Hermitting in Santorini

The Caldera

This year has been a busy one. I’ve traveled a lot, I moved to a new country where I don’t speak the language and I started a new job. I’ve also had more house guests in the last two months than I have had in 5 years. It was time to go into hermit-mode and rejuvenate myself.

Some people retreat into their man (or gal) cave. Me? I retreat to a hotel where the rooms are built into a cliff like a cave.

JUST THE ESSENTIALS - SORT OF

Originally my plan was to do a safari in Africa, but after I checked how long the flights were (and how expensive), I changed my mind. Besides, as I mentioned, I was tired and needed some peace and quiet – which was not exactly what the safari tour places were offering. Then someone at work mentioned they had gone to Greece for a long weekend. Greece? It’s close? I keep forgetting that Switzerland is close to things that normally would be inconvenient to get to and Santorini was one of them.

One of the private pools at the Ambassador Aegean Hotel

Because I’m a travel procrastinator, I didn’t start looking for a hotel until early July (for late July bookings). I had no idea that summer was going to be so popular. Plus, Greece was in the news with their economic crisis so I had assumed no one would be visiting the islands. Ha ha ha ha...I was so wrong.  

Looking at Expedia and seeing all the reasonably priced hotels that were booked during my time slot, I decided there was no way I was going to stay in Fira or Oia. It would be too crowded and I wouldn’t get the quality hermit time I needed. 

All I wanted a nice hotel and a great view to look at the sunset. I also wanted to eat really good Greek food. Oh…and I needed internet. Reliable internet.  I was taking a course at Drexel and my mid-term exam was going to happen during my vacation so I needed to be able to complete it online.

So that was it: Food, shelter, sunsets and internet…the essentials of my life.



Complimentary drink of your choice when you arrive at the hotel. I was jet lagged coming from Tampa and Pina Colada always says "I'm on vacation" to me.

PEACEFUL PERFECTION

My answer came when I came across the Ambassador Aegean Hotel. The website said it was near Red Beach, Ancient Akrotiri (could be interesting) and each room had a private pool. But these are the words that got me hooked “located in one of Santorini’s least exploited areas” and the “ultimate Santorini escape.” Ooohhh…that translate to hermit-time with wine and olives to me.

The private pools at the Ambassador Aegean hotel

While I was a little worried that this place was not booked up like all the other ones I had looked at, I shouldn’t have been. It turned out to be peaceful perfection with five-star service.

My amazing cave room

I loved the lantern-lit cave hallways and the rooms were private and incredible. Every room had a panoramic view of the caldera so I could enjoy the sunset from my room, terrace or pool. Plus, breakfast was included and it wasn’t buffet. I’m not a fan of buffets as the food is usually subpar. At the Ambassador Aegean, you ordered from a menu the day before and it arrived at your desired time the next morning.

Lantern lit hallways leading underground to your room.

And yes, the hotel was away from all the tourists, but close enough to Fira and Oia that you could take a short cab there for an evening out. If you want a loud party weekend, then this is not the place for you, but if you want a quiet escape from reality, then forget the man cave and go for this cave hotel.

Relaxing dinner with a view.