Christina and Petros Tseris have sculpted a Greek island castle out of mountain granite.
It took four years of dedicated work, with many architectural challenges, for the couple, the initial development being three family houses. Now, re-converted, the 7-room Aegean Castle stands as a spectacular sight high in the hills of south-west Andros island overlooking the Aegean Sea. When the Venetians invaded a thousand years ago, they would have found it difficult to capture this formidable stone structure.
An adult-only luxury boutique hotel since 2017, this impressive property offers stunning views over the surrounding mountains and islands. Seated on a cushioned rattan armchair on the spacious open balcony of my junior suite, stone pavement at my feet and wood-and-reed ceiling above me, I felt like a king surveying his regal territories.
Using her artistic sensitivities, Christina – an accomplished painter and interior designer – supervised meticulous construction on four levels, creating many surprises. Rooms bear romantic names such as Shells (Ostraco), Love Nest and Sea (Thalassa).
In my suite, Number 4, or Aphrodite, a fireplace was carved into one wall while the headboard of my king-size bed was intricate metal lacing with a backdrop of transparent curtains. In another corner were two long soft settees with fluffy cushions, perfect for a siesta or a cosy read.
An elegant statuette, an old-fashioned lantern and a framed wall mirror were among the decorations. Two windows and a glass-fronted door facing the sea left the room bathed in natural light. A third window faces an open terrace.
The suite’s balcony was a highlight, with my companion and I enjoying watching the sea shimmer under dazzling sunshine by day and gleaming in the moonlight at night, with terrific views over islands such as Suros, Serifos, Kythnos and Yaros, the latter being the nesting home for much of the Cyclades’ seal population.
A brightly painted window by Christina featuring a dove in flight at sunset enhanced the bathroom ambience which also featured a multi-jet, step-in shower with charming bare stone ledges, wood framed wall mirror, stone sink and beige tiled floor. Toiletries were by Abea.
Some of the furnishings at Aegean Castle are from countries such as Italy, Spain and Indonesia. “I want for my guests what I want for me,” said Christina simply, summing up her intention in creating her high-class, castle-style property, which has consistently won ‘Top Honeymoon Destination’ awards on Andros and becoming a popular wedding venue.
The property also has not one but two pools, one a cosy swim-up bar bordered by stone walls and an adjacent patio with timber roof and billowing curtains, a long wooden dining table with wicker chairs, bar-kitchen corner, massage table and an abundance of seating. The other, larger pool, lies above this with chaises longues for guests to relax. Both offer breathtaking views.
The property’s exterior stone facade is enhanced even more by fruit trees such as apricot, pear and lemon, as well as white maple, oak and olive and flowering plants such as bougainvillea, sweet marjoram, roses, basil and lavender.
Breakfast is served buffet style on a covered balcony bordered by rosemary, spider plant, geranium, mint, basil and jasmine plants, wicker chairs, sturdy wooden tables and decorative floor tiles imported from Spain via Athens.
Christina and her assistant, Irina, delight in creating delicious traditional food including kolokithopitakia, tiropita and spanakopita (zucchini, cheese and spinach pies), kagianas or strapatsada (scrambled eggs with tomato sauce and herbs) and louloumades, Greek doughnuts, golden and crisp, drizzled with honey. Many of the jams are from fruits on trees grown on the property.
Customised dinners are also offered at Aegean Castle. My companion and I enjoyed a feast of seafood one evening cooked by Christina including grilled sea-bass, poached octopus, mussels with fennel rice, prawns saganaki and crab salad. Christina has even created her own design labels for four special wines.
To add even more pleasure to a stay at the Aegean Castle, Christina’s daughter, Mary is a qualified massage therapist and offers many treatments such as hydromassage, shiatsu full body, aromatherapy, as well as reflexology. As a birthday treat, I enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing session on the patio, soft music and the tinkling sound of water making my experience even more enjoyable.
Location is a key appeal of Aegean Castle. Standing in the center of the island at the foot of Mount Petalo close to the ancient city of Paleopolis, it is a short, ten-minute drive to the lively beach town of Batsi, with its multitude of cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. A short drive in the opposite direction leads one upwards towards scenic mountain villages.
For down-home friendliness, delicious food and panoramic views, Aegean Castle deserves a place on your must-see list.
