Andronis Arcadia

Most hotels in Oia partake in the same southerly view of the volcanic caldera, but a few brave souls, Andronis Arcadia, opt for something different. Set on the back side of town, this stylish high-end resort faces to the northwest, looking out over the Aegean Sea and the islands in the distance. If it sounds like a sacrifice, it really isn’t — the sunsets, in particular, are extraordinary. But the most remarkable thing about it is the sense of seclusion you get from being just a few hundred meters off the beaten track.

The suites and villas come in a range of sizes and layouts, but they’re uniformly luxurious, bright, airy, and open, and each one comes with a private infinity pool and a lavish spa-like bathroom. Of course there’s also the actual spa — Evexia is larger and more extensive than the typical Santorini hotel spa, and comes with a fitness center and yoga instruction to boot.

As impressive as the accommodations may be, however, the centerpiece of Andronis Arcadia is its vast, stunning infinity pool — and, by the poolside, the bar, the mystifyingly named Pacman, which offers not just sunset cocktails but occasional DJ nights and live music. Meanwhile the restaurant, Opson, is a high-end affair with an unusual concept — chef Stefanos Kolimadis consulted with a classical scholar to prepare a tasting menu based on the diets of the ancient Greek philosophers.