ISLAND LIFE

The Vasilicos

Santorini - Greece

Seven caldera suites above Imerovigli, shaped by Santorini rock, family history and the kind of private terraces people remember long after leaving.

Restaurant

In Room Breakfast

Pool

Cooking Lessons

Massage

Wine Tasting

THE SETTING

The Vasilicos is a small boutique hotel in Imerovigli, Santorini, set between the quieter edge of the village and the residential area of Firostefani. It sits high on the rim, close to the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, with the volcano, Thirassia, Skaros Rock and the Aegean opening directly in front of you.

The house began as a private summer retreat, a place for long lunches, art, books, family holidays and cliffside quiet. That history is still part of the stay. The suites are not arranged like a standard hotel corridor; they sit across the rock in a small constellation of hyposkafa, the cave-like structures typical of Santorini’s caldera architecture.

The mood is private, sun-washed and deeply personal. Large terraces, thick white walls, sculpted forms, old pieces from the family collection and carefully chosen contemporary details give the place its character. You feel Santorini here, but in a softer way: fewer crowds, fewer distractions, more time looking out.

THE ROOMS

There are seven suites at The Vasilicos: Belvedere, Vasilicos, Pergola, Efta, Daphne’s, Vassaltis and King Cat. Each one is different in size, layout and atmosphere, shaped by the natural curves of the cliff and by the property’s earlier life as a private home.

All suites have private terraces and direct caldera views. Some have their own heated plunge pool or outdoor jacuzzi, while others have privileged access to the heated main swimming pool. The pools are heated outside the hottest summer months, when Santorini does not need any help from technology.

Belvedere is the grandest, with a large terrace and one of the most open views. Vasilicos has a classic honeymoon-suite feeling, with its own pool and a strong sense of privacy. Pergola is all about the shaded terrace and plunge pool, a very good choice for long afternoons outside. Efta is the smallest and most tucked away. Daphne’s is one of the larger suites, with a more spacious traditional Santorini layout. Vassaltis takes its name from the family’s sister winery, while King Cat is more intimate, with a raised bed and a sculpted hammam-style bathroom.

THE FOOD

Breakfast at The Vasilicos is served on your private terrace. It has a generous Greek rhythm: yoghurt, honey, summer fruit, breads, pastries, cereals, cheeses, cured meats, coffee and whatever the team decides to add that morning.

Food goes well beyond breakfast. The in-house kitchen uses fresh local produce, cheeses and cured meats from neighbouring islands such as Crete and Naxos, fish from local fishermen, seasonal vegetables, seafood, Greek specials, mezze and lighter poolside dishes.

The private Caldera Candlelight Dinner is one of the signature experiences. The team sets up dinner for two on your terrace or inside your suite, with a curated menu and Greek wine. It is simple in concept and very Santorini in the best way: no travelling across the island, no fighting for the sunset table, just dinner with the view already.

Vassaltis Vineyards, the sister winery, adds another layer. Its Assyrtiko wines are part of the wine list, and guests can visit the winery for tastings and food pairings.

THE STAY

The stay at The Vasilicos is shaped around privacy, view and service. Each terrace feels like a small stage facing the caldera, but without the feeling of being exposed to everyone else. That is rare in Santorini, where hotels often sit close together along the cliff.

There is an indoor lounge with a fireplace, an interior dining room, reception and concierge facilities, office support, free private parking and easy access from street level. That last detail matters on Santorini. Many caldera hotels involve serious stair navigation; here, arrival is much smoother. The team can arrange transfers, restaurants, private dinners, island tours, wine tastings, spa treatments, sailing, beach plans and whatever else needs handling.

Massages and beauty sessions can be arranged in-suite, and the hotel also works with external spa partners for more complete treatments.

AROUND THE VASILICOS

Imerovigli is one of the best places to stay on Santorini because it gives you the caldera at its most dramatic without the constant movement of Fira or Oia. From The Vasilicos, restaurants, small shops, bakeries, and tavernas are within five minutes’ walk, while Fira can be reached in about 15 minutes along the caldera path.

Skaros Rock is close and worth the walk, especially early or late in the day. The Fira-to-Oia path also passes through this part of the island, making it easy to plan a proper walk without needing a car for the first stretch. Oia is still worth seeing, but it is better approached with timing and patience.

Santorini’s wine scene is one of the most interesting in Greece, and The Vasilicos has a direct link through Vassaltis Vineyards. Assyrtiko, volcanic soil, low, basket-shaped vines, and dry island winds all make the wine here feel connected to the landscape rather than simply added to the holiday.

For a wider itinerary, the hotel can help arrange visits to Akrotiri, Pyrgos, Megalochori, beaches, sailing trips, archaeological sites and quieter corners away from the caldera. The nearest beaches are about 20 minutes by car, and both the airport and the port are about 20 minutes away, depending on traffic.

THE OWNERS

The Vasilicos is tied to Daphne Valambous and her family’s story. Before becoming a hotel, it was their Santorini summer house, shaped by art, food, books, cliffside afternoons and years of returning to the same beloved corners. The suites feel collected rather than designed from zero. Names have personal meaning: King Cat after the family cat, Vassaltis after the sister winery, Pergola after a much-loved terrace, Efta after the old room number seven.

The Vasilicos has the view, of course. Many places on Santorini do. What makes this one different is the feeling that the place already had a life before guests arrived, and that the hotel grew from that life rather than replacing it.

GOOD TO KNOW

Direct bookings for stays of three nights or more may include extra benefits such as port or airport transfers and discounts at selected partner addresses. Dinner, room service, wine tastings, in-suite spa treatments, transfers, sailing, private tours and special experiences can be arranged on request. The hotel is usually open seasonally from late March to the end of October. Pets are not accepted.

Rates usually start at around €280 per night in the low season, with strong variation depending on suite and dates.

THE ADDRESS

The Vasilicos

Agios Nikolaos
84700 Santorini
Greece

ISLAND LIFE

The Vasilicos

Restaurant

In Room Breakfast

Pool

Cooking Lessons

Massage

Wine Tasting

THE SETTING

THE ROOMS

THE FOOD

THE STAY

AROUND THE VASILICOS

THE OWNERS

GOOD TO KNOW

THE ADDRESS

The Vasilicos

CONTINUE IN GREECE

Mèlisses

Agada Folegandros

Captain Zeppos

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