Canaves Epitome

Sometimes it pays to set yourself apart and that’s certainly true of Canaves Epitome. While most hotels in Oia look inwards at Santorini’s caldera, Epitome sits about a mile from the town centre on the western extremity of the island’s northern arm, giving it some of the finest sunset views of any luxury hotel on the island.

There are other advantages too. Not only does its westward-facing position afford spellbinding views of the island of Thirasia and the open sea beyond, it also means the hotel isn’t fighting for space along the crowded caldera edge. The result is that its 53 suites and villas are among the largest on the island, starting at 45 square metres for a suite with a private plunge pool and going all the way up to 450 square metres for a five-bedroom villa with a private pool, terrace and hammock-strung garden.

The colour palette differs too, adding greys, blacks and rough stonewall exteriors to the usual mixture of bright white and blue. Plus children are welcome, which isn’t always the case at cliffside hotels.

What does remain the same to other Canaves Collection hotels is the prompt and friendly service from the immaculately dressed staff, plus the excellent range of facilities on offer, which in this case includes an infinity-edge pool with views straight out to sea, massage and spa treatments available at the spa or in the privacy of your own suite, and the wonderful Elements Restaurant, which serves a range of sophisticated European fare with an emphasis on the finest Greek produce and ingredients. A second restaurant, Omnia, maximises the spectacular vistas and offers a carefully curated menu sure to delight seafood aficionados.