5 Dreamy Hotels in Santorini, Greece
Image courtesy of Katikies Hotel Santorini
Ah, Santorini. The name immediately brings up images of azure waters, blindlingly white buildings, ancient cliffsides and blissed-out getaways. This Greek island, floating in the Aegean Sea, is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in Greece, and for good reason. Famous for its dazzling sunset views and black-sand volcanic beaches (not to mention its volcanic-rich soil that gives way to stellar wines and Mediterranean fare), Santorini sits on most bucket lists. It’s also an island brimming with luxury hotels.
The best Santorini hotels are those that realize less is more when it comes to design and architecture. This is a place where the beauty happening outside your hotel room is so transcendent, that it’s better to not distract with funky wallpaper or busy carpeting. Instead, the best hotels offer minimalist luxury suites that focus on the beauty of those sunsets, with private swimming pools and private balconies. And many are carved right into the caldera. A far cry from the busy streets of Athens, Santorini has something for everyone — whether you’re looking for a spa hotel, an Oia castle or an idyllic honeymoon suite.
Katikies Hotel Santorini
Image courtesy of Katikies Hotel Santorini
There are a few things every traveler hopes for when flying to Greece and choosing a Santorini hotel: white-washed walls that contrast with the glistening sea beyond, a hotel built directly into the cliffside, a room with enviable views of Santorini and (ideally) a private balcony and swimming pool from which to enjoy those views.
Katikies checks all of these boxes and more. Katikies is a five-star luxury hotel in Oia built directly into the cliffside. It blends sleek white rooms with views of the Aegean Sea. With 34 different hotel rooms to choose from, none of which are identical, this is the type of luxury hotel that Instagrammers dream of. Ideal for couples and honeymooners, Katikies is a romantic enclave with an on-site spa, an ocean-facing infinity pool and stellar fine dining. Make sure to stop by the Champagne Bar by Fleur de Miraval, which overlooks the infinity pool and offers amazing views of the sea.
Fora Perks:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Canaves Oia Suites
Image courtesy of Canaves Oia Suites
Like Katikies, Canaves Oia Suites is considered one of the best hotels in Santorini. This boutique hotel is built directly into the caldera and offers uniquely designed white-walled luxury suites with the best views of the ocean and caldera beyond.
The on-site spa is something of a marvel. What was once a 17th-century wine cave has been transformed into a luxurious spa offering stellar treatments (go for the one-of-a-kind Rasul treatment) and wellness services. After pampering yourself, explore the Greek islands with curated experiences you can arrange at check-in, from tours with local guides to private dinners to hiking treks.
Fora Perks:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort
Vedema is an exceptional hotel that can be found in the medieval village of Megalohori. It resides amidst a 400-year-old winery and occupies what was once a 100-year-old mansion built in the classic Cycladic style. Vedema offers 59 spacious luxury suites and villas, all of which come with their own private balconies and — in the some cases — their own jacuzzi or private pool.
Rooms in Vedema are elegant, minimalist and spacious, affording its guests exceptional vineyard and sea views. Unsurprisingly, Vedema kills it with its fine dining and wine offerings, too. Its on-site Alati restaurant draws inspiration from the winery’s vast history and the rich bounty of readily available Mediterranean ingredients. If you’re looking for a unique hotel and a Greece getaway that deviates from what’s expected in Santorini, Vedema would be your best bet.
Fora Perks:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Andronis Properties
The first thing you need to know about Andronis Properties is that there are quite a few hotels to choose from. You have Andronis Luxury Suites, which is an all-suite luxury hotel built into the cliffside and facing the Aegean Sea, ideal for honeymooners. You have the Andronis Boutique Hotel, which is set in Oia near Paradisos Beach and boasts an all-organic restaurant, swimming pool, spa and stellar white-painted rooms with private pools. You have the Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, which is found in the town of Imerovigli and has 28 pool suites and villas, all built with the intent of having guests see the sunset over the caldera. You have the Alta Mare by Andronis, with its private and discreet rooms in Oia, and you have the family-friendly Andronis Arcadia, with its Kids Club and kids-only spa.
There are a lot of options when it comes to Andronis, but know that all of them are gorgeous, well-situated and cater to all sorts of travelers, whether you’re looking for a honeymoon suite in Oia or a family-friendly beach resort.
Fora Perks:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Noūs
If you wish to have the Greek Islands to yourself, Noús might be the best hotel for you. Located right on the edge of the Santorini caldera in the village of Mesaria, Noūs gives the sense that you’re on a private Greek island. Not only is the hotel stunning, but unlike other Santorini hotels with limited space, Noūs is open and airy.
Rooms at Noūs are spacious, with all the upstairs rooms offering private balconies. Burnt oak and other locally sourced materials and textiles imbue the hotel rooms with an aesthetic that feels unique to Santorini’s volcanic essence, and Greece as a whole. And, like much of the hotels in Santorini, a muted color palette allows the dazzling vistas outside your window to truly pop.
Fora Perks:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.