The 7 Dreamiest Hotels in Santorini

There’s no sign outside Andronis Luxury Suites—only those in the know will be able to find their way to this 16-room knockout, whose aesthetic is iconic Cyclades (whitewashed walls; cave-like quarters; steep stone staircases). There’s romance to be found at every turn, from the platform beds angled towards the windows overlooking the caldera to the heated plunge pools and sunset wine tastings.

There are few places you’ll see a better sunset from than the three infinity pools and cube-like cottages of Katikies, overlooking Santorini’s submerged caldera. The hotel’s cliff-side suites are modernist and spare, with arched ceilings, antique pottery, and loft bed—all private terraces. The people-watching at the open-air Ellinikon and Mikrasia restaurants are perfect pairings with your grilled calamari or slow-cooked lamb entrées (though we suggest ordering up a glass of the island’s own assyrtiko wine as well).

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Whoever coined the term “honeymoon hotel” was surely basking in the sun by the infinity pool at the Grace Santorini. This swoon-worthy boutique has got romance down pat: guest rooms are done up in Greek marble with fragrance menus and private plunge pools; there’s a Champagne Lounge with its own agate bar for celebratory toasts; and the five-course breakfast menu (yes, champagne is included) is the stuff of legend.

Its position right outside the entrance of Oia makes Canaves the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of town, and with the views to show for it: Imerovigli and its surrounding islands on one side; Oia and the caldera on the other. The 41 rooms and suites—typical Santorini-style digs—are divided between two properties, but both have tranquil pools overlooking the Aegean, restaurants serving fresh seafood and Greek wines, and a mood that remains both relaxed and serene well past sundown.

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It’s nothing but drama at this private two-acre estate, which balances 1,000 feet above the caldera. The structure’s ageless Cycladic design—all 90-degree angles and a stark palette of blacks, whites, and grays—puts the views fully on display, but there’s more here than panoramas. Cow-print bathrooms, mirrored headboards, floating fireplaces, and outdoor showers add a dose of playfulness to the four standalone bungalows, while a full staff—including a concierge, chef, trainer, and masseuse—cater to your every wish, be it an ice-cold beverage by the infinity pool or a day of sightseeing that includes private wine tastings and a catamaran cruise.

“Cave-like” looks good on Iconic Santorini, whose 22 terraced suites, spread out over five levels in the village of Imerovigli (the highest settlement on the island), were carved directly out of the caldera’s rocky hillside. Lest you think you’re roughing it, interiors are far from drab: think whitewashed walls, four-layer beds, and fast WiFi that reaches all to the way to your patio terrace. The rooms to book are the Grotto Suites, which were the original cave dwellings and have their own indoor whirlpools. Breakfast is served directly to your room, but it’s worth dressing up for dinner at Pergola Restaurant, whose locally sourced ingredients (mussels; fáva; octopus) are served alongside stunning Aegean views.

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Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, San Antonio is as traditional as it gets—and that’s just the way we like it. All 29 whitewashed rooms are hewn out of the volcanic rock and decorated with pastel hues and feather beds, jaw-dropping sea views from every balcony or terrace, an Instagram-worthy infinity pool, and a romantic open-air restaurant where 100 percent of the ingredients used in dishes like yellowfin tuna with ginger and avocado and lamb confit with mushrooms and truffle come straight from the island.