The best hotels in Santorini for soaking up the Aegean sunshine
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Santorini has a reputation for being the most glamorous of all the Greek islands, with luxury hotels, fancy restaurants and beautiful beaches aplenty. Of course, it helps that the Mediterranean hotspot has the A-list seal of approval (the Kardashians and Beyoncé have all been spotted here), not to mention that breathtaking view, which features the island's signature blue-domed Calderas perched on the cliff-edge.
With its popularity come the crowds, so in July and August, prepared to book the hottest restaurants in advance (Selene, the oldest on the island, has an incredible monastery location), and if you really want to get that pic, then you'll probably need to be up at dawn. I once attempted it at 7am and the clifftop queue was already over 45 minutes long.
While neighbouring Mykonos is known as a day-long party-paradise, Santorini is more refined in feel, with leisurely lunches of fresh seafood, fava beans and white aubergines, all devoured lazily over a bottle of the island's beloved local white wine (Assyrtiko). A trip to one of the vineyards is definitely recommended – if only to taste as many iterations of Vinsanto (Santorini's pudding wine) as possible.
Naturally, with its beautiful and dramatic landscape (it's a volcanic island, with black sand beaches), as well as its plethora of stunning views and top-tier restaurants, proposals are common: I witnessed four during one four-day long trip in 2019. If your man's booked Santorini for 2024, we're just saying, get a manicure…
Your itinerary in paradise, sorted.
What part of Santorini is best to stay in?
Fira, the capital of Santorini, is vibrant and filled with bustling tavernas that emanate the joyful smell of freshly cooked Greek food. In the evenings, the town’s buzzing nightlife scene comes to life, and you can dance the night away to a shot of ouzo (or six) before your 5-star hotel check in.
Firostefani, which is just a short drive away, is a world away from the tourist trail and perfect for an afternoon of exploring. Imerovigli boasts some of the best views of the Caldera and some excellent fine dining restaurants, cafes and wineries, while Perivolos is home to the one of the vibiest beach bars this side of the island. Aside from being the best area for sunset views, Oia is filled with some of the best Santorini hotels, with infinity pool areas that look over the Aegean sea.
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Perivolas
- Best for: Something a little different to the usual tourist hotspots. It’s also adults-only.
- Address: Perivolas, Thira 847 02, Santorini, Greece
- Price per night: From £664
- Why we love it: Understated and cool
While Santorini is known for its cave-rooms, cut into the cliffs, spa hotel Perivolas offers something completely different: roomy and rustic fishermen’s huts that have been completely renovated to suit the modern traveller, albeit pared back to only include the most essential of mod-cons. Similarly monastic is the spa – book in advance to avoid disappointment. A truly unique place for a getaway, the beauty of Perivolas is that it is family-run, and therefore a passion project of sorts, with the owner’s daughter on front of house. The on-site restaurant, helmed by local wunderkind Theodoros Kakoulis, serves local dishes like octopus and red mullet, and is guests-only – yet another reason why the hotel attracts the A-list.