Meet Yannis Bellonias, Hotelier at Vora, Santorini

Do you remember your first memory of Santorini?
Of course! I still have all the memories from my childhood in Santorini. Specifically at my grandmother’s house, with all my relatives eating together and playing with my cousins… It’s still all here in my mind!

Hospitality is very much in your veins. Can you tell us a little bit about your family history here on Santorini?
My parents owned a tourist office and also built and rented bungalows in the 1980s. One of those bungalows was our home, so I practically grew up in a hotel. In a way, I was trained in all roles in hospitality without knowing it. And at this time, you could still find a pure kind of Greek hospitality. After my father got sick and died, I took over the family business, started changing it, and slowly growing my own companies on the island, all of them related to hospitality, and all promoting the island in its best light. My grandfather taught me that if you love and respect Santorini, then Santorini will be generous to you. That’s why I promote local cuisine and products, as well as the culture, architecture, and the local ways of doing things.

Do you have a favourite piece of design?
Yes, the Myrto Zirini Ceramics. They are all hand made for us. Myrto is an amazing artist and the original shapes and colours that made for us in cooperation with Marianna Stavridou – The project architect at K-Studio. 

Your favourite spot at Vora?
All the verandas: Unique and uninterrupted views of the cliffs of the caldera, the volcano and the famous sunsets. They are magical places with so much energy. 

If someone would ask you why they should choose Santorini over other islands, What would you say?
Definitely the energy and the uniqueness. This island is unique and cannot be compared! 

Who would be your dream guests (Historical or present)?
We never make a distinction between our guests from favourite ones to less preferred. We love to interact with new people: There are no good or bad guests but only guests with different needs. Vora is the youngest member of our hotel group but our two other properties have already grown a devoted clientele which in most cases can also be considered as friends.
But if I had to choose only one person, then, it would be my father.