
Where To Stay in Santorini For that Perfect Greek Getaway
If you're cooking up your own Greek island fantasy, picking the right hotel can make the vacation something special. Here are some stays that capture that Greek island's vibe.
Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection (Imerovigli)This isn't your basic accommodation. Imagine floating in an infinity pool that looks like it dumps right into the caldera – that's what you get at Grace Hotel in Imerovigli. Part of the fancy Auberge brand, they've got rooms, suites, and even a private villa if you're looking for that once-in-a-lifetime stay.
Beyond just gawking at the views, you can take boat tours, get a relaxing massage or sip local wines. When you get hungry, there's an onsite bar and Michelin-starred restaurant Varoulko. And no matter who you're traveling with, this place works for couples, weddings, or fancy family get-togethers.
Katikies Santorini (Oia)Over in touristy Oia, Katikies makes the most of its cliff-hanging location and offers a respite from the crowds. Dine with jaw-dropping views at Katikies Restaurant or Botrini's. Pick between different rooms and suites – many come with your own little plunge pool.
Relaxing is on the menu here, with three infinity pools, lounges, an indoor hot tub and a spa. It's worth noting Katikies has sister hotels on Santorini and Mykonos if you fall for their style.
Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas (Oia)Also sitting Oia's cliffside, Santo Pure focuses on bigger suites and villas, giving you actual space to breathe. Many rooms also come with private pools or bubbling jacuzzis – perfect for living your best life.
Dine at their Alios Ilios Restaurant, featuring a Mediterranean menu and a gorgeous sea view. Besides the main pool, you can get rubbed down at the Anassa Spa, hit the gym or try cooking classes.
Perivolas Hotel (Oia)If you're into boutique hotels with character, Perivolas near Oia village might be your jam. Perivolas Hotel has 300-year-old caves into distinct suites and villas (some with their own pools) that mix old-school architecture with modern fanciness. Naturally, the caldera views are killer. Float in their famous infinity pool or get pampered at their spa and gym. These cozy quarters are perfect for couples.
Andronis Luxury Suites (Oia)Another Oia hotspot known for caldera views is Andronis Luxury Suites. These folks are serious about pools – infinity pools, cave pools and hot tubs – you name it, they have it filled with water. Pick from fancy suites and villas, get worked on at the Mare Sanus Spa, eat cliffside at their Lycabettus Restaurant or sip wine like a true Greek god.
Good to know: Andronis has other hotels on the island (Andronis Boutique Hotel and Andronis Arcadia) if you want their style at different price points.
Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Oia)Carved into Oia's cliffs, Mystique mixes luxury with that white-washed Cycladic style. Its suites and villas give you those postcard views everyone back home will covet. Lounge by the infinity pool, get rubbed down at Elios Spa or work off some indulgence at the fitness center. With luxe stays, multiple bars and restaurants on-site and perfect views, this hotel is honeymoon central.
Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort (Megalochori)Looking for something that isn't packed with selfie-sticks and is a respite from summer crowds, Vedema offers fancy digs in the middle of the charming medieval village of Megalochori. Surrounded by vineyards, this resort has nice suites and villas, some with private jacuzzis or pools. You still get the premium stuff like Elios Spa, a gym, a swimming pool and jacuzzi.
Dine in style at their various bars and restaurants, like Alati or Trataro, and don't skip the wine tasting in their old-school 400-year-old cave cellar. It's a solid way to see Santorini while avoiding the biggest surge of cruise ship crowds.

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The Greeks later embraced this reverence for the sea–'thalassotherapy' is derived from the Greek words thalassa (sea) and therapeia (treatment)—as did the Romans, who established renowned healing hubs like the Terme a Mare , whose footprint remains at the archaeological site of Nora, one of Sardinia's most notable landmarks, located close to Forte Village. The regimen harnesses southern Sardinia's environmental advantages with an innovative circuit of six pools, each a different temperature and concentration of magnesium and sodium salt. Forte Village's unique microclimate, slightly warmer than Cagliari and its surroundings, enhances the seawater's therapeutic benefits, as does its unique constitution: due to its location, the Gulf of Santa Margherita di Pula's waters are shielded from extreme winds, while the ocean temperature never falls below 50 degrees, even in winter. Collected more than 300 feet offshore at depths of nearly 35 feet, the water undergoes a treatment process inspired by salt pans, which enhances the saline density to nearly twice that of the Dead Sea. The pools, each a different temperature and salinity, help and eliminate excess fluid and boost endorphins, among other benefits. Forte Village The result of this process: 'sea oil'–a therapeutic, magnesium-rich solution with exceptional detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits. The circuit, which ranges from pools of pure sea oil to pure seawater, also helps eliminate excess fluid, boost endorphin production, treat psoriasis and other skin conditions, and aid in muscle and joint recovery. Exclusive treatments designed to complement the circuit include cryotherapy with sea oil and aloe, a sea mud shaping treatment, and a thalasso massage, conducted in the circuit's third pool, whose buoyancy optimizes the experience. For an ultra-exclusive wellness extravaganza, there's also private spa experience, which accommodates up to ten people in a 3,200-square-foot sanctuary complete with a four-pool thalasso circuit, as well as a hammam, solarium, and dedicated treatment room for two. Fully revamped in 2022, the spa also offers bespoke wellness programs spanning 4-7 days (new biohacking wellness programs among them), along with holistic and ayurvedic treatments. Unmatched Sports & Recreation Facilities Active travelers keen to work up a sweat, take note: likely no other resort on the planet rivals Forte Village in terms of both sports and recreational programming and facilities. Sports academies this summer include the Real Madrid Fundación Clinic (staffed with UEFA-licensed coaches), a basketball academy helmed by former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, Ettore Messina; padel and pickleball academies, and a new fencing academy led by six-time Olympic gold medalist, Valentina Vezzali. Tennis fans can work on their serve on one of the resort's 13 clay courts with coaching from Wimbledon champ Pat Cash. Forte Village's world-class sports and recreation facilities are located steps from the sea. Forte Village Climbing, swimming, sailing, and scuba diving academies number among the other options, as do chess, go-karting, biking (both mountain and road), and even DJing. Booking at least a day or two in advance is recommended. Fitness enthusiasts can also burn off indulgent pasta dinners with a full schedule of light Pilates, Zumba, and AquaGym classes daily. The Baia delle Palme pool zone features seven water slides and interactive water games. Forte Village Few warm-weather escapes are complete without plenty of pool time–and the resort's Baia delle Palme pool, an expansive aquatic zone, raises the bar for splish-splashy fun in the sun. At its heart lies a spectacular aquapark designed especially for kids, featuring seven water slides, a paddling area with interactive water games, and a pirate ship complete with water cannons. Beyond the myriad sports academies, other activities for children include art, science, and magic workshops, as well as a Barbie Experience, where kids can paint, make jewelry, explore their creativity inside a bona fide pink Barbie House. Newly unveiled this year, the Forte Village Nature Park–an ambitious environmental enhancement project–provides yet another reason to visit. Designed for visitors of all ages and spread over 17 acres, the park offers a guided immersion in various animal and plant species, as well as nature trails and other recreational amenities. Besides stables housing Sardinian donkeys, Shetland ponies, and native Giara horses, there's a 20,000-square-foot Great Aviary, one of the park's standout attractions. The new nature park features a range of animals, as well as nature trails and a zipline. Forte Village Nearly 35 feet high, the birdlife wonderland–complete with vegetation including trees and shrubs, as well as a pond and stream–counts scarlett ibis, crowned cranes, turacos, black swans, and peacocks among its residents. The park also allows visitors to explore the plant world–like the synergistic garden, where they'll learn about aromatic and medicinal herbs, and sustainable agriculture that respects biodiversity. Chilean flamingos number among the many feathered residents of the nature park. Forte Village Beyond flora and fauna, there are nature trails prime for surveying the picturesque landscape, and a zip line that's scheduled to open at the end of August 2025. The park currently offers twice-weekly guided tours for guests, and private tours that can be booked anytime during the week. Additional phases of the project will debut next season. Forte Village is open through the end of October, and reopens in April. For more information and to book, visit the website.