When Marie Luise Antoniadou, an Austrian architect living in Athens, came to Poros for the first time, she instantly fell in love with the island. Wandering through the narrow cobbled streets of the main village, she noticed a ramshackle neo-classical house that was for sale. On the spur of the moment she made inquiries and before she fully realised what she got herself into, she was the proud owner of a 150-year-old house situated just below the old bell tower of Poros.

The restoration of the house and its conversion into three self-catering apartments took several years. Marie Luise carefully enhanced the original character of the house with old building materials and period furniture, and with soft colour schemes and pale wood floors, she added a fresh and contemporary touch to the interiors. Not long after she had completed Sto Roloi, Marie Luise bought another ruined house in the village. She restored the Anemone Residence with equal devotion and decorated it in the same style as Sto Roloi. She divided it into two separate units, and on the small plot of land in front of the ground floor apartment she made a lovely plunge pool.

The Sto Roloi and Anemone apartments are rented as self-catering units, but guests don’t have to worry about chores. There is a daily cleaning service, groceries can be delivered at (almost) any time, and one of  the best local restaurants offers ‘room service’ for lunch and dinner.

This year Marie Luise has added another studio - Limari to her unique collection.  This studio is a mere 5 minutes from Sto Roloi and boasts the use of a swimming pool.  It has magnificient views of Poros.  Not for those who cannot deal with steps as there are a number that have to be taken before reaching the property itself.