Kicking things off with Canaves Ena in Santorini you’re in for an amazing adventure. Welcome to BlueSkyFriday's brand new feature where we will bring you the very best and most beautiful hotels across the globe, to browse and inspire your next dream break.
Founded in 1985 with the original opening of Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel (transforming this year to Canaves Ena), Ioannis Chaidemenos and his wife, Anna, were among the first to introduce hospitality to the village of Oia, transforming two 17th century caves – once used to store their family’s own vintage of wines – into chic hotel rooms.
Eventually, the hotel expanded to just 18 rooms, becoming the ideal hideaway for intrepid travellers and stylish couples in-the-know. The family has since extended the collection with the creation of four additional properties: Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Epitome, Canaves Sunday, and Canaves Elefas Villas, each bearing its own unique style and personality, all boasting exquisite dining options including Petra Restaurant, Elements Restaurant, Omnia Restaurant, and Veranda Aperitivo.
With a long-held mission to protect and safeguard the island of Santorini, the Chaidemenos family not only transformed the hospitality scene with new experiences, but also worked to preserve the soul of the island and its natural beauty through its future growth and development. Serving as mayor of the village throughout the 90s, Ioannis worked to reposition the cable lines once strewn across the dramatic cliffsides, to allow visitors and locals alike the opportunity to enjoy unobstructed, breathtaking views of the caldera. He also passed a law where no additional bars or restaurants could open in the village without replacing an existing one, maintaining the integrity and successful local market of small business owners throughout the community.
Presently, Canaves Collection is overseen by Ioannis and Anna’s two sons, Markos and Alexandros Chaidemenos. The two brothers have a deep connection to Santorini's beautiful Oia Village, where they spent their childhood summers and holidays exploring through the caves and embarking on oceanic adventures. Markos, who started his career in the family business as a front desk clerk at the age of 16, took on the role of Managing Director at the young age of 22, and has continued to develop his family’s legacy together with his brother and their exceptional team.
Heralding the latest chapter in the brand’s history on the island, this Spring, the legendary Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel will unveil its full transformation and renovation into Canaves Ena – including 18 exquisitely transformed suites. Embracing 'philoxenia' – the ancient Greek value of hospitality – the Chaidemenos family is dedicated to creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that resonate in the hearts of their guests long after they depart the hotels, embracing each visitor as an extended member of their family.
Whether a private candlelit dinner during a romantic getaway, a perfectly planned intimate wedding celebration, or a memorable family holiday, Canaves Collection offers the ultimate in bespoke Greek hospitality, ideal for travellers looking to rediscover the authentic beauty of Santorini. The way the locals have known and loved it for centuries and will continue to do so if the Chaidemenos family have anything to say about it.
Nightly rates at Canaves Collection start as follows. For more information visit www.canaves.com
Canaves Sunday, starting from €600 / £510 per night, Canaves Ena, starting from €650 / £553 per night, Canaves Elefas Villas, starting from €700 / £595 per night, Canaves Oia Suites, starting from €800 / £680 per night and Canaves Epitome, starting from €800 / £680 per night.
