The two brothers Markos and Alexandros Chaidemenos are at the head of Canaves and Canaves Oia Suites since 2012, when their parents and founders of the amazing, award-winning hotel passed the responsibility of running the place to them. Although not an easy task for a 28-year-old, Markos feels that it’s all worth it at the end of the day: “It’s been a great experience despite all the difficulties, and we’ve taken some very big steps since my brother and I took over.” Indeed, since the two siblings stepped in, they brought a lot of changes, including three renovations that refreshed the look and feel of the hotel, and are even expanding their business with a new unit due to open next year.

Markos knows Santorini like the palm of his hand, although he’s not practically from there: “I was born in Athens” he explains, “but I basically grew up in our hotel, since every summer the whole family would come here while our parents were still building it.” There’s even a part of a mosaic floor near the pool which was made by a 4-year-old Markos in 1985. He remembers that one of the builders putting together the floor handed him a trowel and asked him to help, so he ended up finishing the design himself. “I was very young", he admits, "but I do have a faint memory of that day”.

During his sparse free time, Markos likes to jump on his speedboat and skid away on day trips to hidden places all around the island and nearby islets. There’s also a secret place near Oia, which only a few of the locals know about, Markos being one of them: “It’s a little church right on the edge of the village, which is built on this terrace hanging over the cliff. It’s the ideal place to go and enjoy the view in complete privacy. There’s a hidden entrance to a path leading there, and you have to climb a bit on your way, but the experience is certainly worth all the effort.” It sounds like a memorable place indeed —and who knows? Maybe you can convince Markos to show you the way when you next bump into him during your stay at Canaves.