Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Santorini Princess Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: On the caldera in a quiet area just north of Imerovigli village
• Map
• Hotel website: santoriniprincess.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 25870
• Check prices for Santorini Princess Spa Hotel
The pool and caldera-view at the Santorini Princess in Imerovigli.
Hotel Review
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – Luxury hotel with spectacular views, free-form pool, and cave spa.
An intimate hotel located on the very edge of the caldera with magnificent views of the entire length of the island from Oia to Akrotiri, plus Thirassia Island and the new volcano. With a focus on wellness, the hotel offers a full-service spa with a jacuzzi, sauna, and cave-style treatment room, with the option of having spa services done outdoors overlooking the caldera. Rooms are designed and decorated in a contemporary style with Cycladic influences, marble floors, and cool silver tones, all with caldera views. Their modern Greek kitchen makes exceptional meals, and the lounge is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail. Although a luxury property, service never feels too formal; the staff takes care to make each guest feel truly at home. Popular for weddings and proposals.
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Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – Location
• Area: Absolutely gorgeous location, among the very best views on the island, though it may feel remote to some. The hotel is in a very quiet area, just north of Imerovigli village, a 23-minute walk or 5-minute drive to the beginning of the village and its restaurants and attractions.
• How to Get There:
The hotel sits on the side of the caldera, just off the main road connecting Fira and Oia. It is best to book private transfer or drive yourself to the hotel. It is approximately 8km from the Santorini Airport to Santorini Princess, and 12km from the ferry port.There are always buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing hourly from Santorini Airport. There are no direct buses from the port or airport to Imerovigli, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board a different bus to Imerovigli – the entire trip from the port or airport to Imerovigli will take at least an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. From the nearest bus stop, it’s a 4-minute walk to the hotel.
Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 25 taxis in total serving the whole island, so there can be a long wait; schedule a ride through a private car service in advance to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out. A taxi from the airport to Santorini Princess should be about €25 to €30, and a taxi from the ferry port around €30. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $45 (or €37), but is worth it to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival, or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with many tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave that for the locals to navigate. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. Upon arrival at the hotel, Santorini Princess offers free valet parking (a major perk).
• Handy to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, Vezené Restaurant and Bar at Cavo Tagoo.
Map of Santorini Princess Spa Hotel
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – The Basics
- Ages: An adults-only hotel, guests 12 and older only are allowed. Guests tend to be couples celebrating their honeymoon, anniversary, or getting married here. Most guests are over 35 years old, except in July and August, when the age skews a few years younger.
- Beach: The nearest beach is Koloumpos Beach, about 7 km northeast. But Exo Gialos is a better beach and not much farther, just 6 km to the north end or 7 km to the south end’s impressive wind-sculpted cliffs.
- View: Unbeatable caldera views from every room in the hotel, from Oia to Akrotiri and everything in between.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Honeymoon Suite has a private, outdoor jacuzzi on its terrace, heated in April, May, and October.
- Parking: Free parking onsite.
- Extras: Welcome drink and snack (usually wine and baklava), fewer steps than most caldera hotels, weddings and events, and a chapel (anyone can enter, but only Orthodox weddings can be performed in the chapel).
- When to Book: The hotel operates from late April/early May until the end of October. Reserve as early as possible, at least 6 months in advance. This is a small hotel and incredibly popular. It sells out fast.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +30 22860 25870
- Email: info@santorini-princess.com
- Website: santoriniprincess.com
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – Amenities
- Pool: Free-form pool with caldera views. Heated in April, May, and October.
- Spa: Full-service spa in a traditional Santorinian cave with a jacuzzi, sauna, and extensive service menu for face and body, plus couples’ treatment packages.
- Fitness Center: No gym onsite, but they partner with a nearby hotel for guests to use their gym.
- For Disabled Guests: This hotel has fewer stairs than most hotels in the caldera, but it is not wheelchair accessible. It is fine for people with mild issues going up and down stairs, if staying in a ground floor room; there are no elevators.
- For Families: An adults-only hotel, only ages 12 and older are allowed. There are no special amenities for children. There are 2-bedroom/2-bathroom apartments for groups of up to 4 guests.
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: Santorini Princess’ restaurant is open all day, from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. (kitchen closes at 11:00), serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. The menu spotlights modern Greek fare, and the flavors are beyond excellent.
- Lounge/Bar: The lounge area sits above the pool with amazing caldera views, perfect for sunsets. Solid cocktails menu with unique signature blends and well-made standards. The lounge area is part of the restaurant, so it’s operated on the same schedule, and you can order food here.
- Breakfast: Complimentary breakfast buffet from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. served in the Breakfast Room. Fantastic spread of Greek specialties alongside familiar favorites.
- Room Service: Available all day at no additional charge.
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – Rooms
- Room Types: Apartment for Two • Apartment for Three • Superior Apartment • Apartment for Four • Honeymoon Suite (Accommodations here are called apartments, but they are more similar to junior suites as they do not offer kitchenettes, but do have seating areas.)
- Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their rooms. Smoking is allowed on the private terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
- Best Room: The Honeymoon Suite is a spacious 65 sqm, and is the only room type with an outdoor jacuzzi (heated in April, May, and October) with views of the caldera and volcano. Designed in a cave style with some exposed natural rock, this romantic room features a hand-shaped, arched ceiling, and a 4-poster canopy bed.
- For Families: An adults-only hotel, guests must be at least 12 years old to stay. There are no special amenities for children, but they do have 2 larger suites with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 75 sqm each, which can accommodate up to 4 guests.
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – Local Transport
- Walking: Santorini Princess is located at the northern edge of Imerovigli, right on the Oia-Fira Trail. The nearest restaurant is Vezené, at neighboring Cavo Tagoo hotel, just 4 minutes’ walk southeast of Santorini Princess. 10 minutes south is a traditional restaurant, Taverna Tasos. Walk 23 minutes south to reach Imerovigli village; all of the restaurants, attractions, and boutiques in the village are accessible on foot within 20-30 minutes of the hotel.
- Bus: The nearest bus stop is on the main Fira-Oia road, just across from Cavo Tagoo Hotel – a 4-minute walk from Santorini Princess. Passing buses go north to Oia and south to Firostefani, and Fira. From Fira you need to change buses for the other major villages and beaches on the island. Buses here serve all of the major villages and beaches on the island, often with a change in Fira. Tickets are bought on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per person in the daytime, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) run less frequently and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can get very crowded, especially during the high season, so much so that they often fill to capacity and are unable to take on more passengers. There are only 23 public buses serving the island.
- Taxis: The nearest taxi stand is at Stathmos Taxi, all the way down in Fira, so not very practical to walk or bus to. Plus, there is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island (with guests from about 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Book ahead to avoid the wait, and have them meet you directly at the hotel. There will be a small surcharge for advanced reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Imerovigli to Fira is roughly €15, and from Imerovigli to the airport or port is around €25 to €35.
- Scooters/Motorcycles: Scooters are the main mode of transportation for the locals, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it can be very dangerous. The roads here are zigzagging, hilly, narrow, and have sheer drop-offs with no guardrails and no street lights in most areas. Lots of dirt roads and potholes.
- ATVs/Quads: ATVs are a fun and popular mode of transportation with tourists, but for the locals stuck driving behind them, they move too slowly and hold up traffic in an area where getting around is already a hassle. For those who don’t ride quads regularly (i.e. most people), they can be dangerous at high speeds and on turns. Crashing your ATV is a sure-fire way to ruin your vacation.
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Vezené: Mediterranean-Asian fusion with spectacular sunset views and a romantic ambiance. Stupidly expensive, but everything on the menu is absolute perfection.
- Le Moustache: Elevated Greek and Mediterranean dining and excellent cocktails with panoramic sunset views over the caldera.
- Avocado: Traditional Greek menu, charming space, super friendly staff. Cycladic recipes and a fantastic selection of Santorinian wines.
- Anogi: Al fresco dining with local specialties and classic Greek dishes. Rich flavors and large portions, so come hungry.
- The Athenian House: Elegant fine dining with spectacular sunset views. Contemporary and imaginative Greek dishes incorporate modern gastronomic techniques and locally-sourced ingredients. Most of all, they’re delicious.
- La Maison: Contemporary, Greek fine dining with sweeping caldera views. Food, wine, and service are all phenomenal.
Best Nearby Bars
- Buddha Bar Beach: Upscale cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Pricey but on point.
Best Nearby Cafe
- Hlios Bakery: Good coffee, basic pastries, and deli sandwiches. Not exceptional, but they’re cheap, and they deliver (cash only for deliveries).
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Pegasus Boutique: Next to the hotel of the same name, this little boutique offers clothing, shoes, swimwear, and accessories by Greek designers.
- Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique featuring Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear right on the Oia-Fira trail.
Nearby Attractions
- Oia-Fira Hiking Trail: One of the top attractions on the island is this scenic 10.5 km hiking trail connecting Oia and Fira. A mix of sidewalk, cobblestones, and dirt trail, this route boasts gorgeous vistas the entire way. Hiking northwest, the full length of the path from the hotel to Oia Castle takes from 2 to 4 hours; heading south to the trail’s end in Fira, near Keti Hotel, takes about 30-40 minutes. Add about an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock on the way to Fira. 1-minute walk from the hotel.
- Imerovigli Basketball Court: Not an attraction, but good to know. This is the main parking area in Imerovigli.
- Anastasi Church: The most picturesque, blue-domed church in Imerovigli offers gorgeous caldera views overlooking Skaros Rock. Popular for weddings and photo shoots.
- Agios Georgios Church: Small white church on a platform over the caldera, marking the start of the trail to Skaros Rock. Gorgeous, panoramic views from here.
- Skaros Rock: Impressive volcanic rock formation housing the ruins of a medieval castle and town, dating back to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, is the only part of Skaros that is still active. Half hour to the trailhead; 5 minutes from there to reach Skaros.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Supermarket Nissi: The friendliest market in the area, and usually the best prices in Imerovigli.
- Jimmy’s Market Cava: Market and deli with a great selection (especially the wines), plus great coffee and breakfast sandwiches (more consistent and better quality breakfasts than Hlios, but they don’t deliver).
Santorini Princess Spa Hotel – The Hotel
Entrance to Santorini Princess Spa Hotel in Imerovigli.
Exterior of the hotel overlooking the caldera.
View from above the entrance, facing southwest toward Skaros Rock, the new volcano, and the tip of Akrotiri on the left and Thirassia Island center-right. Imerovigli is the highest point on the caldera, boasting amazing sunset views.
The spa, with its twin pedicure soaking chairs…
…cave-style jacuzzi…
…and cave-style treatment room for two.
The free-form infinity pool overlooks the caldera. It is heated in April, May, and October, and offers plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas…
…as well as a couple of stylish cabanas.
Bar service is available poolside or in the lounge area of the restaurant above the pool, with sweeping caldera views and especially breathtaking views at sunset. Cocktails are superb here, whether one of their custom drinks or a classic flavor.
The restaurant is open all day, from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. (with the last food order in by 11:00 p.m.) Sumptuous, Greek modern dishes make up the menu.
The daily breakfast buffet is set up in the cave-style breakfast room and can be enjoyed there, at the lounge, or in your room.
At the far end of the property, you will find the chapel of St. Spyridon, patron saint of potters, the island Corfu, and the Tolstoy family.
Also, at this end of the property, you will find the entrance to the Oia-Fira hiking trail. That’s Oia in white in the center, and Thirassia on the left.
An Apartment for Two, the entry category. Rooms are inspired by traditional, local architecture, but the décor and design is decidedly modern.
Rooms begin at 30 sqm and go up to 75 sqm, all with luxurious black and white marble floors, silvery color palettes, and modern amenities.
All rooms face the caldera, and have a small seating area with a table.
Bathrooms are well-lit and comfortable with glass showers that are larger than is typical in the area.
Private patios offer unobstructed caldera views for all guests, perfect for enjoying room service at sunset.
Higher category rooms have larger patios.
Typical view from the private balconies. Check rates and prices: Santorini Princess Spa Hotel
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