Katikies Kirini Suites & Spa

The differences between the best Santorini hotels are remarkably subtle; how to distinguish one sun-drenched, white-washed hotel on a scenic seaside cliff from the next? More than anything, it just comes down to execution — well, that and the sublimity of the views, but the photos say it all in that department. Kirini Suites is hardly breaking new ground on Santorini — if anything, their vision of the quintessential Greek Island hideaway is even purer than the competition’s. It’s just that, at Kirini, all the fresh white paint is somehow more pristine, the infinity pool overlooking the sea that much more spectacular, the suites even sunnier and breezier, and the beds more perfectly cloud-like than the competition’s. Add to all that some of the best food on the island and a serene little spa, and Kirini is a contender for the best hotel on an island with some serious competition.

A location in the exceptionally picturesque village of Oia helps, as well. It’s just twenty or thirty minutes from the airport, putting it little more than an hour from Athens in total, and yet it feels every bit the classic Greek Island idyll — a jumble of beautiful old stucco buildings clinging to a cliff above the azure sea, blazing under the famous Cycladic sunlight. Among the jumble of buildings is the hotel itself, built right into the hillside in the traditional local style.

The guest rooms are all suites, and each one comes with a private veranda of its own. Needless to say, the views from the verandas are fantastic; to roll out of bed and sit in the sun feels like activity enough for a day, once you’ve settled into the pace of life here. Still, there’s plenty to do if you can summon the energy. The village’s main promenade is a scenic fifteen-minute walk away, and some of the island’s beaches are only a little farther. And closer to home, the casual poolside restaurant and bar turns out impeccably fresh Greek fare, served in a setting that stays out of the way of the views.

Please note: Kirini Suites & Spa does not accept children under the age of 13.

How to get there: Kirini Suites & Spa is about a 30-minute drive from Santorini Airport (JTR) and the island’s Athinios Port.