Villa Vartal

INSIDE

Accommodation at Villa Vartal is laid out across three floors.

The main entrance is from the rear of the house and flows directly into the ground floor hub: a splendidly panoramic and airy dining area featuring a large and sleek wooden dining table. The aesthetics of this space set the tone for the rest of the property, with eye-catching design details at every turn: smooth grey concrete floors are juxtaposed with Wabi-Sabi style décor and neutral walls; sliding glass doors bring in the sea views and blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living; and modern abstract paintings from a local artist enliven the whole atmosphere while retaining a sense of minimalist calm.

Beyond the dining area to the right leads into a superbly-equipped modern kitchen with a large central island that doubles up as a breakfast bar, and another sliding glass door opening out into the al fresco dining area.

On the same side of the dining area, a staircase leads up to the first floor into the living room with a voluminous corner sofa, a smart TV, and access to a shaded lounging terrace. A few steps along the first floor hallway and one finds the master bedroom: a king with centrally-positioned bed, smart TV, and an en-suite bathroom.

More stairs lead from the hallway up to the second floor, which is given over to the remaining two bedrooms; both comfortable queen rooms with smart TVs and en-suite bathrooms. The south-facing room has private access to the third, final, and highest shaded terrace from which you can soak in the extraordinary sea vistas. These upper bedrooms are connected by a hallway that contains to one end a reading and relaxation nook, and a door which also connects to the upper terrace.

OUTSIDE

Al fresco life at Villa Vartal takes place on the sea-facing side of the house, which is home to a large terrace that completely wraps around the property. Accessed from the living area and, to one side, from the kitchen, this perfectly paved terrace offers both sun-soaked and shaded areas that are furnished for lounging and dining. The surroundings are thick with pine, which sway gently in the sea breeze, and the views, which take in vast swathes of the sparkling blue Adriatic Sea, are divine.

At centre stage sits the wonderful 22m² pool, whose long edge offers uninterrupted views out to sea, and is flanked on one side by three loungers. On the other side, one finds the traditional stone barbecue and food prep area, and an outdoor shower.

The sliding glass doors from the indoor dining area opens out onto a large covered lounging area with a quality outdoor sofa and two armchairs.

Last, but certainly not least, where the main terrace is concerned, is the generously proportioned al fresco dining area, a canvas-shaded spot with a large wooden table. Served by the indoor kitchen, with which it connects through sliding glass doors, there can be few finer places in which to enjoy a Dalmatian feast.

As mentioned earlier, the bedroom on the top floor has its own access to a shady panoramic terrace from where the views are at their most magnificent, while the living room below is blessed with access to yet another shady terrace.