Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection
Like any good Santorini hotel, the Grace Hotel knows how to get out of the way and let you enjoy the view. And what a view it is. Reached on foot along a steep and cobbled path, Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection has one of the loftiest positions on the island and offers breathtaking views of imposing Skaros rock, the island’s caldera and the dreamy Aegean Sea.
The infinity pool here is nothing short of sublime, and it’s out on the pool terrace that breakfast is served daily. The innovative Varoulko Santorini Restaurant is set on the same level, while the 363 Bar is higher still, a giddy 363 metres above sea level – the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy Santorini’s famous sunset and caldera views.
Located in the village of Imerovigli, the hotel cascades down the side of the caldera, with flights of steep steps (this is not a hotel for the elderly or infirm) leading to rooms on different levels. There are 20 rooms and suites in total, plus a private villa with its own heated pool, treatment room and dedicated villa manager. Rooms and suites are minimalist in design, with modernist furniture and the clean white lines you’d expect in the Cyclades. All have views of the caldera and large, private terraces, and most have private plunge pools. For better views, choose the suites on the upper levels.
There’s also a clothes and jewellery shop selling the work of Greek designers, a small gym, a well-thought-through range of in-room spa treatments, and a designated yoga studio. Private beach transfers and sailing adventures to more remote beaches can easily be arranged.