The house is a good size and was spotlessly clean, with good amenities. The kitchen is well equipped with a single electric hob, as well as cafetiere and Nespresso machine (It’s easiest to bring your own pods as they were a bit tricky to find on the Island). Marinos, the host, lives in the property next door and has an outdoor gas grill that was available to be used at any point; perfect for grilled steak on the terrace! The outdoor space is great, with table and chairs, 2 sun loungers and an umbrella on a secluded terrace. You have to go to Santorini to fully appreciate how the properties on the Caldera are arranged, but many have small outdoor areas at the same level as the footpaths that weave through the hillside villages, therefore being a bit overlooked. The outdoor space at Mardanza house is comparatively private. The good sized terrace is up a few steps from the footpath leading from Fira to Oia and is shared only with the adjacent property (belonging to Marinos) and a wooden screen separates the space, making it feel very much your own. There are fantastic views from the house down towards the sea, left to Fira and across Santorini towards Akrotiri. Although you can’t see the sunset from the veranda itself, it’s a 100m walk to a viewpoint with some of the best sunset views we had on the island. Skaros rock is a 5-10 minute walk from the house and is another great spot to watch the sunset. Once the sun’s gone down the dusk view from the house towards Fira is breath-taking.
Imerovigli itself is beautiful, retaining a rustic charm with the bonus of good local amenities. The position of the house is very peaceful, but a 2 minute walk enables access to numerous small but well stocked grocery shops, very good restaurants and bars; many of which offer views of the sunset. In approximately 20 minutes you can walk into Fira itself, for all the sites and larger food stores, butchers etc. The walk to Oia is well worth doing and takes around 2 hours. A bus stop is located 2 minutes from the house and you can catch a ride to and from Oia or Fira (amongst other locations) from there every 30 mins or so. We didn’t rent a car and you certainly don’t have to, although for easy access to the beaches/smaller points of interest it may be more convenient than taxis/tours.
Marinos, the host, was incredibly friendly and able to organise/suggest activities in the area, including restaurant reservations and airport transfers.