Almost all the best luxury Santorini hotels are perched on the cliffs on the west side of the island: in Fira, Oia, Firostefani, or Imerovigli. And for a good reason: location matters. Sprinkled with white towns and villages, Santorini’s magnificent volcanic cliffs are the single biggest reason for why this destination is such a tourist magnet. So if you want to experience breathtaking views and possibly the best sunsets in the world, choosing one of the cliff-edge hotels to stay in makes perfect sense, even if it means breaking the bank.
But there are hundreds of properties here competing for the best spot, and most are well placed to take in the views. So how do we determine which from among them are the best luxury Santorini hotels? For us, the wow factor comes from the impeccable service, great design, and comforts that make their guests want to spend most of the day lounging on their private decks.
Mystique’s designers created a successful fusion of comfortable luxury and traditional Cycladic style, in which all architectural elements are perfectly aligned with the landscape and spirit of the island. Its eighteen cozy suites and villas provide guests with spectacular views of Santorinian caldera.
We love it for: Mystique is located far from the tourist track and is one of the most private and secluded places in Oia.
Read our review: Mystique Santorini, Greece.
Photos © Mystique Hotel by George Fakaros
The award-winning design of Grace Santorini injects contemporary edginess to the classic style of Cyclades, its low-key architecture allowing the iconic seascape to take center stage.
We love it for: Mesmerizing views and sunsets and private plunge pools—Grace Santorini frequents the ‘best hotels of the world’ lists like no other hotel.
Read our review: Grace Santorini, Greece.
Photos (including the leading shot at the top of this article) © Auberge Hotels
With no restaurant, lobby, bar or big swimming pool, and consisting of only four cozy apartments, Dreams is as small and as exclusive as the boutique hotels get.
Located on one of the highest point on the cliffs surrounding the Santorinian caldera, secluded and private, Dreams is an ideal place for a romantic getaway.
We love it for: Magical atmosphere… especially at sunset. We recommend the two-level Armonia suite, where we stayed. It’s perfect!
Read our review: Dreams Luxury Suites and see the gallery of our photos.
Photos © Dreams Luxury Suites
If any hotel on the island of Santorini deserves to be called famous, it is Perivolas. Its magnificent setting, fascinating architecture and organic design makes it the most photographed and talked about hotel in the Cyclades.
We love it for: At Perivolas the proven formula of beautiful views, cliff-edge swimming pool, and minimalist interiors has been applied perfectly, resulting in a truly iconic place.
Read our review: Perivolas Santorini, Greece. Photos © Perivolas
This is the first luxury hotel on Santorini that embodied the island’s natural geology as an integral part of the design. Katikies Santorini tuned the Santorinian aesthetics to perfection, becoming a benchmark for the Santorini style.
We love it for: The hotel is located in Oia, one of the prettiest villages on the island. It has fabulous views of Santorini’s caldera—especially from around its three (!) stunning infinity pools.
Read our review: Katikies, Santorini, Greece. Photos © Katikies
Chromata Up Style Hotel is cut above a standard Greek island hotel, with dinky white cave houses spilling down the cliff edge, impeccably maintained public areas, cozy rooms, and huge bathrooms. Add an excellent restaurant and unimpeachable service, and you have something special.
We love it for: Glamorous contemporary design and ultra-modern facilities.
Read our review: Chromata Up Style Hotel, Santorini.
Photos © Chromata
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Using beautiful stonework and layered light themes Aenaon Villas has created contemporary interiors with plenty of private space. The hotel’s unique design identity is built on a foundation of simple luxury.
We love it for: Secluded location, between Imerovigli and Oia.
Photos © Aenaon Villas
Combining Greek flavors with the comforts of a contemporary lifestyle, this luxury resort provides a tranquil atmosphere permeating all spaces of the hotel. Kirini Suites & Spa’s discreet service is part of the hotel’s appeal.
We love it for: Kirini offers a great spa experience, maybe the best on the island.
Photos © Kirini Suites
The all-suite Charisma Suites in Oia contemporary style meets local aesthetics, blending them into beautiful interiors. The design of these luxury suites symbolize the Cycladic allure.
We love it for: Great sense of style, with chic furniture and clean lines.
Photos © Charisma Suites Oia by Christos Drazos
Carefully renovated and reconstructed, the thirteen individually designed rooms and suites of Sophia Luxury Suites are some of the island’s most immaculately designed. The result is a kind of natural, raw elegance that is at once authentic and sophisticated.
We love it for: The suites are very spacious, especially when compared to most of the other Santorinian hotels. Two of them even have an indoor heated pool, beautifully lit with LED lights.
Read more: Santorinian harmony at Sophia Luxury Suites, Greece.
Photos (including the large photo at the bottom of this article) © Sophia Luxury Suites Santorini
Author: Travel+Style. Last updated: 14/11/2019
