Hotel Review: Villa Bordeaux, Santorini

Santorini is a travel destination that needs no introduction. The white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, and unparalleled sunsets are reason enough to visit this Greek island, but staying in the right accommodation can truly elevate your experience.

We recently had the pleasure of staying at one of the most iconic and picturesque hotels in Santorini – Villa Bordeaux. With only four luxury suites, this five-star boutique hotel offers an intimate and exclusive escape for those seeking a romantic and peaceful vacation.

Read on for our honest review of Villa Bordeaux and why it’s the perfect choice for your next Santorini getaway.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. Please note that we were invited to stay at Villa Bordeaux, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.*

Table of Contents

Basic Information

Villa Bordeaux

Address: Agiou Mina, Thira 847 00, Greece
Email: info@vbs.gr
Phone: +30 2286888018
Website: https://vbs.gr/
Instagram: @villabordeaux

CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

History of Villa Bordeaux

Despite being a relatively new addition to Santorini’s hotel scene, the Villa Bordeaux building itself dates back to the 19th century and has occupied a prime location in Fira for centuries.

This historic neoclassical structure underwent an intensive renovation process just a few years back. In an effort to take advantage of the villa’s premier cliffside location along the Aegean Sea, the property was developed into a small, deluxe hotel.

With its thick terracotta walls inspired by old-school Venetian styles, the original building stood out amongst the classic white properties Santorini has become so intertwined with.

When the restoration began, the colorful exterior was kept, and the villa was upgraded to retain its unique design while incorporating classic Cycladic architecture.

Every last detail is paid attention to here, which has resulted in the hotel displaying a perfect blend of traditional and modern features, topped off with a whole host of luxurious touches.

Arriving at Villa Bordeaux

Villa Bordeaux is perched on a steep cliff in the heart of Fira, Santorini’s picture-perfect capital.

Fira is one of the most vibrant towns in Santorini, and the hotel is surrounded by many amazing restaurants, cute shopping areas, and quaint white buildings as far as the eye can see. For us, this was super convenient, as we loved exploring the narrow, winding streets every evening.

The location of the hotel is very convenient, no matter how you plan to arrive in Santorini. The ferry port is only a 20-minute drive away, and the airport is even closer, just 10 minutes by car.

If you’re not planning to rent a car, the team of Villa Bordeaux will happily arrange a transfer for you. The cost is usually between €30-40, depending on your arrival point and whether you’d like to opt for a semi-private or a private car.

We opted for the private transfer from the ferry port, and our friendly driver was waiting for us as soon as we arrived. We had a smooth journey to the hotel while taking in the stunning views of the island along the way.

As the hotel is located on a cliff, you can’t drive directly there, so the driver dropped us off at the Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Thira, where we were greeted by one of the hotel’s staff members. They then escorted us down to the hotel via some steep steps – but don’t worry, they’ll handle your luggage for you!

After arriving at the hotel, we were immediately struck by the stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the volcanic caldera. Check-in was seamless and quick, and we were warmly welcomed with a delicious fruit platter and a bottle of bubbly.

Suites

Comprised of just four luxury suites, each room at Villa Bordeaux is meticulously and thoughtfully decorated. Every room is individually designed with unique features, but they all boast chic, understated interiors and fabulous outdoor spaces.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from each suite.

Terra Suite: This is undoubtedly the most iconic and luxurious suite at Villa Bordeaux. It features a private terrace with an outdoor hot tub directly overlooking the white-washed buildings of Fira and the caldera.

Aqua Suite: Located right next to the Terra Suite, the Aqua Suite also boasts a private terrace with an outdoor hot tub. The main difference is that this suite offers views of both the caldera and the Aegean Sea.

Lava Suite: An expansive, open-plan space, this suite has a living area alongside the extra-large bed, cozy window seat, and walk-in wardrobe. Whether in the sleek bathroom, the main quarters, or the private terrace, you’ll have jaw-dropping views to admire.

Aelous Suite: This split-level maisonette consists of a neutral living space on the ground floor and a free-standing wooden staircase that leads up to a spacious bedroom. Each room has caldera views, but the rooftop terrace steals the show, with 360-degree vistas of the island.

Aqua Suite

We spent our time at Villa Bordeaux in the Aqua Suite, and it was everything we could have hoped for and so much more.

The suite is split into two sections, and we had our very own private terrace and plunge pool on the lower level. Having amenities like this somewhere as magical as Santorini was the most surreal experience, especially when the sun started to set.

Inside, we had a coffee machine and a well-stocked mini fridge within easy reach of the living area. On the upper level was the stunning bedroom, which led to a huge bathroom complete with a free-standing bathtub, dual vanities, a dressing area, and the most magnificent views.

Our suite was kitted out with all the essentials, including luxe bathroom amenities, an iPad, a smart TV, and premium bed linens, but nothing could compare with the vistas we got to witness.

Every inch of the suite was designed to make the most of the views, which were even more captivating in person than in any photo I’d seen before our visit.

Facilities

Villa Bordeaux had plenty of facilities and services that made our time here as hassle-free and rejuvenating as possible.

The staff was on hand to assist us with any travel arrangements we needed, and they provided us with transfer services throughout our stay.

Though there isn’t a gym or spa onsite, the hotel has links to a nearby wellness center and can organize a visit for you if you wish.

Although we couldn’t get enough of our plunge pool, we, of course, had to check out Villa Bordeaux’s pristine infinity pool during our stay. This pool happens to be the largest of its kind in Fira!

As the hotel is made up of just four rooms, we usually had the entire deck to ourselves and rarely ran into any other guests here.

The pool is lined with comfortable sun loungers and umbrellas to protect you from the sun, and you can order a glass of bubbly or a craft cocktail to keep you cool, which we couldn’t resist.

Dining

When the suites and the views are as terrific as they are at Villa Bordeaux, our expectations for our dining experiences were already quite high. I can safely say that the team here exceeded them from the moment we had our first meal.

Both our breakfast and evening meals here were wonderful, and I’ve provided all the details for each below.

Breakfast

Villa Bordeaux takes breakfast with a view to new heights with their morning offerings.

Breakfast can be enjoyed in the restaurant by the poolside or directly in your room. We tried out both and couldn’t fault either experience.

You have to fill out a form the night before with your preferences, and everything you’re served is made just for you. The menu we had to choose from was quite extensive, and the best thing is that there is no limit to how much you can order.

On our first morning, we opted for room service, and we tucked into our breakfast right from our private pool while soaking up the remarkable sea views.

It’s safe to say we had somewhat of a feast, as we had a tasty spread of fresh fruits, cream-topped pancakes, and an assortment of breads. We had to have something to wash down our breakfast, which meant coffee and smoothies were also on the agenda.

The next day, we switched things up and dined at the restaurant. From the food to the views, everything was perfect and every bit as impressive as our in-room breakfast.

I’m absolutely obsessed with breakfasts with a view and Villa Bordeaux has now set the bar incredibly high!

Dinner at La Colline Restaurant

As delicious as their breakfasts are, Villa Bordeaux is perhaps better known for their onsite restaurant, which happens to be the only French eatery in Fira.

At the helm of La Colline is a seasoned Michelin-star chef who has created a to-die-for menu of French favorites, which are just as outstanding as the restaurant’s cliffside setting and the attentive staff.

To start, we went for Santorinian tomatoes topped with mozzarella and a Mediterranean octopus salad served in a cucumber. For the main course, my fiance opted for the orzo paella with shrimp and calamari while I chose the duck breast served with fava mousse and dry fruits. Both dishes were incredible and paired perfectly with the recommended local wines.

I was pretty full at this point, but La Colline is famous for its trademarked Volcano Dessert, which I absolutely had to try. Inspired by the Santorini caldera, this creation is shaped like a volcano and uses dry ice to create steam resembling an erupting volcano.

As this dessert is unique to La Colline, we were even gifted a certificate as a keepsake!

All of the tables at La Colline are perfectly positioned along the edge of the property, so you’re guaranteed uninterrupted views of the Aegean Sea. Because of the limited seating, reservations are essential, so make sure you book well ahead of time to catch the iconic Santorini sunset.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our time at Villa Bordeaux was nothing short of magical. We were blown away by the stunning views, impeccable service, and luxurious suite.

We couldn’t have asked for a better base to explore Santorini, and we’ll definitely be returning in the future!

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Santorini with unparalleled views, a luxurious stay, and exceptional dining, look no further than Villa Bordeaux. It truly is the epitome of luxury on this stunning island paradise.

Book a stay at Villa Bordeaux

Pin It for Later!

Planning a trip to Santorini?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Santorini. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

Hotel Guides:

Travel Guides:

Other Amazing Destinations in Greece: Athens | Mykonos | Milos | Naxos | Paros