Dear Santorini Mozambique Family,
As we wrap up the year, we reflect on the special year that 2023 was for our Santorini Family as we celebrated our 10th anniversary.
It was heartwarming and tear-jerking to look back and share our story with as many of you as possible. Thank you all for your incredible support. We have loved making special memories for every guest who walked through our door. Here’s to the next 10 years.
It is with great pride that we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Santorini Mozambique with the launch of our brand-new website! Curated to inspire, our seamless website is a true reflection of the essence of Santorini Mozambique - luxurious, tranquil, and soul-enriching.
THE BIRTH OF SANTORINI MOZAMBIQUE
In 2010, the owners of what was to become Santorini Mozambique dreamt of creating “a little Greek village” on the red cliffs of Kingfisher Bay in Vilanculos. With a passion and love for all things Greek, and the uncanny resemblance of Vilanculos to Santorini with its turquoise waters, white beaches, and barefoot luxury lifestyle, they decided to base Santorini Mozambique’s aesthetic on Greek architecture and design.
Characterized by the use of concrete, white walls, rounded corners, arches, domes, and bell towers, the design also needed to be functional. Careful consideration was given to choosing local materials that would withstand the elements and climate of Mozambique. Today, the thick, white concrete walls of Santorini Mozambique serve the dual purpose of regulating the temperature of the villas but have also proven to be less appealing to insects such as mosquitos.
The next part of the puzzle was to find an architect who could bring their vision to life. After a long search, the owners crossed paths with Martin Rattray, a designer from Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. With experience in designing homes, but not being an architect, they relayed their ideas, inspiration, and references to him in a meeting. A month later, he delighted them with beautiful hand-painted drawings of what was to become Santorini Mozambique as we know it today.
The beauty of Santorini Mozambique lies in the fact that the entire collection of villas was built by hand, as the local builders did not have access to sophisticated building tools such as cement pouring systems. The Santorini Mozambique owners also pride themselves in the fact that every piece of furniture, artwork, and ornament featured in the villas was hand-selected or made with love. Unique pieces were sourced from Greece, Bali, and India, while a selection of bespoke carpentry pieces was handmade by the owner, which still features on the property today.
OUR TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST 10 YEARS
Redesigning The Chapel Villa into a multi-functional stay for couples or small families. The Chapel was transformed into our honeymoon suite. We later saw the potential of converting The Chapel into a family villa with the addition of a second bedroom suite.
Elevating our family offering with the construction of Villa da Praia - the ultimate family getaway with the added exclusivity of a private chef and butler.
Enhancing our Bazaruto Archipelago expeditions with the addition of Aphrodite, our custom-made Supercat catamaran.
Expanding our team from 10 to over 50 staff members. Staff upliftment is at the core of the Santorini Mozambique vision and we have invested time and funds to equip all staff members with the necessary training to advance their careers.
Enhancing our farm-to-table philosophy with Jardim De Pomona, our organic vegetable garden.
Curating local experiences with our very own dhow. The Santorini Dhow was hand-built by a local craftsman. Our sunset dhow cruise has become a much-loved experience among our guests.
Solidifying our commitment to our local community with Santorini Footprints.
Reimagining private dining with the addition of Paraiso Escondido - a romantic dining experience under the stars.
Creating the ultimate honeymoon villa with the addition of Villa Na Colina.
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