Santorini Secret Suites & Spa

Hospitality works a bit differently in Santorini. For one thing, thanks to the astounding volcanic backdrop, you could just prop a cot on a hillside and call it a day. Consequently, subtler shades of service come into play, especially in the quixotically cliff-hugging neighborhood of Oia, perched (depending on perspective) either on the the southern shore of the island’s “upper hook” or the north lip of its submerged caldera. Since everyone gets a view, hotels define theirs by elevation to make it exhilarating; since all the cuisine bursts with ultra-fresh flavor, they work regional curveballs into their plates. And so forth.

That’s more or less the “secret” in Santorini Secret, an 18-suite contender on the Cycladic roster, and do they ever deliver. Their genius distills the formula instead of upending it, incorporating delicate, fine-tuned luxury elements into the region’s hallmark visual cues. Which is to say: the all-white, thickset walls and smoothly curved ceilings still play a massive role in the aesthetics; here, they come with volcanic and floral accents indoors and all the sea-gazing accoutrements you’ll need. Sunbeds, oversized parasols, and heated jacuzzis or infinity pools (de rigueur around these parts) seriously upgrade the definition of “private veranda.” This is where the benefit of elevation comes into play — from a promontory like this, you’ll have uninterrupted gawktime for the postcard construction, tumbling like building blocks down to the shore, lime-washed and daubed with Grecian blue.

The island’s pumice soil has a profound effect on the produce, yielding sweeter varies of tomato, eggplant, and cucumber; you owe it to yourself to taste them in action at the Black Rock Restaurant. The cuisine is “post-modern” Greek, where traditional ingredients and recipes are given a contemporary twist. See if you can find yourself some Vinsanto — Santorini’s uniquely unctuous dessert wine — and retire to your boudoir for a flaming-peach sunset.

Please note: Santorini Secret Suites & Spa is a seasonal hotel and is open mid-April thru October.

How to get there: The hotel is located approximately 18 km by car from Santorini (Thira) National Airport and 20 km (about one hour) from Athinios Port. High-speed ferries are available from the Port of Piraeus outside Athens; one-way trips typically last about five hours. Guests are welcome to use nearby private parking.