The Vasilicos - Caldera Heritage Suites

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The Vasilicos - Caldera Heritage Suites

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Formerly the sanctuary of a passionate art collector, the Vasilicos is an elegant constellation of s The view, the energy, are riveting.

A passionate collector of greek art, a bon viveur, visits Santorini in the early '80s. A great friend finds two neighbouring plots of land, perfect but in absolute ruin. Passion, commitment and an inspired architect turn them into a private hideaway, a personal paradise, that lasts for years and years. Lazy lunches under the pergola, sunsets at the belvedere, solitary reading in the living room, basil plants, pool parties, roaming black cats, friends coming, going and staying, plants being watered to the sound of opera at twilight, misty winter nights by the fireplace, loud conversations, music, and endless games of tavli, have all left their mark and given this place an energy of its own, captivating and inspiring.

22/10/2026

Comfort aside, there is something very special about wrapping up in a blanket and enjoying the outdoors for just a little longer. Our Kafé Piké, a rendering of the traditional Greek summer blanket, is a detail for moments just like these: cooler skies, a little breeze, an earlier sunset. Sometimes, all it takes to experience a magical moment is a blanket.

💜

20/10/2026

During the transition from private home to semi-private hotel, Vassaltis suite was completely redesigned. The bed was brought forward, towards the entrance, in a very bold reversal of the traditional layout that wants the living room in the front and the bedroom towards the rear.
This means that you wake up to the outside beckoning, the view essentially an extension of the bed, while the living room becomes a welcome respite from the blinding sun rather than a step towards it.
Architecture can dictate moods, create habits and reinforce rituals. It shapes the way you live, linger, and move about. Gently, without quite noticing, you settle into a pattern, the rhythm of the house..
And the house begins to feel like home.
🌿

15/10/2026

"Να σ' αγναντεύω, θάλασσα, να μη χορταίνω" - Κώστας Βάρναλης
“To gaze at you, sea, and always want more” - Kostas Varnalis
Always a home at heart, shaped by the people who have lived in it, loved it and looked out from it. This is the view that once captivated our passionate collector, looking out from his deckchairs, and today captivates us, and all who come through our gates (and even those who don't).

Come as a guest, leave as a lover.

Photo by

13/10/2026

Greek has a perfect word for this time of year, the tail end of summer: αποκαλόκαιρο /apokaˈlokero/☀️🌊
The word conjures up those magical days when the light softens, the rhythm slows down, but the Aegean is still warm and summer isn’t quite ready to leave. The feeling is like being onboard , another respectful, deeply personal labour of love. Kymatia is a meticulously restored 50 ft traditional wooden trehandiri. Any voyage with her is slow, meaningful, and full of intention, just as true journeys should be.

Apokalokairo in the Aegean: a little slower, a little quieter, still unmistakably summer.

08/10/2026

Pictured here, a very The Vasilicos lunch. Delicious, unpretentious, and perfectly paired with a glass of Vassaltis. **eryisbetterthanyours

**es

06/10/2026

Flanking the entrance of what used to be the main house, two basil plants - the ones that would subsequently give their name to the entire hotel - Vassilis translates to Basil, and, in Greek, the plant is called "vassilikos", which is also, aptly, the Greek word for regal.
In honour of its history as the main living room, the Vasilicos suite, named after the hotel, has been given a halo-like, custom-made light, and a regal headboard. The former kitchen and storage room have been transformed into an open plan bathroom and its (not open-plan) adjacent facilities.
What fun we had redesigning the spaces...what a challenging equation to solve. Such a privilege to be able to give new life to beloved places.

🌿

01/10/2026

The story of The Vasilicos begins with a strong friendship, and a deep love for beauty.
More than four decades ago, while visiting friends on the island, Vassilis Valambous fell in love with the rugged wildness of the Caldera. His summer house became a place for both company and solitude, the time spent here full of daily rituals and little habits. Good food, good w**e, interesting conversations, and a daily meeting with the sun at sunset...
And so our story began, rooted in beauty and the celebration of the good life. Much has changed over the years, but the principles at our core remain: a sense of place, things made and shared with care, and time well spent in good company.
Now a hotel perhaps, but always, at heart, a home. 💜🌿

NB. These deckchairs, beloved and iconic symbols of our home, have now relocated to Efta suite, in tribute to the endless hours spent Caldera-gazing, all those years ago.

29/09/2026

The Vasilicos was never "styled" for guests. It has merely been opened up to welcome them.
The house was always simply decorated, nothing superfluous, everything functional yet beautifully designed. During the conversion, the same philosophy remained. Nothing was made "less than" or pared back because of the number of people passing through our doors. The objects and details you see have always been part of our Santorini life, shared generously, and joyfully. Thank you for coming, it is always an honour. 🍃
N.B.This beautiful ceramic piece, for example, was always in the Pergola Suite, and still remains, for your enjoyment.

24/09/2026

Still summer. 💙

22/09/2026

Our family home in Santorini, now in the pages of The Times 🤍🪄
A very proud moment for The Vasilicos, seeing our family story and our 'place like no other' shared so beautifully. Thank you to The Times and The Sunday Times and for including us in their shortlist among such special places, and above all, for understanding how deeply personal The Vasilicos is for us.
N.B. We shall now be adopting the hashtag (OBVIOUSLY)😁😇

Address

Agios Nicolaos Imerovigli
Thíra
84700

Telephone

+302286023143

Website

http://www.thevasilicos.com/

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