Sailmakers is a traditional Hydra ‘spiti’ house dating from the early 1800’s. The long ‘saloni’ upstairs with its low windows is where the canvas sails would have been cut out and sewn. The house is conveniently situated in a saddle between the harbours of Hydra and Kamini in a neighbourhood much favoured by artists and writers, known locally as ‘Four Corners’. From the upper terrace you can enjoy cool summer breezes and views to the hills that overlook Hydra along with the house and garden where Leonard Cohen wrote some of his most popular songs and poems and the small whitewashed chapel of Agios Tikon. This quiet locality boasts two shops within stones throw of the house either side of the little square where many Hydra cats play or sleep in the heat of the day.

As there are no cars or motorcycles on the Island, an eight-minute walk down narrow cobbled streets with steps, past whitewashed houses with red tiled roofs, will bring you to either the main harbour in Hydra or to the fishing harbour of Kamini where you can take water taxis to other parts of the island. Just beyond Kamini is the safe shingle and sand beach suitable for children known as Micro Kamini.

Local craftsmen using traditional methods have recently sympathetically renovated the house. The street door opens into a pretty private courtyard with outside shower room, and a large BBQ big enough to cook for many people! The large first floor terrace is accessible by steps from the courtyard or upstairs from the ‘saloni’.

On the ground floor there is a well-equipped kitchen that opens out onto the courtyard, a double bedroom with original brass double bed (but new mattress!) and a bathroom with washing machine. From the kitchen a staircase leads up to the ‘saloni’ with its traditional beamed wooden roof and ‘pirofani’ lamps. The ‘saloni’ runs the length of the house and is comfortably furnished with two large sofas and a double bed suitable for two further guests. There is a CD player and a selection of books for those long siestas.

If you would like further information or to book Sailmakers Cottage fill out the form on our Bookings page

More photos can be found below and on the Booking page.

upstairs soloni with bed

Downstairs bedroom

Indoor kitchen

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