Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini

Nestled in the peaceful village of Megalochori—far from the cruise ship chaos—Vedema is a Cycladic dream at first glance. Picture: bougainvillea climbing over whitewashed walls, cobblestone paths winding through archways, and that signature sleepy Greek village energy. But beyond the postcard-perfect setting, the experience was a bit more… meh than magnificent. She Said: I was smitten with the vibe—serene, sun-soaked, and effortlessly romantic. Our suite had just enough space to feel indulgent without being over-the-top, and the private plunge pool was a dreamy cool down escape (if you ignore the weird white residue). One word of advice: pack real shoes. The cobblestones are charming until your sandals revolt. He Said: The food and cocktails? Delicious but definitely on the splurge-y side (think €30 for a drink). The A/C system seemed to moonlight as a white noise machine (not the good kind). And the “sea view”? Technically accurate… if you squint. From a ladder. With binoculars. If you’re looking to be ocean front, don’t stay here. The Kid Said: “There were SO MANY CUTE KITTENS! I wanted to take them ALL home.” (Note: Love at first sight when you see all of the cats but for people who are allergic (or don’t like them) good luck 🤞🏽. Pro Tip: Vedema guests get access to the beach club at the sister property. For €100, you’ll get 2 loungers, towels, fresh fruit, 2 signature cocktails, and roundtrip transport. Book very well in advance during high season.

Vedema is a gorgeous hotel off the beaten path in Santorini. I was a little worried about the location before booking but I was so glad to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Fira and Oia. The service at Vedma was top notch and everyone was so warm and welcoming. The breakfast was very good and a few nights we ordered dinner in for the kids. They were thrilled to find chicken nuggets and pizza, while we were able to get traditional Greek food at a local taverna. The villa itself was very clean and had gorgeous views of white washed buildings. We strolled around the cute neighborhood right before sunset one evening and took the best pictures of alleyways, blue dome roofs and without all the crowds! Do not miss Mr. Scoop, just around the corner from the hotel for the most amazing gelato. If you are looking to be away from the busyness of Fira or Oia, I would highly recommend Vedema.

This resort was located in Megalochori. There was a bus stop by walking 400 meters with Ktel bus to Fira costing 2 Euro. The bus lines between Fira and Akrotiri/Perissa will stop here so the frequency in daylight was ok ( around 20-30 minutes). This resort was designed to different types of villas. We received a room upgrade to a suite with two floors and jacuzzi which was very comfortable. Breakfast was very delicious to provide a variety of menu orders.

We highly recommend this location. They worked with us when we had travel issues in our departing city to ensure we still had our room. The room type was spacious and offered room for a family. They anticipated our needs and was very relaxing. Location is not near the main tourist area but you can arrange transportation. They have a private beach property and was quiet if you are looking for a low key area. Breakfast was great. I loved a quick sit down versus buffet. If you are an avid cat lover and heard about Greece with cats, this is one location you may come across them.

Vedema was a dream location during our stay in Santorini. Our villa had a private pool and the staff is super attentive to guests. When we needed a transfer, they arranged it with as short as 30 minutes notice and took care of arranging excursions for us. It is located in a little village that offered options for wine tastings and restaurants.