Loving Caves by Maralyn D

Travel

Courtesy of Iconic Santorini

Iconic Santorini Loving Caves By Maralyn D. Hill

55 aves have always been Rooms Restaurants timing. Our choice was to enjoy interesting to me, but I can’t We were then led to our cave The Iconic has an authentic our delicious breakfast, as we say I have ever had a desire hideaway room, carved out from home-stye restaurant that serves relaxed on our terrace and imagined to spend too much time in the rocks, where champagne was breakfast, lunch and dinner. There the beginning of each day and them, let alone sleep in one. awaiting. All the walls are painted are also numerous private dining what it held. CThat has all changed since white, and its smooth curves relax areas and terrace seating and lounge experiencing the Iconic Santorini, you. The rustic furniture, combined areas. They describe the food as Our dinner was so delightful in one located in the picturesque village with a modern at screen television, home-style, but it was well beyond of the smaller dining areas. A second of Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece. is comforting. You may discover a ordinary. After all, you are staying night after being invited to go I knew this five-star distinctive distressed rocking chair, a metal in a fivestar propert and what to the other side of the island to boutique cave hotel had to be good. shoe rack or clothes rack, but they is served lives up to a fivestar a lovely restaurant, we chose to After all, in 2014, it was awarded all add to the sense of place. standard. return to the Iconic and enjoy the following: Travel Award 2014 Instead of anything feeling old or Iconic’s peacefulness, as we Winner Greece’s Leading Boutique antiquated, it all seems welcoming We were able to enjoy our breakfast gazed out at the Aegean. Hotel; Certificate of Excellence and comfortable, especially the bed. on our terrace or in the dining room. Travel Award; The Smith Hotel Beds used throughout are COCO- It was our choice and so was the No matter what time of day or night, Awards, Top Ten in the World; MAT® four layer oversize beds. This and Tatler 101 Best Hotels in the is topped off with wonderful Classic Suite World – Tatler Travel Guide. amenities and the use of sop Courtesy of Iconic bath products, sheer luxury. Santorini We arrived at dusk. Why was my heart beating so fast when I looked What may be in one room, won’t be down the side of the cliffs with the in another, as far as furnishings. narrow passageways? How was our The twenty-two individualized cave luggage ever going to make it down residences and suites, over five those stairs, let alone me? Met at levels, are designed to convey the the top by the hotel manager, we Greek-style, which complements followed the stairs with well-placed historic Cycladic architecture that railings and signage to the cave honors the original cave architecture reception area. It was so welcoming found throughout Santorini. During and comfortable. Before I could ask the daylight hours, this architecture about our luggage, we saw the was evident on the side of the workers carrying down our luggage island. However each hotel maintains by holding it over their heads. If its own personality, and the Iconic they do that on a daily basis, up and Santorini is one we’ll never forget. down, they certainly do not need strength training.

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aves have always been Rooms Restaurants timing. Our choice was to enjoy interesting to me, but I can’t We were then led to our cave The Iconic has an authentic our delicious breakfast, as we say I have ever had a desire hideaway room, carved out from home-stye restaurant that serves relaxed on our terrace and imagined to spend too much time in the rocks, where champagne was breakfast, lunch and dinner. There the beginning of each day and them, let alone sleep in one. awaiting. All the walls are painted are also numerous private dining what it held. CThat has all changed since white, and its smooth curves relax areas and terrace seating and lounge experiencing the Iconic Santorini, you. The rustic furniture, combined areas. They describe the food as Our dinner was so delightful in one located in the picturesque village with a modern at screen television, home-style, but it was well beyond of the smaller dining areas. A second of Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece. is comforting. You may discover a ordinary. After all, you are staying night after being invited to go I knew this five-star distinctive distressed rocking chair, a metal in a fivestar propert and what to the other side of the island to Each guest room has boutique cave hotel had to be good. shoe rack or clothes rack, but they is served lives up to a fivestar a lovely restaurant, we chose to an amazing view of After all, in 2014, it was awarded all add to the sense of place. standard. return to the Iconic and enjoy the Sound from its the following: Travel Award 2014 Instead of anything feeling old or Iconic’s peacefulness, as we roo ide oor Pergola Restaurant toeilin iture Winner Greece’s Leading Boutique antiquated, it all seems welcoming We were able to enjoy our breakfast gazed out at the Aegean. Courtesy of Iconic window. Hotel; Certificate of Excellence and comfortable, especially the bed. on our terrace or in the dining room. Santorini Travel Award; The Smith Hotel Beds used throughout are COCO- It was our choice and so was the No matter what time of day or night, Awards, Top Ten in the World; MAT® four layer oversize beds. This and Tatler 101 Best Hotels in the is topped off with wonderful Classic Suite Grotto Suite oni taff hoto World – Tatler Travel Guide. amenities and the use of sop Courtesy of Iconic Courtesy of Iconic Maralyn D. Hill bath products, sheer luxury. Santorini Santorini We arrived at dusk. Why was my heart beating so fast when I looked What may be in one room, won’t be down the side of the cliffs with the in another, as far as furnishings. narrow passageways? How was our The twenty-two individualized cave luggage ever going to make it down residences and suites, over five those stairs, let alone me? Met at levels, are designed to convey the the top by the hotel manager, we Greek-style, which complements followed the stairs with well-placed historic Cycladic architecture that railings and signage to the cave honors the original cave architecture reception area. It was so welcoming found throughout Santorini. During and comfortable. Before I could ask the daylight hours, this architecture about our luggage, we saw the was evident on the side of the workers carrying down our luggage island. However each hotel maintains by holding it over their heads. If its own personality, and the Iconic they do that on a daily basis, up and Santorini is one we’ll never forget. down, they certainly do not need strength training.

Iconic Pool Photo: Maralyn D. Hill

57 the view was breathtaking. Another close friend or family. As a people couple we spoke with commented watcher and someone who watches that they had been there seven service staff, the service was nights and eaten on site five of amazing. This was a unique luxury them. The gentleman said, “You can’t Imerovigli hotel, where guests were beat the food, service and view.” the priority. Its Hellenic hospitality focuses and ensures magical Staff moments. I’ve dwelled so much on the rooms, I’ve failed to comment on the he Iconic antorini oncierge staff terraces, lounges and pool areas, was terrific and welleperienced making up the hotel that carved ambassadors for the island of from the volcanic wall of the Santorini. They were available all day caldera. This tranquil retreat and evening to assist with any need. provides one breathtaking view They assisted us in lining up a tour after another of the sparkling azure of Santorini. As much as lingering by waters of the Aegean Sea from all the pool, or sitting on the verandah, five levels there are no bad rooms reading and relaxing, sounded good, or terraces. we were here to discover Santorini. Each guest room has All of this sounds good, but would Arrangements were made for us to an amazing view of be daunting without the absolutely have a private tour with “Your Greek the Sound from its wonderful staff that all provided Friend,” www.yourgreekfriend.com. roo ide oor toeilin iture exceptional service. The hotel was Tours are customized to your own window. full while we were there, yet each desires. We visited a market, cooking and every guest felt like a good or school, restaurant, village, winery,

roert at us Courtesy of Iconic Santorini

58 Travel

the view was breathtaking. Another close friend or family. As a people etc. Individuals who live and know couple we spoke with commented watcher and someone who watches the area guide you. Guides are that they had been there seven service staff, the service was available who speak Portuguese, nights and eaten on site five of amazing. This was a unique luxury French, Spanish, English and Greek. them. The gentleman said, “You can’t Imerovigli hotel, where guests were beat the food, service and view.” the priority. Its Hellenic hospitality When you experience Greece with focuses and ensures magical a local friend, it brings insight that Staff moments. enables you to relax and enjoy the I’ve dwelled so much on the rooms, various areas you visit. Our complete I’ve failed to comment on the he Iconic antorini oncierge staff day was a total delight. As those terraces, lounges and pool areas, was terrific and welleperienced from Your Greek Friend say, “Don’t making up the hotel that carved ambassadors for the island of just be a tourist, become an explorer, from the volcanic wall of the Santorini. They were available all day traveling this ancient land and caldera. This tranquil retreat and evening to assist with any need. experiencing the hospitality of provides one breathtaking view They assisted us in lining up a tour its people.” after another of the sparkling azure of Santorini. As much as lingering by waters of the Aegean Sea from all the pool, or sitting on the verandah, One of the mornings, rather than five levels there are no bad rooms reading and relaxing, sounded good, take a taxi into the nearby village, or terraces. we were here to discover Santorini. we walked the rocky path to get Each guest room has our exercise. After our two-mile All of this sounds good, but would Arrangements were made for us to an amazing view of excursion and walk around the village be daunting without the absolutely have a private tour with “Your Greek the Sound from its to make some purchases, we opted wonderful staff that all provided Friend,” www.yourgreekfriend.com. roo ide oor for the taxi back to the hotel. toeilin iture exceptional service. The hotel was Tours are customized to your own window. full while we were there, yet each desires. We visited a market, cooking Other Guest Services and every guest felt like a good or school, restaurant, village, winery, hese include utdoor infinit pool with jetted tub seating; complimentary use of gym with The stairways that intimidated me now stayed at the Iconic Santorini, For your information: The property roert at us Courtesy of Iconic professional quality exercise at first sight became second nature when we see another award pop up is closed during the winter period Santorini equipment; spa providing single Moving up and down levels to reach for it, it will not shock us. Instead, from November to April. This is an or couple massage with indoor different areas of the hotel was we’ll know it is well earned and annual closing and the property is grotto pool; complimentary welcome. Other guests seemed like deserved If ou find ourself tring completely given a thorough once- wireless high-speed Internet friends, and, again, the staff rate as out the Iconic Santorini, let us know over, to be sure every aspect is up access throughout property; some of the best we have ever what you think by writing a letter to to standards. In the meantime should multilingual and staff experienced. Since Norm and I have the editor. you require any information or

errae reafast Courtesy of Iconic Santorini

ABOVE Kitchen Courtesy of Iconic Santorini

59 booking assistance please contact us errae ie at [email protected]. Photo: Maralyn he oce responds rapidl D. Hill

Iconic Santorini Imerovigli, Santorini 84700, Cyclades, Greece [email protected] www.iconicsantorini.com The Iconic Santorini is part of the Mantis Collection. It is the only hotel group that has properties on all seven continents. In their words, “Mantis is a family run collection of award winning, privatel owned, five star properties located around the orld ivided into five distinct groups, its specialist areas include Boutique Hotels, Game Reserves, Eco Lodges, Ski Lodges and Chalets and Yachts. All of the properties represent the finest eample of its kind and celebrate the culture, gastronomy, architecture and nature each property is sensitive to its opportunity to experience the of the locations in which they surroundings in respect of the essence of the location.” are found to offer guests a trul building, environment and local authentic eperience ciall community. The diverse portfolio Having experienced the Iconic founded by Adrian Gardiner in 2000, of handpicked properties link up to Santorini, Norm and I look Mantis is committed to the spirit of create ournes, which offer guests forward to featuring more conservation and restoration, and the ultimate life experience and the of their properties.

leated roert Afternoon Courtesy of Iconic Santorini

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booking assistance please contact us errae ie Norm and Maralyn at [email protected]. Photo: Maralyn Hill at the Iconic he oce responds rapidl D. Hill

leated roert his hoto Afternoon Courtesy Maralyn D. Hill of Iconic Santorini ABOVE Pergla Restaurant unh ourtes Iconic Santorini