This newly renovated cave house is truly a feast for the senses, inside and out. A rich palette of earth texture on the interior pairs with stunning, expansive views. All the modern comforts of home blend seamlessly with traditional Cycladic furnishings and bespoke antiques is bright and cheerful, with one built-in Cycladic style sofas and a restored antique dining setting. The first bedroom, with a built-in queen size bed, is accessed from the living room. This bedroom has a stunning en-suite bathroom, with a sculptural walk-in shower of handmade pigmented plaster. Second bedroom with en suite bathroom and coffee facilities and also the kitchennet in this amazing house is beautiful! It’s fully equipped with everything you need to feel right at home preparing your coffee.or tea or snacks. Cooking devices are not installed so to prevent undesiring smells for our guests. There is a microwave for reheating precooked meals, but cooking is restricted.
The second bedroom with a double bed is accessed near the kitchen. A second full bath with walk-in shower is also near the kitchen.
The view from the terrace is beyond words. Sea, sky, volcanoes and cliff-side villages greet you at your morning coffee-time or at the brilliant sunset. While scores of visitors stand along the cliff edge awaiting the magical sunset moment, you’ll be relaxing on your terrace, enjoying the same view from the hot tub!
Kenia is the result of the careful renovation of a very important historical Santorini house style, commonly called “cave houses”. These houses are completely unique to the island. Many examples have been preserved and renovated in Oia.
Most early residents of Santorini worked in sea trading and exports. In order to be close to their occupation and also to perceive potentially unfriendly ship invasions, they chose to live on the edge of the caldera cliffs. Wealthy ship captains built mansions that can still be seen in Oia today. Ship hands and sailors built “hyposkafa” or “cave houses”, which were carved into the soft pumice stone of the cliff-sides.
These cave houses were easier to build, and protected the occupants from the harsh winter winds and weather. The natural insulation of the earthen walls of the space also regulated the interior temperature year-round, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Today, this natural insulation continues to produce an advantage for the villa, maintaining a constantly cool interior environment, even on the hottest summer days.
Kenia is just steps away from the famous sunset viewing location in Oia. The sophisticated shops and galleries, traditional tavernas, elegant dining or laid-back cafes of Oia are all within walking distance.
Follow the stone paved footpaths all around Oia, with its whitewashed Cycladic houses sprinkled with windmills, brilliant blue domed churches and of course those famous caldera cliffs. Don’t miss the opportunity to make a hike along the cliff-side path that winds its way from Oia all the way to Fira.
The neighborhood has mini-markets with fresh local products, wine shops, ATM, post, rentals, bus and taxi station all within walking distance. Access to the popular beaches is just minutes away, via private car or public bus. A wide variety of restaurants and cafes are available, featuring a range of from traditional Greek to haute cuisine by world renowned chefs.
It is easiest to get around Oia by foot, on the network of pedestrian only footpaths that wind throughout the neighborhood. For most convenient access to other popular destinations on the island outside of Oia, we recommend a rental car.