MS317

Villa Ilios and Villa Selene float like a cloud above the sparkling blue Aegean. Traditional houses in bright whites sprinkled with dazzling blue line the caldera footpath to the property, tucked along the cliffs of magical Imerovigli village. This multi-level villa complex is a picture-perfect postcard vision of Cycladic island style and relaxed sophistication with village charm. The interiors of this renovated traditional house are curvy, bright and breezy. Bold splashes of local art adorn the smooth sculpted plaster walls. The bedrooms are soft and romantic, with candle-lit niches and a feather-light serenity. The views from the multiple terraces and the large glass windows are breathtaking, spanning the famous caldera cliffs, neighboring villages and nearby small islands, all cloaked in the bright blue hues of the infinite sea and sky. The vibrant red tones of the terrace walls join the spectacle as twilight brings the stunning sunset view, witnessed from the private jacuzzi. Villa Ilios and Villa Selene are the result of the careful renovation of a very important historical Santorini house style, completely unique to the island. Commonly called “cave houses” today in Santorini, many examples have been preserved and renovated in Oia and Imerovigli. These houses were easier to build, and protected the occupants from the harsh winter winds and weather. The natural insulation of the earthen walls of the space also regulated the interior temperature year-round, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Today, this natural insulation continues to produce an advantage for the villa, maintaining a constantly cool interior environment, even on the hottest summer days. The renovation of the villas preserved the original beautiful organic shapes of the smooth walls, vaulted ceilings and arched openings that were part of the arrangement of the original house. The creative use of the original features is evident throughout the villa. Villa Ilios gives access to a private cave pool, while villa Selene is equipped with an outdoor hot tub. Perfect for a romantic get-away for two or a sun-soaked holiday for a small group of friends, this villa offers all the dazzle of a Santorini caldera home with the genuine charm of a quiet village setting.