Simply Abu Dhabi XXXVI

1 5 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I A wash with verdant green land and earthy-toned architecture, Kea Island already stands apart from its fellow Aegean Sea islands, which boast archetypal Greek landscapes peppered with whitewashed buildings and turquoise church domes. Often referred to as Tzia, Kea’s variety of architecture and close proximity to Athens has highlighted the Cycladic island as a preferred city-break destination, but now there is one more reason to make a beeline for this hidden gem – the impending arrival of the ultimate luxury resort with private residences, the One&Only Kéa Island. Scheduled for completion in 2021 and developed by Greek-based Dolphin Capital (whose portfolio includes the coveted Amanzoe and Nikki Beach Porto Heli) in partnership with Kerzner International, One&Only Kéa Island will be the second European resort for the globally renowned collection. Offering the definitive luxury lifestyle experience that celebrates the rich culture of the destination and the island’s unspoilt charm and character, it will pair timeless glamour and chic elegance with the natural beauty and history of Kéa by way of a stylish collection of suites and private homes set into the hills within a secluded bay. Offering a hideaway surrounded by azure sea views and situated in a 60-hectare beachfront site along the western coastline, One&Only Kéa Island will comprise 75 resort villas and a limited number of One&Only private homes. Ranging in size from one bedroom upwards, the residences will leverage the trend for indoor-outdoor living with light-filled rooms, family gathering spaces, party-ready kitchens, cascading hillside terraces and private infinity pools overlooking the sea. Residents will also benefit from privileged access to the resort and its wealth of amenities, including a state-of-the-art spa and private beach club, as well as destination- defining restaurants, each with a distinct ethos, energy, design and flavour, serving fresh cuisine and daily catch of the day. “The island of Kéa has remained relatively undiscovered despite being steeped in heritage, and an abundance of iconic landscaped scenes. Coupled with its close proximity to Athens, Kéa offers the ideal location for what will be the ultimate luxury resort with private residences on the Aegean shoreline, and probably the entire Mediterranean,” says Miltos Kambourides, founder and CEO at Dolphin Capital Partners. “We’re committed to creating an incredible destination retreat of the highest standard – across both design and service – all the while continuing to support local economies. One&Only Kéa Island presents a unique opportunity to invest in a branded seafront private home that will last a lifetime.” Often overshadowed by the seductive archipelago’s better-known islands of Santorini and Mykonos, Kéa provides a peaceful and almost untouched haven away from bustling streets and nightlife. A retreat for the civilised clientele of Athenian second-home owners, Kéa is an island full of picturesque villages and sheltered coves surrounding pristine turquoise beaches and olive grove-filled landscapes. It is, in short, one of the most scenic islands of the Cyclades. Roughly 60% of the island’s forests are safeguarded by the Natura 2000 Network – a network of protected areas covering Europe’s most valuable habitats – making the island a hiker’s paradise. Visitors can explore the islands winding hillside walking routes, cobbled streets or through arched passages either via the island’s coastline or forestry. To mark the launch of sales for the private homes at One&Only Kéa Island, Dolphin Capital has unveiled plans for three fixed-design villas available to purchase, with a guaranteed rental return of 4% across eight years. These two two-bedroom and one three-bedroom private homes command the resort’s most spectacular views overlooking the Aegean Sea from the most prestigious plots. They will have private access to the sea, offer limited usage for the duration of the eight years and freehold ownership. Managed by One&Only, each of the private homes will be constructed on two levels in plots of at least 2,000m2, will include fully landscaped outdoor spaces and secluded swimming pools, and are available from €3 million. Different land allotments, that can accommodate larger private homes, are also available located on the other side of the bay, thus providing more of a bespoke option and allowing for a certain degree of modifications.