My Favorite Boutique Hotels in Santorini

Greece › Santorini › Boutique Hotels
By Santorini Dave

My son and I in a private plunge pool at Aria Suites and Villas with Fira in the background.

Santorini Boutique Hotels – My Recommendations

• Best Boutique Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites
• Best Boutique Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites
• Best Boutique Hotel in Imerovigli: Aenaon Villas
• Best Boutique Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras Collection
• Fira, Imerovigli, Oia, and Firostefani are the main towns in Santorini. All have incredible views. Stay in one of these four towns.
• Fira has the most shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.
• Imerovigli is quiet, charming, and has the best sunset and caldera views. Fantastic restaurants but no nightlife.
• Oia is a mix of both: not as busy as Fira but more to do than Imerovigli.
• Firostefani is a short walk from Fira but far less busy.

The Best Boutique Hotels in Santorini

I’ll be honest: there isn’t a huge difference between these boutique hotels and my favorite luxury hotels in Santorini. There’s a lot of overlap between the two lists. The majority of hotels in Santorini could be defined as boutique hotels by most metrics: an intimate feel, lots of local color, independently owned, with fewer than 100 rooms (all unique in layout and decor), and highly personalized service. Since most Santorinian hotels fit that bill, this article focuses on hotels with 10 or fewer rooms. Needless to say: book these hotels as far in advance as possible; tiny hotels fill up fast.

1. Tsitouras Collection – Firostefani

One of my personal favorite hotels with some of friendliest owners on the island. If you want a luxury boutique without the attitude this is the place. Pure delight. Not many steps to access this hotel from the road so a good choice if you have trouble with stairs. Amazing pool.

2. Aenaon Villas – Imerovigli

Alluring villa collection with a caldera view pool and featuring a blend of traditional Santorinian design with contemporary minimalist décor. Located at one of the highest points on the caldera, Aenaon Villas offers both caldera sunset and Aegean sunrise views. Top tier villas add an outdoor jacuzzi or pool.

3. The Vasilicos – Imerovigli

The Vasilicos offers dazzling caldera views, traditional cave architecture, barefoot elegant style, and supreme attention to detail. The hotel boasts a heated pool, though more than half of the suites have private heated plunge pools. Dining and wine tastings are particular highlights here. 5-minute walk to restaurants in Imerovigli or Firostefani.

4. Atoles Retreat – Imerovigli

Three suites and one villa make up this serene property, exuding elegance and sophistication. All accommodations have private, caldera sunset-view terraces with heated, infinity plunge pools. The two-bedroom villa has a larger infinity pool and adds indoor, heated plunge pools in both ensuite bathrooms. A superb, a la carte breakfast is served in the comfort of your suite each morning. Wonderful walkable location in the heart of Imerovigli, near some of Santorini’s best restaurants and picturesque sights.

5. Cosmopolitan Suites – Fira

The best boutique hotel on Santorini for easy access to clubs and nightlife. The pool is awesome and I’ve been known to down a bottle of wine over the course of an afternoon as I sit at the edge and stare out into the caldera. Highly recommended.

6. Canaves Sunday – Oia

Petite luxury hotel with an infinity pool, upscale caviar and oyster restaurant, and caldera views throughout the property. Each 1 and 2-bedroom suite offers ample space and impeccable furnishings, some with outdoor jacuzzis or private infinity pools. Larger groups may opt to rent the whole property out as a 10-bedroom villa.

7. Altana Heritage Suites – Imerovigli

Set on the highest point of Imerovigli (the highest village on the caldera), romantic Altana offers unsurpassed views over the caldera toward the sunset. It’s nine studios, suites, and apartments are spread over seven levels in a converted mansion, once owned by a seafaring family. All have private balconies or terraces, most have indoor or outdoor heated plunge pools, and some have kitchenettes. Facilities include a larger shared pool and a bistro and bar serving buffet breakfast and light fare and drinks in the evenings. Open to guests ages 13 and older only.

8. Aria Suites and Villas – Fira

I think the villas at Aria are one of the best places for groups who want to stay close to each other, but not with each other. This is a wonderful, family-friendly, luxury hotel with a pool, an all-day pool bar, and champagne breakfast delivered to each room daily. Suites and villas offer up to 2 bedrooms and sleep as many as 6 guests. Suites are arranged around the pool and have fewer steps than most caldera hotels; villas add private plunge pools and are located a short walk from the main hotel.

9. Celestia Grand – Mesaria/South Fira

Spacious, luxury villas with private heated pools, sunset caldera views, grand terraces, and kitchenettes; some add indoor or outdoor jacuzzis. Breakfast is delivered daily. Located in a quiet stretch of caldera between Fira and the ferry port, Celestia Grand offers an all-day shuttle service to Fira and airport/port transfers.

10. Avaton Resort – Imerovigli

Seven rooms and two suites make up this intimate resort with an outdoor pool, a spa with a second, heated pool, and poolside restaurant and bar. Breakfast is included. Great location in Imerovigli, just a short walk to restaurants and right on the Fira to Oia hiking trail. Adults-only (16 and above).

11. Maregio Suites – Oia

All-suite hotel with gorgeous, cave design and heated, plunge pools on the private terrace of each unit. Beautifully located below the windmills in Oia, offering direct sunset views over picturesque Ammoudi Bay. Breakfast is especially great here, highlighting local produce and recipes.

12. Enigma Suites – Fira

One of the most popular hotels in Fira, Enigma has eight cave-style suites dressed in neutral tones, all with private terraces, sunset caldera views, and one or two queen-sized beds. Some add single or double sofabeds, and four have outdoor jacuzzis. Continental breakfast is delivered to each suite daily, while a little cafe offers light fare, cocktails, and wine until the wee hours. Amazing location in the heart of Fira, right in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral and steps to dining, nightlife, shopping, and the bus station with routes to the beaches, traditional villages, port, and airport.

13. Carpe Diem – Pyrgos

A romantic getaway with understated style and lots of privacy. Each suite offers unique features, but all include private plunge pools and both sunrise and sunset views over the island (not the caldera). Carpe Diem specializes in bespoke experiences, sumptuous dining, spa indulgences, and impeccable service. A car rental is recommended for staying here.

14. Alta Mare by Andronis – Oia

Chic hotel with an infinity pool, cave-style architecture, and sophisticated décor. All suites boast private terraces with open-air, infinity, or cave jacuzzis. Superior Suites also offer swim-up access to the main pool. Guests here have access to all restaurants, pools, and spas at any Andronis hotel (transfer included).

15. Oia Castle Luxury Suites – Oia

Charming suites in an enviable location on the caldera below the Byzantine castle ruins (the most popular sunset viewpoint in Santorini). Each suite boasts direct sunset views, a private balcony, and a private jacuzzi, pool, or both – all hand-built in traditional, cave style. Breakfast is served onsite daily, and guests have access to the pool, bar, and Mediterranean restaurant at their sister hotel Aspaki Exclusive Suites, a 5-minute walk away.

16. Vora Villas – Imerovigli

Design-forward villas with infinity jacuzzis that seem to hang over the caldera’s edge, offering stunning views. Two villas feature full kitchens, and the third, set in a vintage cave house, offers a larger outdoor terrace. Fantastic location in Imerovigli, near Skaros Rock, domed churches, and excellent restaurants.

17. Divine Cave Experience – Imerovigli

Contemporary, all-suite, cave-style getaway with an outdoor pool, indoor heated pool, holistic spa, poolside bar, and all-day Mediterranean restaurant. In every suite and throughout the property, guests are greeted with sweeping caldera and sunset views. Each suite includes a private terrace with an open-air or sheltered, cave jacuzzi, king or queen-sized beds, and a dedicated, private lounge space with bar service on the rooftop near the caldera’s edge. Breakfast is included in the restaurant, or opt for a floating breakfast served to your suite’s private jacuzzi. Set just north of Imerovigli, a pleasant 15-minute walk along the caldera to reach the village with plenty of restaurants and picture-perfect vistas. Ages 13 and older only.

18. Ethos Vegan Retreat – Imerovigli

Eco-friendly collection of four villas, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sunrise sea views (not the caldera), and a private patio or rooftop terrace with a heated, jetted pool. Furnishings and decor are locally crafted, shower amenities and bath tissue are biodegradable, and a strict “no plastic” policy is upheld. Vegan breakfast is included and features a mix of sweet and savory dishes delivered to each villa daily at any time guests wish. Outdoor, vegan cooking classes are offered in the gazebo surrounded by herb and vegetable gardens. Set at the north end of Imerovigli, a pleasant 20-minute walk on the caldera hiking trail to reach the village center. The Captain’s Suite and the Cave Suite have two bedrooms each and sleep up to four guests. Winderful heart-of-Oia location, surrounded by shops and restaurants and within a five-minute walk of the castle ruins and the bus station. Open to guests ages 12 and older only.

19. Santa Irini Retreat – Thirassia

Equal parts luxe and rustic, this remote hideaway on Thirassia Island is just a short ferry ride across the caldera from Santorini. From here guests have panoramic views of the Thirassia, the caldera, the sea, and the dramatic cliffs of Santorini. There are six one-bedroom suites here, all with king-sized beds, and one or two single-sized sofabeds, kitchenettes, and private patios or terraces. One room as well as the dazzling infinity pool are accessible for guests with disabilities. Breakfast is always included, and lunch and dinner ara available on request. The hotel is walking distance to Riva port and a small beach there, but a long walk (about 40 minutes) to the main town of Manolas and the main beach, Ormos Korfou. Renting a bike makes it fun to get around, though there is also a taxi service and (infrequent) local bus service.

20. 1864 The Sea Captain’s House – Oia

Once the home of the island’s richest sea captain, this historic mansion survived the devastating 1956 earthquake and has been converted into a quaint boutique hotel. Three suites feature traditional furnishings, antiques, and jetted bathtubs, while the fourth suite sports a contemporary Cycladic minimalist style and an indoor jacuzzi. All have king or queen-sized beds, private balconies, and caldera views.

21. Voreina Gallery Suites – Pyrgos

Voreina is owned by two brothers, one an architect and one an archaeologist, both with an interest in Greek and local artists. Original art adorns each suite and gallery exhibits liven up the summers here. Spacious accommodations all have large private terraces with heated pools or jacuzzis, panoramic views over the island; all but one have kitchens. An excellent breakfast is delivered daily. Set in Pyrgos, the highest and most traditional village on the island, about a five-minute walk to the shops, dining, and maze-like village center. It’s a good idea to rent a car for stays here, though the hotel offers a shuttle service to nearby destinations.

22. Ethos Vegan Suites – Fira

One of the few hotels open year-round, Ethos offers eco-chic suites with king-sized beds, sofabeds, private patios or terraces with seasonal, outdoor jacuzzis. Like its sister property, Ethos Vegan Retreat, the Suites have a “no plastic” policy in place, biodegradable amenities, and locally-made furnishings and decor. As a bonus, the hotel also has a filtration system for clean, safe, drinkable water in each suite – a rarity on the island, where drinking bottled water is almost mandatory. A rich vegan breakfast is served to each suite daily. Set inland, the hotel is just a five-minute walk to the caldera, Metropolitan Cathedral, restaurants, nightlife, and the bus station with routes to all villages and beaches.

23. Ikastikies Elegant Suites – Firostefani

Sweet, family-friendly hotel with traditional architecture, fantastic caldera views, and spacious 2-bedroom suites (some with kitchenettes, one with a private pool. Breakfast is served to each suite daily. Ideally situated in the heart of Firostefani near several amazing restaurants and a pleasant 10-minute walk along the caldera to reach the nightlife and shopping in Fira.

24. Santorini Heights – Pyrgos

Adults-only retreat in traditional Pyrgos village, offering a serene stay with lots of privacy and panoramic views from one of the highest points on the island. All suites and the villa boast full kitchens and private terrace with jacuzzis or heated pools (the villa has both). The units are self-service, though daily breakfast delivery is included. A car rental is recommended for staying here.

25. Windmill Villas – Imerovigli

Quirky property boasting three villas set in replicas of traditional windmills, all arranged around a central garden. Each villa has two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, full kitchens, private patios with al fresco dining tables, and private, jetted pools. Families can enjoy the playground, outdoor cinema, and edible garden filled with fruit trees (figs, pomegranates, olive), fresh herbs, and bright flowers. Breakfast is included in all stays. Set on the quite east end of Imerovigli, away from the village, near Pori Beach. It’s best to rent a car if staying here.

26. Zoe Aegeas Traditional Houses – Oia

A homey, welcoming hotel with caldera views. Each spacious house and the villa have kitchenettes and private patios or terraces; the largest sleeps up to 6. Excellent location in Oia, just a short walk from restaurants, boutique shopping, and the castle ruins. Owned and run by a charming Greek couple.

27. Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses – Oia

Wonderful apartments on the Oia caldera, all with private, outdoor jacuzzis, sweeping views, and fully-equipped kitchenettes. Can be booked with or without breakfast. Exceptional example of Greek hospitality and fantastic, walkable location near dining and shopping.

28. Filotera Suites – Oia

Stylish, all-suite hotel with an infinity pool on the caldera, a modern Greek restaurant and bar, and breakfast delivered to each suite. All contemporary cave suites feature with outdoor jacuzzis on their private terraces; the Cave Grand suite has a jacuzzi and private, heated pool.