Villa Illona has undergone a meticulous and affectionate preservation endeavor, skillfully reviving its rich tapestry of Venetian, French, and British architectural elements to their original splendor. With modern luxuries, thoughtfully interwoven, this magnificently preserved residence breathes newfound vitality into its noble heritage. Accommodation spreads over three floors, with common areas on ground floor and five en-suite double and twin bedrooms in the upper floors.

An English double door welcomes its guests on the ground floor, granting passage into Pigna, a reception room with tall ceilings and original tiled floors, bestowing a lavish burst of color and belle epoque charm. The carefully curated collection of antique furnishings and ormolu objets d’art, including a grand piano, an ornately gilded mirror and an exquisite console, gracefully coexist in harmonious equilibrium with a pair of modern sofas, beckoning guests to indulge in their embrace. To the side, a pair of double doors unveil the enchanting Rotonda dining room, where an antique round table takes pride of place. A set of majestic picture windows offering views of the bay and a French veranda door providing a seamless transition to the side gardens, add to its allure.

Both the living room and the dining room merge with a central hall that connects the remaining ground floor accommodations. At the far end of the hall, a second French door leads guests to the east facing sea-view veranda, boasting sweeping scenes of the azure bay. To its left, the exceptional Sisi bathroom with a stunning marble bathtub of timeless beauty, once gracing the halls of Empress Elizabeth of Austria’s summer residence, the Achilleon Palace, provides an extravagant wellness space. A final doorway within the hall unveils the Ivy kitchen where vintage cabinetry blends with state-of-the-art appliances. The original stone-flagged flooring, the 18th century wood-burning stove with superimposed induction hobs and the access to the ivy-shaded al fresco dining area complete this culinary haven.

An English style staircase ascends from the hallway, guiding one to the first-floor landing where one discovers the truly expansive suite. The Cyclamen double bedroom, affording breathtaking scenes of the bay with its adjacent spacious Amaryllis drawing room and its beach view shower room, create a serene backdrop of opulent repose and relaxation. The first floor unveils the second impeccable double bedroom, Belladonna, offering captivating panoramas of the Ionian Sea. This splendid chamber is complemented by an en-suite shower room, meticulously designed to provide an oasis of tranquility.

Ascending further, the staircase leads to the second floor, where three radiant double/twin bedrooms await, enchantingly nestled beneath the sloping original wood beams of the residence. Each of these delightful havens, named Calla, Magnolia and Mallow, after beautiful garden flowers that have been a constant presence in the estate, is graced with treasured antique furniture and modern beds that prioritize comfort and impeccably designed en-suite shower rooms, ensuring the utmost calming atmosphere. Calla and Mallow offer an enchanting vista of the boundless “blue”, while Magnolia affords a serene outlook onto the lush, verdant ombrellone gardens.

The villa is surrounded by two acres of grounds, with maintained gardens. Over time, the gardens have evolved organically, creating a fragrant and vibrant wonderland. Towering aged Italian ombrellone stone pines, offering a rich assemblage of life and a habitat for endless flora and fauna, provide a shaded woodland on one side of the house, while other areas offer a harmonious combination of cypresses, olives, fruit trees, and lush shrubs. This verdant backdrop reflects the diversity and beauty of Corfu's landscape, preserved to offer guests a true taste of the island's majestic scenery.

Eco-friendly furniture is scattered throughout the grounds, offering ample opportunities to relax and soak up the enchanting atmosphere. However, it is the area around the house itself that truly comes alive with outdoor activities. The centennial marble table outside the Ivy kitchen, becomes the perfect spot for a leisurely refreshment, while the seafront terrace provides an unbeatable setting for sunrise breakfasts and memorable moonlit dinners.

Venturing further afield beyond the historic protective walls, the estate’s 200m shoreline invites guests to seek for story-telling sea glass or plunge into the transparent waters of Corfu Bay, teeming with underwater life visible to snorkelers, only to discover the beauty of marine life in the Mediterranean’s most vital ecosystem, the Posidonia meadows.

Villa Illona offers daily breakfast except Sundays. The villa is staffed with a team that includes a house manager, maid, breakfast cook, caretaker and gardener.