Updated: January 1, 2026
Greece › Santorini › 5-Star Cave Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
I love the caldera-view pool at Katikies.
My Luxury Booking Tips
- Book 8 to 10 months in advance: The most iconic suites – especially those with private pools – sell out nearly a year early. If you are planning a summer trip, do not wait until January to book.
- Manage your pool expectations: In Santorini, a “private pool” is typically a plunge pool. These are small, built for soaking and admiring the view, rather than swimming laps.
- Heated pools are essential for shoulder season: If you are visiting in April, May, or October, ensure your pool is heated. Without a heater, the water temperature will be too low for comfortable use.
- Luxury does not mean accessible: Most 5-star cliffside hotels are built into the steep rock with endless stairs. If mobility is a concern, I recommend Canaves Oia Suites in Oia. It’s one of the only top-tier properties on the caldera with an elevator.
My Favorite Luxury Hotels in Santorini
1. Grace Santorini
2. Katikies Suites
3. Canaves Oia Suites
4. Saint Hotel
5. Kivotos
6. Cavo Tagoo
7. Andronis Arcadia
• All photos taken by the Santorini Dave team
1. Grace Santorini – Imerovigli
- Expansive caldera views: Situated on the cliffs of Imerovigli, Grace offers a 180-degree panorama centered on Skaros Rock, stretching from Oia in the north to Akrotiri in the south.
- Michelin-starred dining: Home to Varoulko Santorini by Chef Lefteris Lazarou. One of the top fine-dining destinations in Imerovigli, specializing in high-end Greek seafood.
- The largest infinity pool: The hotel features the most iconic swimming pool on the caldera edge, complemented by the 363 Bar, which offers unrivaled sunset views and premium cocktails.
- Heated privacy: The property consists of 20 rooms, suites, and a massive private Villa. Eighteen of these accommodations include private, heated plunge pools.
- The Champagne Breakfast: A multi-course à la carte breakfast degustation featuring unlimited champagne, served daily with a view of the volcano.
- Tailored luxury: Guests can personalize their stay before arrival, including a selection of seven pillow types, room fragrance diffusers, and specific dietary preferences.
- Exceptional service: Includes twice-daily maid service, comprehensive evening turndown, and an in-room bar featuring premium local products.
- Age policy: This is an adults-focused hotel (ages 14+), though the self-contained private Villa is open to guests of all ages.
363 Bar at Grace with a view over the caldera toward Oia village and Thirassia Island.
Two private pools on the right and part of the main pool on the left.
The bedroom of a Superior Suite with Plunge Pool, a midrange room category.
The Superior Suites’s plunge pool with a caldera view toward the sunset.
Grace’s freeform pool. Varoulko Restaurant is visible on the terrace just below.
View from the top floor over the hotel with the Akrotiri Peninsula, the volcanoes, and Skaros Rock with its hiking trail visible.
2. Katikies Suites – Oia
- The gold standard of Oia: This is my favorite 5-star property in the village, known for its pristine white-on-white aesthetic and three infinity pools.
- Cave-style architecture: Every room and suite is hand-carved into the volcanic cliff, providing natural temperature control and private caldera-view verandas.
- Elite dining: Home to Botrini’s, a Michelin-caliber restaurant serving modern Cycladic cuisine, and a dedicated champagne and sushi bar.
- Seamless wellness: Features an on-site boutique spa with complimentary transfers to the larger facility at their nearby sister property, Katikies Kirini.
- Exclusive excursions: The concierge specializes in high-end private yacht charters and VIP archaeological tours.
View from the top-floor entrance of Katikies Suites with Thirassia Island on the right, little Aspronisi in the middle, and a volcano and Akrotiri on the left.
The intimate, fine-dining restaurant, Botrini’s.
Inside a Honeymoon Suite. This version of the suite comes with an outdoor jacuzzi.
One of the pools with a shaded lounge and caldera views toward Skaros Rock and the volcanoes.
The entrance to Katikies on the marble pedestrian path through Oia.
3. Canaves Oia Suites – Oia
- Rare accessibility: This is one of the few luxury hotels on the caldera cliff equipped with an elevator, making it the top choice for guests with mobility concerns.
- Heated pools for every suite: Every single one of the thirty suites and villas includes a private heated plunge pool with direct caldera views.
- Unmatched privacy: The Panorama Terrace offers a dedicated space for private, candlelit dining under the stars, completely removed from other guests.
- Family-friendly luxury: While most caldera hotels are adults-only, the three-bedroom villa here is ideal for families and can sleep up to seven guests.
- Deep wine culture: Features a private, centuries-old wine cellar available for exclusive guest tastings.
Inside the cave of the main pool at Canaves Oia Suites.
The bedroom of the Presidential Suite with Plunge Pool, one of the hotel’s best suites.
The plunge pool belonging to the Presidential Suite.
The bathroom of an Executive Suite with Cave Pool features two sinks and a walk-in shower.
Some private, heated plunge pools with caldera views toward Thirassia, Aspronisi, Akrotiri, and the volcanoes.
The shallow infinity pool on the caldera’s edge features a row of partially sunken sunbeds.
4. Saint – Oia
- Modern minimalism: Located at the quiet eastern entrance of Oia, Saint features a striking contemporary design that focuses on clean lines and wide-angle caldera views.
- Standardized excellence: Every one of the 16 suites includes a private, heated, jetted plunge pool as a standard feature.
- Unrivaled amenities: The property maintains its own fleet of Range Rovers with private drivers and two luxury yachts for guest use.
- Holistic wellness: The Sacred Spa is one of the island’s most advanced facilities, offering a full range of high-end treatments in a serene setting.
- Prime location: Situated directly on the Fira-to-Oia hiking trail, providing the perfect balance of seclusion and easy access to the village center.
The main entrance of Saint above the caldera with views toward (from left to right) Oia, Imerovigli, Skaros Rock, Firostefani, and Fira in the distance.
The main infinity pool is lined with plush sunbeds and overlooks the caldera toward Thirassia Island.
Inside an Epic Suite with a king-sized bed and a welcome bottle of wine and fruits.
Caldera view from the bed of an Epic Suite.
A private infinity pool with a glass edge and caldera views toward the volcanoes, Akrotiri Peninsula, Aspronisi Islet, and Thirassia Island.
The Iconic Suite (shown here) and the Element Suite have outdoor, heated cave pools.
5. Kivotos Santorini – Imerovigli
- Architectural statement: Known for its bold, all-black exterior, Kivotos stands out from the typical white Cycladic style and offers some of the most unique interiors on the island.
- Tech-forward luxury: Every suite is managed via an iPad, allowing guests to control a customized color-changing lighting system and a high-end Sonos sound setup.
- World-class dining: Mavro restaurant is a culinary highlight of Imerovigli, featuring Mediterranean-French fusion with a focus on local volcanic ingredients.
- The glass infinity pool: The main pool features a glass front that creates an incredible visual connection with the sea-filled crater below.
- Secluded villas: The “Cave Villa” is dug deep into the volcanic rock, providing a massive, private sanctuary with a dedicated rooftop sun deck.
The living room of the 2-bedroom Kivotos Villa with Private Heated Pool.
The underground Kivotos Villa features gorgeous cave-style design dug by hand into the cliffs.
Two sinks and a cave shower in the Kivotos Villa.
The Kivotos Villa includes an indoor, heated, cave pool.
The dining terrace of Mavro, the hotel’s signature Mediterranean, fine dining restaurant.
View from the footpath toward Mavro over the caldera with Thirassia on the left and Oia village on the right.
6. Cavo Tagoo Santorini – Imerovigli
- The social heartbeat: Famous for its lively atmosphere and iconic Bali beds, this is the most fashionable spot on the caldera for sunset cocktails.
- Heated pool variety: Accommodations range from suites with private hot tubs to those with expansive heated pools that appear to merge with the horizon.
- Culinary theatrics: Roka restaurant specializes in open-fire grill techniques, offering a vibrant and modern Greek dining experience.
- Premium finishing: Rooms are stocked with Diptyque bath products and feature high-end designer furnishings throughout.
- Secluded setting: Located 15 minutes north of Imerovigli’s center, it offers more space and privacy than the cramped hotels in Oia or Fira. Situated directly on the Fira-to-Oia hiking trail.
Inside Vezené restaurant, facing the infinity pool at Cavo Tagoo.
A row of double-sized sunbeds in the infinity pool overlooking the caldera.
The bedroom of a Pool Suite.
Two copper sinks in the bathroom of a Honeymoon Suite at Cavo Tagoo.
The Honeymoon Suite has the most private pool area of all the rooms here.
The infinity pool at sunset in the signature Cavo Tagoo Pool Suite (different than the aforementioned standard Pool Suite).
7. Andronis Arcadia – Oia
- Island-leading space: This property holds the record for the largest main pool on Santorini and offers significantly more room than clifftop hotels.
- Sunset views over the sea: Unlike caldera-facing hotels, Arcadia faces the open Aegean Sea, providing clear and unobstructed views of the sunset every evening.
- The ultimate family base: Features an excellent kids’ club (ARCADemy) and large multi-bedroom villas, making it the best high-end option for those traveling with children.
- Dual dining concepts: Home to Beefbar Santorini and Pacman, which has live music and a vibrant sushi-fusion menu.
- Massive private pools: Every suite comes with its own heated infinity pool, many of which are much larger than the “plunge pools” found elsewhere.
The main lobby sets a luxurious tone for arriving guests.
View from the infinity pool toward the lagoon pool and Aegean Sea.
The sunny, lagoon-inspired pool with a view toward Beefbar restaurant and Oia village.
The large, private infinity pool of the Four Bedroom Villa faces the sunset and Aegean Sea (not the caldera).
Inside the holistic wellness center.
Sushi with a sea view at Pacman restaurant by the infinity pool.
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