Get Lost with Lisa

Step Into the Past

When you first walk into The Dantelo Luxury Residence, you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The house is not only maintained in the same decor as it was over a century ago, but is also steeped in fascinating and beautiful  history.

From 1928-1956, Louisa Danezi’s grandfather set up the house as a charity clinic for the blind. During that time there was an epidemic which afflicted 60% of the whole area with blindness, and the kind-hearted samaritan organized a team of doctors for the patients who couldn’t afford to pay anything.

In 1956, the island suffered a huge earthquake and from that time on the clinic was closed.  Louisa’s parents later  converted the clinic into a family vacation home and used it as such throughout her youth.

In 2016 however, Louisa and her sister decided to renovate the house and turn it into a luxury vaction residence. Opting to keep the furniture in the same antique style as all those many years before, the house still holds that sense of authentic charm that it always had.

The Full Experience

Dantelo offers two residences within the villa, which are connected to one another. And while they are connected, in reality there is more than enough privacy to go around.  The Pink Residence is on the upper portion of the villa, while the Blue Residence is on the lower end.

When I booked my three days at Dantelo, I requested The Pink Residence as it seemed more appropriate to my style.  And I’m so glad I stayed at the Pink Residence! With two levels, three bedrooms, a private rooftop jacuzzi and a private pool, you will feel like you’re living in the lap of luxury.  The Dantelo doesn’t just offer all of this, but also some pretty lavish amenities as well. Need a housekeeper at your beck and call? Claudia, their on-call maid and cook will come running with a smile whenever you need her to pop in.  She won’t just help resolve any issues you may have at the property, but will also come by each morning to make you breakfast. What kind of breakfast you ask? Anything you want. Eggs, fruit salad, ham, bread… and my personal favorite, fresh squeezed orange juice.

She will also clean the house and make your bed each and every day. And no, Claudia doesn’t live on site, but just a two-minute walk from the residence.  This being the case, she can be there in a flash whenever you give her a call.

And if all of that weren’t enough, there is also an outdoor bed with curtains overhead, which flow in sync with the breeze.

There’s also welcome wine when you arrive, books on the island for you to peruse, and in the fridge, complimentary bottled water.

Prices & Comfort

But the experience they offer you at Dantelo is not an inexpensive one. During the spring and winter months you can get a good deal and spend roughly 350 Euro per night, per house. In the summer months however the prices go up of course and range between approximately 950-1,000 Euro per night, per house. And because the Dantelo is as charming and special as it is, it’s really no surprise that they are always completely full during the summer months.

When I asked Louisa what separates Dantelo from other places, she had a lot to say,

“You have the privacy of a villa. You have a large kitchen, large garden for families. The location is ideal for people who want out of the mass tourist areas. The people who come to stay at Dantelo are usually those who are looking for an escape from busy Oia. They are looking for something more elegant in the heart of a traditional Greek village.”

And did I mention that the traditional Greek village where the Dantelo is located is also pretty incredible? Nestled among the blue-domed churches, the village appears to only have a few hundred residents (if that).  You feel secluded and calm on an otherwise overcrowded island.

She also notes that the Dantelo is ideal for families who would like to rent both villas for a week or more. That way they still have privacy but can share the experience together.

In the end, the Dantelo is high luxury in a private setting.  And, it’s also in a relatively hidden part of the world-famous island of Santorini.  Just remember when you book your stay, tell them Lisa sent you!

Looking for a great place to have some delicious burgers at an affordable price? Click here to learn more about D’s Burgers! Or how about a more upscale place to have a romantic dinner while on the island? Check out The Athenian House!