The Hector Caldera nest was a perfect place for my husband (!!!) and I to enjoy some R&R on our honeymoon.
THE LOCATION: We loved being so close to the center of Oia and found that we never had to rent a car during our stay, instead preferring to walk along the main thoroughfare and take in the beautiful view. It was nearby the main squares without being too close - a perfect combination of accessibility and privacy.
THE HOME: The nest was cozy, comfortable, and had an amazing private terrace facing the Caldera where we spent tons of time relaxing, reading, and watching boats float by. We loved the fact that there was a small fridge, coffee maker, water kettle, and sandwich press. Our first day we stopped by a market for some simple rations and we ended up enjoying many simple, homemade breakfasts and lunches on that terrace. The place was immaculately clean and daily housekeeping kept it spectacularly spic and span.
THE HOSPITALITY: The home itself was absolutely lovely but it was the service and communication from Giannis and his housekeepers that made this AirBnB one of the best we've ever experienced. He graciously helped coordinate a transport shuttle from the airport to the home for a very reasonable rate. Upon arrival we were greeted by the housekeepers who walked us to the specific cave house, showed us all the amenities, and took us through a map of the area with tons of recommendations for local restaurants and shops. We were also greeted with a basket of fruit, a plate of cake, and a chilled bottle of wine! Giannis also helped us book a sunset cruise on a catamaran, which ended up being a highlight of our trip. The housekeepers escorted us to the pickup point for that adventure and took us to the meeting point for our shuttle (also coordinated by Giannis) when it was time to leave. I have never, in several years of AirBnBs, experienced service that was this personal and comprehensive.
SANTORINI TIPS: We were definitely not the only ones on our honeymoon in Santorini! We ended up calling it a "Newlywed Processing Facility" because it was packed to the gills with starry-eyed couples. Make no mistake, this is an intensely tourist-populated destination and definitely one for the selfie stick crowd. As mentioned, the cruise that Giannis helped coordinate was a highlight and his lovely housekeeper recommended the Katina restaurant to us down in Ammoudi Bay, which we ended up revisiting night after night. Definitely a beautiful destination for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.