Top Hotels in Santorini 7 Stunning Stays with Views

Ugh, my first night in Santorini was nearly a disaster. It was mid-June 2018, and the ferry from Athens was late, overcrowded, and rougher than expected. By the time I dragged my overpacked suitcase up those notorious Santorini steps, I was sunburned, sweaty, and wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. I hadn’t even made it to one of the top hotels in Santorini yet, and already I was questioning everything.

Then Maria, the hotel receptionist with the warmest smile, opened the blue wooden shutters in my room and…

Holy crap.

I literally forgot to breathe for a second. That view – the deep blue water cradled in the curve of the island, little white buildings scattered like sugar cubes against the dark volcanic rock – it hit me right in the chest.

Look, I’d seen about a million Santorini photos on Instagram before booking my trip (who hasn’t?). But standing there, watching the late afternoon sun turn everything golden? Completely different ballgame.

After three trips to Santorini and staying at seven different hotels (yep, I’m slightly obsessed), I’ve learned that where you stay can make or break your experience. And no, not all “sea view” rooms are created equal – learned that one the hard way!

So grab a coffee and let me walk you through the top hotels in Santorini the ones worth blowing your vacation budget on, plus a few hidden gems that won’t require selling a kidney.

The Fancy-Pants Luxury Spots (That Are Actually Worth It)

Let’s not sugarcoat it – Santorini is expensive. Like, “did I really just pay €18 for a cocktail?” expensive. But after trying various hotels at different price points, I’ve realized one thing: if you’re gonna splurge anywhere, make it on your hotel view.

Canaves Oia Suites: My Jaw Still Hasn’t Recovered

OK, full disclosure – my first “visit” to Canaves wasn’t as an actual guest. My college roommate Ellie works in travel PR and snuck me in to take photos for my sad little travel blog (which had approximately 12 followers at the time, mostly relatives).

I remember pretending I belonged there while sneaking pics by their infinity pool. You know the one – it looks like it’s spilling right into the sea? I kept thinking, “Do real people actually get to stay here?” It felt like I’d stumbled into a movie set.

Fast forward to 2022, when I finally bit the bullet and booked two nights there as a “congrats on not getting fired during COVID” present to myself. Was it obscenely expensive? Yup. Do I regret it? Not even a little bit.

Here’s what makes Canaves actually worth the eye-watering price tag:

• Some of their suites are built in caves that were used to store wine 400+ years ago (I geeked out over this)
• Nikos at the front desk remembered my coffee order after day one (oat milk latte, extra hot)
• I found actual, honest-to-god handwritten notes with the turndown service
• They serve breakfast on your private terrace, and when I jokingly asked if I could have it at 2 PM after a late night out, they said “of course” without missing a beat

Pro tip from someone who majorly screwed this up: Book WAY ahead. I tried to extend my stay while there and nearly choked when they told me they were booked solid for the next seven months.

Grace Hotel: For People Who Think Less is Actually More

When my parents celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2019, I convinced them to splurge on Grace Hotel. Dad’s a minimalist architecture nut, and this place is like the poster child for “less is more” luxury.

What struck me when I visited them there was how… empty the hotel seemed. Not in a bad way, but in an intentional way. Barely any decoration on the walls. Furniture arranged to point toward the view. Everything white, smooth, simple.

It’s like they’re saying, “Listen, we know why you’re here, and it’s not to look at some fancy artwork.” Every window is basically a living postcard.

My mom still talks about:

• The infinity pool that seems to melt into the horizon (she’s not a swimmer and still got in just for the photos)
• How they could choose their own pillows and room fragrance (Dad chose no scent because of course he did)
• The fact that you can have breakfast literally anytime, anywhere (they had it on their balcony at 11 AM every day like the retirees they proudly are)

My dad, who complains about EVERYTHING, only had one negative comment: “The view was so good I didn’t finish the book I brought.” I count that as a ringing endorsement.

Not-Quite-So-Bank-Breaking Options (That Still Deliver the Goods)

Not everyone has a trust fund or is willing to eat instant ramen for six months to afford a premium Santorini hotel. I get it. These mid-range options still give you that “pinch me” experience without requiring financial therapy afterward.

Astra Suites: The Happy Accident That Changed Everything

Can I tell you about my biggest travel stroke of luck ever? In 2018, my carefully researched (aka cheapest decent option I could find) hotel had a major plumbing disaster the day before I arrived. They called in a panic and said they’d moved me to “another property.”

That “other property” turned out to be Astra Suites.

When the taxi dropped me off, I thought there had been a mistake. This place looked way nicer than what I’d booked. Turns out the hotels had some partnership, and I basically got a free upgrade that changed my entire trip.

Located in Imerovigli (which I now know locals call “the balcony of the Aegean”), Astra gives you caldera views that honestly rival the fancier places, but at a price that doesn’t make your credit card spontaneously combust.

Why I fell in love with this location:

• The pool is actually heated! I visited during late October and could still swim while watching sunset (unlike the poor shivering people at the hotel next door)
• They left a little basket in my room with local treats – the white eggplant preserve was weird but grew on me
• It’s positioned perfectly for a morning walk into Fira (about 25 minutes along the cliff path) but far enough away that you don’t hear the cruise ship crowds

My favorite memory? I was sitting alone on my balcony one evening, feeling a bit lonely as a solo traveler, when the older gentleman who I’d learn was the owner came by with a small carafe of wine. “The sunset is special tonight,” he said simply, then left. That kind of genuine, non-showy kindness is rare.

Iconic Santorini: The Hidden Cave Hideout

Sometimes the best places are the ones you’d walk right past. That’s Iconic Santorini in a nutshell. I stayed there during my weird “let’s travel right as Greece reopens after COVID” trip in April 2021. Probably not my smartest move, but damn, it was peaceful.

The hotel is literally carved into the cliffside in quiet Imerovigli. No big flashy sign, no grand entrance – just a simple door that leads to a reception area, then winds down into the cliff where all the rooms are.

Since tourism was just crawling back to life, I was one of only three guests. The staff-to-guest ratio was almost uncomfortable – like having five people waiting to help you 24/7. By day two, they’d figured out:

• I take forever to wake up (coffee was timed to arrive just as I opened my door each morning)
• I’m pathologically incapable of applying sunscreen to my own back (extra towels appeared after I showed up to breakfast with one shoulder fried)
• I prefer the local yogurt without honey (and a little bowl of nuts on the side)

The rooms are all different shapes because they follow the natural cave formations. Mine had weird little nooks carved into the walls where they’d placed candles, and a bathroom with a ceiling so low I had to duck (I’m 5’7″, so not exactly a giant).

Is it weird that those quirks made me love it more? It wasn’t a copy-paste luxury experience – it felt like staying in a modernized piece of history.

Boutique Spots for When You Want Something Different

Sometimes the most memorable stays are the ones that don’t fit neatly into a category. These boutique finds offer something special that sets them apart from the big luxury names.

Perivolas: The OG Cave Hotel That Started It All

Full confession: I’ve never actually stayed at Perivolas. The one that escaped is still my white whale. But I did treat myself to a day pass for their spa in 2022, and it gave me enough of a taste to understand the hype.

Before Santorini became Instagram central, Perivolas was quietly pioneering the whole “luxury cave dwelling” concept that now defines the island. They took 300-year-old cave homes where local farmers once stored wine and crops and transformed them into something magical.

What struck me during my spa day:

• There are absolutely no TVs anywhere. Like, they’re serious about the whole “disconnecting” thing.
• That famous infinity pool you’ve seen in travel magazines? Even more ridiculous in person. I watched a woman spend 45 minutes trying to get the perfect shot there (while her husband looked progressively more dead inside)
• The staff move around like silent ninjas – somehow anticipating what you need without being all up in your business

The massage therapist, Elena, told me they have guests who’ve been returning annually for 20+ years. Same room, same week, every year. That kind of loyalty speaks volumes.

Mystique: For When You Want Oia Without the Oia Crowds

During my second trip to Santorini, I developed a love-hate relationship with Oia. Love: it’s stupidly picturesque. Hate: so does everyone else on the planet.

One afternoon, desperate to escape the cruise ship hordes, I literally just kept walking to the far end of Oia until the crowds thinned out. That’s how I stumbled upon Mystique.

I didn’t stay there (it was way beyond my budget at the time), but I talked my way into their wine tasting experience in a 150-year-old cave. Best €75 I spent on that trip.

What makes Mystique different:

• It’s built at the very edge of Oia, where the path starts to turn wild and rocky
• The architecture isn’t the typical square white buildings – everything is rounded and organic, like it grew from the cliff
• They have two different infinity pools at different levels, so you’re not fighting for the Instagram spot with other guests

The sommelier, Yannis, told me they get a lot of celebrities who want the Oia experience without dealing with tourists peering into their breakfast. After seeing the secluded terraces, I understood why. You could sunbathe nude there and nobody would spot you (not that I’m recommending it, but options are nice).

Where to Stay If You Actually Care About Location

Santorini’s funny. The island is tiny – you can drive from one end to the other in like 45 minutes – but where you stay makes a massive difference. After bouncing around different areas, here’s my unfiltered take:

Oia: Beautiful but Brutal

Everyone knows Oia. It’s the Santorini of postcards, screensavers, and wedding photoshoots. And yes, it’s gorgeous, especially at sunset when the light hits the white buildings and makes everything glow.

BUT.

Sweet baby Zeus, the crowds. In July 2018, I made the rookie error of trying to find dinner in Oia around sunset time. The main pathways were so packed that I got stuck in human gridlock – literally couldn’t move in any direction for several minutes. People were climbing on roofs and walls for sunset photos, waiters were having nervous breakdowns, and I nearly had a panic attack.

If you stay in Oia: make sure your hotel is either off the main drag or has its own sunset viewing area. And maybe pack emergency snacks in case you can’t get to a restaurant without throwing elbows.

Imerovigli: My Forever Fave

After trying all the main villages, I’m team Imerovigli all the way. It sits at the highest point of the caldera, which means you’re literally looking down on the other villages (feel free to wave smugly at them).

What I love most is the hush that falls over Imerovigli at sunset. Unlike the literal applause and cheers you’ll hear in Oia when the sun dips below the horizon, people here tend to watch in reverent silence. It feels more special somehow.

Plus, it’s perfectly positioned for the best walk on the island – the path from Imerovigli to Fira.I saw the island come to life every morning while sipping my coffee. Enchantment.

Fira: For Night Owls and Social Butterflies

If you like being where the action is, Fira’s your spot. It’s the capital, which means most buses connect there, there are shops open late, and you’ll find the best nightlife.

During my solo trip, I split my stay between Imerovigli and Fira, and I was grateful for both. The peaceful mornings in Imerovigli were perfect, but I loved being able to wander back to my Fira hotel after a late dinner without having to hunt for a taxi (which, btw, are about as common as unicorns after midnight in Santorini).

The downside? Cruise ship visitors flood Fira during the day, and parts of it feel more commercial. But if convenience matters to you, it’s hard to beat.

Firostefani: The “Wait, Why Doesn’t Everyone Stay Here?” Spot

My first-ever Santorini accommodation was in Firostefani, and I still don’t understand why it isn’t more popular. It’s basically Fira’s chill neighbor – close enough to walk to all the restaurants and shops (like 10 minutes max), but just removed enough to be peaceful.

The caldera views are just as good as Fira’s, sometimes better because you’re slightly higher up. And prices tend to be a bit more reasonable because it doesn’t have the name recognition of Oia or even Imerovigli.

If you’re a first-timer to Santorini and feeling overwhelmed by options, Firostefani is your safe bet – it’s hard to go wrong here.

Real Talk: What Nobody Tells You About Booking in Santorini

After three trips and way too much money spent figuring things out the hard way, here are the insider tips I wish someone had told me:

The “Sea View” Scam

My biggest rookie error? Booking a hotel that advertised “sea views” without realizing there are two seas in Santorini – the caldera (the volcanic crater filled with water) and the Aegean on the opposite side of the island.

My first hotel had lovely “sea views”… of the wrong damn sea. Was it pretty? Sure. Was it the iconic Santorini view I’d traveled thousands of miles for? Nope.

Always, ALWAYS look for “caldera views” specifically. And if you’re really particular about getting sunset views (which not all caldera-facing rooms have), ask the hotel to confirm in writing before booking.

The Stair Situation Is No Joke

You know those stunning hotels built into the cliffside? Yeah, they come with a price beyond money: stairs. So. Many. Stairs.

During my second trip, I counted 187 steps from the main road down to my hotel reception. Another 43 down to my actual room. After a day of exploring, that final climb became my personal Everest.

If you have any mobility issues – or just don’t want to feel like you’re doing StairMaster after a day of sightseeing – ask specifically about access. Some hotels have elevators or funiculars, but they’re the exception, not the rule.

The Privacy Paradox

Here’s something Instagram doesn’t show you: many of those beautiful terraces with private jacuzzis? Not actually that private.

The cascading design of caldera hotels often means your neighbors above can see right down onto your “private” terrace. During my splurge stay at Canaves, I realized I could see directly into three other terraces from my own. We all did that awkward “pretending not to see each other while in our swimsuits” dance.

If privacy matters to you (especially if you’re planning, ahem, romantic activities on your terrace), specifically ask for a room with an actually private outdoor space. They exist, but they’re rare and usually cost more.

My Honest Hotel Rankings After 3 Trips

Here’s my real-world comparison after experiencing these places firsthand:

So… Is It Actually Worth All That Money?

Let’s get real for a second. The prices in Santorini can cause actual heart palpitations. My room at Canaves cost more for two nights than my monthly rent in Chicago. Was it worth it?

For me, yes – but with caveats.

Yes, because that view is legitimately life-changing. I know that sounds dramatic, but sitting on a private terrace, watching colors I didn’t even know existed paint themselves across the caldera at sunset… it does something to you. Three years later, I can close my eyes and still see it perfectly.

But also no, because some of my favorite Santorini memories cost absolutely nothing: the early morning walk from Fira to Oia along the caldera path; finding a tiny family restaurant in Megalochori where the grandma insisted I try everything in the kitchen; watching local kids play soccer in a square while old men argued politics over coffee.

My personal strategy now? Split the stay. I do 2-3 nights at a bucket-list caldera hotel, then move to a more affordable place away from the edge for the rest of the trip. You still get the magical experience but at half the cost.

Final Thoughts From a Santorini Addict

After all my visits, here’s what I know for sure: there’s no single “best hotel” in Santorini. It completely depends on what matters to you.

If you’ve been dreaming of that infinity pool Instagram shot for years, save up and go for Canaves or Grace. The photos don’t lie – they’re spectacular.

If you want caldera views but with money left for, you know, actually doing things on the island, Astra Suites hits the sweet spot of luxury without bankruptcy.

And if you’re visiting during high season (July-August)? For the love of all things holy, stay somewhere quiet like Imerovigli. Those Oia sunset crowds are no joke.

Whatever you choose, promise me this: schedule at least one evening to do absolutely nothing but sit silently and watch the sunset from your terrace. No phone, no camera, no chatting. Just be there, fully present. It’s in those quiet moments that Santorini works its real magic – the kind that stays with you long after your tan has faded.

Have you been to Santorini? Did you find a hotel gem I missed? Drop it in the comments – I’m already planning trip #4 for next year!