In just 11 days, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery has burned up the Netflix charts to become the streaming service’s third most-watched film ever. Not only is that a mighty impressive feat from director Rian Johnson and the cast, which includes Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc and the likes of Edward Norton, Janelle Monae and Dave Bautista, but it’s also excellent marketing for the Knives Out sequel’s major filming location. That is, Villa 20 of Amanzoe, a luxury property in Greece – already being referred to as the ‘Glass Onion Resort’ – located on a hilltop close to the town of Porto Heli near the island of Spetses.
Last year, the second season of The White Lotus drew attention to an ultra-luxe resort in Sicily thanks to its impeccable setting. In a way, there’s something similar happening here. Given the exposure Glass Onion has received thus far, owing to both critical and commercial success, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see bookings for Amanzoe’s Villa 20 shoot through the roof in the coming months and even years.
It does look, after all, like a behemoth of uncompromising luxury. Perched atop the Peloponnese peninsula, Villa 20 has no less than six pools, numerous dining spaces, two outside barbecue areas, and a private spa.
Ed Tuttle and Marios Angelopoulos masterminded the sprawling indoor-outdoor design, which looks like a standalone resort despite being part of the pristine Aman estate. The owners have filled the spaces with large-scale artworks, personal artifacts collected over years of travel and books from their personal library, all with the intention of making each corner of Villa 20 feel homely and welcoming.
Other amenities include a traditional Greek tavern framed by bountiful olive trees, facing the Aegean Sea and providing sweeping views of the nearby rolling hills flowing across the peninsula.
Three 100-square-metre pavilions, each with private swimming pools, sit alongside four luxury studio rooms and two additional pavilions with unobstructed views of the sea. All up, that translates to enough space for up to 18 guests.
A 650-square-metre spa and gym is included for those who book Villa 20, with numerous treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, water massage bed, hot tub, and another 15-metre indoor pool next to state-of-the-art exercise equipment.
“It wasn’t an island,” said Knives Out 2 production designer Rick Heinrichs when speaking to Conde Naste Traveler. “It was in the middle of the Peloponnesian peninsula, which would require us to depend on visual effects to make it look like [an island].”
“So there are different views from each villa, and they lead up to the [Glass Onion] with the best view on top. It’s very epic, almost like the Colosseum, to approach the villa – which lends itself to the idea that people are about to kill each other.”
According to the official Amanzoe website, Villa 20 offers the following:
- Panoramic views of the Aegean Sea
- Sleeps up to 18 guests
- Fragrant gardens
- 40m (131ft) heated infinity pool on 6th level
- 30m (98.5ft) heated infinity pool on 2nd level
- Three 100m2 master pavilions with their own private swimming pools, 2 pavilions with magnificent views and four luxury studio bedrooms
- A private Beach Cabana (upon availability)
- 18 members of staff, including a dedicated chef
- Formal living-dining room with terrace on 2nd level
- Covered indoor-outdoor living-dining room with terrace on 6th level
- Living-meeting room on 5th level ideal for business meetings
- BBQ area with dining table for 18
- Fire ring set within the gardens with a rustic wooden table for 18
- Typical Greek taverna under olive trees
- Spa with traditional double treatment room, waterbed treatment room, steam room, hammam, cold plunge pool, 15m (49ft) heated indoor lap pool, whirlpool
- Gym with Technogym equipment
- Yoga platform
- Fully equipped Library and games room, ideal for families
- Five kitchens
- Extensive garage space
- Wi-Fi throughout all indoor and outdoor areas
Amanzoe is currently closed but will be reopening ahead of the summer season on April 1, 2023. Rates start from €24,984 (~AU$38,889) per night.
