Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful. The picturesque Greek island is built on the remains of a volcanic caldera in the Aegean Sea. It’s known for its stunning white-washed towns, breathtaking views, and amazing sunsets that light up the caldera. The crimson evening sky is so well-known it’s one of the most photographed places in the world.
Fira, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Oia are Santorini’s most popular towns — for good reason. Here you’ll find blue-domed white houses draped with fuchsia bougainvillea, built into cliff faces and set against the backdrop of the endless ocean.
Where you decide to stay on the island can really make or break your vacation and with a view such as this, many hotels and Airbnbs come with a high price tag. Of course, there are ways around this if you have your heart set on a villa with an infinity pool. Deals can be found depending on when you take your Greek vacation. Opt for the shoulder seasons and avoid the premium areas on the island for a lower rate per night.
As a general rule of thumb, the west side of the island is where you’ll find the best Santorini hotels. If you are visiting for the first time and want to have a hotel equally as beautiful as the surroundings, here are some of the finest options.
We hope you love the Santorini hotels we recommend. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Delion View Hotel has four stars and is located in the picturesque village of Fira. Each room or suite has epic views, and guests can also enjoy access to a terrace and a stunning indoor pool. This hotel is a great option if you are traveling with family or in a group. The Junior Suite, for example, sleeps four with one large double bed and two singles. The spacious suite also has a private balcony and an outlook over the caldera.
Amenities at Delion View Hotel
Free WiFi.
Room service.
Concierge service.
Luggage storage.
Airport transfers.
Car rental service.
Excursions such as sunset catamaran tours and wine tastings.
Located just over a mile from the Archaeological Museum of Thera, Cresanto Luxury Suites has five-star, contemporary luxury private villas. The hotel towers over the island and is one of the best options for couples looking for privacy for a romantic vacation.
There are seven different types of suites at Cresanto with hand-picked luxury amenities, chic decor, and outdoor hot tubs or plunge pools with a choice of garden or sea views. Previous guests state there is no faulting this property and rave about the exquisite breakfasts. There’s also a gourmet restaurant on-site celebrating Greek and Mediterranean ingredients and a stunning pool bar surrounded by plush outdoor seating areas.
If you’d like to be close to the action in Oia, but prefer a peaceful place to stay, Sun Angelos Oia fits the bill. The apartments are well-equipt and come with a kitchen area with a stovetop and fridge. This makes this accommodation ideal for those who would like to go to the local markets and pick up produce for breakfast or lunch on the outdoor terrace. The hotel also has a beautifully manicured garden and a hot tub.
Apeiron Blue rests on the caldera rim close to the island’s capital Fira. Respecting Cycladic design with white-washed walls, rounded corners, and flat roofs, the five-star hotel blends traditional architecture with modern luxury. The suites have an unobstructed view of the Aegean Sea and are very spacious.
The Honeymoon Suite, for example, has a stunning outdoor area with a private veranda capitalizing on the ocean view. And you don’t get more romantic than relaxing in the outdoor Jacuzzi hot tub — with a stunning terrace shower — watching the sunset from one of the optimum viewpoints on Santorini.
Apeiron Blue specifically market to those getting married and honeymooners. Check out their planning services offering the stunning venue, catering, decorations, and other services that you may require.
Perivolas is in a league of its own in Oia. Located on the edge of Oia, you come here for many reasons, the primary being the lack of crowds. The hotel’s UPS is privacy. This is unique on Santorini, it comes with a price tag, but you’ll be guaranteed a tranquil stay and exclusivity.
The hotel is a labor of love. The family business opened its doors in 1983 taking a cluster of 300-year-old cave dwellings and transforming the cliff area into 20 unique studios and suites. The decor is minimalistic and traditional Greek blue and white color palettes are accented with hot pink and lilac. There are eight different types of rooms, the most expensive have a private terrace with a plunge pool and steam room. And although these suites are not cheap, Perivolas is worth it.
Andronis Boutique Hotel offers a charming escape amongst the crowds of Oia. The hotel is a peaceful haven. The only dominating factor of the caldera-side accommodation is the view. It is also a five-minute stroll to the ruined castle which is a famed viewing point for sunset.
The verticle hotel has bags of character and welcoming service. There are 24 cave suites cut into the cliffside. All have a private terrace and elevated rooms have plunge pools, whirlpool tubs, sunloungers, and outdoor tables and chairs.
The hotel’s restaurant, Lauda is managed by three Michelin-starred chef Emmanuel Renault. People flock here for the signature dish, which celebrates lobster.
Astro Palace Hotel & Suites is ideally placed between the airport and the island’s most popular town, Fira. This is another hotel ideal for couples. Guests here enjoy extra perks delivered by the five-star service from staff. Personalized experiences, such as a romantic dinner in the hotel’s wine cellar, private sunset cruises, and exclusive wine and cheese tastings set Astro apart from the other luxury accommodations in Fira. When booking, contact the concierge and discuss options for tailoring your vacation.
Iconic Santorini is one of the only listed properties here located in the stylish, quiet village of Imerovigli. Away from the crowds, this unique hotel has a good-sized pool and epic views in a unique location. Although the property is somewhat hard to find and does not offer private parking, there is a shuttle service offered from the ferry port or airport.
The decor leans heavily on Santorini’s traditional white and blue with dashes or prints and stripes. The hotel is small — 19 cave suites in six differing sizes — but its facilities rival those of the other luxury hotels above. There is a small but well equipt gym, a heated plunge pool, an infinity pool, a restaurant, and a spa.
When choosing where to stay in Santorini, the hushed village of Imerovigli is a tempting alternative to the lively resorts of Fira and Oia. Tumbling down the cliffside, the Grace Hotel is the epitome of a luxury resort in Santorini. The infinity pool is the largest in Imerovigli while bespoke wellness treatments include wine elixirs and olive oil massages.
This exclusive boutique hotel is limited to just 20 units, the majority of which open out onto a private terrace with a plunge pool. Designed for small families or honeymooners, the Villa has its own heated full-size pool and unmatched views of the Santorini caldera.
Close to Órmos and Pyrgos Kallistis, the Lilium Hotel is one of the best hotels in Santorini for dodging the crowds. This upscale resort features an infinity pool, Jacuzzi, and a free shuttle service to and from Fira throughout the day. As is the norm at Santorini luxury hotels, a traditional Greek breakfast is included in the rate.
A number of rooms have a private hot tub while the Lilium Suite comes with its own plunge pool. Hewn into the caldera rocks, the cave cubby offers refuge from the belting Mediterranean sun while you consider upping sticks and making the island your new home.
Carved into the Santorini caldera, the interiors of the Mystique Hotel follow traditional Cycladic architecture. As one of the defining cave-style Oia hotels in Santorini, all suites and villas feature gentle curves and sculpted arches. Select units come with either an indoor hot tub or a terrace plunge pool with panoramic views that’ll have you pinching yourself.
The Mystique Santorini has its own string of restaurants plus a 150-year-old wine cellar where you can enjoy romantic suppers by candlelight. Holistic treatments are available at the spa while the suspended infinity pool gives you the sense of floating above the volcanic island.
The motto at the Santorini Princess Spa Hotel is that all guests are treated like royalty. Entry-level rooms supply caldera and sea views from the private patios and earthy interiors that’ll lull you into vacation mode. Newlyweds can pick between the Honeymoon Suite with an outdoor hot tub or the Grand Honeymoon Villa with a private pool set within a landscaped garden.
Situated north of Imerovigli, this Santorini luxury hotel runs an affordable minivan service. A deluxe buffet breakfast is included in the rate while the kitchen cooks up creative modern Greek dinners using locally sourced ingredients.
Art Maisons is spread over two buildings: the Aspaki Exclusive Hotel and the Oia Castle. The former is designed with honeymooners in mind while the latter is one of the best Oia hotels for Santorini’s sublime sunsets. Both are unparalleled in terms of comfort and style. For maximum indulgence, check into the Aspaki Hotel River Pool Suite or Signature Cave with eyepopping Aegean views from your own aquatic lair.
The hotel restaurant specializes in Mediterranean seafood while the concierge can organize an island tour or yacht cruise at the push of a button. A shared swimming pool overlooking Oia’s cobalt domes unites the properties.
Cocoon Suites is one of the best adult-only Santorini hotels with private pools. Every luxury cave suite is appointed with furnishings crafted from stone and driftwood plus a Beautyrest mattress for undisturbed sleep. Depending on your preference, you’ll have an indoor, outdoor, or cave jetted tub for watching Santorinian sunsets melt on the horizon.
It’s the Cocoon custom to linger over a homemade Greek breakfast delivered to your balcony while in-room candlelit dinners prepared using organic ingredients are available. All rooms contain a Nespresso coffee maker for a post-siesta pick-me-up and the concierge can arrange excursions.
One of the dreamiest hotels in Fira, Santorini, this 5-star resort brags three swimming pools and open-air massage shacks. You’ll wake up to a nourishing Greek breakfast and have the option to walk or take a short taxi ride to local wineries.
Superior rooms at the Volcano View Hotel Santorini are styled with contemporary furnishings, squashy couches, and sea-view terraces. Top-tier suites have hydromassage tubs cocooned in cave bathrooms. As one of the most kid-friendly hotels in Santorini, Greece, Volcano View offers an assortment of family-friendly villas with private pools, cave hot tubs, and Balinese beds.
One of the quieter hotels in Oia, Santorini’s Andronis Arcadia Hotel floats above the castle. Idyllic accommodations include minimalist suites and Mediterranean-inspired family villas, each with a private pool. The boho aesthetic feels elegant and homely with the best suites tilted to catch heart-jolting sunsets from the bed or terrace.
There’s a whole roster of entertainment to suit all ages, ranging from kids’ yoga classes to cooking workshops and water therapy. Poolside dining revolves around sushi and sundowner cocktails although an expansive in-room dining service spares you any trouble.
Roosting on the highest part of the island 2,000 feet above sea level, Santorini Sky Luxury Resort consists of six panoramic villas plus a geodesic dome bookable for stargazing experiences. Each designer hideaway has a kitchen and a private infinity pool for drinking up those effusive sunsets in solitude.
A fresh breakfast is delivered to your patio daily while the dedicated concierge can sort you out with take-out dinners, spa treatments, and yoga classes via WhatsApp. You’ll need a rental car or ATV to get around. On the other hand, this is the kind of place you could easily hole up in for a couple of days.
Surrender yourself to 5-star luxury at one of the best hotels in Santorini’s Akrotiri peninsula. Thirteen sanctuaries make up Astarte Suites Santorini, all of which are sculpted into the cave complex and contain either an indoor spa bath or a private infinity pool overlooking the caldera. Naturally, the most appealing suites feature one of each.
Start your day with breakfast delivered to the terrace before idling over to the communal swim deck for poolside service. The hotel can set you up with guided excursions and cruises, otherwise, you’ll benefit from renting a car or ATV.
One of the most central hotels in Fira with private pools, Katikies Garden is a solid option if you’d prefer not to rent a vehicle in Santorini. Occupying a former Catholic monastery, this family-friendly resort comprises 40 boutique lodgings with sea or garden views. In contrast to the typical Santorini hotel, these are furnished with hardwood flooring, geometric bathrooms, and floral linens. The Garden Suite comes with a secluded yard and plunge pool where you can bask under the stars.
Mediterranean gastronomy and wine tastings are available on the premises while the rooftop pool offers an all-day tsibologima (snacking) menu.
The five-island archipelago of Santorini is known for its volcanic scenery formed by a catastrophic eruption around 1600 BC. This created the crescent-shaped caldera along which sit the postcard-pretty towns of Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli on the main island. Travelers visit to see whitewashed Cycladic buildings topped with domes the color of lapis lazuli and magical sunsets over the volcano. Cave-style Santorini hotels with private pools have become the staple of a stay on this luxurious Greek island.
Where to stay in Santorini?
The western side of the Greek island grants the best caldera views and a wide variety of accommodations. Fira (also Thera or Thira), the capital, is where to stay in Santorini for late-night dining and convenient access to transport. Further north, hotels in Oia – Santorini’s prettiest village – claim the monopoly on luxury experience and sunsets. Upmarket Imerovigli is a quieter resort popular with honeymooners.
Kamari and Perissa on the southeast coast are the best parts of Santorini to stay for beaches and family-friendly vibes. Hotels in the center of Santorini near Pyrgos provide off-the-beaten-track tranquility away from the crowds although a rental car may be required.
How much are hotels in Santorini, Greece?
Hotels in Santorini, Greece, are at their most expensive between late June and early September. A night in a 5-star resort or a Santorini hotel with a private pool or spa tub will soar above $1,000. At the other end of the scale, you can bag a night at a decent budget hotel with a shared pool in Santorini in summer for as little as $150. On the whole, Santorini hotels in Fira are cheaper than in Oia and Imerovigli.
How much is the average stay in Santorini?
A luxury vacation destination, Santorini is one of the pricier Greek islands. Nightly rates at Santorini 5-star hotels in summer cost around $1,000-1,500 while a mid-range resort will cost $400-500 per night. Santorini luxury hotels with private pools come at a premium. Larger groups, families, and couples on a budget might consider staying at one of the unique Airbnbs in Santorini.
How much should I budget per day in Santorini?
Hotels in Santorini, Greece, typically include breakfast in the rate. Expect to spend around $50 (€45) per day on additional food and refreshments per person or closer to $100 (€89) for a splurge. It costs $33-45 (€30-40) to rent an ATV while car hire starts at $100 (€89) per day in summer. On top of that, you will want to budget for such activities as walking tours, catamaran cruises, snorkeling or diving trips, and volcanic wine tastings. Anticipate these to cost between $70 and $170 per person. Staying in Fira or Oia spares you the need to rent a vehicle while a number of hotels do run complimentary shuttles or competitively-priced minivan transport.
What is the best month to visit Santorini?
Late June through early September marks the high season and hottest temperatures in Santorini. The weather in Santorini bobs around 68-74°F in May and September and spares you the worst of the crowds. Santorini hotel rates are lower and you can score a deal on a suite with a private pool. Winter is the cheapest time to visit Santorini but it’s usually too cold to swim and many activities and restaurants will be closed.
Are seven nights in Santorini too many?
Spending a week in Santorini allows plenty of time to tour the sights and unwind in a luxury hotel. Five nights will cut it if you’re exploring Santorini as part of a wider Greek island itinerary.
Which is better, Mykonos or Santorini?
The best-known of the Cyclades islands, Santorini and Mykonos offer entirely different experiences. A popular destination for honeymooners, Santorini stuns with its cave-style luxury hotels while Mykonos earns brownie points for its affordability. Santorini’s blue-domed churches and volcanic landscapes are matched by the windmills and beaches of Mykonos. While Santorini’s Akrotiri settlement is likened to a miniature Pompeii, Mykonos is a 30-minute boat ride to Delos, the mythical birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Linked by a three-hour ferry, it’s possible to visit both as part of a Greek island hopping getaway.
