The Vasilicos
Why it made our list: An art collector’s summer home on the caldera turned into a hotel, on one condition: that it would stay a summer home in spirit. Seven suites later, the deal still holds.
At a Glance
The building cascades down the volcanic rock in the traditional cave-house style, which means some rooms feel less like hotel rooms and more like chambers inside the island itself. Whitewashed walls, timber-beamed ceilings, green-shuttered windows, antique furniture from the family’s private collection mixed with pieces commissioned from local artists.
Each suite is named after something personal: Daphne’s old bedroom, Yannis’s room, the two basil plants that have always flanked the entrance. In Greek, ‘vasilicos’ means basil. It also means regal. Both feel right.
The main pool terrace looks directly over the caldera to Nea Kameni, uninterrupted and entirely private. Four suites have their own plunge pools cut into the cliff edge. Breakfast arrives at your terrace at whatever time you choose. Dimitris and Chris run the place with the kind of warmth and attention that makes it feel less like a hotel stay and more like staying with people who genuinely want you there.
Imerovigli sits at the highest point of the caldera, which means the sunsets here are the best on the island, without the crowds of Oia to prove it.
Our Take: A Santorini hotel that serious travellers come back to. Intimate, personal, and impossible to replicate.
Rooms We Love
The largest terrace on the property, a private heated plunge pool with jet function, and an unobstructed 180-degree view of the caldera. The best in the house. 45 sqm interior, 100 sqm terrace.
Named after the number seven in Greek, always has been. The most intimate suite on the property, private heated plunge pool, and all the warmth of the house in a more contained space.
Dining
Breakfast is included and delivered to each suite’s private terrace.
A lunch and poolside menu is available through the day, with room service until 6pm.
The Caldera Candlelight Dinner is the signature evening experience: a private dinner on the terrace with a bespoke menu by Chef Yannis and wines from the family’s Vassaltis Vineyards. Book ahead, it fills quickly.
Vassaltis Vineyards is the family’s winery on the other side of the island and well worth the drive for specialty wine tasting.
Essentials
Check-in:
3:00 PM
Check-out:
12:00 PM
Rooms:
7 Suites
Open:
March 28 to October 31
Children:
Accepted, though the property is not child-proofed. High caldera drops and unprotected pools require close supervision at all times.
Parking:
Complimentary private parking adjacent to the hotel
Accessibility:
Enquire directly
- Main heated pool with caldera views
- In-suite massage and spa services
- Wine tasting at Vassaltis Vineyards
- Concierge
- Laundry services
- Complimentary welcome and farewell transfers
- Free private parking
Upon request. Tell us about your pet and we’ll double check with the hotel.
Imerovigli, Santorini, 84700. The hotel sits at the southern end of Imerovigli on the caldera cliff, between Fira and Oia. Fira is 15 minutes on foot; Oia is 20 minutes by car.
Santorini Airport (JTR): 7 km, approximately 15 minutes by car
Athinios Ferry Port: 10 km, approximately 20 minutes by car
Getting Here:
Santorini has an airport and connects directly to both Athens and major European cities
Santorini serves as a port hub to many different islands in the Aegean, including Crete
Connects well via hydrofoil ferry:
- Ios ~ 35 min
- Folegandros ~ 45min
- Naxos ~ 1H 20min
- Crete ~ 1H 35min
- Paros ~1H 45min
- Koufonisia ~ 1H 50min
- Mykonos ~ 1H 50min
- Milos ~ 1H 55min
- Tinos ~ 2H 45min
- Sifnos ~ 2H 50min
- Serifos ~ 3H 25min
Sink into this view
