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. 56 Travel 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.