Over the decades in which we have been visiting the island, one thing has not changed: the picture-perfect visions of the sun-bleached houses, blue-domed churches, narrow pathways, and panoramic sea views. The bewitchingly beautiful sunsets here contribute to the island’s appeal.
You don’t need more than this as a reason to come to this most famous of all islands of Greece, but the newest small hotels on the island are becoming destinations on their own. Discover why with our regularly updated list of the Top Boutique Luxury Hotels in Santorini, below.
See also our list of The Best Cliff-Edge Santorini Hotels with Caldera Views.
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“Inspiring deep emotions of enchantment and fascination, Katikies luxury hotel in Oia Santorini is renowned for its unparalleled services, warm atmosphere and sense of romance uniquely combined in an exceptional setting and natural environment, inviting its guests to experience moments of pure luxury at one of the best luxury hotels in Santorini.” — Katikies Santorini
Katikies was the first luxury hotel on the island that fully embraced Santorini’s organic topography as an integral part of its architecture and design. Even today, Katikies is regarded as the de-facto trend-setter. Its Cycladic aesthetics are tuned perfectly to the surroundings, creating a carefree vacation vibe synonymous with “the Santorini style.” Located in Oia, one of the prettiest villages on the island, Katikies has terrific views of Santorini’s caldera, especially from its three stunning infinity pools.
Read the review from our stay: Katikies Santorini.
Alternatively, book Katikies Santorini Hotel via
Tablet Hotels | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Katikies
Our 2024 guide to the top hotels on the island
The hotel rooms in Santorini tend to be on the small side, but Cavo Tagoo is an exception. Our Sunset Suite had a massive private swimming pool with a terrace decorated with white stones, providing the perfect frame for stunning Caldera sunset views (check out our photos on Instagram). The hotel’s architecture embodies elegant sophistication, creating a sense of luxury living, and the atmosphere is that of a fun, youthful place. In our review of the sister hotel Cavo Tagoo Mykonos, we called it “the most fashionable luxury hotel” on the island — and the property on Santorini has the same vibes of a trendy stay.
Read the review from our stay: Cavo Tagoo Santorini.
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Official Website. Photo © Cavo Tagoo
Grace Hotel Santorini frequents the “best luxury hotels of the world” lists like no other property — but only after staying here, we realized what all the buzz is about. The award-winning design of the hotel blends contemporary chic with the rustic local style, creating a picture-perfect interpretation of the Cycladic vernacular style. Mesmerizing views, incredible sunsets (see how we captured them on Instagram), private swimming pools, and above all, a relaxed vibe of vacations combined with a five-star service make Grace Hotel Santorini one of the most sophisticated escapes on the island.
Read the review from our stay: Grace Hotel Santorini.
Alternatively, book Grace Hotel Santorini via
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Mr & Mrs Smith or check on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Auberge Resorts Collection
Carved into the rugged Caldera cliffs of Santorini, Mystique blends the Cycladic white-on-white style with a carefree vibe and a refined, exclusive service. The hotel is set away from the busiest tourist trails of Oia and is one of the most private and secluded places in the area. Eighteen suites and villas benefit from spectacular views of the Santorinian Caldera. World-class culinary experiences match the high-end service.
Read our review: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel.
Alternatively, book Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel via
Tablet Hotels | Marriott Bonvoy | Expedia or check TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Marriott International
Hidden under the brand name of Canaves is a collection of five hotels located mainly around Oia. One of them is the Canaves Oia Suites. This boutique hotel has the most attractive location, on the sloping cliff, ensuring incredible views of the caldera and the Oia village. Canaves Oia features twenty-four suites and two swimming pools. A rare feature is an elevator, guaranteeing easy access to all levels of the hotel. Very useful in a Caldera hotel!
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Official Website. Photo © Canaves Oia Hotel
Vora is a property starkly different from the cookie-cutter hotels in Santorini, which tend to be based on the white-cube house template. The hotel is dug into the volcanic cliff on the Santorinian caldera, dozens of meters above the surface of the Aegean, but it has only three fully equipped apartments — and no other facilities. The interiors are relatively dark, with smooth curves and soft materials creating a feeling of relaxation and comfort. The hotel focuses on a minimal number of guests, offering tranquility, exclusivity, and privacy as the essentials of its appeal. Oh, and the views are astonishing (see how we captured it on Instagram). We stayed at the Villa Ro, a duplex suite with two balconies. See this set of photos we took on the terrace and inside.
Read the review from our stay: Vora Villas.
Alternatively, book Vora Villas via
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Official Website. Photo © Vora
Located a few minutes from the capital of Santorini, Fira, Erosantorini is a secluded caldera-edge hotel spread on a two-acre private plot. There is enough space for a three-tiered infinity pool with an adjacent terrace dotted with beanbags and daybeds. The sea views from here are excellent. The facilities at Erosantorini include an underground cigar parlor and a wine cellar, and alfresco “movie nights” are among its attractions.
Alternatively, book Erosantorini via
Mr & Mrs Smith | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Erosantorini
Greek island escape
Perivolas occupies a collection of 300-year-old cliff-side cave houses, lovingly restored in a traditional Santorinian style, with pure white walls curved into sensual shapes. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with minimalist interiors. Each guest room also features either a small private patio or a terrace. The hotel’s magnificent setting and organic design make it the most photographed hotel on the island.
Read our review: Perivolas Hotel, Oia.
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Official Website. Photo © Perivolas
Canaves Oia Epitome is part of five boutique luxury hotels from Canaves, all located around Oia. It overlooks the small fishing town of Ammoudi and boasts an infinity pool, a restaurant, and a sunset bar. The standout feature of the Epitome Oia is access to a beach — something of a rarity on the island. The guest suites, equipped with plunge pools, are all positioned to make the best out of the legendary Santorini views.
Alternatively, book Canaves Oia Epitome via
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Official Website. Photo © Canaves Oia Hotel
Istoria makes a bold claim to be one of the most “Instagrammable” hotels on Santorini — which is quite a thing to say on an island filled with hundreds of picture-perfect hotels and guest houses. But then its creators did a few things right. Istoria skillfully blends the organic shapes of Santorini architecture with clean interiors and rustic stone walls that reference volcanic rock. The contemporary interiors feature mosaic floors and massive stone pots together with handcrafted textiles and designer furniture.
Alternatively, book Istoria Hotel Santorini via
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Official Website. Photo © Istoria Hotel Santorini
Like many top hotels on the island of Santorini, Magma is inspired by traditional Cycladic houses. The design uses volcanic rock and stone elements and organic shapes to create sophisticated living spaces. The hotel blends outdoor and indoor life through semi-covered spaces and walkways, while the underground spa calls to Santorini’s cave dwellings. Forty-six suites feature private pools and hot tubs and offer views of the Aegean Sea, and the hotel facilities include an event facility for up to 250 guests.
Alternatively, book Magma Resort Santorini via
Tablet Hotels | Expedia or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photos © Hyatt
Located literally on the highest spot anywhere on the caldera’s rim, Dreams Luxury Suites is a cozy boutique hotel with no restaurant, lobby, bar, or a big swimming pool. What it does have is an exclusive experience through a handful of cute apartments. Each apartment is infused with its personality: blue accent colors dominate Nefeli, Orfeas is yellow, and Armonia’s wooden shutters are green. The hotel is built on a relatively flat plot without many stairs, rare among the clifftop hotels on Santorini.
Read the review from our stay: Dreams Luxury Suites.
Alternatively, book Dreams Luxury Suites via
Expedia | Hotels.com | Agoda or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Dreams Luxury Suites
While many Santorini hotels are built on top of the Caldera cliff, Santo Maris is located away from its rim. This allows it to provide a rare sense of space. The hotel features five large swimming pools, and the flat terrain on which it is situated makes it well-suited for wheelchair users. Santo Maris is a boho-chic, adults-only, all-suite hotel with unique architecture and stylish but unpretentious interiors. Its address is only a short walk from the center of Oia, Santorini’s prettiest town.
Read the review from our stay: Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas.
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Official Website. Photo © Santo Collection
Laid-back Mediterranean
Perched on a cliff in Imerovigli and benefiting from extraordinary sunset views, Andronis Arcadia has fifty-eight suites occupying cube-like buildings, inspired by the Cycladic architecture. The hotel’s facilities include a spa, a swimming pool with underwater music, and even an artificial beach (with imported sand). The dining menus contrast two unique traditions: one inspired by ancient Greece and another imported from Japan, in the Oishii Sushi Bar.
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Official Website. Photo © Andronis Arcadia
Vadema Resort is housed in an old mansion built on top of a 400-year-old wine cellar. Among the facilities are an all-day restaurant, a pool bar, and an open-air Jacuzzi deck. The top accommodation choice here is the Presidential Villa, a three-bedroom luxurious retreat. The hotel is located in the Megalohori village, deep on the island’s mainland.
Alternatively, book Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort via
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Official Website. Photo © Marriott International
Domes Novos Santorini, the brand’s inaugural hotel on the island, presents 50 suites and two villas, each adorned with private pools. The renowned Makris restaurant graces the rooftop garden, accompanied by a lobby bar and pool bar, offering the perfect vantage point for an unparalleled experience of the famous Greek sunset.
Infusing Cycladic opulence with a commitment to sustainability, Kiros Pagkalidis Architects employed local materials like volcanic stone and light oak, resulting in a neutral palette accented with dark elements and seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. To enrich the boutique’s holistic ambiance, Domes’ SOMA Spa features an indoor pool and gym, along with the Greek concept of ‘Ef Zeen’ living, synonymous with ‘the art of living well.
Alternatively, book Domes Novos Santorini, Autograph Collection via
Marriott International or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photos © Domes Resorts
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Katikies Kirini is a luxury resort that combines Greek flavors with discreet service and the comforts of a contemporary lifestyle. The tranquil atmosphere permeates all spaces of the hotel, creating a place of rejuvenation and calm. Kirini’s luxurious spa, regarded as one of the best on the island, features a sauna, steam room, indoor jacuzzi, and a heated pool. Its treatments range from massages to the “beauty parlor” experiences. Book well in advance!
Alternatively, book Katikies Kirini Santorini via
Tablet Hotels | Expedia | Agoda | Hotels.com or check TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Katikies
A collection of former homes, barns, and cellars, extended with new structures and connected with alleyway-like paths makes up The Saint Hotel. The interiors, per local traditions, appear carved out of the steep hillside, and the rooms follow an austere chic, with minimal fittings, but comfortable furnishings. Located on the outskirts of the Odi village and perched atop the famous cliffs of Santorini, the hotel offers unobstructed views to the caldera, Santorini’s volcanic bay — which guests can enjoy from private terraces with swimming pools and loungers. The Saint Hotel features a restaurant, a spa, and a gym.
Alternatively, book The Saint Hotel Santorini via
Expedia | Agoda | Hotels.com | Mr & Mrs Smith or check TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photos (including the leading shot) © The Saint Hotel
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The cute white cave rooms of Katikies Chromata cascade down from the cliff edge in Imerovigli. This glamorous hotel wows with lavishly furnished rooms, each with private verandas and sea views. Its top accommodation is a luxurious villa, San Nicholas Cave House, with a history traced back to the Venetian era. Chromata means “colors” in Greek, but it’s a tongue-in-cheek name, as other than the white-edged, dove-gray steps, everything here is set in pure white.
Read our review: Katikies Chromata Santorini.
Alternatively, book Katikies Chromata Santorini via
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Official Website. Photo © Katikies
Katikies Garden in Fira is a sister property of the well-established, older hotel in Oia (the original Katikies), but it offers a very different experience. Built on a former monastery site, the Garden Fira is surrounded by gardens and alleys adorned with flowers. The forty guest suites of the hotel are outfitted with private swimming pools, verandas, and greenery.
Alternatively, book Katikies Garden Santorini via
Expedia | Hotels.com or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Katikies
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The celebrated Japanese-Peruvian brand brings a philosophy of a tailor-made experience for every guest and a glamorous lifestyle to a quiet cliffside spot overlooking the Aegean Sea. Nobu Hotel Santorini provides top-notch luxury in its individually designed rooms and suites — most with plunge pools, while the villas are equipped with larger swimming pools. Among the hotel facilities are a gym and a spa, offering individualized treatments — and a destination restaurant. Defined by a tranquil atmosphere, Nobu Hotel Santorini blends minimalistic chic with Cycladic influences. The hotel’s clifftop location ensures panoramic sea views with the famous, fiery sunsets.
Alternatively, book Nobu Hotel Santorini via
Mr & Mrs Smith | Tablet Hotels | Expedia or check TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photos © Nobu Hotels
Santo Mine is a luxury hotel carved into the cliffs in the village of Oia, situated on a former stone mine site. The resort comprises 37 individual suites, each equipped with a private pool or jacuzzi. The design is inspired by Santorini’s volcanic landscapes and Mediterranean aesthetics, embracing Cycladic minimalism in its interiors. Warm tones and natural materials such as stone, ceramics, wood, marble, and copper define the design. The facilities include a restaurant, bar, wine cellar, spa, and outdoor gym. The hotel’s architecture incorporates greenery-covered roofs to optimize heat conservation and minimize the resort’s environmental impact.
Alternatively, book Santo Mine Oia Suites via
Expedia | Mr & Mrs Smith or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photos © Santo Collection
Fab resorts for the perfect vacation
Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini is located close to the ruins of Akrotiri, the bronze-age settlement abandoned before the eruption of the ancient Santorini volcano. The hotel’s concept is built around a rejuvenation philosophy, emphasizing meditation, yoga, and paying homage to nature. The interiors feature earthy tones, natural fabrics, and handmade furniture set against the organic curves of the Cycladic architecture. There are only fifteen suites with balconies, terraces, or private outdoor jacuzzis. The hotel also has a panoramic swimming pool overlooking the caldera.
Alternatively, book Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini via
Expedia | Agoda | Hotels.com or see what others think on TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photo © Coco-Mat Hotels
This gorgeous new hotel redefines typical Santorini hospitality through a strong focus on design and art, e.g., featuring contemporary Greek artists. All suites come with private pools, and the adult-only spa offers a well-being space designed to provide holistic treatments. Noūs Santorini is the fourth hotel in the Yes Hotels portfolio and their first opening anywhere other than Athens.
Alternatively, book NOŪS Santorini via
Mr & Mrs Smith | Tablet Hotels | Expedia or check TripAdvisor.
Official Website. Photos © YES! Hotels
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The below shortlist makes a worthy companion to the main list.
Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.
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Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 31/08/2024
