Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini

“Beautiful stay”

Just back from a week at Vadema and I can confirm that all of the positive reviews left in the past months are entirely accurate. This is a haven away from the tourist filled towns of Fira and Oia and a taste of Santorini of days gone by, but of course far more luxurious! Vadema is a rambling seri… more

Just back from a week at Vadema and I can confirm that all of the positive reviews left in the past months are entirely accurate. This is a haven away from the tourist filled towns of Fira and Oia and a taste of Santorini of days gone by, but of course far more luxurious! Vadema is a rambling series of small villas with cobbled lanes winding through and around them, at one with the pretty village of Megalochori. We stayed in a suite with its own pool, which was warmed perfectly by the sunshine. Having our own pool meant we did not need to use the two main pools, but both looked inviting and were never busy. Certainly not a resort where you need to get up at 6am to reserve a sun bed! Breakfasts are by one of the pools and the staff so polite and attentive at all times. The team organised a hire car for a couple of days so we could explore the island at our leisure - but beware, the roads are very steep and winding so not for the faint hearted driver. The hotel restaurant is pretty pricey but there are five restaurants around the main square which is only steps away. All are good. I would highly recommend Vadema for the location, the ambience and of the wonderful team who were always on hand to arrange your every need - many thanks to everyone for such a wonderful stay!

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“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Santorini Experience That Stays With You”

Three days at Vedema felt like the best kind of secret — one of those places where every detail has been thought through with genuine care. Mornings started beautifully with an à la carte breakfast that felt anything but standard. Local ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a real sense of place… more

Three days at Vedema felt like the best kind of secret — one of those places where every detail has been thought through with genuine care. Mornings started beautifully with an à la carte breakfast that felt anything but standard. Local ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a real sense of place on the plate — exactly how you want to begin a day in the Aegean. The gardens are something else entirely. Lush, immaculately kept, and surprisingly generous in scale — they create a sense of seclusion that is hard to find anywhere on the island. Walking through them, you forget that Santorini outside the gates is busy and buzzing. Inside Vedema, there is a stillness that feels almost meditative. If you are looking for a retreat rather than just a hotel, this is it. Evenings belong to Alati. Tucked inside a centuries-old wine cellar, the setting alone is extraordinary, but the food more than holds its own. The sourdough bread arrives warm and honest. The artichoke dish is quietly brilliant. And the orzo with braised veal — slow-cooked, deeply flavored, the kind of dish you think about on the flight home. The lobster bisque with lasagna is rich and well-crafted; if anything, we’d have welcomed a little more pasta to match the generous depth of the broth. A minor note in an otherwise exceptional meal. A word to anyone visiting Santorini who is not staying at Vedema: book Alati anyway. It deserves to be on your list as a standalone dining destination. The spa is a genuine highlight. The massage was outstanding — skilled hands, the right pressure, and that rare quality of feeling truly restored rather than just relaxed. The hammam is atmospheric and beautiful, though one small note: the marble surfaces were on the cold side, which slightly broke the warmth and flow of the experience. A minor tweak that could easily make it perfect. What truly elevates the stay is the team. Warm, attentive, and genuinely helpful — not in a scripted way, but in the way that makes you feel looked after. The WhatsApp group they set up for guests is inspired: transportation, recommendations, last-minute requests — all handled effortlessly. Feels less like a hotel service and more like having a knowledgeable local friend on speed dial. Vedema is the rare property that combines atmosphere, food, gardens, wellness and human warmth into something that feels complete. We’ll be back.

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“A lovely resort built in the style of a traditional Greek village”

Vedema is a luxury hotel in the heart of the ancient village of Megalochori. The cobbled paths, courtyards, and stepped access ways around the resort resemble those of the village with which it is inextricably intertwined. There is minimal signage around the resort, adding to its authentic look a… more

Vedema is a luxury hotel in the heart of the ancient village of Megalochori. The cobbled paths, courtyards, and stepped access ways around the resort resemble those of the village with which it is inextricably intertwined. There is minimal signage around the resort, adding to its authentic look and feel, and encouraging guests to explore each alleyway. There are two pools as well as a large outdoor jacuzzi. There is also a spa and fitness centre. Each pool has its own poolside bar and restaurant which is open for breakfast (Pergola Pool Restaurant) and/or lunch (Circe and Trataro). There is also a delightful wine bar (Cavana) and restaurant (Alati) in an old cave, once used to produce and store wine, which is open in the evenings. For more options head in to the village (a two-minute walk) where there are half a dozen restaurants with menus ranging from fresh fish, to chicken souvlaki, to pork giros and lamb cutlets. There is also a number of art and jewellery shops as well as a mini-mart. If you have a car there is a supermarket just a few minutes away (by way of illustration a coca-cola costs Eur 8 from the minibar, Eur 3 from the min-market and Eur 1 from the supermarket). The hotel blends-in seamlessly with its surroundings, with the village on one side, and the vineyards and small holdings (think chickens and goats) on the other side, with views of the sea in the distance. We stayed here at the beginning of the season (mid-May) so the hotel was relatively quiet which meant we could choose pretty much any lounger we wanted around the pool. There is a range of suites and villas, some of which have their own private pools and/or hot tubs. It seems that even within the same room category there are a variety of layouts due to the unique nature of the resort. We booked a Dorien Suite but the hotel staff (who were absolutely fabulous) kindly offered us an upgrade to an Ionian Suite in recognition of my 60th birthday Our suite (Sigma 1) was on the edge of the resort overlooking several churches, small holdings and caves, with the sea in the distance. It was a lovely suite with a separate kitchen / living area, bedroom, bathroom with “his and hers” wash basins, and terrace (with two sun loungers and a table and chairs for four). We hired a car from the week (for around Eur 200) from the airport which saved on taxis (its about Eur 40 each way to the airport) and gave us the freedom to explore the island (including the fabulous coastline, beaches and nearby towns of Fira and Oia) at our own pace. We loved our stay at Vedema. It’s a lovely relaxing place which blends in perfectly with its surroundings and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Fira. The staff were absolutely fabulous and couldn’t do enough to ensure we had a great time. I would thoroughly recommend Vedema for a special occasion or romantic get-away. Sadly, if you have mobility issues, with its cobbled paths, courtyards, and steps, Vedema is not for you. Finally, what would I change? Not much. Maybe the wine list could be made a bit more accessible (there are relatively few bottles below Eur 80) and the cocktail list could benefit from a review (better pricing would ultimately encourage more guests to frequent the hotel in an evening).

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“Good but could have been great”

I had the greatest time at this hotel, until at checkout I wasn’t given my $100 Amex FHR credit. I had to fight with the checkout agent she kept telling me the credit was applied when it was not . I finally got my refund but left a bad taste in my mouth about this property. Such a shame because I w… more

I had the greatest time at this hotel, until at checkout I wasn’t given my $100 Amex FHR credit. I had to fight with the checkout agent she kept telling me the credit was applied when it was not . I finally got my refund but left a bad taste in my mouth about this property. Such a shame because I was going to leave the best review possible. Also $70 Euro To go the ferry port is very high priced and a scam. Otherwise I had a great time but has to be 3 star after my bad experience with checkout agent and ripoff transit to ferry port

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