Recommended place to stay:
Andronis Luxury Suites
Santorini, Greek Islands, Greece
- https://www.andronis.com
Official star rating:
There are few places on Earth that leave you speechless. The whitewashed village of Oia, perched high above Santorini’s spectacular caldera is one, and there is no better place to experience it than this pioneering cave-style hotel. Built on a slope under draperies of bougainvillea and a labyrinth of steps (bellboys carry your luggage), this is the standard-bearer of luxury cave hotels on Santorini.
The caves (or ‘canavas’ in local terminology) were originally dome-shaped wine cellars dug into the volcanic rock.
Andronis pioneered their conversion to suites that acknowledge local tradition, while providing sumptuous comfort: individual caldera-facing balconies with jacuzzis, Nespresso machines and bluetooth speakers – plus, amazingly, fast wifi with a router in every cave suite.
The Lycabettus restaurant, set on a balcony-like protuberance, is among the top three on the island, earning Greek Toques d’Or aplenty, under chefs Pavlos Kyriakos and Nikos Livadias. Their menu degustation is best enjoyed with their premium wine pairing.
Surrounding area
Andronis lies at the heart of Oia; surrounded by other luxury hotels, all housed in the village’s trademarked whitewashed buildings.
The surrounding steps and alleyways are hugely picturesque and draped in bougainvillea. It’s a vertiginous place though, so take flat, comfortable shoes.
Oia is the top destination on Santorini; glitzy, ritzy, atelier-heavy and glamorous in the best St-Tropez tradition. It’s also renowend for its mesmerising sunsets. The village is Santorini’s biggest draw, so expect crowds of tourists as soon as you step outside of the door, although they do start to dissipate a little after sunset.
Price
Please note - we hope to one day have live prices for you, but for now, here are some useful links for you to compare prices...