Best Hotels in Santorini

This island holds a special place in my heart. We’ve been there three, maybe four times, I’ve lost count... It’s the place where we got engaged, where the light hits differently, where love feels a little louder.

From the steep cliffs of Imerovigli to the warm glow of Oia at golden hour, this is where time stops and beauty speaks for itself.

But let’s be honest, the list of all-white hotels with infinity pools in Santorini is endless. And while they’re beautiful, many fall into the same polished, overexposed mold.​

In this article, I wanted to go deeper. I’ve curated a collection of real gems, places that offer beauty and luxury.

Before landing, here are some things to know :

• When to go : Avoid July and August if you can. The island becomes a postcard… but one shared with thousands of people at the same time. For something more intimate, go in May, early June, September or even October, when the air is warm, the sunsets soft, and the pace slower. It’s still summer, but with room to breathe.

• Sunset secrets : Oia is famous for its sunsets and rightly so. But everyone flocks to the same few spots near the castle ruins. Here’s a tip : book a dinner table at a rooftop restaurant.

• Getting around : Renting a quad or a small car is the easiest way to explore the island.

If you’re looking for the most beautiful places to stay on the island, here is my personal handpicked list.

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel – Oia

Mystique doesn’t try to impress, it seduces. Built with natural materials and carved into the rock, the suites here feel timeless. You walk through curved stone corridors and find yourself in rooms that smell of salt and light. There’s a sense of grounding in every detail : driftwood tones, organic textures, linen soft from the wind. It’s the kind of luxury that whispers instead of shouts. Mornings are best spent with breakfast on your terrace, with a view that looks like a painting. In the evening, the air cools down and the sky turns gold.

Katikies Hotel & Katikies Garden – Oia / Fira

Katikies is pure poetry. It’s all white arches, bougainvillea in bloom, and staircases that lead to tiny hidden terraces. Every corner is photogenic, but none of it feels artificial. It’s a place that lives and breathes the soul of the Cyclades. The suites are luminous and delicate, each one offering a balcony where time seems to stop. Katikies Garden, their sister hotel in Fira, brings that same magic to a slightly more urban setting. Lush gardens, arched walkways, a scent of lemon trees in the air. It’s calmer, greener, and just as beautiful. Together, they offer two versions of the same dream.

Cavo Tagoo Santorini – Imerovigli

If Santorini had a heartbeat, it would sound like Cavo Tagoo. This is where sleek design meets volcanic cliffs, and where every suite feels like a private sanctuary carved into stone.

The hotel is unapologetically bold : floating breakfasts, cave pools, warm lighting that turns everything into gold. It’s the kind of place where you dress up even for coffee. DJs play soft beats at sunset, cocktails come with edible flowers, and everything is designed to be quiet luxury.

Andronis Arcadia Hotel – Oia

Andronis Arcadia is a retreat of abundance. Large suites, earthy tones, oversized private pools… everything here is designed to expand your senses. It’s one of the few places in Oia where the sunset doesn’t just flirt with the horizon, it’s yours, uninterrupted.

Rocabella Santorini Hotel – Imerovigli

There’s something honest about Rocabella. The vibe is low-key, bohemian and emotionally intelligent. Suites are relaxed and airy, with warm minimalism and textures that make you want to slow down. The infinity pool overlooks the caldera and the sunsets here are quiet.

Nobu Santorini – Imerovigli

Nobu Santorini is understated confidence. It’s where design is sharp but calming, and where luxury feels deeply contemporary.

Each suite is a sanctuary of natural materials : raw stone, matte black, soft whites. The architecture frames the landscape like a painting. And of course, there’s the Nobu restaurant, where Japanese precision meets Mediterranean flavor, overlooking one of the best sunset spots on the island.

Santorini Sky – Pyrgos

High above the chaos, Santorini Sky feels like the edge of the universe. Located at the island’s highest point, this retreat offers a rare kind of luxury : total stillness.

The villas are small havens of light and wood, surrounded by sky and silence. You don’t just look at the island from here, you float above it. At night, the stars are so close it feels like you could touch them.

Hōm Santorini – Finikia

Nestled in the peaceful village of Finikia, just a short walk from Oia, it’s the perfect mix of authenticity and thoughtful design.

Here, everything is soft : the architecture, the light, the atmosphere. Neutral tones, artisanal details, and suites that feel like quiet homes rather than hotel rooms. Mornings begin with gentle light spilling through linen curtains, and evenings end with wine under the stars.