NOUS Santorini: A Spacious Retreat Minutes From The Action

Santorini welcomes over 2 million visitors a year, including up to 10,000 cruise passengers a day during peak season. NOUS, which aptly is the ancient Greek word for Mind, provides the perfect sanctuary for those who want to experience the uniqueness and beauty of this idyllic Greek island, while escaping the potential crowds. And NOUS Santorini does the escape thing really, really well. Situated in the village of Mesaria, NOUS is five minutes away from airport and ten minutes from Fira (Thira), the island’s capital, and a 20-minute drive from Oia to where everyone flocks to see the fabled sunset.

The Biggest Pool You’ve Ever Seen

What strikes you first on entering the grounds at NOUS is the sense of space, a rare commodity at hotels in Santorini’s main towns. Every effort has been made to keep the property harmonious with the landscape, a fact echoed by the water feature that runs from the top of the steps down to reception, a gentle cascade for the eyes and the ears while you gaze at the Aegean Sea beyond the property. As you reach the bottom of the steps to enter reception, you get your first glimpse of the NOUS’s masterpiece and centerpiece – its one-hectare pool that requires a panoramic setting to photograph its entirety.

Check-in is conducted in the lobby lounge from the comfort of a sofa while the staff come to you to complete registration. You are given a WHATSAPP number to text for any eventuality. I used this for real emergencies like running out of the SPF 50 sunscreen that is provided in each room and to get help with my luggage. Responses were very prompt; I began to wish more properties would do this.

Artfully Decorated Rooms

The selection of rooms at NOUS is vast, and a large number of suites have their own pool. Of 119 rooms, 41 are pool suites and 17 pool bungalows. Garden units are amply spaced and the terraces are huge. You’re not on top of your neighbor at all, with the rooms set out like a European village because, well, you’re in Europe.

My pool suite was a dream. I had a large living room with kitchenette and glass doors leading to the ample pool deck. The bathroom was spacious with a huge walk in shower and plenty of closet space (lack thereof being one of my beefs when I’m traveling). The large bedroom also had a view of the pool and the Aegean Sea beyond. I should add that this was not a postage-stamp pool; I had space to swim comfortably.

I saw several categories of room while I was there. Of course, the pool suite was my favorite. It worked for me and one more person, had my husband been traveling with me. The suite would actually accommodate four if the sofa bed were used, although a pool bungalow or a 2-bedroom suite would work great for larger parties. If I weren’t in a pool suite, I’d pick a garden superior room. These come with a huge shady terrace, expanding your living area into a great indoor-outdoor space.

NOUS is part of YES! Hotels whose owner is an avid art collector. Each room at NOUS has a special piece of artwork specific to the space it is adorning.

Foodie Paradise

The Pool Bar and Restaurant

If breakfast is supposed to be the biggest meal of the day, you’ll have no trouble meeting that goal at NOUS Santorini. The Pool Restaurant and Bar serves the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen, this could well be fueled by the fact that there is an onsite bakery that puts out a phenomenal variety of baked goods. There’s also a wide selection of cheeses, yogurts (Greek, of course) and cold cuts that one would expect with a Continental breakfast. And real honey that you spread off the comb. I mean, who does that?

The buffet has a good selection of hot items, and there’s an extensive a la carte menu too. I was really happy to see plenty of vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free. Since Greek coffee is phenomenal, I didn’t have to skip on my daily latte with almond milk.

Both breakfast and lunch can be taken inside or beside the legendary pool. The lunch menu features small plates, salads, and superlative entrees. My party dined on a memorable selection of dips, freshly baked breads, Santorini salad, chicken bao buns, fresh fruit, flat breads, grilled shrimp salad, mini tacos, and mushroom skioufikta.

Elio’s Italian American Chophouse

After my huge lunch at the Pool Bar and Restaurant, I didn’t think I’d ever need to eat again, but dinner was planned at Elio’s Italian American Chophouse where we headed for focaccia, Sicilian Shrimp in lemon sugo, Carne Cruda Piemontese, Eggplant Parmesan, Zucchino Crostini, and Tomato Panzanella. Those were the starters… The difficult decision after that was choosing between Branzino, Delmonico steak, or Lobster Tagliolini Fra Diavolo. (I went with the Delmonico). Dinner was complemented with a flight of Santorini wines delivered by the delightful resident sommelier.

Wine Cellar and Vitamin Bar

NOUS’s wine cellar is the perfect spot for private dinners and small receptions. Enjoy a tasting of local wines from the expert in-house sommelier. For healthy fare, head to the Vitamin Bar, located by the spa. Here you’ll find a selection of salads, juices and smoothies made with local ingredients. The Vitamin Bar is also a great place to grab a cup of Greek coffee.

The Largest Spa on Santorini

The spa at NOUS is the largest on the island. Besides five treatment rooms with outdoor spaces, including a couple’s room with private jacuzzi (shown above), there is a sauna, steam room, fitness center, and outdoor yoga area. The water theme continues to prevail with the stunning indoor-outdoor pool, by which the relaxation area is located. Dedicated to a holistic approach, the spa offers a variety of treatments at prices which are very reasonable for a 5-star resort.

Getting Around from NOUS Santorini

From NOUS Santorini, you can easily get to Fira (10 minutes), the archeological site of the ancient city of Akrotiri (20 minutes), and Oia (20 minutes). A lovely afternoon out is a tour of one (or two) of Santorini’s famed wineries followed by dinner in Oia to watch the sunset. Alternatively, how about a private sunset cruise? I can arrange any of these for you to enhance your NOUS Santorini experience.

Book Now

NOUS Santorini is a Virtuoso property, which means that when you book with ILX Travel, we are able to take extra great care of you by procuring exclusive amenities. Please contact me for more information: 772-200-3956 or jayne@ilxtravel.com.