Editor in Chief Emmie Blower travelled to Santonero Suites Santorini to discover whether the island could offer more than romance, and found a luxury retreat that proves Santorini is just as magical for friends, solo travellers and anyone seeking space, serenity and a different perspective on one of Greece’s most iconic destinations.
Santorini has become so synonymous with honeymoons and perfectly posed sunset photographs that it is easy to assume the island only works if you arrive coupled up. Dare I say it, it could even be slightly triggering for single gals or solo travellers. But why should some of the most incredible views in the world be the domain of couples? I grabbed one of my best friends to discover an alternative side to Santorini.
Set in Akrotiri, on the quieter southern side of the island, Santonero Suites Santorini looks across the caldera towards Fira and Oia rather than placing you in the middle of their crowds. You still get the famous white villages and volcanic landscape, but with something increasingly difficult to find in Santorini: space.
Santonero Suites Santorini, is a small, family-run hotel where the luxury feels like you are entering a magical, elite world. Santorini marketing can be deceptive; here, quite the opposite is true, and my jaw dropped at the size of our villa, terrace and pool. Each vast cave-style suite feels like its own private Santorini residence, supported by a team who are only ever a WhatsApp message away, yet remain incredibly unobtrusive. Due to its clever design, your neighbours are there but you barely see anyone and the place is immaculate.
Our two-storey suite had two double bedrooms, one of which had a door leading straight into an expansive infinity pool. As a water baby, this access to a pool has been on my vision board for years, and I felt quite emotional exploring what felt like our very own Santonero Suites Santorini mansion. The generous living space enabled us to both work, eat and get massages together, while the two terraces gave us options for sunbathing and where to have lunch throughout the day. When “pool or hot tub?” is your decision of the day, you know you have made it.
The interiors are unmistakably Santorini, with soft curves, natural textures and cave-like architecture, but they never feel like a copy-and-paste version of the island. Fresh flowers were waiting when we arrived, the bed linen was exceptional and I couldn’t stop talking about how well I slept. Waking up to that view was almost spiritual. It gives you time and perspective to assess life and be grateful. Combined with retrospective pool chats and time with a dearly loved friend, the experience was very special.
To ramp up the holiday memories and make one morning extra special, I would highly recommend ordering the floating breakfast in the infinity pool. Greek yoghurt with banana and granola, spinach pie and an egg-washed croque monsieur arrived amongst other delicacies on a pretty floating heart.. Yes, it’s an Instagrammable experience, but it’s also deceptively delicious. That spinach pie was ordered on repeat, even as an afternoon snack.
That sense of privacy shapes the entire stay. Dinner can be served by candlelight on your terrace, turning the suite into one of the most atmospheric restaurants on the island. The menu is carefully curated rather than unnecessarily enormous, with dishes including fresh sea bass, beautifully cooked steak and an elevated pastitsio made with fresh pasta. Treatments can also come to you; an in-suite massage meant there was no spa timetable to organise ourselves around and nowhere to travel afterwards except back to the terrace for a sundowner.
One of Santonero Suites Santorini greatest strengths is that it does not encourage guests to remain sealed inside a luxury bubble. The team helps arrange experiences with local partners, making it easy to discover the island beyond its most photographed streets.
A private charter with Santorini Star Sailing gave us a completely different view of the volcanic landscape, with a barbecue lunch, free-flowing drinks and a swimming stops. It was one of the highlights of the week. Pickup and drop-off were seamlessly arranged, removing the usual holiday logistics.
We also visited the Culinary Atelier in Vourvoulos with Santorini Luxury Travel, founded by Sophia and Nikos. Set on the site of an original panigiri, the experience brought us around a long table to make pitta and tzatziki, taste local wine and learn how food connects to the island’s history.
Of course, Fira and Oia remain within reach when you want to mooch around the boutiques and bars. Is it conceited to say that you feel just that little bit smug, knowing you’re returning to space and peace, and, ultimately, what everyone else is clamouring for: uninterrupted views of the caldera, all to yourself?
For couples, friends or anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Santorini without surrendering to the crowds, this is the hotel that changes the story of the island.
