Vora Villas Santorini

Carved into the sheer cliff on the Santorinian caldera, dozens of meters above the surface of the Aegean, Vora Villas offers sensory contrasts and a luxury experience, standing out as one of the most exciting hotels on the island of Santorini.

Our last two trips to Santorini were separated by a decade. In that time one thing has not changed: the picture-perfect style of the sun-bleached houses, blue-domed churches, narrow pathways, and panoramic views over the blue Mediterranean. What has changed is the number of holidaymakers visiting the island.

Most of the hotels on the island typically follow the local style, but the hospitality industry offering on the island has been evolving along with the growing demand. Today it also includes hotels and apartments that move away from the cookie-cutter templates of white-and-blue cube houses. Vora is one such property. And it breaks the mold in more ways than one. For starters, it barely qualifies as a hotel, with only three fully-equipped apartments and hardly any other facilities. But it is the Vora’s style that stands out the most.

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A play on contrasts

The designers behind Vora, from the Athens-based K-Studio took a hint of inspiration from the traditional cave dwellings of Santorini but then enriched the concept with the Nordic interior design sensibility; certainly a fresh take on what you should expect from a hotel in Greece.

The architects pushed the concept to the very edge—literally—perching this luxurious property on top of the cliff, and drawing a sharp-edged pathway from the entrance and reception point at the top of the site, zigzagging down from one angled wall to another. The concept makes Vora Villas look bold but restrained, compact but dynamic, and simple but sophisticated.

The vertical topography of the caldera’s rim is an apt location for such a property. While each villa’s terrace is firmly anchored to the rock, it feels open to the elements, with astonishing views of the sea and the whole island. By contrast, the villa interiors are relatively dark, with smooth curves and soft materials creating a feeling of comfort, privacy, and relaxation.

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Vora Villas

We checked in to the Villa Ro, a duplex suite with two balconies, designed in a palette of muted tones and custom-made furniture alongside dark finishes, such as a black marble bathtub.

All villas have similar aesthetic themes and are fully self-contained, with a kitchen and dining area. The suites are not small, but they feel compact and are cleverly positioned on a relatively tiny portion of land. Limited space means there isn’t much of it left for facilities normally expected at a bigger hotel. There is no restaurant, and all meals are served in-room, which adds to the intimate and exclusive atmosphere.

True privacy

We were pleasantly surprised by how much is privacy the central consideration at Vora. The seclusion of Vora Villas Santorini is a feature of its own — as it is a rare thing in Santorini hotels, especially the ones situated on the caldera’s rim. Hotels seem to fight for the best spots and are typically stacked one on top of another, with public pathways often passing right in front of guest rooms.

In contrast, Vora took advantage of its isolated spot, using smart design to make sure each room was well-positioned both for views and solitude. This doesn’t mean the hotel is remote. The center of the cute village of Imerovigli is only a short walk away, and Fira, the capital of Santorini, is also reachable by foot.

Given the sophisticated style of the place, its advantageous location, and its exclusive nature, Vora stands as one of the most unique hotels on the island.

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in our opinion

If you are looking for an intimate but sophisticated luxury retreat on Santorini, Vora Villas is just the place. We were delighted to discover how much attention Vora Villas pays to the guest's privacy. The place quickly became one of our favorite hotels on the island, well deserving of the Editor's Pick badge.

Don't miss the photo essay from our stay: Staying at Vora Villas Santorini, In Our Lens

What we love

• With only three suites, Vora is focused on a very small number of guests, with tranquility and exclusivity as its selling points.
• Clever architecture. The hotel is defined by sharp angles and smart planning, ensuring the site's limited space is used to the maximum. The rooms are angled away from each other and feel well separated.
• On an island where privacy is rare, Vora Villas offers exactly that. In summer months Santorini gets very busy, so being able to rely on a hotel to relax in solitude is a big deal.
• Unique style, departing from the white-on-white templates of Santorini. The design feels choreographed to bring out contrasts of dark and light, sharp and soft. We love it!
• Delicious meals, especially breakfasts, served on the private terraces of the suites.
• Incredible sights. This spot is one of the highest on the caldera and offers not only views to the center of the ancient volcano, flooded by the sea, but over what seems like the entire island. Check out the photo essay from our stay!

What you should know

• Book the Alpha Villa if you are into sunsets—and who isn't, on Santorini? The suite is carefully positioned for the best views towards the west and has a private balcony with an infinity spa tub. It's a duplex suite, with a bedroom on the lower level, featuring a freestanding black marble bathtub.
• Somewhat similar, Villa Ro has the most romantic setup, and this is the one where we stayed. It is built on two levels, with a top floor taken up by a terrace, perfect for outdoor dining and relaxation (an infinity plunge pool included), linked with the lounge areas and kitchen. Descend a level down, and a fantastic bedroom with a huge black-marble bath and a secluded balcony await.
• Book Villa Omikron for the best vistas, and a truly spectacular terrace. Located higher than other suites at Vora, Omikron offers a panoramic view of all of Santorini. Interiors offer the most cave-like experience, with three rooms moving in succession deeper and deeper into the rock. Make sure to check out some of the shots we took here on our Instagram page!
• There is no restaurant as such but there is a kitchen and private dining can be arranged on the terrace. The menu is nicely tailored and a wine list is prepared by a professional sommelier.
• Interesting fact: the challenges of the location meant the place had to be built literally by hand, as the site is not accessible by heavy machinery.