Timos Tsoukalas
Having a private hotel pool sounds like one of the ultimate luxuries? Especially if it overlooks the incredible caldera of Santorini’s flooded volcano. That’s what I thought when one of our Gurus brought this article idea to me! But it turns out that this is a luxury that many visitors to Santorini can afford, because there are plenty of properties with a number of rooms with private plunge pools — including a number of family-friendly villa hotels, and some great value options. So it turns out that the best hotels in Santorini with private pools aren’t just for honeymooners, the very well off, or those seeking privacy, it’s a luxury open to all!
For the Album
- Grace Santorini in Imerovigli is a classic collection of all-white rooms, suites and villas, splendidly overlooking the caldera from an idyllic spot cut into the edge of the cliffs. Each of the 22 ‘rooms’ has a private terrace or balcony, and most (even entry level) have private plunge pools or hot tubs as well. For the ultimate in relaxation visit Grace’s comprehensive spa. There’s also an award-winning Mediterranean restaurant.
- Also in Imerovigli, Chromata has the kind of infinity pool you could spend an entire holiday wondering at, but don’t let yourself get too distracted by the spectacular caldera views, because it’s pretty stunning inside too. Converted from historic cliff-cave dwellings, Chromata’s 25 rooms and suites offer white-on-white minimalism at its finest, with plenty of natural light from large windows, which also frame the view. The restaurant is pool-side, making the most of the views again, and serves excellent Mediterranean cuisine. For your own private pool you'll need to push the boat out and book the Master Pool Suite or better!
For the Views
- The Andronis Luxury Suites sit atop Oia’s cliffs, offering spectacularly caldera views — especially from the infinity pool, and restaurant, which is perched out over the water surrounded by its own rock garden. The rest of the hotel’s 33 rooms and suites are carved into the cliff-face, in the traditional, white-on-white, Cycladic style, but have contemporary features, like brushed concrete floors and bathrooms. The fancier rooms have their own hot tubs or plunge pools — all with a view, and there’s a sleek, luxurious spa to share. No kids allowed.
- The Perivolas Lifestyle Houses were built about 300 years ago, cut into the cliff-face at Oia, a beautiful white jumble of cave-homes overlooking the volcanic caldera, now converted into 21 modern apartment villas. One of the things our Gurus love most about this property is the variety – some of the villas are large, with private pools and lush gardens, while some feature hot tubs, and vast vaulted ceilings. This is an adults only property, and all of the rooms 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.
For an Island Retreat
- Just five suites make up the accommodation options at the Kirini Suites & Spa, so that’s a lot of spa to share between just a few guests, and even guests staying in the suites without a private plunge pool will almost have the hotel’s infinity pool to themselves. Built in the traditional Cycladic style, but with chic, European-feeling decor, each suite has incredible views — as do the pools and excellent seafood restaurant. And the beautiful spa has elegant relaxation ‘pods’ cut directly into the cliff-face.
For a Special Occasion
- Sun Rocks is incredibly positioned on the clifftop of Thira, overlooking the spectacular caldera from numerous terraces and balconies, and from the restaurant and pool deck. Its 18 rooms and suites are decorated with stylish minimalism, but plenty of luxurious detail — most of them are super romantic, but if it’s a special occasion you might want to upgrade to a suite with a private plunge pool or hot tub overlooking the water. There’s a fine dining restaurant, and a chic pool terrace bar onsite, but you’re within a stroll of lots of places to eat and drink.
- Canaves is another spectacularly beautiful white hotel, converted from traditional buildings cut into the cliff-face, and featuring vaulted ceilings and uniquely shaped rooms and spaces — this time perched atop the cliffs at Oia. What sets Canaves apart for our Gurus is the variation in the size and shape of their 18 rooms and suites — while they all have their own private terraces, they don’t all have a private plunge pool or hot tub.
For Romantics
- 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. 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 these are the ones to book if you want a private plunge pool or hot tub. There’s no restaurant, but there is a bar, and they serve snacks and breakfast on your private terrace — next to your plunge pool — or in the bar.
For Privacy
- Santorini Secret Suites & Spa is a collection of 17 suites and private villas, based around a collection of traditional Cycladic cave buildings on the cliffs of Oia. Each suite and villa has its own private terrace, with a plunge pool or hot tub and incredible views, while inside the traditional style gives way to a more contemporary look. In addition to your private pool the hotel has a beautiful infinity pool, and a gourmet Greek restaurant.
- Esperas is a traditionally built complex right on the cliffs in Oia, with a range of accommodation that includes rooms, studios, suites and whole villas. They all have kitchenettes and private terraces, and the suites and villas have private plunge pools.
For Families
- The De Sol Hotel is a smart, family friendly hotel complex outside Thira, with fantastic facilities, and a range of contemporary style accommodation that includes family suites and private villas, with their own pools. The whole complex is arranged around a central lagoon-style pool complex, with some shallower pools suitable for kids, plus a spacious spa, with an impressive spa treatment menu, and a playground. The location is excellent, at the top of a hill between the east and west of the island, and about two kilometres from Thira — there’s a shuttle bus. The Mediterranean restaurant has a charming terrace and a family-friendly menu.
- The Astra Suites offer 27 Cycladic-style rooms and suites, decorated in traditional white on white with splashes of blue. There’s a great variation in the size of the rooms and suites, which is why this is one of our family picks; some have private terraces, some come with with plunge pools and hot tubs, and the family suites sleep four. The hotel also has a spa and steam room, a lovely Greek restaurant, and a beautiful pool area with a stylish bar and lounge.
For Fabulous Facilities
- 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 stone, all the mod cons and chic, modern decor. It’s certainly luxurious, especially the suites, which all have private, sea-facing hot tubs or plunge pools. 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 a Private Villa
- Aenaon Villas is a collection of seven villas, built into a peaceful stretch of cliffside between Oia and Imerovigli. Each of the villas has its own outside space, and some have plunge pools or hot tubs on their private terrace. There’s a gorgeous infinity pool to share as well, with a fantastic ocean view. Inside, the villas are stylishly decorated, with white furnishings against white walls.
- There are just three villas making up the Vino Houses complex, idyllically located in the countryside about 30 minutes walk from Oia, and ten minutes from one of the best black-sand beaches on Santorini. Each villa has classic Cycladic features: whitewashed walls, vaulted ceilings and big windows. They also have self-catering facilities, and private terraces with plunge pools or hot tubs. There’s no restaurant, but you will be brought a large breakfast in the morning, which is a nice touch. Expect clean, unfussy interior design with stylish soft furnishings.
For Cycladic Charm
- The Vasilicos has just seven suites, all simple and chic, but individually designed to make full use of each room’s traditional charms — though with gorgeous contemporary bathrooms. All have private terraces, and most have either a private hot tub or a plunge pool. There’s a larger hotel pool too, plus a bar, and an in-house chef known for championing local produce, and happy to tailor menus to guests' individual tastes.
For Great Value
- Guests of the Pegasus Suites & Spa are treated to their own private terrace complete with plunge pool, or hot tub (except the most basic smart suites and junior suites). And they all have fantastic caldera views. The hotel’s gourmet restaurant has incredible views too, with the wonderful ‘sugar cube’ architecture of Imerovigli in the foreground. Inside, the rooms offer smart white simplicity in typical Cycladic style. And there’s a wonderful spa, complete with hammam, sauna and a range of treatments. This is definitely the kind of hotel you don’t need, or want, to leave.
- 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 of the 12 rooms and suites have their own plunge pools or hot tubs, on private terraces, with incredible views, and there’s a beautiful hotel pool — also with a view. There’s no restaurant, but there is a terrace bar, and you’re within a charming stroll of plenty of places to eat and drink.
Still not sure where to book?