Vedema Resort, Santorini, Review
Written by Olivia Richardson: 02-November-2010
Near the pool
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What's the style of the resort?
Modern yet vintage, simplistic, Mediterranean chic. It was built around a 400-year-old winery.
Who would it suit?
Wine lovers who want to go for the wine part and the actual resort (not necessarily ‘Santorini’); or guests who are a little over seeing another cliff-face view and Fira street (it does feel a bit repetitive after 4 days. The countryside, wineries and mountainous scenes of Megalohori where Vedema is, are quite refreshing then).
What were the best bits?
The chic-ness, concierge (very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful), my private jacuzzi outside my Agean Suite, the very nice bed linen and bedroom set-up, the modern and interior-decorator-designed-looking villas, pool area with extra-funky deck seats, romantic restaurant; reception with gorgeous pink lilies, free lollies, great internet reception and chic décor.
It’s lovely how they transport you to and from your starting point to finishing point of your stay, and there’s a free hotel shuttle bus that goes to Fira and the black beach, where there’s a private strip of beach (about 15 metres) with complimentary deck chairs and towels.
The staff are great. I opened the window and 3 flies got in (I hate flies!). I went out for a while and came back after the cleaners left and there wasn’t a fly in sight. They must have gotten rid of them. Love it.
I also loved the complimentary amenities – the shampoo, conditioner (a rarity in Europe), soap, loofah, nail file, etc. etc. They were all exceptional quality.
(Pictures above: typical Vedema scene with the beautiful flowers and cute cobblestone paths; the view just near my Agean Suite front door; night scene at the resort; my private jacuzzi in my backyard; romantic Vinsanto restaurant, you can dine outside or inside surrounded by authentic black volcanic stone.)
And the worst/what could be improved?
The location wasn’t for me. The view outside my suite was a vineyard and other villas – the vineyards are tiny shrubs no taller than 1m high (that’s the style here as it’s really windy). So don’t expect a vineyard as you probably know it. There’s a gorgeous mountain in the background though.
The bathroom looked a bit dirty – it’s the old vintage style and smelt a bit mouldy or sewerage-y. I didn’t want to go in the shower (very slim, wonky cement or whatever it is, and not clean looking) and there was a little scum in the toilet – the cleaners do a great job I think (I don’t think it’s a cleaning issue), but it’s old looking and needs a re-paint perhaps. The villa was chic-modern but had old vintage, winery-style stuff as well (and that means a dodgy key-lock door I had to have staff come help me open 2 times) and the window panes are ‘too-many layers of paint’ old looking.
The internet wasn’t cracking either on the second day for Facebook, Hotmail and Netbank but worked for other websites. I’m not sure why (and the staff weren’t either).
The pics on the internet are WOW – it’s not really as good in real life though. I thought it was coastal from the pictures (especially the wedding pic one that looks like it’s on a beach!). On the website they show loads of blue pools – there are like 2 and not that big looking in real life – and blue-ness (the sky, etc.) and you subconsciously think it’s on the coast/caldera like most popular hotels and resorts in Santorini – but it’s not.
The beach seats at the beach weren’t very comfy. They give you a smallish towel – should be a whopper to put all over the seat. The hotel shuttle bus comes and goes and if you don’t look for it, you’ll miss it (which I did as I didn’t have a watch). They should announce when it comes and think they should bring you iced water to you as you sit on the beach (you’re paying from 375 Euros a night after all!).
As for food, I only tried breakfast at Vedema and was disappointed. It was a la carte and on the first morning, I waited 5 minutes for the waiter to ask me what I wanted (there were only a few other diners there) and 25 mins for the simple breakfast to come (OK so that might be normal in Europe? I’m not sure). I ordered pancakes and got 4 or 5 tiny pikelet things and no maple syrup, and a yoghurt mint drink, choc croissants (VERY nice) and toast. There were lots of other things to order and I loved the strawberry juice. They also had banana juice and peach juice!
Considering the prices and what you can get on the caldera for the same price, Vedema’s a no-goer for me. I know I sound harsh and like I’m premenstrual – but Vedema wasn’t up to scratch for me. If it was on or a few mins walk from the caldera, then that would be a different story.
(Pics: shower and bath pics – they need a renovation I think. The rest of the bathroom was lovely though; the view from the Agean Suite, mountain view outside Agean suite.)
Ratings
Design and décor: 4 / 5.
Location: 2 / 5 if you want caldera and beach views – but 5 / 5 if you want ‘winery’. Costs about 12 euro for a taxi to Fira, one way (but there is a free hotel shuttle bus)
Comfort: 4
Service: 3
Cleanliness: 4
Chic-ness: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Some better news – Mystique
The same company that owns Vedema (Starwood) owns AMAZING Mystique, which I think’s the best accommodation on the island! Angelina Jolie and Beyonce have been here. It’s great for getting married there too (is cheaper than an Australian wedding – most Santorini weddings are!). Check it out at www.mystique.gr It’s right on the caldera in beautiful town Oia. I totally recommend this one if you have the money.
DK Eyewiness Travel's 'The Greek Islands' book review
I love DK travel books in general because they show instead of tell with pages of text, text, text! DK has loads of pictures to show you exactly what you can see and expect.
This book is 408 pages long but it didn't help that much with my trip planning as it only has 4 pages specifically on Santorini (and I only went there). BUT if you were island hopping around Greece, this book would be very helpful!
I give this book 1 / 5 if you were only going to Santorini only, and 4 / 5 if you were island hopping to at least 5 islands and travelling for over a week in total. $42. FYI: an updated edition's coming out on 31 Jan 2011.