Anatoli Beach House

Beach-lovers could not wish for a better location than this handsome property, which opens directly onto the soft and gently shelving sands at the quieter end of Karfas. A cluster of tamarisk trees provides welcome shade for guests choosing to sunbathe in the garden area between the house and the beach, and also adds a touch of privacy, for the house is not easily spotted from the beach (and therefore frustratingly difficult to photograph).

Anatoli is divided into five studios and apartments of varying sizes, some of which can be linked, and thus offers flexible and versatile accommodation for couples, families and larger groups. The accommodation is prettily furnished in a variety of styles, and each unit has a simple open-plan kitchenette with a fridge, a two-ring electric hob, a toaster and a kettle. The gentle sea breezes, aided by the provision of fans, eliminate the need for air-conditioning.

Whilst the rear of the ground floor is the owners' private accommodation, at the front there are two interconnecting studios, both opening directly onto the front terrace and garden. One of these has a double bed, the other has twin beds, and each has its own shower room.

At the front of the middle floor is a wonderfully light and airy studio with a double bed and a large wooden sofa, as well as a bathroom with a short bathtub. Two large sets of patio doors open onto the vast terrace and let in the delightful sea views. At the rear of this floor is an apartment comprising a living-dining room with two divans, an open-plan kitchen with a dishwasher and four-ring hob, a double bedroom and a simple shower room. The lounge opens onto a balcony at the sie of the building from where you can just catch a glimpse of the sea through the trees. This apartment can be linked with the studio to form a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment for larger families.

The top floor apartment has two bedrooms (one double, one twin), and a bathroom with a full-size bathtub. The living room has a pitched ceiling and panoramic windows opening onto a superb sea-facing terrace, large enough for al-fresco family dining and a pair of sunloungers.

A short stroll along the shore takes you to the busier end of Karfas beach, where sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented and some limited watersports are offered in high season. As the island's main resort, Karfas also offers a wide selection of eating places, from traditional tavernas and pizzerias to a couple of more sophisticated options, as well as sufficient shops for your day-to-day needs and a handful of bars for low-key evening entertainment. All of which, together with Anatoli's privileged beach-side setting, makes this a particularly appealing option for families with children or teenagers.