Santorini should definitely be in the running for any list of the world’s most spectacular destinations: the caldera, with its rocky arc around a bright blue bay, topped with sugar-cubes of white Cycladic architecture, is stunningly photogenic. It’s just inviting hotels to build infinity pools overlooking the edge — amongst them some of the best hotel pools in Santorini. We all have a different list of requirements when it comes to choosing hotels, but a great pool is often a good indication of the overall experience you can expect in the hotel. Our Guru’s list of the best hotel pools on Santorini opens with a pool with a view in Oia, then lists an amazing infinity pool in Imerovigli and finishes with a very affordable option in Thira. But there’s a best hotel pool in Santorini for everyone packed into that list somewhere!
For the Album
![Andonis Luxury Suites](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/2e/0d/2e0d4f17144916bd247c6691a0a4e2e1/600x422.jpg)
- The Andronis Luxury Suites sits atop Oia’s cliffs, offering spectacular caldera views — especially from the infinity pool, and restaurant — which is perched out over the water surrounded by its own rock garden. The hotel’s 33 rooms and suites are carved into the cliff-face, in the traditional, white-on-white, Cycladic style, but have many contemporary features, like brushed concrete floors and up-to-the-minute bathrooms. The top-end rooms have their own hot tubs or plunge pools, and there’s a sleek, luxurious spa to share. No kids allowed.
For the Views
![Homeric Poems](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/c5/d3/c5d32d93762d7c4ca447bdecc4bd86f1/600x422.jpg)
- Homeric Poems is a sophisticated cliffside hotel with 20 rooms and suites, a lovely pool and numerous sun terraces. There are beautiful views from almost everywhere, plus contemporary art to look at when you’re facing away from the views. Its cave-style rooms are creatively decorated, and vary from room to room, but all feel fresh, stylish and spacious. Suites sleep up to four, and some of them have private plunge pools and hot tubs too. There’s no restaurant, but there is a bar, and they serve snacks and breakfast on your private terrace, or in the bar.
For an Incredible Infinity Pool
- It’s a niche category, but Santorini’s best infinity pools provide some seriously ‘wowzer’ photos for us, and seriously incredible views too. One of the most impressive infinity pools on Santorini can be found at Grace Santorini. It’s cut into the cliff edge, as if it’s about to cascade, waterfall-like, into the caldera, and it has a poolside bar and restaurant, so you can enjoy the views even longer. Grace Santorini is a great pick for a special occasion too, with 22 rooms and suites, in the Cycladic style, but with a luxurious, contemporary twist: think polished concrete floors, and spacious bathrooms. The most luxurious have private balconies and hot tubs too.
- Chromata is another incredible pick in Imerovigli, which also has miraculous caldera views from a spectacularly appointed infinity pool. Like Grace Santorini it’s a traditional Cycladic building, carved into the cliff, with vaulted rooms and plenty of white paint. Chromata has a simpler flavour to the decor, with white marble floors, gauzy linens and the odd Aztec throw. There are 25 rooms and suites in all — some with private plunge pools and hot tubs, a poolside Mediterranean restaurant, and that incredible infinity pool…
For a Special Occasion
![The Tsitouras Collection](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/58/ad/58ad02db9091d5bfbe2c258765fe3381/600x422.jpg)
- The Tsitouras Collection is one of the smallest and most intimate properties on our list. It has just five suites, all of them individually designed and decorated inside, with antiques and original art, and doors that open onto private terraces with sea views and private dining facilities. Not forgetting the beautiful shared infinity pool and terrace, of course.
- Canaves is a another beautiful, traditional white Cycladic building, this time perched atop the cliffs at Oia. What sets Canaves apart for us is its infinity pool with a white chandelier and a swim-up cocktail bar, and the variations in their 18 rooms and suites, all traditional — with cave-like spaces and vaulted ceilings — but all different in scale and orientation, with different outdoor spaces available to each. If you want a private plunge pool or expansive private terrace then Canaves can deliver.
For Romantics
William Abranowicz
- The Perivolas Lifestyle Houses are a collection of 300 year old cave dwellings, converted into 21 luxurious apartments/villas, arranged in a cliff-terrace, overlooking an idyllic infinity pool and the caldera. One of the things our Gurus love most about this property is the variety – some of the ‘houses’ are large, with private pools and lush gardens, while some feature hot tubs, and vast vaulted ceilings. This is an adults only property, though, so all of them are romantic and intimately laid out. There’s also a shared garden, a fancy spa, and a contemporary Greek restaurant, which is private for hotel guests.
- The Remezzo Villas are a stylishly converted collection of typical, 18th century Cycladic villas. Their vaulted ceilings, white walls and cave-like details have been updated with colourful floors, mid-century furnishings and elegant finishes. Several have their own plunge pools or hot tubs too. And there’s a beautiful pool — with a view, of course. The Remezzo Villas include 12 rooms and suites, all with private balconies or terraces, and incredible views. There’s no restaurant, but there is a terrace bar, and you’re within a short walk of lots of eateries.
For an Island Escape
![Pegasus Suites and Spa](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/83/c7/83c7df4ab3db63434c1851babb8b7a11/600x422.jpg)
- At the Pegasus Suites & Spa guests are treated to their own private plunge pools, or a private hot tub — or both! Built in typical Cycladic style, these 18 suites or apartments are smart, all white, affairs offering every luxury, and most have breathtaking views over Santorini's famous caldera. There’s also an impressive spa, complete with hammam, sauna and indoor hydrotherapy pool, plus a range of luxurious treatments. And there’s a gourmet restaurant known for its incredible use of the island’s natural larder — and for its cooking classes.
- Aigialos is a wonderfully romantic collection of 16 clifftop villas — sleeping between two and four — converted from a community of neoclassical houses once owned by the head of the island’s navy. Each villa has a private balcony and elegant furnishings, including antiques and design pieces, and there’s definitely a home-from-home feeling — if your home is quite luxurious! The villas share a gourmet Mediterranean restaurant, and an elegant pool with a hot tub.
For Families
![Aenaon Villas](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/87/80/8780edf0da886c8b22713977cacebc31/600x422.jpg)
- The Aenaon Villas is a complex of seven villas, built into the cliffside on the route between Oia and Imerovigli — so slightly out of the way. Each of the villas is stylishly decorated with white furnishings against white walls: traditional, but contemporary too. The villas all have private outdoor space — two have private plunge pools — and they share a gorgeous infinity pool with an incredible ocean view.
- The Kapari Natural Resort has been carved right into the cliff-face at Imerovigli, in the traditional Santorini style, with vaulted ceilings and stepped terraces. The décor in the 19 rooms and suites is traditional too, with plenty of white and neutral tones. The most romantic of the rooms have private terraces with hot tubs, and incredible caldera views, but even the simplest rooms have private terraces, and all are memorable for all the right reasons. The restaurant and wine bar are too. Romantic, but also family friendly – The Private Residence can accommodate up to 15 people.
- The Astra Suites are a collection of 27 Cycladic-style rooms and suites, decorated in whites with splashes of bright colour. Some have private balconies, some private hot tubs, but they all have access to a lovely Greek restaurant and spectacular infinity pool, complete with a lounge/bar area. There’s also a sauna and steam room. The family suites are ideal for two adults and two children.
For Luxurious Facilities
![San Antonio](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/ff/dc/ffdcbf373495980ba86b29301e479451/600x422.jpg)
- San Antonio’s stunning, uninterrupted views of the caldera can be seen from the private balconies of all of its 25 rooms, and from the pool, which sits in front of all of them like a turquoise terrace. The rooms benefit from beautiful white decor, butler service, and an extensive spa menu — and some have private outdoor hot tubs. San Antonio also has a stylish gourmet restaurant and space for regular yoga classes, also with a view!
- Imerovigli’s Avaton Resort & Spa is the second smallest property on our list, with just nine rooms and two suites, but it has the facilities of a much larger hotel. For starters there’s the gorgeous infinity pool with caldera views, plus the all the mod cons and bells and whistles in the rooms, an indulgent spa-with-a-view (complete with a steam cavern and a hydrotherapy pool), and an innovative Greek restaurant. Most rooms have a private balcony or terrace, and the two suites have private hot tubs too. Over 15s welcome.
For Privacy
![Santorini Secret Suites and Spa](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/64/82/648259a8a13bae59fbf3642791960ae1/600x422.jpg)
- For privacy, space and style, consider the Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, a collection of 17 suites in Oia, in a classic Cycladic cave-built style that gives way to a more contemporary look inside. It’s still simple, and largely monochrome, but with more art, furniture and facilities than you’ll find in the majority of rooms in Santorini, and each suite has its own private plunge pool or hot tub. Plus there’s a hotel infinity pool, and a gourmet Greek restaurant.
For a Spa Hotel
![Santo Maris Oia Suites](https://www.thehotelguru.com/_images/cf/66/cf6604ddfe67fa27d4c1ce838dcbf711/600x422.jpg)
- The Santo Maris Oia Suites is the largest hotel on this list, with 65 rooms and suites. It offers a stylish, contemporary take on the traditional Cycladic style, with white shapes accented with dark volcanic stones, all the mod cons and chic, contemporary decor. It’s certainly luxurious, especially the suites, which all have private, sea-facing hot tubs — perfect for bubbles at sunset. There’s also a stunning pool and cocktail bar, and an impressive restaurant which serves gastronomic Greek cuisine, and spills out onto a terrace. And the hotel’s scale means that it has one of the largest, and most lauded spas on the island.
For Great Value
- The Callia Retreat Suites are a chic collection of 17 suites in central Thira, arranged around a central pool and decorated with contemporary style. Each suite has a private terrace; the best have their own hot tub too. The pool has resort style day beds, palm trees, and a cool bar. There’s no hotel restaurant, but you’re surrounded by places to eat and drink, and they do a lavish breakfast, and a snack menu in the bar. Adults only.
Still not sure where to book?