Remezzo Villas

Remezzo Villas sits on the caldera edge in Imerovigli, the quietest and highest of the three cliff-top villages that crown Santorini's western rim. The property was born in 1982 when the founding family discovered the island and purchased two abandoned wineries, converting them slowly and deliberately into the intimate hotel that stands today. More than forty years later, it remains family-run — an unusual distinction on an island where hospitality has largely scaled into corporate territory.

With a rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 224 Google reviews, Remezzo consistently ranks among the most highly regarded small hotels on the caldera. The address is Fira 847 00, placing it in the administrative municipality that covers this stretch of the caldera cliff, but the physical location is unambiguously Imerovigli — roughly 2.5 kilometres north of Fira town centre and about 3 kilometres south of Oia.

The original winery architecture is still legible throughout the property. Santorini's traditional hyposkafa building style — in which rooms were carved into volcanic tuff rather than built upward — means the hotel's bones are thick cave walls, vaulted ceilings, and the smooth curved plaster surfaces that have been insulating islanders from summer heat for centuries. The interiors are fitted in a contemporary register that lets the architecture do the work without competing with it.

Facilities and Location

Remezzo offers studios and suites across a range of sizes, each occupying a distinct footprint within the original winery structures. Because hyposkafa rooms are shaped by geology rather than floor plans, no two units are identical in layout. What they share is caldera exposure: the hotel's position on the western cliff face means the famous Santorini panorama — the submerged volcanic crater ringed by the island arc, with Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni visible on the water — is visible from rooms, not just from a shared terrace.

The traditional architectural features — vaulted ceilings, curved walls, pressed plaster — function as natural insulation, keeping rooms noticeably cooler than modern concrete constructions during high summer. Contemporary fittings and interiors layer on top without disrupting that thermal logic.

Imerovigli itself adds a practical benefit for guests who want caldera views without the foot traffic of Fira or the narrow lanes of Oia at peak season. The village is smaller and significantly less congested, yet it sits at the highest point of the caldera rim and commands an unobstructed sightline toward Skaros Rock — the eroded volcanic promontory that juts into the caldera below Imerovigli — and north toward Oia's white terraces.

The hotel's reception hours run 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily (10:30 PM on Fridays). For reservations and pre-arrival enquiries, the team can be reached by phone at +30 2286 023030 or by email at [email protected]. The property's official website at remezzo-santorini.com carries a best-rate guarantee and flexible cancellation options according to the site's current booking terms.

How to Get There

Imerovigli is reachable by road along the main caldera-rim route that connects Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and eventually Oia. If you are arriving on the island by ferry at Athinios Port, a taxi or pre-arranged transfer to Imerovigli takes approximately 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The journey from Santorini's Thira Airport follows a similar route and takes around 15–25 minutes by taxi.

Public buses from Fira's central bus station serve Imerovigli regularly throughout the day; the stop is a short walk from the caldera-edge properties. Bus frequency increases during the summer months and decreases sharply in the off-season.

Parking in Imerovigli is limited, as it is across all caldera-rim villages. If you are renting a car or ATV on the island, check with the hotel directly about parking arrangements before arrival. The caldera path — a scenic pedestrian route along the rim — connects Fira to Imerovigli on foot in about 30–40 minutes if you prefer to walk from the main town.

Note that caldera-edge properties in Imerovigli typically involve steps — sometimes a significant number — between the road level and room level. If mobility is a concern, contact the hotel directly to confirm which units are most accessible before booking.

Best Time to Visit

Santorini's high season runs from late May through early September, and Imerovigli is no exception. July and August bring the densest visitor numbers island-wide, but because Imerovigli is smaller and less publicized than Oia for sunsets, the village retains a comparatively calmer atmosphere even at peak season.

The caldera-facing rooms at Remezzo are oriented to catch the afternoon and evening light, making the property particularly suited to guests who want to watch the sun drop behind the volcanic islands from their own terrace or room. Sunset in Imerovigli typically draws smaller crowds than the famous Oia viewpoints.

Shoulder season — late April through May and September through October — offers lower rates, more availability, and comfortable temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius. The island's wind pattern (the meltemi north wind picks up in July and August) can cool evenings on the cliff, which is something to factor into packing rather than trip planning.

The hotel appears to close or reduce operations outside the main tourist season, as is standard for Santorini boutique properties. Confirm operating dates for early spring or late autumn travel directly with the hotel.

Tips for Visiting

• Book well in advance for summer. Properties with genuine caldera views and high ratings in Imerovigli sell out months ahead for July and August. If your dates are flexible, the shoulder season offers better availability and quieter surroundings.
• Ask about specific room orientation. Because the original winery rooms vary in layout and position, it is worth contacting the hotel before finalizing a booking to understand which units have direct caldera views from terraces versus shared spaces.
• Check the steps situation for your room. Caldera-edge hotels in this village are built into a cliff face, meaning access to rooms frequently involves stairs cut into the volcanic rock. Confirm with the hotel if this is a concern.
• Use the hotel's direct booking channel. The website states a best-rate guarantee, so booking through remezzo-santorini.com or by phone may yield better rates or terms than third-party platforms.
• Arrive before dark on your first evening. Navigating Imerovigli's stepped paths and winding lanes for the first time is considerably easier in daylight, particularly if you are arriving with luggage.
• Factor in the caldera path walk. The pedestrian route from Fira to Imerovigli is one of the more rewarding walks on the island — flat-ish, well-maintained, and with continuous caldera views. It is a practical and scenic alternative to taxis for reaching the main town.
• Contact the hotel for transfers. Many boutique hotels in this tier on Santorini can arrange port or airport pick-ups; it is worth asking when you confirm your reservation.
• Bring a light layer for evenings. The cliff setting catches the wind, and evenings in Imerovigli can be noticeably cooler than in Fira town even in August.