The creamy-white exteriors of the Canaves Oia merging into the periphery of the deliciously blue Aegean Sea make for quite a heady sight in the gold Grecian sunset. Residing on the island of Santorini – a famed tourist hotspot for its quaint villages, and black sand beaches – this quiet retreat has earned quite a reputation for its opulent spa services and luxury suites: earlier this year, the hotel was awarded the number one resort in Europe and the top resort hotel in Greece at Travel + Leisure’s Best Awards 2020.
Originally a series of caves carved into the cliffside (used to store wine in the 17th century), the property has been modified into five buildings that feature several luxury suites and villas – 18 in total – without detracting from its original charm and panoramic views. Owners Yiannis and Anna Chaidemenos started with transforming two caves into all-white minimalistic edifices that have now been adopted as the hotel’s signature style. The snowy-white exteriors and interiors of every room at Canaves Oia are tastefully broken by splashes of blue furnishings and wild colourful bougainvillea dotting the terraces and outdoor lobbies.
All suites and villas in the Canaves Oia Suites feature a private pool and hypnotic views of the sea and the sunset (the Canaves Oia claims to be the first hotel on the Island that provides similar views from each room). However, it is the Royal Pool Suite’s view from its infinity-edge pool that would send most Instagrammers into a fanatic photo-taking tizzy. The site of the Caldera and the Ammoudi Bay is breathtaking at any time of day or night.
Simple to a point of starkness in the furnishings – Rugiano furniture and Hermès pillowcases – that match the white of its exteriors, this luxurious suite appears to be designed to focus its occupants eyes on the natural beauty of the seascape rather than the room itself.
The hotel’s restaurant Petra keeps in theme with the romantic nature of the island, where one can enjoy a fresh signature cocktail and a choice selection from the dinner menu featuring modern Greek cuisine (custom menus including vegetarian and gluten free meals are also available). Melt-in-the mouth seafood, soft wagyu cuts, fine wines and cheese tasting sessions cannot be missed here. Couples can also opt for a private dinner under the velvety Grecian sky at the Panorama Balcony or the White Cave.
The Canaves Oia offers plenty of activities to choose from: sailing excursions, private yachting experiences and local or helicopter tour guides as well as serene yoga workshops to name a few. Afterwards, one can simply opt for a luxury wellness experience at the Canaves Oia Spa and Wellness Centre to lull their senses into blissful oblivion.
Even though the Frangipani Lover’s deep tissue massage and scrub sounds quite irresistible, the spa entreats visitors to try their special offering ‘The Rasul’ that offers traditional Oriental cleansing and skincare techniques: you can choose between the Terra Sigillata Therapy that employs three premium mineral muds or the Bali Paradise Therapy that combines of freshly blended fruit extracts and herbs. The wellness centre uses only Valmont skin care cosmetics, a premium French brand renowned for its high-performance anti-ageing treatments along with a plethora of Ayurvedic treatments.
All in all, the Canaves Oia is the perfect getaway for honeymooners and romantic couples looking to lose themselves in a serene world cloaked in blue and white. It is an austere personality that does not pack their bags with more than a hint of wistfulness on their last day at the Canaves Oia, Santorini.
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Photo project by SantoMuse
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