Thermes Luxury Villas ★★★★★

When you see the Thermes Luxury Villas, the architecture is both arresting and familiar. Built in simple Greek country style, in the classic pure whites and blues of Santorini, the curves of the arches and purity of the colours remind you that this is Santorini and nothing can improve on nature’s colour scheme. The arresting part is the infinity pool at the front of the villa, blending seamlessly into the vast blue yonder: we couldn’t wait to try it out! There are only half a dozen villas in the whole complex, so you feel secluded and private, with solid stone walls dividing one property from the next. As you sit on the terrace looking straight out over the wine-dark sea, the little islands dotted in the water and the horizon beyond the caldera, you are in no doubt this is your place, your island, your very own sunset!

Inside, we found simple white-painted furniture with clean lines and soft upholstery, blonde wood floors, clean pale walls and traditional shuttered windows. In the living room, there is a dining table and chairs, so you can enjoy a leisurely snack prepared in the villa’s kitchen, although with breakfast delivered and the attraction of traditional Greek tavernas around, we didn’t do very much cooking! In the living room there is a charming traditional Greek open fire-place with the trademark bulge of the curved chimney. We didn't need to light the fire in holiday season of course, but a pretty flower arrangement sets the fireplace in its rightful role as the focal point of the room. Our bedrooms were sweet and simple with super-soft linen, simple furniture and pretty Turkish-screen wardrobe doors to ensure a healthy air flow. Our luxurious bathroom was marble-tiled in earth colours of ochre and sand and we had a curved free-standing bathtub – what a rare luxury in this land of open showers!

In the morning, there’s nothing like lazing by the pool wrapped in your fluffy bathrobe, cup of coffee in hand, greeting fiery Apollo as he peeps over the hill ready to set out on his chariot ride through the blazing blue sky. We loved it, and we all loved having breakfast delivered to our poolside table so we could enjoy uninterrupted views with our meal, while planning our day’s activities. There is so much to see in Santorini, but we managed to find some less busy old-fashioned tavernas in the nearby village of Megalochori, which felt a world away from the much busier main town of Fira. We found some peaceful country walks and quiet beaches on the eastern side of the island, but all the beaches are amazing with their black sand and red striated rocks.

Altogether, Santorini was a revelation; finally we understood why this is the very essence of a Greek island: it is unique and utterly beautiful. We have our friends and the Thermes Luxury Villas to thank for our revelation, and we are sure our first visit will not be our last.