Here's Where to Stay in Santorini Once the Shaking Stops
Answer the call of Greek island luxury — by this winter's end, you're gonna need it — by making your Canaves Collection booking now
Heard about them earthquakes in Santorini, or were you too busy following all the, um, seismic activity in Washington D.C. lately to pay attention to anything else? Well, we have it on good authority that what’s really going on under the Aegean sea is the slow birth of a new volcano, not an imminent eruption of that old one that destroyed the Minoan civilization in 1600 B.C.
In any event, the mainly small earthquakes that have been rattling the world’s most Instagram-famous island are slowly on the wane, and the thousands of residents who left the island in recent days are likely to start trickling back.
And because we at Greek Column pride ourselves on what we call “Greek & global travel intel”, here’s a little prediction for you: these tremors are not going to have a big impact on tourism to the island and in fact, if you want to find your place in the Santorini sun this spring or summer, the time to start making your plans is not later but now.
Canaves Collection is a soulful, generational family owned-and-run collection of boutique hotels across Santorini, Greece. Founded in 1985 with the original
opening of Canaves Ena, Ioannis Chaidemenos and his wife, Anna were among the first to introduce hospitality to the iconic village of Oia, transforming two 17th century caves — once used to store their family’s own vintage of wines — into chic hotel rooms.
Eventually, the hotel expanded to just 18 rooms, becoming the ideal hideaway for intrepid travelers and stylish couples in-the-know. The family has since extended the collection with the creation of four additional properties: Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Epitome, Canaves Sunday, and Canaves Elefas Villas, each bearing its own unique style and personality, all boasting exquisite dining options including Petra Restaurant, Elements Restaurant, Omnia Restaurant, and Veranda Aperitivo.
Canaves Collection is overseen by Ioannis and Anna’s two sons, Markos and Alexandros Chaidemenos. The two brothers have a deep connection to Santorini's beautiful Oia Village, where they spent their childhood summers and holidays exploring through the caves and embarking on oceanic adventures.
Heralding the latest chapter in the brand’s history on the island, last spring, the legendary Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel unveiled its full transformation and renovation into Canaves Ena – including 18 exquisitely transformed suites. Embracing 'philoxenia' – the ancient Greek value of hospitality – the Chaidemenos family is dedicated to creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that resonate in the hearts of their guests long after they depart the hotels, embracing each visitor as an extended member of their family.
Whether a private candlelit dinner during a romantic getaway, a perfectly planned intimate wedding celebration, or a memorable family vacation, Canaves Collection offers the ultimate in bespoke Greek hospitality, ideal for travelers looking to rediscover the authentic beauty of Santorini. The way the locals have known and loved it for centuries and will continue to do so if the Chaidemenos family have anything to say about it.
Last season, nightly rates at Canaves Collection started as follows. For more information, visit canaves.com
Canaves Sunday, starting from €600 per night
Canaves Ena, starting from €650 per night
Canaves Elefas Villas, starting from €700 per night
Canaves Oia Suites, starting from €800 per night
Canaves Epitome, starting from €800 per night
