Villa Santorini I
Villa Santorini I is a historic holiday rental home in a truly outstanding location near the best beaches in the Aegean sea.
I always enjoy a relaxing vacation with my family and friends in the environment that the villa creates.
How would you describe White Villa in a nutshell?
At White Villa in the village of Pyrgos Kallistis on Santorini island, industrial chic meets local materials, white walls and lots of light. This 15th-century wine factory has two fully-equipped units and a total of 8 bedrooms, 7 full baths and 2 half baths. Stepping outside you’ll find 2 large Jacuzzis, a pool, exterior dining areas and panoramic vistas of almost the whole island. This area has the best of what the island has to offer: wild beauty, picturesque beaches and fresh seafood. All that under clear blue skies, making it the perfect location for weddings or other gatherings.
What was your inspiration to restore the villa and rent it to holiday guests?
Being an architect, I was immediately intrigued by the building’s forms and spaces and in the overall vernacular architecture of the property. The spatial qualities that were there made me want to restore the property and make it into a livable home. The high vaulted ceilings with the thick masonry walls and the exterior spaces with the panoramic vistas of almost the whole island made me want to explore the possibilities of creating a habitation experience in an existing old non-housing building.
What would you describe to be the essence of the villa, your philosophy?
The villa is unique in its location, architectural restoration and embodies my view on creating spaces that respect the traditional architecture while being simple and honest in terms of their materials. The villa is a complex spatial experience that brings guests together while living in a restored wine factory of the 15th century.
How would you like your guests to remember their holiday?
It could be remembered as a warm and pleasant stay, having experienced the beautiful scenery of the island as well as this unique villa in the traditional village of Pyrgos Kallistis.
To you personally, what is so special about this villa rental?
Besides its architectural qualities that will always intrigue me and the effort that was put into completing this restoration project, I always enjoy a relaxing vacation with my family and friends in the environment that the villa creates.
Please tell us a bit about the beaches on Santorini.
The beaches in the northeast, from Monolithos to Vlychada, are the most organized. Those in the north, around Oia, are less crowded. Starting from Akrotiri and the Red Beach, the string of unique beaches which fringe the Caldera become progressively more deserted.
Vlychada has a wild beauty with its fantastically shaped white boulders, which have been sculpted into works of art by the wind. A small snack bar serves fresh juices and light meals.
Ammoudi is a picturesque cove in Oia. Traditional fishing boats remind you of simpler times. This is a place to come to eat fresh seafood.
White Beach is reached by boat from Akrotiri or the Red Beach. Fine black sand, pumice stone and grey-white pebbles in the shadow of the tall white rocks give the beach its name. The most impressive of these gigantic rocks is to be seen from the boat. It is a small beach with crystal clear water and a few sun loungers and umbrellas.
How would your typical day look like on the island?
When we visit the island, we stay at the villa and usually spend most of the day there. We usually take a walk around the winding streets of Pyrgos, go to the beach and possibly have lunch at a tavern by the beach. In the afternoon we visit Fira or Oia. In the evening we usually have dinner at the villa.
To you personally, what has been the biggest reward renting out the villa to holiday guests?
That people from around the world can enjoy our villa and have memorable holidays staying at a space that I designed and restored with great effort and time.
The villa is organized into four housing units on two main levels. Each unit has bathrooms, kitchen, dining area and living area. There is a total of 8 bedrooms, 7 full bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms.
The interior of the villa is kept simple and it is restored with respect to the local architecture using local building techniques and materials (polished cement, red and black volcanic stones, wooden windows and doors designed for local weather patterns etc). Some machinery parts and other elements are kept and are integrated in the spaces reminding us of the past uses of the space. I believe that the architecture of the villa uses the traditional elements while creating a contemporary space with modern ideals.
The holiday villa is made up of four distinct units, which can be rented individually or exclusively. There is also a public space with an extra full kitchen and a large dining area that oversees the pool area.
Unit One sleeps a total of 4-5 people.
Bedrooms: 1 master with double bed | 1 loft with double bed
Bathrooms: 1 en–suite with bath + shower + dressing room | 1 shared with shower | 1 WC
Kitchen: Fully equipped + high quality utensils
Chill Out: Open plan living area | dining area | kitchen area
Cool Down: Main pool + sunset terrace pool
Technology: Led TV | satellite TV | internet | CD/DVD/BD player | iPod dock | phone
Other: Organic mattresses | hairdryer | safe box | Fully air–conditioned
Features: Double height space, display of old preserved machine
The holiday villa is made up of four distinct units, which can be rented individually or exclusively. There is also a public space with an extra full kitchen and a large dining area that oversees the pool area.
Unit One sleeps a total of 4-6 people.
Bedrooms: 1 master with double bed | 1 loft with double bed
Bathrooms: 1 en–suite | 1 shared with shower
Kitchen: Fully equipped + high quality utensils
Chill Out: Open plan living area | dining area | kitchen area | outdoor dining area
Cool Down: Main pool + sunset terrace pool
Technology: Led TV | satellite TV | internet | CD/DVD/BD player | iPod dock | phone
Other: Organic mattresses | hairdryer | safe box | Fully air–conditioned
Features: Double height space, view from master bedroom
The holiday villa is made up of four distinct units, which can be rented individually or exclusively. There is also a public space with an extra full kitchen and a large dining area that oversees the pool area.
Unit One sleeps a total of 4-6 people.
Bedrooms: 1 master with double bed
Bathrooms: 1 en–suite
Kitchen: Kitchenette
Chill Out: Open plan living area
Cool Down: Main pool + sunset terrace pool
Technology: Led TV | satellite TV | internet | CD/DVD/BD player | iPod dock | phone
Other: Organic mattresses | hairdryer | safe box | Fully air–conditioned
Features: Double height space, view from master bedroom
The holiday villa is made up of four distinct units, which can be rented individually or exclusively. There is also a public space with an extra full kitchen and a large dining area that oversees the pool area.
Unit One sleeps a total of 4-6 people.
Bedrooms: 2 master with double bed | 1 with two sigle beds
Bathrooms: 1 en–suite with bath + shower + dressing room | 1 shared with shower | 1 WC
Kitchen: Fully equipped + high quality utensils
Chill Out: Open plan living area | dining area | courtyard with dining table for 10
Cool Down: Outdoor Jacuzzi
Technology: Led TV | satellite TV | internet | CD/DVD/BD player | iPod dock | phone
Other: Organic mattresses | hairdryer | safe box
Features: Private yard 65 sq.m. with exterior dining area and Jacuzzi
The holiday villa is made up of four distinct units. There are a total of four distinct units, one sleeping, 6-7, one sleeping 4-5, one sleeping 4-6 and one sleeping 2-3 people. Three units have access to the main pool and sunset terrace, while one has access to the outdoor jacuzzi.
In the exterior courtyards and terraces there are two large jacuzzis, one leisure pool with counter-current swimming and exterior dining areas. By the pool area there is a pool house that has a full kitchen and a large wooden dining table where, when we stay at the villa, we spend most of the time with our family. When requested we can arrange for a cook to prepare local dishes for the guests. Due to its exterior layout the villa is often used for wedding ceremonies and dinners as well. The villa is fully equipped in terms of technology with satellite and internet TV, Blue Ray disk players, iPod docks, Bose sound systems and free Wi-Fi and LAN networks. When we stay at the villa during our holiday we almost never want to leave the premises…
I would definitely have a drink at Oia by the caldera and watch the sunset. Oia is a traditional settlement in the north of Santorini. The village is approximately 150 meters above sea level. Oia was severely damaged in the 1956 earthquake and much work has been involved to implement its restoration. The beauty of Oia is unsurpassed. In fact, it is almost impossible to describe in words. Sugar cubed houses tier the hillside, interspersed by splashes of rich okra, deep fuchsia, cobalt blue, oyster pink and earthy red. Smooth winding paths interconnect, interrupted now and then by a small church, and at every corner there is something new to discover. Oia is one of the most photographed places in Greece. It has inspired artists, poets and every visitor who visits Santorini.
Pyrgos Kallistis where the villa is located is a village that is characterised by the historical preservation committee as a traditional settlement and has kept its traditional character. The village is built amphitheatrically on a hill that offers magnificent views of the island in almost all directions. The villa is located beneath the remains of the Venetian castle (Kasteli) which is at the top of the hill. The typical medieval narrow streets, fortified walls and hidden passages as well the unique Cycladic local architecture are maintained throughout this traditional settlement. It is this tranquil environment where no cars are allowed that you can always explore something new on a stroll through the village.
Santorini is a unique island with its volcanic topography, the caldera and the amazing views that it offers. This topography together with the volcanic soils created its architectural character of the clustered building forms with the winding streets and terraces.
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