Receive complimentary breakfast at Luxury Hotels
The best hotels with a view in Santorini include Iconic Santorini, Afroessa, Athina Luxury Suites, Avaton Resort and Spa, Canaves Oia Epitome, Canaves Oia Hotel, Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Oia Sunday Suites, Grace Santorini and Mystique, Santorini.
The volcanic Greek island of Santorini is famous for its glamorous white buildings with blue rooftops and hypnotic turquoise sea views. Most of the best hotels in Santorini are located on the clifftop to maximize those views. I have outlined our favorites below.
1. Iconic Santorini
Iconic Santorini is an authentic boutique cave hotel. Located in the picturesque village of Imerovigli, the stunning hotel is carved from the dramatic, volcanic caldera wall. This vantage point gives you the most gasp-inducing views of the striking caldera cliffs and azure blue waters of the Aegean Sea below.
Take a leisurely dip in the crystal waters of the 11-meter, heated, saltwater infinity pool, pausing only to try out the jetted tub seating or to refresh at the bar. Sunbathe to dry off on the caldera sun terrace that surrounds the pool. Keep fit at the top-of-the-range Fitness Centre, then unwind with a soothing treatment in the tranquil cave setting of the Spa. For the ultimate in romance, head to the tranquil indoor grotto pool.
The service at Iconic Santorini is second to none, the welcoming team treats you like friends of the family, and the concierge team ensures you get the very best out of this magical island.
As for your accommodation, 19 cave-sheltered rooms, including 14 suites, boast the coziest, oversized beds imaginable; made from coconut fibers and covered in soft, downy pillows with white cotton sheets. The smooth whitewashed curves of the cave surround you. The rooms are achingly stylish with rustic furniture and historical items. Private patios and sun-drenched terraces are decked out with olive trees, pots of lavender, and sunbeds with navy cushions and white umbrellas. And, of course, all offer those majestic caldera views. Several of the suites have their own private outdoor jetted pools positioned on the terraces just to allow the very best views.
The Pergola restaurant is a traditional taverna that serves authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine crafted using only the finest local ingredients. The restaurant has an open kitchen and, yes, mesmerizing Santorini caldera views!
Understandably the hotel is a multi-award winning, included among its accolades it has been named as Best Boutique Hotel on a Global Level 2018 – Haute Grandeur Global Awards, Greece’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2019 – World Travel Awards, Best Small Hotel in Europe 2019 – Haute Grandeur Global Awards and Most Romantic Hotel 2019 – Kiwi Collection.
2. Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Carved into the rugged Caldera cliffs, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, which is part of the Marriot Bonvoy brand, overlooks the turquoise expanse of the Aegean Sea that encircles the island of Santorini. Designed following Cycladic architecture, where gentle curves and sculpted arches blend with a muted color palette and light enhancing spaces, the hotel is a secluded hideaway that offers gloriously open horizons, stunning views, and a legendary location placed just 18km from Santorini airport.
Linked by a network of cobbled pathways, all 41 suites and villas boast panoramic sea views across to the active volcano that has shaped this exceptional island.
Interconnecting walkways pave the way to the hotel’s unique facilities, including the two swimming pools, where guests can enjoy a signature cocktail from the Aura Bar or sample rare wines stored in the 150-year-old Secret Wine Cave. Inspired dining options using authentic, Greek-influenced cuisine, made with locally sourced produce, are available whether guests choose to eat al fresco, in the privacy of their own terrace, or at one of the three restaurants, each with their own individual character.
Organic and regionally derived, the therapeutic ingredients used in the hotel’s Elios Spa provide signature treatments for whole-body relaxation rituals. For guests looking to stay active, the state-of-the-art gym features Technogym equipment, CrossFit accessories, and captivating views of the volcano and the Aegean Sea.
3. Grace Santorini
The exclusive Grace Santorini is located just over a mile from Fira and offers fabulous views from its perch above the world-famous Caldera. It’s a chic resort with a soothing and trendy grey and white palette complimented with neon signs and flashes of color. Enjoy the panoramic views from the infinity pool and visit the yoga and Pilates studio for further relaxation. There are Rooms, Suites (both of which can be taken with a private plunge pool), and then there’s the ultra-luxurious Villa. Dine at the Mediterranean fusion restaurant overlooking the sea and head to the pool bar for a cocktail or two.
4. Canaves Oia Suites
On the northwest tip of Santorini, Greece, one discovers the welcoming Canaves Oia Suites. The picturesque village of Oia Santorini offers guests a majestic view of the Caldera. For this reason, the luxury hotel in Oia has created the ideal setting for guests to enjoy the fairytale atmosphere of the Caldera at its most.
Canaves Oia Suites are regarded to be among the best accommodations on Santorini. Choose one of the 24 expansive suites or the incredible villa and take in dramatic caldera views from your private veranda. All suites also feature exterior plunge or swimming pools and accommodate three to five guests, making them ideal for a getaway with friends – or a destination wedding. The hotel offers excursions aboard its private yacht, and you can even spend an unforgettable night in the middle of the sparkling Aegean Sea.
5. Canaves Oia Hotel
Again, set in the village of Oia (pronounced EE-ah) on the rim of the Santorini caldera, the Canaves Oia Hotel will leave you exclaiming, “Ahhh!” Composed of renovated 17th-century houses carved into the cliffside, this romantic retreat features 17 modern accommodations in the island’s iconic Cycladic architectural style. You’ll discover this is the perfect place to unwind and relax. Activities include taking in the spectacular view of the caldera from the sparkling infinity-edge pool, heading out during the day on a sightseeing tour, finding the ideal spot on one of the magnificent nearby beaches, and more.
6. Canaves Oia Epitome
With some of the best sunset views in Oia, Canaves Oia Epitome offers spacious villas with private heated pools and world-class Greek cuisine. The family-run Canaves Oia Epitome sits right outside of town, above the pretty fishing village of Ammoudi. Suites awash in Cycladic architectural hallmarks and contemporary features boast generous outdoor private terraces, ideal for savoring that blessed Aegean sunshine and a light breeze. In fact, this is the only hotel on the island that offers sea and sunset views from every bedroom. After a morning in your private pool, make your way to the nearby Katharos Beach.
7. Canaves Oia Sunday Suites
Trade-in your Sunday best for a bathing suit and thick terry robe at Canaves Oia Sunday Suites. You’ll be hardpressed to leave the infinity-edge pool at this barefoot-elegant hotel with endless views over Santorini’s caldera. Of course, you may choose a suite with its own heated pool; all eight are simply dreamy, with handcrafted furnishings and comfortable verandas. Individual pampering reaches the heights of this clifftop setting, with no request too great or small.
8. Athina Luxury Suites
Athina Luxury Suites was recently renovated and you can tell! Think crisp, minimalism with an unusual, funky use of shape, contemporary art pieces, and splashes of turquoise to complement those sea views. The location is perfect; you are in the heart of the trendy town of Fira but are removed enough to make for a peaceful, serene stay. All 10 of the beautiful suites have views of the volcano and the beautiful Aegean Sea. There’s a trendy Mediterranean restaurant, a poolside bar, and that pool is perfectly positioned high on the cliff to ensure maximum wow-factor for your poolside view!
9. Avaton Resort & Spa
More stunning Aegean Sea views await at Avaton Resort and Spa. The architecture is cubist-style, and the interiors are trendy with sleek Italian furnishings and a calming, white minimalist finish. There are 9 rooms and suites that each feature sitting areas and patios or balconies that enjoy those views. Upgrade to a suite for a hot tub on your balcony. Facilities include a bar, a Mediterranean restaurant, a freshwater pool, and a rather wonderful grotto spa.
10. Afroessa
Tucked on a hillside in the village of Imerovigli in a converted wine cellar from the 18th century, you’ll find Afroessa. The sea views from this viewpoint are as sensational as you come to expect on Santorini. The 10 guest studios are rustic and individually decorated, with whitewashed walls, arched doorways, tiled floors, vaulted ceilings, and built-in beds. Most rooms enjoy terraces or balconies, and several have direct pool access; upgrade for a lounge dining area. There is a swimming pool with a relaxing pool bar, a casual restaurant with a large terrace, and you can borrow bikes.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.