Set on the highest point of Imerovigli – a traditional Cycladic settlement perched high above the Aegean Sea – Gold Suites dramatically overlooks the Skaros Fortress. The beauty of the region is captured on every corner of this resort. The outdoor pool on the rim of the caldera provides one of the best vantage points: from a lounger on the idyllic sun terrace, cocktail in hand. For Mediterranean and local island cuisine at lunch and dinner, head to Aurum Restaurant which is located right at the caldera's edge. You could easily spend your time here simply lounging on your suite's terrace, relaxing and soaking up the view. But it's worth at least taking a leisurely stroll to Fira, passing by charming restaurants, shops and scenic viewpoints. For a more active break, the friendly staff can point you in the right direction of local activities from bike riding and horse riding to sailing, scuba diving and watersports. For luxury adventures, take your pick from helicopter rides, private sailing trips and yacht excursions. The treatments in the Gold Spa Suite, which is located in a cave and features a whirlpool bath and steam room, are inspired by the seasons and nature's healing powers. Accommodation is in just 14 plush suites that cascade over four levels down the cliffside. The suites have classic white décor with splashes of gold, and all have a living area, large terrace and views of the caldera. Upgrade to a Superior Suite for your own heated Jacuzzi on the terrace, or a more spacious Deluxe Suite for your own private outdoor heated pool.
Dramatically nestled on a hillside in charming Imerovigli, with spellbinding views of the caldera, glistening waters and volcanic cliffs, this boutique hotel is perfect for a peaceful escape. Built in typical Cycladic style, the Regina Mare has friendly staff that help create a lovely home-from-home atmosphere. After waking up and admiring the views, head to the breakfast room where a buffet of home-made delicacies and pastries awaits. The pool is the next natural stop to lay back on a comfortable sun lounger and gaze out over the waters. Dinner is a glorious affair with home-made Greek dishes and traditional recipes created with locally sourced ingredients. If there’s a dish you fancy that isn’t on the menu, just let the chef know and he’ll do his best to create it for you. Choose to dine in the candlelit restaurant or on the privacy of your balcony for a more romantic evening. Once the sun has set, Fira is a magical place to spend an evening. Closer to home, Imerovigli has some lovely bars and tavernas as well as some shops to stroll around. Junior Suites Sea View have been beautifully refurbished and if you opt for one of these you’ll be welcomed with a basket of fresh fruit and a bottle of local wine on arrival. For the best views, choose a Honeymoon Room with Whirlpool Sea View. These suites are set on the highest level of the hotel, have a heated whirlpool on the balcony and overlook the sea, Thirassia Island and the town of Oia.
Carved out of a clifftop and set on different levels, Grace Santorini is an architect’s dream. Sleek and minimalist, its white-washed colour scheme leaves the exceptional quality and spellbinding views to do the talking. After waking up and taking in the jaw-dropping scenery, enjoy a decadent late morning Champagne breakfast before spreading out on one of the double loungers and soaking up the sun. There’s an award-winning heated infinity pool, which runs along the hotel front and overlooks Skaros Fortress. Light snacks and chilled cocktails can be enjoyed from the poolside bar. You might not want to eat too much during the day though, as dinner at the hotel restaurant is a real treat. On the clifftop, the Santoro restaurant is intimate and open-air and has magnificent views of the infinity pool, the caldera and the ocean. Indulge in Mediterranean fusion creations from the daily menu or simply ask the chef to prepare a dish of your choice – accompanied by the signature Grace cocktail designed by renowned mixologist Salvatore Calabrese, of course. The 363 Champagne lounge is the perfect spot to soak up the famous Santorini sunsets. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. Scattered down the hillside, with all mod cons and pure white décor from the walls to the crisp cottons, all of the rooms, suites and the villa have sunset views. And some of the rooms come with their own private plunge pool on the terrace.
Peace, privacy and refined luxury surround this boutique hotel – an all-white Santorinian retreat in central Fira. This elegant getaway is a Small Luxury Hotel of the World, and is distinctive thanks to its impeccable personalised sevice and innovative modern design. Original houses have been stripped back and transformed into an island escape that charms with a contemporary soul – a soothing palette of whites, greys and blacks add to the interior’s calming atmosphere, and large windows majestically bathe the expansive spaces in natural light. Outside, a large freshwater pool sits on the hotel’s lower level; hand-tiled with local stones, it’s a charming setting surrounded by beautiful bougainvillea vines and romantic day beds. The spa here may be small but it’s a holistic refuge that you’ll love if you’re craving the utmost in indulgent pampering. There are just two private cabins, one that can be used by couples, and expert therapists offer tailor-made therapies, intensive detox programmes and state-of-the-art facilities. For food, there’s just one restaurant at the hotel which offers a great introduction to the island’s delicious local delicacies. Providing a feast for all the senses, expect ingredients on the menu like wild saffron, local black figs and Grecian honey sourced from wild thyme flowers. The rooms are refined and minimalist in style – each one designed to be a calming sanctuary that provides a wellbeing respite from the island’s tourist hot spots. Natural hues flatter vibrant colour splashes and dark wood accents, while large flowing curtains frame huge windows looking out to garden, pool or island views. The Classic Double is a sophisticated retreat, located on the lower level of the hotel with a furnished outdoor patio. Add more luxury to your stay and choose a Junior Suite to enjoy access to a shared pool – or opt for a Honeymoon Sky Suite to enjoy a retractable open roof and a bathtub in-room.
White-washed houses gently tumble down the caldera cliffside at this exclusive hideaway in southern Oia. With one of the most spectacular settings on Santorini, different level terraces bask in gloriously open horizons and panoramic Aegean views from almost every angle. It’s understated yet exclusive – an effortless setting that’s simply made for a honeymoon or a high-end romantic getaway. From the stylish infinity pool and oceanfront Asian Spa to the Cycladic-sculpted suites and villas and the wine cellar grotto, this luxurious hotel is undeniably indulgent. For dining, there are three superb restaurants to choose from, ranging from home-grown Greek cuisine right on the cliff-edge to a one-of-a-kind sushi experience and casual dining in a century-old mansion. If you fancy a more unique dining experience, there’s the option to dine in a number of private venues around the hotel – stay in your suite, choose a private terrace or head down to a secret wine cave that’s over 150 years old> Linked by quaint cobbled pathways, there are just 41 stone-crafted suites and villas in the hotel. Inside, gentle curves blend with sculpted cave-like arches, and colours are muted to enhance the bright interior spaces. Handcrafted furnishings add to each room’s traditional style, and all include a secluded sun terrace overlooking panoramic sea and caldera views. Allure Suites have one of the most simple designs, with a spacious bedroom and indoor Jacuzzi bathtub – opt for a Wet Allure Suite with a Jacuzzi outside to relax in front of views overlooking the Aegean Sea. With one of the most relaxing interiors, the Spiritual Suites include a private fitness room and hydromassage bathtub, while the Secrecy Villas add to this exclusivity with a larger terrace and romantic plunge pool. For the ultimate in privacy, choose the Holistic Villa to stay in the most luxurious retreat in the hotel. This free-standing villa spoils for choice with an outdoor Jacuzzi and a private infinity pool.
Privacy is a rare privilege in Santorini. This stunning hideout breaks the mould. Old stone walls wrap around Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, in the medieval town of Megalohori. Olive trees and huge ceramic pots line the outdoor pool; bright pink clouds of bougainvillea cascade over a pergola, sheltering the handful of low-slung sofas and day beds beneath. An outdoor hot tub, shaded by olive trees and bougainvillea, is next to a tiny bar serving drinks to guests in the bubbling whirlpool. A cluster of wooden-shuttered villas and low-rise houses are dotted around an old mansion and 400-year-old cave wine cellar, which has been turned into an atmospheric restaurant – all rough stone arches and flickering candles. All suites open onto a terrace, with interiors that could be plucked from a glossy travel magazine. Think traditional Cycladic architecture complemented by Berber rugs and Aztec cushions, and finished with original antiques and original artwork; it all feels thoughtful and personal. Pick an Aegean Suite for an outdoor hot tub or go all out with a Presidential Villa for your own private pool. Elsewhere, sunken pathways lead to a spa, a cosy cocoon sculpted into the volcanic rock. Guests can take the complimentary shuttle to Vedema’s sister hotel for epic Santorini sunsets. If it’s these views you’re desperate for, you can hire out the Nafsika Estate, with a five-bedroom villa poised on the volcanic caldera. Here, you can watch the sun drop seaward in a whorl of lilac and pink, right in front of your own pool and terrace. Sleeping up to ten, it comes with a private butler and Executive Chef, an outdoor barbecue and fully equipped kitchen.
Nikos Villas sits in a tranquil spot uphill from Oia, and there’s a laid-back way of life here. You’ll receive a warm welcome at this authentic family-run hotel, where the owner can tell you all about its history as well as give local recommendations and the friendly staff members are on-hand to help. At the back of the hotel, with stunning views overlooking the Aegean Sea, the pool area is the hub of the property, with a poolside deck with sun loungers and a pool bar serving cool drinks. It’s a great spot in the early morning, at sunset, and at night when the starry sky is reflected in the sea below. Santorini is known for its sunsets, but here, over Oia’s famous blue-domed church, you’ll see some of the island’s best. The a pool bar serves snacks throughout the day, and there's a great choice of tavernas and restaurants a short walk away in Oia for dinner. If you prefer to dine in, all rooms have a kitchenette so just stock up on deli goods and drinks at one of the local mini markets. Be sure to sample the local wine sold at the hotel – it’s made by the family. Rooms cascade down the cliffside and are traditional, simple and spacious, with white walls, tiled floors and colourful print fabrics. All have a kitchenette area with fridge, a sitting area and a balcony or terrace with caldera, volcano and sea views.
Gold Suites
Regina Mare Hotel
Grace Santorini, Auberge Resorts Collection
Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites
Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort
Nikos Villas
