Rosa (Grecotel, I know, but LHW) which has for our time period 2 Villa Antica Rosa available. Rate for that currently 2.900EUR.

I talked to Aman Sveti Stefan already: It doesn't meet the requirements with direct beach access. Same for the Rocco Forte Hotel in Sicily.

Other interesting options (maybe!) --> St. Regis Mallorca & Elounda Beach in Greece...

We are looking for exactly the same thing for a short break within the next few weeks

luxury resort within Europe
2 bedrooms
private pool, plunge pool
good beach
and activities for the children (3.5 years and 18 months)

If you can just move a little south wards ?

Morocco ? Tunisia ( maybe not ) but you get the idea .

Grecotel: Kos Imperial Thalasso and Creta Palace
grecotel = kos, creta, (kalliston)

Mandala Rosa (Grecotel, I know, but LHW) which has for our time period 2 Villa Antica Rosa available. Rate for that currently 2.900EUR

grecotel "exclusive resorts" >
- mandala is "part of" 2 other grecotel (olympia riviera, oasis)
- (amirandes)
- (corfu imperial)

St. Regis Mallorca
interesting they have ground floor suite with pool
not beachfront
1BR and no mention of connecting rooms
pool is overlooked by 2-3 floors of rooms
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=st+regis+mallorca&ll=39.52798,2.549983&spn=0.00076,0.001117&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=st+regis&hnear=0x1297b7e1b1519a39:0x25bdd9f63b9c5d34,Majorc a+Island&cid=0,0,16046053443149868777&t=h&z=20

Elounda Beach
helios = elounda beach (elounda bay) (lagonissi = flagship located elsewhere)
neighboring first 2 helios are 3 elounda hotels and resorts


edit >

hmm, best no budget is probably romanos (starwood)
looks like top 3, and only top 3, are on beach?
seeing pics where #2/#3 show beachfront while #1 does not

also seems like some dune suites at forte village are right next to beach with pool

get a resort map from >
http://www.romanoscostanavarino.com/en/rooms/Ithomi_Sapientza_en

and maybe talk to forte village

(recommend talking to mgmt only)

I did not mention some of the resorts that have been suggested as they are not, I think, in the luxury category. Creta Palace is a real package-tour place and even when you stay in one of their pool villas, which I did, they are not very well designed and, of course, you have to venture out at some point to the restaurants and spa. The spa here is very attractive and they have renovated much of the pubic areas. The food is pretty good, too, but it's not a luxury hotel by any means.

Amirandes is aso part of Grecotel. Much flashier than most, on the windier side of Crete. But again, it is package tour land - a higher level, perhaps, but still not great. The pool suites on the front do lead onto the beach, but they are very awkwardly designed with quite small rooms. Food, I found, was not great. Big main swimming pool here and the design is very Asian, so first impressions are good, but.....

Verdura in Sicily (Rocco Forte) does not have private pools.

I did not mention some of the resorts that have been suggested as they are not, I think, in the luxury category. Creta Palace is a real package-tour place and even when you stay in one of their pool villas, which I did, they are not very well designed and, of course, you have to venture out at some point to the restaurants and spa. The spa here is very attractive and they have renovated much of the pubic areas. The food is pretty good, too, but it's not a luxury hotel by any means.

Amirandes is aso part of Grecotel. Much flashier than most, on the windier side of Crete. But again, it is package tour land - a higher level, perhaps, but still not great. The pool suites on the front do lead onto the beach, but they are very awkwardly designed with quite small rooms. Food, I found, was not great. Big main swimming pool here and the design is very Asian, so first impressions are good, but.....

Verdura in Sicily (Rocco Forte) does not have private pools.
unfortunately i have to agree... also heard personal reports now about those. the villa in kos might be great, but the rest is more of a package tour place...

as you can see from the other thread i started we changed our mind and switch to an independent Villa... the challenge, particularly because of availabilities, seems too high.

anyways, let's keep the thread going: It's a good and interesting topic and might help all of us at some point :)

Well when the various Amans open , you will have difficulty choosing which to go for !!

That is not right. Amanzoe doesn't have a single villa on the beach according to their customer service/hotel. Aman Sveti Stefan doesn't have anything interesting regarding villa on the beach/direct beach access.

That is not right. Amanzoe doesn't have a single villa on the beach according to their customer service/hotel. Aman Sveti Stefan doesn't have anything interesting regarding villa on the beach/direct beach access.

Am thinking the Villa villas as opposed to the hotel villas at amanzoe ....but I suppose they won't be opened so soon ... And of course Portugal ..

Btw did you try Mykonos ?

Don't forget that since the Tsunami, 'health & safety' have become somewhat twitchy about allowing developers to build right on the beach. Equally, given how few beaches there are in Europe (and even then, quite small), beachfront space is normally used for all hotel guests rather than a couple of large villas.

Look at Mykonos. I don't know a single upscale resort that has villas that lead directly to the beach. And would you want to stay there, anyway?

vila vita parc must be best considering (small) private beach and villa location
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Vila+Vita+Parc&ll=37.099998,-8.376861&spn=0.001572,0.002234&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Vila+Vita+Parc&cid=0,0,5898889059431988042&t=h&z=19
(vuittonsofstyle mentioned above, and mentioned both in a beach thread i started)

= 30 meters or less to hotel's private beach

hi,
does anybody have any thoughts on
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas ?

seems they may have what we are looking for

2 BR suite/villa within luxury hotel resort
private pool / plunge pool
beach
suitable for toddlers 3.5 years, 18months + us (parents)

looked at vila vita algrave, portugal, seems to get mixed reviews, seems a little dated, also in order to get private pool, you need to hire a complete villa of 4 suites, (4BR)

thanks

hi,
does anybody have any thoughts on
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas ?

seems they may have what we are looking for

2 BR suite/villa within luxury hotel resort
private pool / plunge pool
beach
suitable for toddlers 3.5 years, 18months + us (parents)
thanks

I would never, ever, consider returning here. It is, IMHO, a very trashy type of resort, with high prices; the sort of place that footballer's wives go to. Not much of a beach either.

You would be better off at Elounda Peninsula, but even then, service, decor and food can be somewhat challenged.

How about Amanruya? 500 meters to the beach from main building and pool terrace villas?

http://www.casasnaareia.com/

I know this is not what you are looking for but I wanted to bring this up as it is on the beach (Alentejo coast) and accommodation is villas (well sort of), it is very private and seems very nice. I would like to go there.

How about Amanruya? 500 meters to the beach from main building and pool terrace villas?

You have to get a buggy to the beach club as it is quite a trek through forested landscape to reach it. Also, it is not a proper sandy beach, although the swimming is excellent off the purpose-made jetty and the water is crystal clear. Also, I seem to recollect that the OP wanted a 2-bedroom pool villa and Amanruya only does 1-bedroom pool villas. I would return there like a shot, but I don't think it quite fits the OP's requirements.

does anyone know how close Villa Milocer (part of the Aman Sveti Stefan) is to the beach? are the beaches nice there?

Villa Milocher is on king's beach one of the sveti Stefan beaches. Approx 100 meters from exit to the water. The beach is bery nice but not sandy, rather small stones. Sometimes waves. Semi private as orhers might rent loungers at one end if this beach. Queens beach is the even nicer beach at sveti stefan as it is smaller and completely private. You have to walk 5 minutes from villa m to that beach.