Top Santorini Honeymoon Hotels Ranked
Recently had the chance to do site tours (and a stay) at all of the chubby hotels on Santorini, and figured I'd give a round-up of which properties I'd recommend and which properties I'd stay away from and who I'd send to each property. These are sorted from my favorite to least favorite, although the difference between the top 5 is so minuscule and of course, based on my personal preferences.
Apologies for the lack of photos - I really only took videos of these properties and I'd be happy to provide if interested.
#1 Canaves Oia Suites
For first time chubby visitors to Santorini, I'd be hard pressed to recommend any other hotel as my first preference than Canaves Oia Suites. Perched high up on the Caldera, Canaves Oia Suites was recently completely renovated and just blew me away everywhere I looked. The quality / finishes of the rooms, the privacy (which is a rarity of course in Santorini), the private water features, the attention to detail, the landscaping, the volcanic arches ... the list goes on and on.
Most importantly, Oia Suites is set up higher on the Caldera than those below, meaning you get a lot more privacy, and each room has coverings above their outdoor spaces (see video below). There's a reason why this is the flagship of the Canaves portfolio, and there's a reason why it's the best hotel on the island.
Some other notes: IMO, best spa product on the caldera (completely brand new), large gym, easy access to other Canaves properties with a free shuttle. 48 total rooms & villas, of which there are 3 private villas that are 2/3 bedrooms, which is a rarity in Oia/Imerovigli.
Who I'd send here ? Santorini first time visitors, honeymoon clients, maybe a slightly older demographic (e.g. 40+ vs honeymooners in their 20s and 30s, but it would still be appropriate for younger honeymooners).
Who I'd not send here ? Families (13+ age requirement), those with mobility concerns, those who want 100% complete privacy (simply doesn't exist on the caldera)
Canvaves Oia Suites
#2 Andronis Boutique Hotel
Andronis Boutique Hotel was my #1 pick until I had the chance to do a site visit of Canaves Oia Suites, and even still, Andronis Boutique is truly a perfect offering for first time Santorini visitors. The rooms were all renovated in 2024, and they are pristine, cave style rooms, some with incredibly unique layouts (well all layouts are quite unique here, but the two story prestige suite for instance was super cool). Set lower on the Caldera than Oia Suites, there is slightly less privacy, but Boutique Hotel also has coverings over their private patios, and I found the rooms to be quite bright for cave style rooms.
The reason why I have Andronis Boutique at #2, above Andronis Luxury Suites and Canaves Ena, is that I think that if you're coming to Santorini for the first time, the cave style rooms are what you're expecting, and Boutique offered some of the best cave style rooms on the entire island with some of the best privacy I saw of any of the room categories across all of the above hotels. I loved the finishes in the rooms (in fact they were quite similar to Oia suites, lots of marble with beautiful wooden arches).
At just 23 suites, this property felt intimate but still very private, and from a price perspective, it sits slightly lower than Andronis Luxury Suites, but I think is actually the better property. The rooms here sit lower on the caldera, which Andronis claims provides more privacy, and I guess that's true as people won't be walking in front of your room, but they can certainly see down towards your room more easily the lower you are, but the awnings provided a solution for that challenge.
Who I'd send here? Same as Canaves Oia Suites, but younger couples on their first marriages ;)
Who I'd not send here? Same as Canaves Oia Suites.
Andronis Boutique
#3 Canaves Epitome
This may come as a surprise to some, but Canaves Epitome makes an excellent case for being the #1 hotel on Santorini with the only drawback (or potentially the best part, depending on your preferences) being the location. The location is a short walk or transfer from Oia, down close to Ammoudi Bay, and for many people, that would be an issue, but if you are returning to Santorini, or if you're a family, or if you want complete privacy, or if you want to actually see the sunset into the Aegean, Canaves Epitome is the best hotel on Santorini for you.
What I loved about it ? The gardens / landscaping / setting behind the walls felt like you were a world away from the busy streets of Santorini, and there was something distinctly magical about walking around the common areas that are walled in by beautiful volcanic rock from the island. The big star of the resort are their 2bd suites, separated by floor with beautiful large swimming pools, decks, outdoor dining areas, and even some rooms that are below the outdoor pool (so that the downstairs bedroom actually sees up into the pool, which is pretty cool !). Diner at their poolside restaurant was a highlight of all of the meals I had while in Greece for a month, and it was actually quite lively and fun.
No age restrictions here, but the property did seem to be more couples than families while I stayed. Breakfast was delicious. All of my cocktails were perfect.
I have to stay, Canaves Epitome was my favorite hotel across 9 islands in the Cyclades, and perhaps one of the top 3 stays of my entire life. It was just that beautiful. The design is exquisite and those who are design lovers would appreciate this property immensely. I'll never forget the way that the light moved through the arches during the evenings as the sun was setting ... it was truly memorable. With just 53 spacious rooms, this property is still boutique in feel, but laid out in a way that you truly do feel quite separated from what can be a busy island.
Who I'd send here ? Couples, those who need absolute privacy, design lovers, multi generational families, those who have mobility concerns (this property is fairly accesible)
Who I'd not send here ? Those who want to be in the action / be seen in Oia, those who want classic santorini cave style rooms
Canaves Epitome
#4 Andronis Luxury Suites
Andronis Luxury Suites, the flagship hotel of the Andronis portfolio, is equally as beautiful as its younger sibling, Andronis Boutique, and while it's a beautiful hotel with a fantastic offering for a certain demographic, I didn't love it quite as much as Boutique, and that's why it's at this spot on this list.
Luxury suites is in theory more exclusive than Boutique, and it also has the spa / gym that you can use between the hotels (although if you want the best spa/gym, you should go to Andronis concept or Arcadia).
This property is very refined, elegant, and unique in its own right, but I felt like Boutique was slightly more "authentic" Santorini, and this property was a bit more old school luxury if that makes sense. In that way, I think Luxury Suites lends itself to a 50+ clientele who are on anniversary trips or perhaps returning to Santorini for the first time since they went for their honeymoon years ago. One thing to note, there's actually a couple of suites right above check in that have maybe 15-20 total (wide) stairs that are a great option for those who have mobility concerns (e.g. you don't have to go down hundreds of stairs to get to your room and then back up hundreds of stairs to leave the hotel).
Andronis' very famous restaurant, Lycabettus, is located on the cliffside here, and I'd recommend booking a reservation as soon as you reserve a room here so you don't miss out. Like Boutique and all Andronis properties, every room has a water feature, whether that's a plunge pool or a jacuzzi or a proper pool in the villas. There are 39 total rooms that are quite spacious, including their entry level category.
Who I'd send/not send here? Same as Canaves Oia and Andronis Boutique, although as mentioned above, this hotel seems to skew slightly older than Boutique.
Andronis Luxury Suites
#5 Canaves Ena
The OG of the Canaves portfolio, which was started in the 80s I believe by the same family that's running it today. One thing to note, Des, the sales and marketing director, has been with the company for 15 years and is a joy to work with. It's because people like her that I want to actually send clients to these properties - I trust Des to look after my clients and even if the hotel offerings themselves are incredible, knowing the person behind them goes a long way in making sure my clients will have a memorable experience when they are spending a decent sum on their vacations.
Back to Canaves Ena ... a highlight for me is their swim up bar, which is a fun social addition to what can usually be an island where couples tend to keep to themselves. I found Ena to be a little bit more minimalist than its younger siblings, and the size (just 18 suites) was also very intimate. Rooms are private here, well as private as they can be on the Caldera, and maybe the only reason why I preferred Oia suites was because Oia Suites is slightly newer. With that said, Ena underwent a renovation in 2024 and was re-done beautifully ... I wish I had photos as most online are dated and not reflective of what the property looks like now. The rooms here are slightly smaller than Oia Suites & one thing to note is that not every room at Ena has a water feature like their competitors, Andronis, do, which I found to be surprising.
Ena is a great option if you're looking to save a little bit vs Oia Suites or Andronis, although I find the rates to almost always be the same as Andronis Boutique. One thing to note is that Canaves Ena, like Oia Suites, sits higher up on the caldera and as a result, is slightly more private than other Caldera offerings.
Who I'd send / not send here ? Same as all of the options on the Caldera.
#6 Andronis Concept
Andronis Concept is truly a unique property set near Imerovigli, but not in Imerovigli. I really liked this hotel because it was different than the rest on this list. It had the nicest spa I saw in Santorini, and perhaps even the Cyclades (I'd have to research that more though). If wellness is important to you, I don't think there's a better option on the island.
The rooms were generous in size, much like Andronis Arcadia, and felt very private, although one important thing to note is that some of the rooms have the Fira to Oia walking path passing in front of them, which is certainly a privacy consideration (not all of the rooms, just some of them). I could see this being a great option for those staying in Santorini for 4+ nights who will actually use the gym and spa facilities, those who like peace and quiet away from Oia/Fira/Imerovigli, and those who value modern design.
The architecture here also deserves a mention. Unlike the traditional white cave hotels that Santorini is known for, Concept has a much more modern aesthetic with warm/earthy tones that blend into the volcanic landscape. It's a very different feel than the rest of the hotels on this list, but one I appreciated more than I expected, I think because it's just so different than the rest of the hotels on Santorini. With just 28 suites and villas, the property still feels pretty boutique despite having some of the best wellness facilities on the island.
Although the hotel is family friendly, Andronis generally encourages families to stay at Arcadia instead, and I think that's probably the right recommendation given Arcadia's larger resort feel and family-focused amenities. I have Concept above Arcadia because while Arcadia objectively has more going on, it also had some drawbacks that, for me personally, outweighed those extra amenities (I'll elaborate more below). The only reason I have Concept at #6 is that if I'm sending someone to Santorini for the first time, I generally think they should experience Oia. If this property were located there instead, it'd probably be competing for one of my top three spots.
Who I'd send here? Wellness focused travelers, those staying 4+ nights who will actually use the spa and gym, couples returning to Santorini, those who value peace and quiet, design lovers, and families, although I'd generally steer families toward Arcadia.
Who I'd not send here? First time Santorini visitors who have their heart set on staying in Oia, or those who end up in one of the room categories adjacent to the hiking path and are particularly sensitive to privacy.
#7 Grace Hotel
Grace ! I wanted to love you more than I did, and while there were certainly things I looooved, there were other things I struggled with at this price point (Grace is oftentimes the most expensive hotel on Santorini, usually followed by or at Mystique, which we'll get to in a bit).
Let's start with the good:
The location - I loved where Grace was located in Imerovigli - set way up on the caldera, you sometimes are literally above the clouds (or fog line rather) and that's a pretty unique feeling. It's a quiet area and is ideal for honeymooners who are ok with being outside of Oia.
The rooms - I loved the room design - simple, white, elegant, nice woods and marble finishes - the rooms were also *bright,* which is such a nice surprise on Santorini (I love the cave style rooms, but I also love natural light, so it's a challenge, lol)
The bad:
The location - I know I know, I just said that was one of the good things, but the fact is that some of the rooms are *right* on the Fira to Oia path, so as you're sitting in your private plunge pool (if you have one, not all rooms here have that feature), strangers will be walking in front of you, huffing and puffing as they brave the brutal heat and hills of the walking trail. Not exactly the ideal romantic setup, IMO.
I also toured one of their highest room categories that while really cool in theory, doesn't make sense in a practical sense, and that's because it's a room with an indoor hot tub that makes the entire room reek of chlorine as soon as you walk in. I love the idea of the indoor hot tub, but I'd talk every one of my clients out of a room like this as it's a bit nauseating ... maybe that's just my problem though ?
One other thing I struggled with was the lack of overhead privacy on the balconies - Andronis and Canaves have done this beautifully - Grace should follow suit.
Their dining, running by Michelin starred chef, Lefteris Lazarou, who came by all the tables to say hello, was fantastic. Each dish was unique, felt very greek, but still modern, and the views are truly outrageous. Service was outstanding too - as soon as it got even the slightest bit chilly, the staff brought me blankets anticipating I'd get cold fast.
One thing to note as well is that I really loved the GM here, Jerry, who made me laugh, which was a nice change as sometimes chubby hotels can be stuffy and uptight - Jerry is the type of boss that people love to work for, and as a result, you could tell his staff were very happy in their roles ... in fact, I actually met some former staff working at a different hotel (Saint) and they spoke about their love for Jerry. People like him really go a long way in taking a property to the next level.
This is all to say that Grace is a fantastic option, however, I think at the price point, there are better options available on Santorini. Maybe their prices will come down slightly and be at parity with their competitors, in which case I'd say they have a strong argument at being one of the top 5 on Santorini.
Grace Hotel
#8 Andronis Arcadia
Andronis Arcadia is fantastic in theory, but in reality, it just wasn't really a property for me. The reason for that I think comes down to the fact that they have Pacman and Beefbar on property, two very Mykonos-esque dining options, that for me, bring in a very different vibe and clientele than other hotels on this list. For instance, I recall walking in the large, beautiful pool area, and seeing clientele that was quite ostentatious and sceney - for me, that's just not interesting, but for others, it could be their vibe, so it's just a matter of personal preference.
With that said, Andronis Arcadia has a cool location (very similar to Canaves Epitome, in fact it's right next door pretty much), with sunset views and really beautiful rooms that reminded me a little bit of Nobu hotels mixed with Edition (dark woods, clean lines, minimal) ... the room layouts were very nice and spacious, and Andronis Arcadia is a fantastic option for those with children. One thing to note though is that the property is massive and is quite spread out - you'd definitely want a golf cart to take you around in the heat of the summer if there's no Meltemi blowing.
Very impressive gym and rooms here are very private - in fact, just as private as Canaves Epitome. As mentioned, all rooms at all Andronis properties have private pools, including some of the nicest / largest here at Andronis Arcardia. This felt like a true resort style hotel vs a boutique hotel, and with 114 rooms, it makes sense that it felt that way.
Who I'd send here ? Those who value privacy, like a bit of a scene / party-ish vibe, families (although I'd send them to Epitome first of course), younger couples
Who I wouldn't send here ? Those wanting exclusivity / peace and quiet, more romantic style vacation
Andronis Arcadia
#9 Mystique
I think of all of the hotels I toured on Santorini, I was perhaps most let down by Mystique, and that was a bummer for me, but perhaps it's because I had such high expectations and really love the team at Empiria Group who run some of the best hotels in all of the Cyclades.
Why did I feel this way ? For starters, the rooms had little to no privacy, and on the interior, they felt quite bland, dated and under decorated. For instance, I toured one of the largest rooms that they have, and there were blank/empty spaces that a nice accent chair or other piece of furniture could have filled ... it almost felt echoey in the room which was weird. The cave rooms are also quite dark. I think with a solid renovation, this property could be worth the price it's currently commanding, but until then, I'd probably spend my money elsewhere. My hunch is that they artificially pump up the price so that bonvoy redemptions are harder to come by and if they do have bonvoy redemptions, Marriott reimburses them somewhat appropriately.
It's worth mentioning that I was told 35-45% of guests are there staying on points - I pressed a little bit on this point and asked if that maybe changed the clientele a bit (I always think about how Capella Cabo was before it became a Waldorf...I wish I got to experience that, ha). They sort of skirted the answer, which was probably smart on their end.
It's not that Mystique is a bad property, it's just in need of a renovation and until then, I probably wouldn't send guests here unless they were wanting to combine points with a cash stay. With that said, I'd probably only send bonvoy enthusiasts to this hotel, otherwise there are better options IMO.
Mystique
#10-12 Katikies Portfolio
Part of me feels bad about this, but I was really not impressed by Katikies and found their entire portfolio to be stuck sometime in the early 2010s. While the setting is undeniably beautiful of all 3 of their Caldera properties (I didn't tour the family friendly Fira property) and their spa at Pelagos house was expansive and really cool, the hotels themselves just are dated and need to be completely updated with new finishes, decor, furniture, etc. Chairs that look like they belong at your grandma's house is not exactly how I'd want to spend my vacation in Santorini ... there was no covering over any of the patios which lended itself to a lack of overall privacy at their properties, and sadly, it just felt like the Katikies hotels were past their prime.
With that said, I think should they follow suit of Andronis and Canaves, who are consistently renovating and updating their rooms, then I think they could compete again on Santorini. Until then, spend $100-$200 more per night and do yourself a favor and stay at the options above.
I think that wraps up everything and I'm sure I've missed some key points. One thing that I think is important to make note about is that overall, the service and quality of hotels on Santorini far exceeded my expectations, and in fact, I ended up loving Santorini, which is ironic because I thought I would actually hate it. Most people travelers going to Santorini won't experience the awfulness of hoards of people taking photos of the blue domes, unless of course they are sadistic and wanted to do something like that. Chubby travelers will get picked up from the port or airport in a luxury transfer, go to their beautiful 5* hotel in one of the most unique settings in the world, enjoy fantastic food and wine, spend a day on a chartered motor yacht or sail boat, go wine tasting, sit by their private pools, perhaps make some new friends with other couples, and then leave at 3 or 4 days. I was there as a single man, and even I felt the magic of the island, and can't wait to return one day, hopefully then not so single, ha !
Hope this helps anyone making a Santorini decision in the near or not so near future :)
