Close to the clouds—and actually sometimes above them, on the rare occasion of a bad-weather day—Santorini Sky is perched high above sea level on the island’s highest hill. This elevated location affords guests truly some of the best views on the island; you might not spot the caldera from your suite but, perched at a table at the cliffside Sky Lounge, views trace the island shape, stretching from Megalochori on the west, to the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri in the south, and across to the Perissa black-sand beach in the west. There’s a natural, earthy feel to all of the suites, villas, and residences, each with spacious outdoor terraces, private pools, and small kitchenettes—the hotel is, in theory, self-catering, but you’ll find a generous supply of pastries, coffee, and cakes by reception. The best villas include the new for 2025, 1,346-square-foot master villa, and the large, step-free and fully accessible junior residence with private parking, ramp access, and more. The first Pride event in Santorini was hosted here, and in March 2025, they were chosen by a couple from Texas to host the island’s first same-sex marriage, following the legalisation of same-sex marriages in Greece a year prior.
Hōm Santorini
Santorini is home to many small, boutique hotels, but when you exclude the big, well-known brands from your search, it can be difficult to get a true sense of a hotel’s essence. Hōm is among the best. Located in the popular town of Oia, this 12-room hotel describes itself as a summerhouse. While the soul of a summerhouse is clear—easy, breezy, carefree days under the summer sun—the space is so much more than the term might suggest. For starters, there’s the poolside, caldera-view dining on dishes such as moussaka with bechamel sauce and potato confit or sea bass with fennel-flavored orzo. Then there’s the gym or the spa treatments. And there are the rooms, most of which have hot tubs and sea views, and one (the master suite) which features a plunge pool. Lastly, there’s the service, which goes above and beyond, but remains personal. The bigger names may somewhat overshadow this stylish spot, but it offers a stay to rival them all.
