When most individuals consider Santorini, photographs of basic Cycladic structure and whitewashed buildings come to thoughts. And that’s, certainly, an correct depiction of a lot of the Greek island; the primary villages are overflowing with carefully packed white lodges and houses, together with plentiful blue-domed church buildings. To outsiders, the ocean of white would possibly appear to be uniform, however in the event you occur to say this to an area, you’re doubtless to learn that most of the lodges and enterprise really function a wide range of very distinct milky-adjacent hues.
Whether or not resulting from my laughably horrendous imaginative and prescient or vacationer’s perspective, I personally discovered the overwhelming majority of those whitewashed buildings to be practically equivalent (and there’s nothing unsuitable with a postcard-worthy view), which made my arrival at Canaves Epitome all of the extra intriguing. From the second you get a glimpse on the resort, it’s clear that the property is a fairly distinctive entity on the island. To start with, it’s set aside from the cluster of lodging in the primary cities, a couple of five-minute drive from Oia’s promenade, lending itself to a extra non-public, secluded visitor expertise. Constructed from volcanic rock, the resort largely incorporates a gray, black and stone coloration palette, embracing an open, earthy ambiance that luxuriates in what’s so uncommon in Santorini—precise area, and a break from the aforementioned all-white-everything.
“Again after we first had the thought for Epitome, folks thought we had been loopy for constructing in Oia, off the caldera,” Canaves advertising director Markos Chaidemenos instructed Observer on a latest journey to Epitome. “We made an enormous guess that individuals would need to use this area, with the privateness, the backyard and with entry to Oia. But it surely’s nonetheless away and set off, so you’ve gotten non-public area, however you even have entry to the village.” It’s a guess that has positively paid off—right here’s what to learn about Canaves Epitome.
What’s the background right here?
Canaves Epitome opened in 2018; it’s a part of Canaves Assortment, a family-owned and operated luxurious resort portfolio in Santorini. Yiannis and Anna Chaidemenos had been among the many first to convey resort tourism to the once-sleepy fishing village of Oia; in 1985, they remodeled Seventeenth-century wine waves into upscale resort rooms and opened Canaves Oia (it has now been rebranded as Canaves Ena). The husband and spouse duo have since expanded their hospitality footprint on the Greek island; right this moment, the gathering consists of 5 distinct properties: Canaves Ena, Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Sunday, Canaves Epitome and Canaves Elefas Villas. It’s a very family-oriented enterprise; the gathering is now run by the Chaidemenos’ sons, Markos and Alexandros.
Ena, Oia Suites and Sunday are all situated alongside the Caldera cliffs in Oia, amongst most of the different luxurious Santorini lodges, whereas Elefas Villas is located close to Fira, the opposite principal city on the other facet of the island. Whereas every of the 4 lodges has its personal distinctive fashion and eating ideas, they’re all principally in keeping with that basic all-white Santorini minimalism.
Epitome, then again, is situated in Ammoudi, a bit additional away from the hustle and bustle of the oft tourist-filled villages. The sunset-facing property is shut sufficient to the primary Oia promenade, however not a lot that you simply’re inundated with hoards of individuals the second you step foot outdoors of the resort. As an alternative, Epitome presents one thing in brief provide in Santorini—privateness and area. That, and a few actually nice sundown views that you would be able to seize with out lining up amongst a whole lot on the caldera.
How’s the ambiance?
The emphasis on privateness and area is obvious all through the resort; there are two separate infinity swimming pools, each with loads of solar loungers and seating, and the general public areas are unfold out sufficient that you simply don’t want to fret about bumping into different visitors always. Not like lodges stacked atop one another within the cities, there are precise spacious grounds at Epitome, that are stuffed with centuries-old olive timber and flora, to not point out a backyard that grows a lot of the produce used within the gastronomic restaurant. The entire vibe is laidback but undeniably luxurious, with an emphasis on the Grecian island environment—all of the decor, for instance, is sourced from native masons, together with the crockery and linens.
What are the rooms like?
The resort consists of 53 rooms and suites, all of that are outfitted with both a non-public pool or plunge pool, with views of the Aegean Sea for a picture-perfect backdrop. The lodging are a lesson in ethereal, elegant minimalism, with low-slung wood-accented beds, cream-colored stone flooring and a impartial coloration palette of tans, whites and grays. Particulars like gently-curved headboards and domed doorways add a softness to the areas.
I used to be booked into the Hideaway Pool Suite, and whereas the earthy interiors had been pleasant, it was what stood past the sliding glass doorways that was the true showstopper. Opening up the shades within the morning revealed a pristine view of the dazzling blue sea, whereas night sunsets had been, for lack of a much less cliché phrase, magical. The vast majority of the rooms are geared up with non-public out of doors area; mine was furnished with day loungers, a protracted desk that might have comfortably seated a celebration of six (or in my case, simply me, a pc and an arsenal of SPF). These touring with households or bigger teams, nevertheless, is perhaps keen on the villas, which vary in dimension from one to 5 bedrooms.
How’s the meals?
Chef Tasos Stefatos helms each of Canaves Epitome’s eating places; the poolside Omnia is a go-to for breakfast, although it’s additionally open many of the day and night for lunch and dinner. The seafood-heavy menu is influenced by cuisines all over the world, however remains to be basically Greek. The dishes are meant to be shared; a meze platter with a choice of dips is a must-order, and you’ll’t go unsuitable with any of the grilled fish choices or contemporary ceviche. It doesn’t matter what time you’re eating, attempt to get a desk outdoors, overlooking the pool and the ocean past, and don’t fear about getting chilly—the second the temperature drop, blankets are delivered to the desk.
Whereas Omnia is a extra informal, all-day spot, there’s additionally the fantastic eating restaurant, Components. This can be a coursed tasting menu, however don’t count on a fussy ambiance, because it’s meant to be an inviting and undemanding meal that’s not only for self-proclaimed gourmands, specializing in contemporary Mediterranean delicacies and native wines. And, after all, a formidable sundown view over the Aegean to absorb whereas nibbling on bites that includes blue crab, hamachi and extra. Whilst you’ll positively be full after the eight-course meal, the emphasis on mild, contemporary elements means you gained’t depart feeling like it’s good to be rolled away.
What about outdoors of the resort?
With out going right into a hundred-page information on the island, in the event you can drag your self away from the resort, make sure that to pop into close by Oia and take a stroll alongside the cobblestoned streets, although honest warning—in the event you’re right here on the peak of the summer season vacationer season, the crowds are fairly dreadful all through the isle. That mentioned, it’s value it to make your method round Santorini and peruse the native pottery retailers, artwork galleries and iconic blue-domed church buildings. Whereas the resort ought to solely be an roughly five-minute drive to the motion on the Oia promenade, Santorini’s notoriously dreadful visitors can flip the journey into one thing of a journey, which is one thing to pay attention to so you possibly can plan forward.
Like so many island getaways, top-of-the-line methods to see Santorini is by boat. The resort will allow you to guide a half-day or full-day crusing journey, so you possibly can actually take within the highlights of the Aegean. In terms of eating places, there’s no scarcity of charming cafes within the cities, however I’d be remiss to not suggest Armeni, an informal, completely unpretentious restaurant proper on the seashore shore. The basic taverna is accessible completely by boat or by a route of about 300 steps—in the event you’ve ever tried to traverse these difficult Greek steps, then you definitely’ll perceive why I very a lot suggest the ocean route. That, and the dreamy seascape, after all.
