Vedema Resort

Hotel description

Some don’t bother with Santorini unless they’ve got a front-row cliffside view of the caldera — but visit in high season and you’ll soon find you’re very far from alone. There are alternatives, though, for escaping the crowds; the island is home to any number of family-run bed and breakfasts, and more than a few modestly sized guest houses or mansion hotels. If it’s five-star resort hospitality you’re after, though, Vedema is one of just a few worthy options.

Located in the medieval village of Megalohori, just outside the island’s capital of Fira, Vedema is a converted 15th-century winery, where gleaming white villas surround numerous courtyards and overlook the vineyards, the town, and that deep blue sea. The accommodations are spacious, and the traditional Greek décor falls neatly in line with what international travelers expect to see—white walls, smart, spare furnishings and generous sitting areas. Modern must-haves are accounted for as well, from satellite TV and DVD players to Egyptian cotton linens.

White and black sand beaches are there for the exploring, and the wine cellar is open for your perusal, including regular tastings. The main advantage of a resort like this, over a family-run hotel, is the wide array of facilities: two restaurants, a wine bar, a Cocoon spa and an open-air jacuzzi are among the offerings. Villa Vedema might not be at the nexus of Santorini’s traditional tourist destinations, but with accommodations so luxe, you’ll be tempted to stay in and just soak in the atmosphere.