Travel
Written by
Hugo Cannon
A destination on many people's bucket list, Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Home to some unique hotels and restaurants that fit everyone's taste and budget these are some of our favorite stays on the island.
Table of Contents:
Santorini, located in the southern Aegean Sea, is a jewel of the Cyclades archipelago, known for its spectacular views, breathtaking sunsets, and rich history.
This famous Greek island, created by volcanic activity, is known for its characteristic whitish structures that cascade down cliffsides and overlook the caldera's deep blue seas. Santorini boasts a choice of excellent hotels that exemplify luxury and elegance against a stunning environment.
This is our top 10 favorite hotels, which range from small cave hotels carved into volcanic rock to luxurious resorts located on the island's highest peaks, provide guests with a look into heaven, where every moment is filled with beauty and tranquilly.
Best Hotels in Santorini
Best Hotel Santorini Overall: Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Best Santorini Boutique Hotel: NOŪS
Best Hotel Santorini for families: The Vasilicos
Best Hotel Santorini for couples: Nobu Hotel Santorini
Best Luxury Hotel in Santorini: Mystique
Nobu Hotel Santorini
Nobu Hotel Santorini
Chef Nobu's 14th hotel is situated on the volcanic cliffs outside Imerovigli, the highest point on the Greek island. Nobu's Caldera view, with the cascading whitewashed villas of Oia in the background, never gets old. However, the crowd-free sunset views from private balconies with jacuzzis are the Greek sour cherry on top.
As you inch closer to the edge of a cliff and carefully dodge depressions on the dirt road, you might question where you're going. But when you feel the cobblestones beneath your tyres, an infinity pool emerges like a mirage in the desert; you've arrived.
The registration desk and sun-drenched lounging area are to the left of the tiered pools, and Nobu's resident calico cat is one of the first to greet you. Past the luxurious, custom-made Talenti sofa lies the entrance to the cave-like exercise facility, which has a range of Technogym machines.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
Breakfast after the workout is served upstairs on the balcony, which features bleached lava stones, bamboo ceilings and custom-made black seats. But no matter where you sit in the hotel's tiny gathering rooms, your gaze is inevitably drawn back to the breathtaking vistas of the Aegean. The atmosphere as you go to your room, past sling-back linen chairs, ripening olive trees, and Mediterranean palms, could not be more relaxing.
Nobu, nicknamed the "supermodel of Greece," wants to hoist a flag on Santorini, which seems apt. It's hardly surprising that there were others before Nobu debuted at the end of June, given its proximity to Imerovigli, a boutique hotel paradise. It was previously known as the five-star OMMA Santorini and the three-star Parthenon Villas Santorini, respectively.
The team here intends to construct a luxurious spa and enlarge the balcony breakfast setup to transform it into a bigger restaurant with panoramic Caldera views.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
When visiting Santorini, you should expect nothing less than iposkafo, or typical Greek cave-style chambers shaped like circular cubes of feta. Each multi-story space is nearly totally white, with splashes of black, rich wood, and flashes of yellow, giving it a Japanese-minimalist atmosphere with Greek accents.
The area is decorated with hand-thrown ceramics from Greek companies Lava Toy and Homatino, ranging from toothbrush cups to ornamental vases. Minimalist artwork by Danish company Atelier Plateau appears on the walls with Greek-made textile art by Aggeliki Dimitriadou.
The Simmons Island Bouvet mattress, with its beige linen headboard, is like slipping into a full-body pillow—heavenly. And with its large TV, it's ideal for watching a movie after dinner. Bathrooms have a black lava sink basin and comfortable kimono bathrobes. Of the 25 unique rooms and suites, 23 have private patios with a jacuzzi or a pool. Because of its location on the narrowest point of the island, accommodations on both sides of the grounds offer ocean views.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
At a Nobu hotel, the food and beverages are probably more essential than the accommodations. The culinary powerhouse's first Greek restaurant is in capable hands, with Nobu veteran Chef Ricardo Marin (previously of the Jeddah and Shoreditch locations) in charge.
Breakfast is provided until a generous 12 p.m. on the second-floor terrace facing the ocean. You're urged to begin with freshly squeezed juices like watermelon and carrot or a matcha latte.
The chia pudding with mango gel and coconut chips is the sweetest choice on the menu, so breakfast options are on the healthy side. Standouts include the Matsuhisa Benedict with snow crab topped in shisho béarnaise, and the Santorini breakfast, which comes with smoked salmon, cold cuts, and local Greek yoghurt with thyme and honey.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
The main restaurant, located to the right of the pool area, serves a combination of Japanese and Greek cuisine, as does the remainder of the hotel. The vast bar, topped with enormous sake bottles covered with handmade tiles, features nooks cut into the typical cave-style rear wall. Lunch has a limited selection of Greek and trademark dishes, such as traditional Cretan pasta and Nobu's famed Wagyu beef sliders with tofu buns.
Dinner, however, pulls out the culinary major guns, with best-sellers such as black miso fish and wagyu dumplings with spicy ponzu dipping sauce served on bespoke Matsuhisa porcelain.
Atrina Canava 1894
Atrina Canava 1894
Located at the eastern end of Oía's pedestrianised high street, Nikoláou Nomikoú.
The dramatic volcanic-rock-walled pool area contrasts with the bright white exterior and interior surfaces elsewhere, while rock outcrops remain unrendered in the original Canava 1894 apartment and the Xenonas suite's bathroom.
Melanie, her daughter Athina, and their crew provide outstanding service, including luggage transportation, super-early breakfasts for early flights, and restaurant reservations. Upon arrival, you are handed a cell phone to contact with them.
Atrina Canava 1894
There is a common pool, however modest, but no spa or gym.
There are nine apartments or studios, each distinctive, five 'houses' (albeit they only accommodate two adults) and one villa.
Atrina Canava 1894
Three have private whirlpools in front: Xenonas, Atrina Villa, and Dimitris. Irene's'senior' room is around 60 square metres and features a walk-in closet, cathedral-like vaulting (the norm here), a little sound system and antique furnishings, including an ancient telescope.
Atrina Canava 1894
There are also terracotta floor tiles, a one-hob kitchen nook and unglazed fanlights or mini-windows that let more air into the bedroom and bathroom. The latter are universally grotto-like, with pastel colours and rain showers (occasionally with hydromassage). Front terraces with nice furniture, brollies, and, of course, the never-ending view are a feature, albeit privacy levels vary.
Atrina Canava 1894
Breakfast options include American, English, and 'Greek', with the traditional egg dishes prepared to order, juices, French-press coffee, and bread delivered to your front patio. Otherwise, just poolside refreshments (club sandwiches) and beverages are offered.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Andronis Concept is about a five-minute walk from Imerovigli and located between the city Fira (just over a mile away) and Oia (six miles), abutting the Fira-Oia hiking trail along the rim of the Santorini caldera.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
The hotel is positioned on top of a slope, with views to both sides of the island; from its Finesse suites, you can enjoy the sunrise from your living room veranda and the sunset from your bedroom balcony.
The hotel has disregarded traditional Cycladic design in favour of a natural integration with its surroundings: its amorphous brutalist blob cloaked in ochre resembles a raised mound rather than a sophisticated wellness complex.
The interiors are dominated by polished concrete surfaces, with a vegetable garden, flower beds, and a vineyard emphasise its organic philosophy.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
The service is flawless and down to earth. There are three swimming pools: the cave pool with an artificial waterfall is a nice addition, and the 56-metre infinity pool is said to be the longest in Santorini. Outside activities abound, ranging from helicopter rentals and catamaran excursions to wine tastings and tennis. There is even a private cinema.
Nonetheless, this is unmistakably a spa hotel, with seven specialty treatment rooms and a yoga studio where you can perform asanas inspired by the vista. You may select from ten massages (from €130/£114), including an Aegean couples romantic massage during sunset (€350/£307 per couple), facials, collagen treatments by Valmont (from €75/£66), and Thalgo body treatments (from €70/£62).
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
The rooms are big, sometimes unyieldingly so: the Finesse suites, which resemble maisonettes and offer east-west views, have 22 steps between the bedroom and living area. However, the entry-level Cosy rooms have nothing to envy, since their default orientation is west with sunset views.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Every room has its own pool, Nespresso machine, docking station, and separate toilet and shower areas. The king-sized beds include memory foam mattresses, and the pillows may be perfumed with L'Occitane spray.
Breakfast is à la carte and served to your room. There are eight different types of toast, 15 egg dishes (including crab eggs Benedict and black truffle eggs), four entire vegetarian breakfasts, and eight teas to choose from.Coffee may be brewed in 10 various methods, with beans supplied from East Africa, Brazil, or Southern India.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Throubi, a sunset-facing restaurant, serves delicious meals such beef short rib in bourbon sauce with sweet potato froth. Dieticians have inspected the menu, which includes tuna tataki and low-fat cheesecake, but the chocolate marquise has eluded them. A wine list of over 200 varieties includes a wonderful range of Greek wines, but the must-try is the the local prickly pear digestif.
Kapari Natural Resort
Kapari Natural Resort
Located at Imerovígli's highest point, west of the main plaza, facing the caldera.
Curve of the cave. There are no rough edges whatsoever, and even the restaurant restrooms have fountain-bowl sinks.
Ochre and buff are the prevailing colours, which extend to polished cement flooring and complementing soft furnishings.
Service is kind and accommodating, from early breakfasts if necessary to room service and trip arrangements. The shared caldera-edge pool is modest and has a restricted quantity of loungers.
Kapari Natural Resort
There are 14 units in seven categories, ranging from entry-level 'Vanilla Rooms' to private residences, suites, and mid-range premium rooms. All had king-sized Duxiana beds, fridges, Australian Priya bath sundries,'smart' but clumsy touch-pad temperature and entertainment system settings, adjustable lighting, an internet radio, and Wi-Fi.
Kapari Natural Resort
Vanillas that face the pool do not have private patios. From galleried Premium area 201, you can stare at Skáros castle-rock without leaving bed; below, there's a walk-in closet, bathroom with rain shower and decent living area with a beautiful fireplace (available in this and higher grades).
Kapari Natural Resort
Spa Premium category rooms have a guaranteed private balcony or patio, as well as indoor whirlpools. Except for the Up & High, none of the suites include private outside area. The Private Residence, with five units, can accommodate parties of up to 15. Its three ground-floor flats share a courtyard and an outdoor whirlpool, while the penthouse features a terrace whirlpool, oak flooring, and a full kitchen with ovens and a range.
Kapari Natural Resort
Breakfast is best brought to your veranda; lunch and snacks are offered within the restaurant, and supper is best enjoyed on the terrace (reservation required). Breakfast is a fixed menu augmented with hot cooked-to-order options. Lunch and dinner are well received, particularly seafood items. There is free pure water on tap.
Kivotos Santorini
Kivotos Santorini
The location, on a little route off the main Oia-Fira road and overlooking Skaros rock, is breathtaking even for Santorini. Unlike many caldera resorts, there is parking nearby and only a few feet between the restaurant and the accommodation.
A trekking trail along the caldera's edge leads to the tavernas and popular sunset watching spots in Oia, which is five kilometres distant. Buses leave from near the hotel for the island capital, Fira, which is less than two miles away. From there, you can go to most sites, including Akrotiri, the 3,600-year-old city known as the 'Pompeii of the Aegean', which is seven miles distant.
Kivotos Santorini
Santorini, located in the southern Aegean Sea, is a jewel of the Cyclades archipelago, known for its spectacular views, breathtaking sunsets, and rich history.
This famous Greek island, created by volcanic activity, is known for its characteristic whitish structures that cascade down cliffsides and overlook the caldera's deep blue seas. Santorini boasts a choice of excellent hotels that exemplify luxury and elegance against a stunning environment.
This is our top 10 favorite hotels, which range from small cave hotels carved into volcanic rock to luxurious resorts located on the island's highest peaks, provide guests with a look into heaven, where every moment is filled with beauty and tranquilly.
Best Hotels in Santorini
Best Hotel Santorini Overall: Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Best Santorini Boutique Hotel: NOŪS
Best Hotel Santorini for families: The Vasilicos
Best Hotel Santorini for couples: Nobu Hotel Santorini
Best Luxury Hotel in Santorini: Mystique
Nobu Hotel Santorini
Nobu Hotel Santorini
Chef Nobu's 14th hotel is situated on the volcanic cliffs outside Imerovigli, the highest point on the Greek island. Nobu's Caldera view, with the cascading whitewashed villas of Oia in the background, never gets old. However, the crowd-free sunset views from private balconies with jacuzzis are the Greek sour cherry on top.
As you inch closer to the edge of a cliff and carefully dodge depressions on the dirt road, you might question where you're going. But when you feel the cobblestones beneath your tyres, an infinity pool emerges like a mirage in the desert; you've arrived.
The registration desk and sun-drenched lounging area are to the left of the tiered pools, and Nobu's resident calico cat is one of the first to greet you. Past the luxurious, custom-made Talenti sofa lies the entrance to the cave-like exercise facility, which has a range of Technogym machines.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
Breakfast after the workout is served upstairs on the balcony, which features bleached lava stones, bamboo ceilings and custom-made black seats. But no matter where you sit in the hotel's tiny gathering rooms, your gaze is inevitably drawn back to the breathtaking vistas of the Aegean. The atmosphere as you go to your room, past sling-back linen chairs, ripening olive trees, and Mediterranean palms, could not be more relaxing.
Nobu, nicknamed the "supermodel of Greece," wants to hoist a flag on Santorini, which seems apt. It's hardly surprising that there were others before Nobu debuted at the end of June, given its proximity to Imerovigli, a boutique hotel paradise. It was previously known as the five-star OMMA Santorini and the three-star Parthenon Villas Santorini, respectively.
The team here intends to construct a luxurious spa and enlarge the balcony breakfast setup to transform it into a bigger restaurant with panoramic Caldera views.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
When visiting Santorini, you should expect nothing less than iposkafo, or typical Greek cave-style chambers shaped like circular cubes of feta. Each multi-story space is nearly totally white, with splashes of black, rich wood, and flashes of yellow, giving it a Japanese-minimalist atmosphere with Greek accents.
The area is decorated with hand-thrown ceramics from Greek companies Lava Toy and Homatino, ranging from toothbrush cups to ornamental vases. Minimalist artwork by Danish company Atelier Plateau appears on the walls with Greek-made textile art by Aggeliki Dimitriadou.
The Simmons Island Bouvet mattress, with its beige linen headboard, is like slipping into a full-body pillow—heavenly. And with its large TV, it's ideal for watching a movie after dinner. Bathrooms have a black lava sink basin and comfortable kimono bathrobes. Of the 25 unique rooms and suites, 23 have private patios with a jacuzzi or a pool. Because of its location on the narrowest point of the island, accommodations on both sides of the grounds offer ocean views.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
At a Nobu hotel, the food and beverages are probably more essential than the accommodations. The culinary powerhouse's first Greek restaurant is in capable hands, with Nobu veteran Chef Ricardo Marin (previously of the Jeddah and Shoreditch locations) in charge.
Breakfast is provided until a generous 12 p.m. on the second-floor terrace facing the ocean. You're urged to begin with freshly squeezed juices like watermelon and carrot or a matcha latte.
The chia pudding with mango gel and coconut chips is the sweetest choice on the menu, so breakfast options are on the healthy side. Standouts include the Matsuhisa Benedict with snow crab topped in shisho béarnaise, and the Santorini breakfast, which comes with smoked salmon, cold cuts, and local Greek yoghurt with thyme and honey.
Nobu Hotel Santorini
The main restaurant, located to the right of the pool area, serves a combination of Japanese and Greek cuisine, as does the remainder of the hotel. The vast bar, topped with enormous sake bottles covered with handmade tiles, features nooks cut into the typical cave-style rear wall. Lunch has a limited selection of Greek and trademark dishes, such as traditional Cretan pasta and Nobu's famed Wagyu beef sliders with tofu buns.
Dinner, however, pulls out the culinary major guns, with best-sellers such as black miso fish and wagyu dumplings with spicy ponzu dipping sauce served on bespoke Matsuhisa porcelain.
Atrina Canava 1894
Atrina Canava 1894
Located at the eastern end of Oía's pedestrianised high street, Nikoláou Nomikoú.
The dramatic volcanic-rock-walled pool area contrasts with the bright white exterior and interior surfaces elsewhere, while rock outcrops remain unrendered in the original Canava 1894 apartment and the Xenonas suite's bathroom.
Melanie, her daughter Athina, and their crew provide outstanding service, including luggage transportation, super-early breakfasts for early flights, and restaurant reservations. Upon arrival, you are handed a cell phone to contact with them.
Atrina Canava 1894
There is a common pool, however modest, but no spa or gym.
There are nine apartments or studios, each distinctive, five 'houses' (albeit they only accommodate two adults) and one villa.
Atrina Canava 1894
Three have private whirlpools in front: Xenonas, Atrina Villa, and Dimitris. Irene's'senior' room is around 60 square metres and features a walk-in closet, cathedral-like vaulting (the norm here), a little sound system and antique furnishings, including an ancient telescope.
Atrina Canava 1894
There are also terracotta floor tiles, a one-hob kitchen nook and unglazed fanlights or mini-windows that let more air into the bedroom and bathroom. The latter are universally grotto-like, with pastel colours and rain showers (occasionally with hydromassage). Front terraces with nice furniture, brollies, and, of course, the never-ending view are a feature, albeit privacy levels vary.
Atrina Canava 1894
Breakfast options include American, English, and 'Greek', with the traditional egg dishes prepared to order, juices, French-press coffee, and bread delivered to your front patio. Otherwise, just poolside refreshments (club sandwiches) and beverages are offered.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Andronis Concept is about a five-minute walk from Imerovigli and located between the city Fira (just over a mile away) and Oia (six miles), abutting the Fira-Oia hiking trail along the rim of the Santorini caldera.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
The hotel is positioned on top of a slope, with views to both sides of the island; from its Finesse suites, you can enjoy the sunrise from your living room veranda and the sunset from your bedroom balcony.
The hotel has disregarded traditional Cycladic design in favour of a natural integration with its surroundings: its amorphous brutalist blob cloaked in ochre resembles a raised mound rather than a sophisticated wellness complex.
The interiors are dominated by polished concrete surfaces, with a vegetable garden, flower beds, and a vineyard emphasise its organic philosophy.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
The service is flawless and down to earth. There are three swimming pools: the cave pool with an artificial waterfall is a nice addition, and the 56-metre infinity pool is said to be the longest in Santorini. Outside activities abound, ranging from helicopter rentals and catamaran excursions to wine tastings and tennis. There is even a private cinema.
Nonetheless, this is unmistakably a spa hotel, with seven specialty treatment rooms and a yoga studio where you can perform asanas inspired by the vista. You may select from ten massages (from €130/£114), including an Aegean couples romantic massage during sunset (€350/£307 per couple), facials, collagen treatments by Valmont (from €75/£66), and Thalgo body treatments (from €70/£62).
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
The rooms are big, sometimes unyieldingly so: the Finesse suites, which resemble maisonettes and offer east-west views, have 22 steps between the bedroom and living area. However, the entry-level Cosy rooms have nothing to envy, since their default orientation is west with sunset views.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Every room has its own pool, Nespresso machine, docking station, and separate toilet and shower areas. The king-sized beds include memory foam mattresses, and the pillows may be perfumed with L'Occitane spray.
Breakfast is à la carte and served to your room. There are eight different types of toast, 15 egg dishes (including crab eggs Benedict and black truffle eggs), four entire vegetarian breakfasts, and eight teas to choose from.Coffee may be brewed in 10 various methods, with beans supplied from East Africa, Brazil, or Southern India.
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Throubi, a sunset-facing restaurant, serves delicious meals such beef short rib in bourbon sauce with sweet potato froth. Dieticians have inspected the menu, which includes tuna tataki and low-fat cheesecake, but the chocolate marquise has eluded them. A wine list of over 200 varieties includes a wonderful range of Greek wines, but the must-try is the the local prickly pear digestif.
Kapari Natural Resort
Kapari Natural Resort
Located at Imerovígli's highest point, west of the main plaza, facing the caldera.
Curve of the cave. There are no rough edges whatsoever, and even the restaurant restrooms have fountain-bowl sinks.
Ochre and buff are the prevailing colours, which extend to polished cement flooring and complementing soft furnishings.
Service is kind and accommodating, from early breakfasts if necessary to room service and trip arrangements. The shared caldera-edge pool is modest and has a restricted quantity of loungers.
Kapari Natural Resort
There are 14 units in seven categories, ranging from entry-level 'Vanilla Rooms' to private residences, suites, and mid-range premium rooms. All had king-sized Duxiana beds, fridges, Australian Priya bath sundries,'smart' but clumsy touch-pad temperature and entertainment system settings, adjustable lighting, an internet radio, and Wi-Fi.
Kapari Natural Resort
Vanillas that face the pool do not have private patios. From galleried Premium area 201, you can stare at Skáros castle-rock without leaving bed; below, there's a walk-in closet, bathroom with rain shower and decent living area with a beautiful fireplace (available in this and higher grades).
Kapari Natural Resort
Spa Premium category rooms have a guaranteed private balcony or patio, as well as indoor whirlpools. Except for the Up & High, none of the suites include private outside area. The Private Residence, with five units, can accommodate parties of up to 15. Its three ground-floor flats share a courtyard and an outdoor whirlpool, while the penthouse features a terrace whirlpool, oak flooring, and a full kitchen with ovens and a range.
Kapari Natural Resort
Breakfast is best brought to your veranda; lunch and snacks are offered within the restaurant, and supper is best enjoyed on the terrace (reservation required). Breakfast is a fixed menu augmented with hot cooked-to-order options. Lunch and dinner are well received, particularly seafood items. There is free pure water on tap.
Kivotos Santorini
Kivotos Santorini
The location, on a little route off the main Oia-Fira road and overlooking Skaros rock, is breathtaking even for Santorini. Unlike many caldera resorts, there is parking nearby and only a few feet between the restaurant and the accommodation.
A trekking trail along the caldera's edge leads to the tavernas and popular sunset watching spots in Oia, which is five kilometres distant. Buses leave from near the hotel for the island capital, Fira, which is less than two miles away. From there, you can go to most sites, including Akrotiri, the 3,600-year-old city known as the 'Pompeii of the Aegean', which is seven miles distant.
Kivotos Santorini