Earlier this summer, Canaves Collection, a family-owned group of five boutique hotels in Santorini, unveiled its newest addition: Canaves Ena. The anticipated opening marked an exciting new chapter for the brand, building on a 40-year history that began with transforming family-owned wine caves into one of Greece’s most beloved boutique hotel brands.
Reimagining Canaves Oia
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
Canaves Ena debuted after a complete redesign of the original Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel, which dates back to the 1980s. Now, the new property features 18 suites, each designed to reflect Canaves Collection’s signature style of elegant minimalism, incorporating natural tones and local materials to stay true to the original Cycladic cave architecture. The suites are designed for couples seeking a romantic, tranquil retreat, with each suite offering private verandas, infinity pools, and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea. The River Pool Suite, with its unique jacuzzi carved into the original 17th-century caves, has quickly become one of the most romantic hideaways on the island.
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
In addition to its luxury suites, Canaves Ena debuted a new restaurant, Adami, named after the Greek word “αντάμωμα,” which means “meeting.” In addition to Canaves Collection’s other four restaurants, this eatery celebrates connection and tradition through its menu of generations-old Greek recipes, using locally sourced ingredients from Santorini and the mainland. Dishes like Tomatokeftedes, Bakaliaropita, and Tuna Tigania reflect the heart of Greek gastronomy and invite guests to gather around the “Sunday table”—a cherished tradition in Greek culture that guests are encouraged to participate in.
The History of Canaves Collection
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
The story of Canaves Collection is deeply rooted in the Chaidemenos family’s heritage, with a legacy that dates back to the 17th century in the fishing village of Oia. In 1985, Ioannis Chaidemenos and his wife, Anna, converted their family’s wine caves into the first hotel, laying the foundation for a renowned collection of properties. Today, their sons, Markos and Alexandros Chaidemenos, continue to lead the brand, ensuring a perfect balance between honoring the past and embracing the future with this visionary redesign of Canaves Ena.
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
“My parents created the Canaves Collection in 1985 and were among the first to introduce hospitality to the village of Oia,” said Markos Chaidemenos. “They started with two 17th-century wine caves that were then carved and transformed into originally 18 ultra-chic hotel rooms.”
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
Today, Canaves Collection spans five hotels: Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Epitome, Canaves Sunday, Canaves Elefas Villas and Canaves Ena, each embodying its own distinct personality steeped in authentic. Through the newly redesigned Canaves Ena, the Chaidemenos family continues to deliver bespoke Greek hospitality, embodying the ancient Greek value of philoxenia, or “hospitality,” in every detail. Whether through private yacht tours, exclusive wine tastings, relaxing spa treatments, or discovering hidden gems of the island, Canaves Collection offers its guests world-class experiences with a personal touch.
After visiting Canaves Collection and staying in the three-bedroom villa at Canaves Oia Suites, just down the street from Ena, Markos Chaidemenos gave Whitewall an inside look at the preeminent property in Oia and how he recommends you spending the perfect day in Santorini.
Behind the Scenes with Markos Chaidemenos
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
WHITEWALL: Canaves Collection does a spectacular job at blending the b beauty of Santorini with modern amenities and programming, as well as design and decor. How do you think about that juxtaposition behind the scenes?
MARKOS CHAIDEMENOS: Canaves Collection is known on the island for its signature elegant minimalism, with calming natural tones throughout each property, designed and decorated by local artisans. All offer a unique setting that tailors to guest’s preferences. Canaves Ena or Canaves Oia Suites, for example, are ideal for young couples and honeymooners seeking an intimate retreat on the cliffside while Canaves Epitome invites guests to explore the lesser-known side of the island, most ideal for children and families. As far as food and beverage programming, our five restaurants Petra, Elements, Adami, Veranda Aperitivo Bar, and Omnia all focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients with sophisticated menus that delight the palate.
We also offer wonderful experiences that reflect Santorini to its core such as wine tastings, olive oil tastings, sailing adventures, pottery classes, hiking, and more. Showcasing the beauty of Santorini is also our spa, designed inside a natural cave, featuring two treatment rooms, a nail studio, a Rasul Steam bath, a Sauna and an amazing external couple’s treatment room with a unique view of the caldera. Embracing philoxenia—the ancient Greek value of hospitality—we are dedicated to creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that resonate in the hearts of guests even long after they depart the hotels.
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
WW: The food and beverage concepts take local cuisine and dishes and reimagine them in contemporary ways. How do you approach the menu with modern-day travelers in mind?
MC: Led by renowned executive Chef Tasos Stefatos, our dining options create a setting that feels like home while enjoying menus that serve as a passport to Greece’s culinary heritage. From the relaxed ambiance of tapas and cocktails to the sophisticated allure of fine dining, our restaurants showcase the diverse facets of local cuisine. Each bite is a journey through generations-old recipes, seasoned with love and the rich history of Greek flavors. At Adami, Canaves Ena’s newest restaurant, the name is inspired by the Greek word ‘αντάμωμα’ (antamoma), meaning “meeting” someone. It speaks to the desire for connection and a taste of familiarity. Here, we recreate the magic of the Sunday table, a cornerstone of Greek life where families gather around dishes that are brimming with love and tradition. For a more adventurous take, our fine dining restaurant Petra at Canaves Oia Suites sets the stage for a unique culinary showcase, featuring creative takes on mouthwatering Green Kakavia and tender “Fagkri.”
Canaves Epitome’s two restaurants, Elements and Omnia, are two other spectacular options. Elements was honored this year with a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award, and promotes the wine culture of Santorini, paired with the best sunset view on the island. Omnia on the other hand, has the best seafood treasures of the Archipelago, choreographed around a statement pool ‘stage’ for a cinematic experience. Lastly, Veranda at Canaves Sunday is the perfect spot to enjoy an exquisite cocktail from our skilled bartenders during aperitivo hour. Overall, each restaurant has its own charm and offers travelers an invitation to indulge in a truly unforgettable experience!
Preserving the Soul of Santorini
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
WW: Santorini is a special place, with topography shaped by a volcano and its calderas. How has this impacted the way you were able to build atop the cliffs? What kind of planning, construction, engineering, and maintenance goes into physically building a hotel in a place like this?
MC: The way my family built Canaves Collection was always to preserve the soul of the island and its natural beauty. My father served as mayor of the village throughout the 1990s, and 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. Constructing the collection took time and care, but we did so by conserving the cliffs’ rich history and using natural elements into the design.
In response to the volcanic terrain and the slope of the surface, we used traditional construction methods that have been passed down from ancient times, where everything involved special craftmanship and hand labor. This approach, while more challenging and certainly more time-consuming, enhances the precision and artistry involved. You might compare the technique used to that of building a subway, all of which takes place underground (in our case, in caves). Due to the steep inclines and varying cliff levels, we also chose to incorporate elevator access in Canaves Oia Suites.
Embracing Local Talent: From Jewelers to Painters
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
WW: While on-site, we saw many local treasures throughout the property, including sculptures from a local gallery named Oia Treasures, wine by Santorini Ancestral Vines and Gai’a, jewelry by Poniros, and more. How do you choose which brands to bring in?
MC: Our philosophy has always been to support and highlight local talent by collaborating with individuals who share a deep love and appreciation for the destination, capturing the true essence of Santorini in our designs. This includes working with local architects, interior designers, wine producers, sculptors, photographers, painters, and more. From the art displayed in our galleries to the wine showcased in our cellar, our primary goal is to feature artists with diverse styles, each offering their unique perspective.
A notable example is Andreas Makaris—a fifth-generation potter born in Athens, Greece, who has called Santorini home since 1985. We collaborate with him and his studio, Earth and Water Art Pottery, to create many of the fantastic sculptures and vases featured throughout our properties.
An Inside Guide to Santorini
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
WW: For those who have never been to Santorini, how do you recommend they spend their time when not at the property?
MC: I highly recommend exploring Santorini by sea on one of our private yachts or catamaran boats through Sunset Oia. This is the ideal way to enjoy the dramatic views of the cliffside, visit the volcano, visit beaches with private access from the road, and swim in the Mediterranean. Just steps from one the docks, Armeni Restaurant offers fresh island seafood and is our restaurant of choice to recommend to guests off-property. A must-do activity is a visit to one of the vineyards where the infamous Santorini wines are produced, such as Domaine Sigalas and Estate Argyros wineries.
I also recommend the wonderful caldera views from the popular hiking trail from Oia to Fira, or horseback riding on beaches or village trails. Exploring the untouched islet of Therasia with an e-bike, or discovering the Greek culinary traditions with an olive oil tasting or cooking classes are also lovely choices. Our concierge team is an excellent resource for guests, offering personalized local recommendations to help create their dream holiday!
Courtesy of Canaves Collection.
