Ask most Greeks where Amoni is and chances are they would struggle to place it. That little-known corner of the Peloponnese is where Athens-based artist Alexandros Douras spent his summers.
The family home his father built decades ago still stands nearby. Years later, after founding his studio, Korkodilos, in the center of Athens, Douras returned to create a place that would allow others to experience the landscape that shaped his childhood.
Arrival
There is something undeniably liberating about getting into a car and leaving the bustle of a city like Athens behind. After winding through pine-covered hills, we arrived in a tiny hamlet where the waters of the Saronic Gulf glittered with promise.
The Houses
Laspi, Greek for “mud,” hints at the project’s deep connection to the earth and the landscape. A concrete structure set into the hillside, it is split into two adjoining homes, Petres (“stones”) and Skoni (“dust”), each 150 square meters (1,600 square feet). Both share the same layout: a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen, three sea-facing bedrooms, an outdoor dining terrace and a small pool. Each sleeps up to six.
The project is essentially an extension of Alexandros’s ceramics practice, with the same appreciation for texture, materials and restraint. The tactile sculptural light fixtures and many of the objects inhabiting the houses, such as the handmade dinner plates, are handcrafted in his studio.
What We Loved
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the living areas and bedrooms, which frame uninterrupted sea views. Watching the sunrise from our bed was an experience worth waking up for.
Amenities
The open kitchens are well equipped for cooking proper meals, which makes sense, since there is only one taverna nearby and the closest store is a 20-minute drive away. The taverna is a gem in its simplicity, serving fresh seafood from a balcony that hangs above a sheltered bay.
Bikes and paddleboards are free to use, and there is a cozy fireplace for the colder months.
The Experience
A stay at Laspi feels distinctly residential rather than hotel-like. Yet the spaces avoid the clutter and personal traces often found in holiday rentals. Instead, they offer the rare combination of a home’s ease and the calm clarity of thoughtful design.
And then there is that familiar Greek warmth. The property is run by Alexandros’s mother, who lives nearby and welcomed us with freshly baked cookies. Throughout the stay, she remained available should anything be needed.
A short walk from the property leads to a rocky swimming deck where you can dive directly into crystal-clear water. Walk on, and within 10 minutes you’ll reach a quiet beach tucked along the coast. This is a holiday built around daily rituals: a morning swim, a slow breakfast, stretching by the pool deck, another swim, lunch in the shade, and perhaps one last swim before sunset.
On a clear evening, the sound of the water can be heard all the way up to the house, lulling you to sleep.
Getting There
Drive from Athens: It’s only about an hour and a half, crossing the famous Corinth Canal.
What to Do
Less than an hour away lies ancient Epidaurus, where one of the country’s most remarkable ancient theaters still hosts performances every summer. Nafplio, the first capital of the modern Greek state, charms with its elegant streets and waterfront, while Mycenae and the Corinth Canal offer fascinating glimpses into the region’s rich past. For a slower-paced excursion, the thermal waters of Loutraki make for a restorative day trip.
Ideal For
Laspi works beautifully for couples seeking a private escape and families looking for an easy seaside base.
Perhaps the ideal scenario, however, is gathering a group of friends and taking over both houses. Together they create a small compound where days can revolve around shared meals and sunset swims, while still allowing everyone their own privacy and space.
Side note: The two houses sit next to one another, and sound can occasionally travel between the outdoor areas, particularly around the pools. For most guests this is unlikely to detract from the experience, but those seeking complete seclusion should bear it in mind.
Prices
Houses from about 360 euros per night in low season and 450 euros in high season (July and August), plus 13 percent tax.
Booking & Contacts
Laspi Houses
Leoforos Artemidos / Limnou
20004 Pefkali, Sofiko
Greece
