Aenaon Villas in Imerovigli, Santorini

Essentials
• Location: Situated in a remote area atop the caldera north of the village of Imerovigli.
• Visual Representation
• Hotel website: aenaonvillas.gr
.” The bullet point provided the website address for Aenaon Villas • Hotel phone: +30 22860 27014
• Check prices at Cavo Tagoo

Hotel Review

Aenaon Villas – A luxury villa collection with an infinity pool located on the cliffside offering sunrise and sunset views over the caldera and Aegean Sea.

Aenaon Villas highlights six spacious villas in elegant Cycladic style with minimalist, contemporary design and high-quality furnishings, linens, and amenities. This award-winning property boasts a shared infinity pool on the caldera’s edge, plus one villa has its own private pool, and another has a private, outdoor hot tub. Situated loftily on top of the caldera in the narrow neck of the island, the views here are astonishing, with sweeping sunset views over the caldera, and wide sunrise views over the Aegean Sea beaches. Service is impeccable and personal, and the setting is tranquil and quiet).

See Also

• The Top Accommodations in Santorini
• Where to Lodge in Santorini
• Top activities and experiences in Santorini

Aenaon Villas – Location

– Location: Absolutely gorgeous setting, among the very best views on the island, though it is fairly secluded. The hotel is in a very peaceful area, just north of Imerovigli village, approximately a 7-minute drive to the beginning of the village with its restaurants and attractions, and about 17 minutes` drive to world-famous Oia.

• Reaching the Location: Some of the simplest approaches to get to Aenaon Villas involve booking a private transfer ahead of time or renting a vehicle and self-driving. The hotel sits next to the caldera just off the main road connecting Fira and Oia, making it relatively straightforward to access by bus and taxi too. It`s roughly 8km from the Santorini Airport to Aenaon Villas, and 12km from the ferry port.

Transportation services known as buses are always waiting at the ferry terminal to transport passengers arriving on every ferry, as well as buses departing regularly from Santorini Airport. There are no direct bus connections from the port or airport to Imerovigli however; buses from both locations travel to Fira, where travelers must then board a different bus to reach Imerovigli – the entire trip from the port or airport to Imerovigli will take at minimum one hour and cost approximately €5 total. Tickets are purchased on the bus using cash only. There is an unofficial bus stop situated near the hotel, located in front of San Antonio hotel; notify the bus driver ahead of time that disembarkation will occur there. From that location, it is a brief walk to reach Aenaon.

Transport services are also obtainable from the harbor or airport, though there are only approximately 25 taxis in total serving the entire island, so there can be a long wait; schedule a ride in advance through a private driver service to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini do not employ meters, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before departing. A taxi from the airport to Aenaon Villas should be around €25 to €30, and a taxi from the ferry port around €30. Booking through a private driver service will cost only a bit more – about $45 (or €37), but is worthwhile to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.

For people who favor to drive themselves, we recommend leasing a vehicle either at the airport upon arrival, or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with many tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave that for the locals to navigate. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. Upon arrival, Aeneon Villas offers free parking onsite.

Handy to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail; bus stop to Oia, Fira, and the rest of the island).

Map of Aenaon Villas

Aenaon Villas – The Basics

• Ages: This adults-only property requires guests to be at least 12 years old. Guests tend to be couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, or birthdays, along with friend groups, but few families.
• Beach: The nearest shore is Koloumpos Beach, approximately 4.4 km to the northeast, but Exo Gialos is a better beach and not much farther away, just 6.9 km to the northern end or 9 km to the southern end with its impressive wind-sculpted cliffs. The top beach bar and restaurant is East Breeze, just a few meters from the cliffs. The northern end has a small harbor and another excellent beach bar and restaurant known as Yalos.
• Perspective: At the highest point of the narrowest part of the island, the villas offer exceptional panoramic views of both, caldera sunfalls and Aegean sunrises. Zaneti alone lacks a caldera vista from its veranda.
• The kitchens: Two villas, Marily and Zaneti, contain kitchen areas.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Villa Charissa includes an exterior jacuzzi, and Villa Elidami offers a private, unheated dipping pool.
• Parking: Free parking onsite.
• Extras: Fresh flowers, fruits, and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival.
• When to Book: Hotel operations run from late April to mid-October. Reserve at least 4 months in advance (6 months is preferred) for travel during the peak season from June to September. Reserve at least 2 months in advance for travel during low season.
• How to Book: Booking.com will have the most competitive rates.
• Phone: +30 22860 27014
• Contact Method: [email protected]
• Website: aenaonvillas.gr

Aenaon Villas – Amenities

• Outdoor Pool: Unheated infinity pool situated on the caldera rim.
• Spa: No on-site spa facilities, but in-room treatments can be scheduled.
• Fitness Center: No gym.
• For Guests with Limited Mobility: The hotel is unsuitable for guests with mobility issues as its place on the caldera necessitates traversing stairs throughout. There are no elevators or accessible room options.
• For Families: An adults-only hotel, guests must be at least 12 years old to stay. There are no facilities or amenities for children. Only Villa Marily is large enough to accommodate a family of up to 4.
• Activities: The owners and staff are happy to recommend and book any activities, from sailing to wine tastings to helicopter tours and more.

Aenaon Villas – Food and Drink

• Eatery: There is no eatery onsite, however they do have a preparation area serving light snacks and drinks during the afternoons, served poolside or to the villas.
• Lounge/Bar: There is no bar on site, but drinks can be ordered poolside or to the villas during afternoons.
• Breakfast: A complimentary a la carte breakfast is served daily either to the villas or on the main terrace at your preferred time. The breakfast menu features local fresh products and produce including especially great Greek omelets, chocolate soufflé, and coffee.
• Room Service: Accessible for breakfast and lunch deliveries to private areas including villas, terraces, and by the pool.

Aenaon Villas – Rooms

• Room Types: Villa Charissa – Villa Zaneti – Villa Anezina – Villa Feggeri – Villa Elidami – Villa Marily
• Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their rooms. Smoking is permitted on the private terraces, and in the outdoor common areas.
• Premier Accommodation: Villas Charissa and Elidami are the 2 top villas for couples. Charissa offers generous 65 sqm of space with a king-sized bedroom and a private, outdoor hot tub, while Elidami encompasses 45 sqm in its loft with a queen-sized bed and a private, outdoor plunge pool. Both villas provide spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
• For Families: Guests must be at least 12 years old to stay at this adults-only hotel, which has no amenities or facilities for children. Villa Marily is the largest accommodation that can sleep 4 guests. The 95 square meter villa features a queen-sized master bedroom with an attached bathroom, and two single bedrooms sharing a bathroom. Marily offers a fully equipped kitchen, separate living and dining areas, and a private veranda with direct access to the infinity pool.

Aenaon Villas – Local Transport

• Movement: The accommodations are situated at the northern edge of Imerovigli, directly on the Oia-Fira Trail, just south of the halfway point between Imerovigli and Oia. This is one of the more isolated hotels in the area, with minimal amenities within a brief walk of the property. It takes approximately 50 minutes traveling south to reach Imerovigli village where all of the eateries, points of interest, and boutiques can be found.
• Bus: The closest bus stop is across from the hotel in front of the neighboring San Antonio. This is an unofficial stop, yet the bus is slow and easy to flag down to board. When heading back to the hotel, tell the driver your stop is at San Antonio upon boarding, otherwise they’ll continue driving. Buses here serve all the major villages and beaches on the island, often with a transfer in Fira. Tickets are purchased on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per person daytime, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) run less regularly and cost a bit more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can get very crowded, especially during peak season, to the extent that they regularly fill to maximum capacity and are unable to take on additional passengers. There are solely 23 public buses serving the island.
• Taxis: The closest taxi stand is at Stathmos Taxi, all the way down in Fira, so it’s not very practical to walk or bus to. Additionally, there is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis catering to the entire island (with guests from about 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Book ahead to prevent the wait, and have them meet you straight at the lodging. There will be a small additional charge for advanced bookings and for transporting baggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Imerovigli to Fira is roughly €15 and from Imerovigli to the airport or port is around €25 to €35.
• Motorcycles and scooters: Scooters are mainly how locals get around, but if you`re unfamiliar with the layout, it can be very dangerous. The roads here zigzag up and down hills with narrow lanes and no guardrails or streetlights in most areas. A lot of dirt roads and potholes too.
• ATVs/Quads: ATVs are an enjoyable and popular method of transportation with visitors, but for the locals required to drive behind them, they maneuver too gradually and hold up traffic in an area where moving around is already challenging. For individuals who don’t routinely ride quads (i.e. most people), they can be risky at high speeds and on turns. Crashed your ATV is a guaranteed way to ruin your vacation.

Aenaon Villas – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• The White: Located across from Spicy, The White is a high-end boutique selling custom clothing and footwear designed by Santorinian artist Sophia H.
• Anogi: Al fresco dining with local specialties and classic Greek dishes. Rich flavors and large portions, so come hungry.
• Le Moustache: Providing elevated Greek and Mediterranean dishes alongside quality cocktails while spectators appreciate stunning sundown vistas above the caldera.
• Avocado: Traditional Greek cuisine is served in a charming space, with very welcoming staff. Local Cycladic recipes and an excellent selection of Santorinian wines are offered.
• La Maison: Contemporary Greek fine dining with expansive caldera perspectives. Cuisine, wines, and service are all outstanding.
• The Athenian Home: Stylish fine dining with breathtaking sunset views. Contemporary and imaginative Greek meals incorporate modern culinary techniques and locally-sourced ingredients. Most of all, they’re delightful.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Buddha Bar Beach: Upmarket cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with scenic views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Rather expensive but suitable.
• Domaine Sigalas: Considered the premier vineyard on Santorini, providing opportunities to sample wines, small plates, and full excursions.
• Outdoor cinema and views at Volkan on the Rocks brewpub: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.

Best Nearby Cafes

• Hlios Bakery: Good quality coffee, basic pastries, and deli sandwiches available. While not exceptional, the bakery is inexpensive and provides delivery services (cash only accepted for deliveries).
• To Briki: Fantastic café, the best location to sample traditional Greek coffee. Breakfast items are superb with stunning sunset views.

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

• Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique showcasing Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear situated directly on the trail connecting Oia and Fira.
• Bicycle trip through downtown Amsterdam

Nearby Attractions

• Trail Connecting the Cities of Oia and Fira: One of the top destinations on the island is this scenic 10.5 km hiking route linking Oia and Fira. Composed of sidewalk, cobblestones, and dirt path, this course boasts gorgeous views the full stretch. Hiking northwest, the entire length of the path from the hotel to Oia Castle occupies from 2 to 4 hours; heading south to where the trail ends in Fira, near Keti Hotel, consumes about 30-40 minutes. Add roughly an hour for a diversion at Skaros Rock either way. Only a 1-minute walk from the hotel.
• Imerovigli Basketball Court: Not an attraction of note, but useful to be aware of. This serves as the primary parking area in Imerovigli village.
• The most picturesque church with blue domes in Imerovigli is Anastasi Church, which offers gorgeous views of the caldera overlooking Skaros Rock. It is a popular venue for weddings and photographs.
• Agios Georgios Church: Small white church on a platform over the caldera, denoting the starting point of the path to Skaros Rock. Stunning, panoramic perspectives from here.
• Skaros Rock: Impressive volcanic formation housing ruins of a medieval castle and town dating back to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, represents the sole still active part of Skaros .

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Jimmy’s Market Cava: Store and take-away spot featuring a great selection (especially the wines), along with quality coffees and morning meal sandwiches (higher regularity and better grade breakfasts than Hlios but they don’t deliver).
• Supermarket Nissi: The most affable market in the area and generally the most affordable prices in Imerovigli.

Aenaon Villas – The Hotel