Santorini, Greece
If it was good enough for Brangelina, Lady Gaga and Heidi Klum, it was good enough for us. No matter that Vedema Resort isn’t perched on the caldera in Fira, where smashing Aegean Sea views claim the attention of many hotel guests spending time in Santorini. What Vedema boasts instead is peace and tranquility away from the tourist hordes, discreet luxury and an idyllic setting overlooking rolling vineyards.
A member of the Starwood Luxury Collection, Vedema has 45 suites and villas in pastel hued townhouses scattered about a 15th century winery. Graced with climbing fuchsia bougainvillea vines, the townhouses are clustered around courtyards, connected by winding lava rock walkways. The whole effect resembles a tiny postcard-perfect village. Indeed, as it snuggles up to the medieval Greek village of Megalohori, it’s hard to discern where Vedema starts and the real village ends.
Upon arrival, we’re greeted with a glass of champagne and shown to our “standard” 538 sq. ft. Dorian suite. Renovated in 2008, each suite has a separate living room, dreamy king-size bed, spacious terrace and shuttered windows you can throw open to the breeze and sound of birdsong. Decorated with white-washed walls and polished marble floors, the suites are models of soothing minimalism. Contemporary art works and lime green or turquoise furnishings add vibrant splashes of color. Layouts of the suites vary – if fussy, ask for details. The three-story Theta 7 suite is probably one of the nicest. There are also two bedroom suites, ten 750 sq. ft villas with private outdoor pools overlooking miles of vineyards, and of course, for visiting celebs, a three bedroom Presidential Suite.
We particularly loved the stone rooftop terrace with lounge chairs. At dusk, we uncork our welcome bottle of chilled Santorini wine up there. While listening to ringing church bells, we gaze out at a pink velvet sky softening the edges of the town’s domed cupola roofs – pure magic.
Buffet breakfasts are lavish at Vedema. Under a pergola around the main swimming pool, we help ourselves to more champagne, thick Greek yogurt, baklava pastries, steaming egg dishes and more. Then the question: what to do? We opt to take the complimentary resort van, which (in the warmer months) shuttles guests every two hours to Vedema’s private beach club on the long black-sand Perivolos beach. With sunbeds, umbrellas, towels and bar service, you can happily while away the day here. If hunger strikes, simply stroll the leafy street running alongside the beach. It’s lined with tavernas galore. Or catch the resort shuttle into the capital of Fira, where you can shop, then take the bus or a taxi to the sugar cube village of Oia for the very popular ritual of watching Santorini’s fiery sunset.
Back at Vedema, evening wine tastings take place in the candlelit Canava Wine Bar. In the moody atmosphere of an underground set of catacombs, you can nibble on caviar and sample premier local wines (the island produces some excellent crisp white Asyrtiko, flowery Aidani and sweet Vinsanto wines). Follow that with dinner in the Vinsanto Restaurant in the centuries-old winery, complete with black lava rock walls and iron chandeliers hanging from vaulted ceilings (you can also sit outside overlooking the sea).
In a perfect world, you’d pair Vedema with a few nights on the caldera, perhaps at Vedema’s sister resort Mystique in Oia, so you don’t miss out on the experience of staying in one of Santorini’s cave hotels that cling to the cliffs high above the sea. Then again, rooms at those digs are cramped, and you won’t find a spa, fitness room or swimming pool as large as Vedema’s. So you might prefer just to ogle the views on day trips – and count yourself lucky to be among the A-listers who get to retreat to the spacious luxury of Vedema.
Vedema Resort
Megalohori 84700
Santorini, Greece
Tel: (30) 22860-81796
http://www.vedema.gr/