Fabulous new Villa-Suite on the island of Santorini

A family of architecture & design fuse in creating one of Santorini’s most stunning new villa-suites on the island – naturally affording the best private infinity views of the Caldera: a compelling brut carved by the volcanic force of nature and must-have when on vacation here in this part of Greece. 

Villa Charissa is a new addition to the hip, designer-cool Aenaon Villas Santorini – an insider bolthole particularly loved due to its unique location away from the of tourists that flock to this Cycladic island.  

White reigns with grace at Aenaon offset only by charcoaled volcanic rocks, pockets of wild plants and the contrasting blue of the Aegean – no wonder then that the larger Villa Charissa (65m2) follows a similar design narrative to that of her sibling villa-suites. 

Built in the same traditional island’s cave house style, locally called “yposkafa” which are dug entirely into the volcanic rock, Villa Charissa makes no secret of its curvaceous intent and follows the bedrock in true form – the luxury suite cascades into tiers all cocooned in a rigorous aesthetic of pure white, smooth polished cement and a tinge of volcanic black for added drama.

Sisters Elly Alexiou (architect) and Maria-Christina Alexiou (mechanical engineer & lighting designer) forged a design alliance in creating the new addition – both determined to maintain the natural beauty of the rock formation that narrates the flow, whilst having the minimal environmental impact on the landscape using this unique rock-architecture to frame a luxurious suite.

Marble, Corian, natural woods and metres of linen (in white of course) conjure the alluring  Mediterranean DNA whilst the clever usage of illuminating light-wells, a floor-to-ceiling large-paned frontal sliding doors, an ingenious indoor olive tree and reflective surfaces bathe the atrium-like interiors with natural light and the space becomes a magical lair at nightfall – once you have had enough of the sun-set views from your private sun deck and plunge pool.  

Even the roof of Villa Charissa bears the traits of thoughtful and consider design, being cloaked in local rock-stone planted with indigenous fauna that equally enjoys its sun-bleached Caldera-edge location of Santorini. 

Discrete, sleek and highly creative, Villa Charissa is a luxury suite for those seeking romance, solace and pure self-indulgent escapism – and with Aenaon Villas being so secluded with just a handful of guests, you will never feel overlooked. 

The coolest place to stay on the Cycladic island of Santorini - Villa Charissa, aptly named after the Greek word ‘charis’ meaning cute, is the new addition to the family of design villa-suites and generous views overlooking the Caldera. 

Read more about Aenaon here, and if Greece is on your radar – include a rendezvous with the other Cycladic island of beauty, Tinos.