10 Of The Best Hotels In Santorini If You're Dreaming Of Sunnier Climes Right Now

The Greek island is the world’s undisputed champion of sunset spying – and also home to some seriously stylish Santorini hotels (from which to watch the sun go down, obviously).

BEST HOTELS IN SANTORINI

The Cyclades may span hundreds of different islands, but few get more footfall than Santorini and Mykonos, and with just one glimpse of Santorini’s famous volcanic caldera from along its croissant-shaped coastline, it won’t take you long to see why. Whitewashed, cave-like suites are the standard here, but the island also has some more colourful hotels, many of which still focus, unsurprisingly, on sourcing the prime position for sunset.

Andronis Arcadia at the northern tip of the island has individual, plunge-pool-enhanced suites, for straight-to-your-terrace sunset perfection – along with an amazing sushi bar for poolside lunches that beat a club sandwich.

Down at the black-sand shores of Perivolos, Istoria tells a tale with former-stable suites, a creative restaurant and the beach (and beach clubs) on your doorstep.

The cruise liners may drop anchor for a certain time of day, but the island has plenty to keep its many visitors entertained while the sun’s up, too: there’s the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the caldera-edge town of Oia for blue-dome-church hunting and volcanic beaches.

Here's our list of the best hotels in Santorini for 2022 – enjoy!

On Santorini’s sunset-ready northernmost tip, Andronis Arcadia gives guests exclusive access to the dazzling nightly show that the coach-loads are lined up outside to catch – with a private terrace and plunge pool to make it even better.

Laid-back lunches of intricate sushi and gourmet burgers are served poolside and in the restaurant, or you can splash out on a fine-dining meal at Opson (with the sky still lit up from the fiery sunset), which has a resident culinary archaeologist spilling the beans on the dining habits of the Ancient Greeks. The spa has a sea-facing hammock, complete with billowy curtains, to snooze in post-treatment.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

A 12-room boutique hotel on the black-sand shores of Perivolos Beach and far from the Oia crowds, Istoria is the former holiday home of a Greek expat who lived in Italy, but came back to Santorini every summer, with her horses in tow (hence the stable suites and riding crops).

At the Mr E restaurant, Greek classics are given a modern twist (hello, prawn saganaki) – or head down to the strip of bars and beach clubs a short walk away. Istoria’s sister properties are Mystique up in Oia and Vedema in Megalochori, and a handy shuttle runs between all three, so you can enjoy the best of every setting.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Calling all fans of classic Cycladic architecture: Ikies, whose curving whitewashed buildings are stacked up a cliff-edge, is the Santorini stay for you. The small-scale boutique hotel is on the edge of the village of Oia, with views of the caldera and neighbouring islands served straight to your terrace.

Rooms include maisonettes, studios and, of course, honeymoon suites – and with romance levels this far off the chart, any newlyweds are in for a treat. The cliffs of Oia are piled up with traditional white-and-blue houses that look out across the caldera, all adding to those amazing views.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

In the village of Tholos, a few hundred metres away from Oia, Myst gives its guests the best of both worlds: proximity to Oia and its blue-domed churches, and the serenity that comes with being a little away from the action. This extends to sundown, when Oia gets even more crowded than usual and Myst guests enjoy a similar view, delivered direct to their private veranda.

Bright whitewashed cubes form the classic Cycladic architecture, which makes the blues of the sea and sky even more mesmerising. Breakfasts of pastries baked on-site, local cheese and organic omelettes with vegetables straight from the garden set the culinary tone from the Fat Duck-trained chef.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Down the coast from Oia in Imerovigli, Dreams Luxury Suites is another for the Cycladic-architecture fans: cave-like suites with curved ceilings, whitewashed arches, cliff-edge pools and precarious staircases. Every room overlooks the caldera, with freshwater plunge pools or Jacuzzis, lantern-lit patios and beach bags helpfully already stocked with towels.

In the unlikely event you tire of that view, the concierge can arrange wine tastings of Santorini’s finest, diving, horse-riding and sailing trips – or follow the cliff path all the way to Fira, the island’s capital, in one direction, and towards Oia in the other.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

In a break from the island’s whitewashed tradition, Voreina Gallery Suites are more of a dusky peach than the regular bright white. More colour comes to the interiors courtesy of the eye-catching artworks – the hotel was created as an 'inhabitable gallery'.

It’s in the village of Pyrgos, with a view across the island and out to the Aegean. The nine suites have kitchens, private pools or Jacuzzis and fireplaces that don’t see much action for most of the year; and some are big enough to sleep five guests, making them – and the on-site villas – perfect for group getaways.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Pastel doors and shutters - check. Curving stone walls - check. Blindingly white exteriors - check. Armeni Village is one for the chic-loving troglodytes out there. The Oia residence is on the caldera edge, 200 metres above sea level and a swift stroll from the centre of the village and its many boutiques, art galleries and churches.

The sea-facing suites – connected by various flights of stairs up and down the cliff face – have balconies or verandas from which to enjoy the view of the caldera and its volcanic islets. There’s no restaurant, but breakfast is delivered to your room, so you won’t have to tackle any steps without caffeine.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

In the village of Imerovigli, Kapari Natural Resort is another for the wannabe cave-dwellers out there: cavernous rooms in a neutral palette (and lots of white and blue, naturally), with painted shutters and windows to let a little daylight in. Some rooms have a terrace, the best of which have an added-bonus Jacuzzi, and there are some arranged around a courtyard for groups to sequester.

The family-run hotel has a caldera-facing restaurant with a short but perfect Mediterranean menu and exceptional service. It’s a 20-minute walk along the cliffs to Fira, but be sure to factor in stopping-to-pap time – that view never gets old.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Aptly named after the most relaxing day of the week, Canaves Oia Sunday Suites aims for a laid-back sort of luxury. The Canaves group is also responsible for the seriously slick Canaves Oia Epitome, down near Ammoudi Bay, and the clinging-to-the-cliffs Canaves Oia Suites.

At Sunday Suites, it’s the day of rest daily – and it won’t take long to unwind with panoramic-view perfection, cooling courtyards and those soothing, almost-all-white interiors. And there’s no chance of any noise pollution disrupting the peace and quiet since there are just a handful of suites. The entire property can be hired out as a 10-bedroom villa for 20 lucky guests.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

Set around a sleek infinity pool competing for attention with the caldera (it’s a valiant effort, but it doesn’t stand a chance), the milky-coloured Avaton Resort & Spa is in Imerovigli and close to the hike-worthy headland of Skaros Rock.

Treatments on offer at the LED-lit cave of a spa – which is so romantic that it moonlights as the restaurant on windy days – include hot-stone massages, wine and honey facials (not at the same time), and jasmine and white tea body scrubs. Fira is two kilometres away, or stay put for dinners of the freshest local produce on the caldera-facing terrace.

CHECK AVAILABILITY