The best hotels in Santorini
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When the world dreams of the Greek Islands, it’s Santorini that they picture. The view of white-washed villages dangling on the edge of the volcanic caldera may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. And while day-trippers clamour to capture that overworked sunset shot, the best hotels in Santorini serve it up on a platter. Draw a curtain, order a cocktail or take a dip at these beloved addresses and you’ll enjoy a front-row seat to Santorini’s sensational views. It’s not just the sun-soaked backdrop that these Santorini hotels promise; privacy is also part of the innate appeal. On this list you’ll find boltholes hidden at the end of dirt tracks, intimate villas with uninterrupted sunset views and fish baked in vine leaves served at guest-only restaurants. It’s the Greece of dreams. Make it a reality with our edit of the best hotels in Santorini.
How we choose the best hotels in Santorini
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve. Find out more about our editorial standards and how we review hotels.
hotelGrace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection
Sitting directly in front of the famed Skaros Rock, with each level, from the 363 bar to Varoulka Santorini, boasting unobstructed views, the Grace Hotel has rooms peppered across the grounds, creating a real sense of privacy for each and every guest. We were lucky enough to stay in one of the two brand-new Infinity Suites, an ultra-private addition to boutique address, which feature private infinity plunge pools and two plush loungers positioned for lazing the day away. Interiors are pared-back minimalism at its finest, with calming greys and warm American walnut accents creating a relaxed ambience. Suites come with living areas that funnel light through the volcanic stone, keeping the space cool in the afternoon sun and ideal for enjoying a tipple from the well-stocked mini-bar. At the heart of the culinary offering here is Varoulko Santorini, where Champagne breakfasts are a daily occurrence, paired with a six-course menu to kickstart your day. Overlooking the caldera, guests here can enjoy a menu led by Michelin-awarded Chef Lefteris Lazarou – either à la carte (which must include a starter, main, and dessert) or let Chef Lazarou guide you through one of three tasting menus – Aegean, Coral, or Lava. We went with Lava where standout dishes included scorpion fish with langoustine foam, oscietra caviar, and smoked eel paired with eggplant and basil.
hotelSanto Mine
Clustered along a hillside topped by the dazzling white blaze of Oia town high above, this adults-only resort gazes out over its glittering infinity pool to Ammoudi’s picturesque taverna-lined bay and the volcanic caldera’s red-and-white cliffs beyond. Reached via winding alleys lined with sweet-scented shrubs, 37 spacious open-plan suites have barefoot-friendly tiled floors and breezy brine-kissed sea views from plump kingsize beds; some also have standalone bathtubs framed by grainy pumice statement walls that perpetuate the resort’s sultry volcanic vibe. Best of all are the blissfully private terraces framed by high stone walls where plunge pools or whirlpool baths offer the same idyllic sunset vistas as Oia’s famous castle viewing spot above, only without the crowds. Beyond the suites, a serene candelit spa offers the perfect healing retreat after a long day’s sightseeing, whilst the resort’s cool, cave-like wine cellar is the perfect spot to sample mineral local wines that will prepare the palate for a firework flavour-display of fresh and dry-aged seafood treats served up along with spectacular volcanic caldera views at Santo Mine’s fine-dining restaurant, Alme. Heidi Fuller-love
GEORGE FAKAROShotelDomes Novos Santorini, Autograph Collection
This isn't your typical trad white-washed bolthole. Instead it's a modern, low-set complex in an intoxicating shade of terracotta pink. One that changes with the light, and matches the sky perfectly during the island's famed sunset – best admired from the poolside Vatanee restaurant. This bolthole marks the latest in the growing Domes portfolio and their debut on Santorini, a pebble's throw from the bustling cruise-crowded cliffs of Oia. It feels a world away though, with the sprawling hotel's angular walls peppered with volcanic stone, swimming pools and fragrant gardens that have already begun to attract butterflies. Across the 50 rooms (referred to as retreats or bungalows depending on size) and two villas, the layout and decor vary, all with a calming neutral aesthetic, private pools and terraces. The overall mood is a zen adult's retreat, one that also welcomes children (a rarity on Santorini) via a range of very appealing features – step-free, spacious rooms and a squirrelled-away kid's club. Drop wee ones off and make a beeline for the spa – a tranquil and earthy subterranean burrow with an impressively expansive heated pool. Lauren Burvill
Ana LuihotelPerivolas
This is the hotel that made me fall hard for Santorini. And it’s what keeps me coming back. While the rest of the island can feel overrun at times, here everything is understated, unhurried, almost preternaturally calm. Much like the owner, Costis Psychas, a blond titan who built this honeycomb of cliff-side houses, stone by volcanic stone. More sculptor than builder, Psychas has distilled the eerie landscape into a cocoon of crisp white sheets on low-slung beds, a scattering of fuchsia cushions, a shapely pool seeping into the horizon. His clear-eyed daughter Sandrine now runs Perivolas with the same lack of pretension. Theodoros Kakoulis, a brilliant young chef, heads up the guests-only restaurant, where dishes include smoked tomato and shrimp risotto and fish baked in vine leaves, served with sesame green beans and strawberries, are tantalisingly light yet complex. Another perk for the many repeat visitors: a smart gym and grey lap pool. Rachel Howard
hotelSanto Pure
Sprawled across a steep hillside, this volcanic-rock-hewn complex of super spacious suites and villas sits gazing out towards the blue whale hump of Folegandros. It’s on the other, far less striking side of the caldera from Oia, but it’s an easy amble into town from here (via an ancient cobbled calderimi path), and the sunsets are just as spectacular – especially when viewed from the blissful privacy of your hot tub with a bottle of chilled prosecco.
Named after different island groups, suites are clustered together like small hamlets linked by sinuous alleys opening onto squares planted with sweet-scented citrus trees standing guard over sparkling pools – sustainability is the resort’s leitmotif: water is recycled, and they have their own desalination plant.
After a hard day’s sightseeing, the candlelit spa with a heated pool is a welcome refuge, as is Alios Ilios, the resort’s alfresco fine-dining venue serving tasty (but occasionally overly fussy) Greek fusion food. Heidi Fuller-love
Harlen Bodhi WhitehotelAndronis Arcadia
Much of the whitewashed hotels on Santorini are confined to honeymoon-worthy adult-only stays, which is why Andronis Arcadia – one of five Andronis properties on the island – is a real find for families. There's no scrimping regarding swoon-worthy good looks – suites here retain the island's authenticity, with bright-white-meets-earthy-neutral interiors composed as if they've been carved out of the rock itself. With only suites and villas, there's room for the whole crew – the largest villa sleeps up to 12. All open out onto private infinity pools. There are three more sweeping pools on the property (including one for kids) to choose from, each cascading down the caldera and offering a unique perspective. Activities for tinies are in keeping with the hotel's nature-loving ethos – yoga, family cooking classes and a kid's club with a considered focus on holistic learning. Dining options include the Pacman Sunset Restaurant, where the sushi menu is a standout, and the Beef Bar, which, as the name suggests, specialises in carnivorous street food, plus a decent selection of vegetarian options. The staff here are what really brings the magic to life, though. Ever accommodating, especially to our son, knowledgeable and passionate about making your stay peaceful and personal. Tanya Fernandes
C.Brechenmacher & R.BaumannhotelNOŪS Santorini
The charming village of Mesaria, right at the edge of Santorini caldera, is home to Nous, a spoiling retreat with distinctive architecture and design notes that strikes the perfect balance between a secluded hideaway and a lively base for adventures. With 121 vast rooms and bungalows set in large private gardens (most have pools too), and the biggest swimming pool on the island, nothing ever feels cramped here. The colour palette takes inspiration from Santorini’s famous beaches and the hotel's layout echoes that of the ancient villages that once stood here. Materials and artworks used throughout also reference the island's heritage. East-facing bungalows and pool suites are the ones to book to best enjoy the show-stealing sunrise views. And a visit to the stunning spa, which is dedicated to the Greek well-being principle of Ef Zin, is a must. Karin Mueller
Christos DrazoshotelMagma Resort Santorini
Amongst the volcanic grape vines on the hillside near Vourvoulos is Unbound Collection by Hyatt resort. Its locale is more remote than others, but its peaceful setting and Aegean Sea views give it a sense of calm that permeates throughout its 59 rooms and suites. Each with a jacuzzi or private plunge pool, rooms mimic Santorini's neutral and volcanic tones with black furniture and rust-coloured blankets and pillows. True to its name, the exterior of Magma is made of black volcanic rocks found on the island and assembled in a puzzle-piece pattern. This includes the resort's expansive wrap-around pool area, bar and restaurant, Magma Soul, and upscale spot for long à la carte meals. Underground, the resort’s gym and spa await, perfect for days when the Etesian winds blow through the island. Katie Lockhart
hotelNobu Hotel
Heading down from Imerovigli on the hiking trail from Fira to Oia is this glamorous cliffside pitstop. Its traditional Cycladic architecture looks like velvety cubes of white feta against a backdrop of succulents, Mediterranean palms and olive trees. But its real glory comes from the uninterrupted Aegean views from each of the resort’s 25 luxe rooms and suites. Minimalist and bright, the majority of accommodations are multi-story, with a jacuzzi or pool on the private balcony. Plush Cliff by Talenti sunbeds line the two-tiered resort pool, where Santorini’s famous sunset and Oia’s reddening volcanic cliffs are in full view. But the pièce de résistance here may be what Nobu does best: food. Breakfast is a healthy mix of greek yoghurt from the Pindus mountains and signature Matsuhisa Benedict. Dinner includes prized Hokusetsu sake and the dishes that earned Nobu its stars, including the best-selling miso black cod. Katie Lockhart
Tryfon GeorgopouloshotelAndronis Boutique Hotel
Andronis is set right in the heart of little village Oía, on the northwestern tip of Santorini, among traditional whitewashed houses and blue-domed roofs lining the landscape. Rooms are dotted around the curves of the hotel's traditional cave-style architecture. Lauda was the first restaurant built in Oía back in 1971, gathering locals and visitors to convene over traditional food sourced from the local area. That ethos continues today – using regional ingredients to create fresh dishes and bringing in top chefs to rustle up knock-out menus. Note: guests must be 13 or older to check in, and the vibe is definitely much more romantic retreat than family affair. Cordelia Aspinall
Marco ArguellohotelThe Vasilicos
Beyond the snap-happy visitors and undulating whitewashed walls of Imerovigli village lies a boutique hideaway that’s a masterclass in Cycladic simplicity. Where subdued and serene design takes a backseat to the show-stopping caldera views. Owner Daphne Valambous spent her childhood summers in this house, and apart from the addition of several plunge pools and a professional kitchen, not much has changed since her father built it in the 1980s. Although by no means child-friendly, The Vasilicos is one of the few Santorini hotels that don’t have an adults-only policy, making it an ideal option for families travelling with older kids. For couples, check in to the Efta suite, a quiet cocoon slotted into the cliffside that’s completely secluded from view, and don’t miss sunset aperitifs at the two-table guests-only restaurant. Timothy O'Grady
hotelKatikies
Located right on the cliff edge in Oia, this is one of the island's best hotels. Two split-level suites are in the 18th-century former home of a noble family: the façade is painted its original pale ochre and the interiors are decorated with antiques and Orthodox icons displayed on pale-blue walls. The other 25 rooms and suites, with similar interiors, sea views and patios, have bright white exteriors and look like a jumble of sugar cubes tumbling down the cliff. More than 200 steps connect the rooms, swimming pools – including a beautiful infinity pool – and public areas, and the small rooftop terrace restaurant serves delicious, fresh seafood. The nearest beach is five minutes' free transfer away, although it's probably quicker to walk in summer, when the narrow roads are clogged with coaches. Timothy O'Grady
Ana LuihotelPerivolas Hideaway
A splinter of land detached from Santorini by a volcanic eruption in 1613BC, Thirassia has somehow escaped everyone’s attention. Very few visitors bother to visit this breakaway island. Even fewer get to stay at Perivolas Hideaway, a magnificent villa resurrected from the ruins of a pumice mine. Invisible from afar, the red-and-black stone house appears like a floating mirage as you approach by speedboat. (The only other way to reach it is by helicopter.) The sea is framed in every arched window, the barely there but ever-ready staff are a dream, but it’s the roof terrace that steals the show. At dusk, Santorini turns blue-black across the caldera, villages sparkling like fairy lights strung along the clifftops. By Rachel Howard
Dimitris PhotographyhotelIncognito Villa
It might seem impossible to be far away from everything on this island, but places such as Incognito Villa manage it. Set at the end of a dirt track on the beach near Monolithos, it has its own garden and a little pool, and there are tavernas within strolling distance in either direction along the sand. Even in the height of summer, it is astonishingly quiet. Timothy O'Grady
Ana LuihotelErosantorini
Privacy is a rare privilege on Santorini. This stunning villa breaks the mould. Behind stone walls covered with prickly pears, through a narrow passageway, is a sudden vast terrace and a tiered pool plunging 1,000ft to the sea. With whitewashed kilims and giant spotty beanbags, the playful, graphic design is unmistakably Paola Navone, the Italian designer behind several COMO hotels. Four softly monochrome suites are in separate houses, which you can rent individually or as a whole. (Unusually for Santorini, children are welcome and there are no steep stairs.) Watching birds, boats, sunbeams and stars draw patterns on sea and sky is like stepping inside a 360-degree Viewmaster. With a wood-fired oven, wine cellar, marble spa, yoga instructor, outdoor cinema and a winsome staff of 10, you barely need to venture out. Timothy O'Grady
Voreina Gallery Suites
Pyrgos, at the foot of Profitis Ilias mountain, the island’s high point, is the largest and best-preserved of the medieval settlements. It is more peaceful and more Greek than the white towns on the cliff edges. Worn stone stairs wind elegantly upwards to the Venetian castle. Part of the way up is Voreina Gallery Suites, where contemporary art fills the walls and the caldera and sunsets can be seen from terraces without the taxi fare to Oia. Timothy O'Grady