Grace Hotel Review: Santorini’s Most Romantic Hotel?
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We swoon over beautiful hotels with infinity pools that seem to spill into the sea. And in Greece, the island of Santorini has plenty.
We’ve stayed at IKIES Santorini (a charming boutique cave hotel in Oia) and Vedema Resort (a luxurious vineyard retreat).
But on one trip, we chose the Grace Hotel, part of the exclusive Auberge Resorts Collection.
Perched dramatically on the edge of Santorini’s volcanic caldera, this adults-only boutique hotel serves up the sort of views that make you forget your phone exists. Every glance stopped us in our tracks.
Morning coffee overlooking Skaros Rock. Long lazy afternoons drifting in one of Santorini’s most stunning infinity pools. Evenings soaking in our private hot tub as the sky turned shades of pink and gold.
Yes, it’s expensive.
Then again, hotels like this don’t earn their stellar reputation by accident.
Here’s what it’s like to stay at the Grace.
Our Grace Santorini review (at a glance)
A 5-star boutique hotel just for adults. Only 21 rooms and suites carved into Santorini’s cliffs. Jaw-dropping caldera views. The Grace is one of the island’s most romantic splurge stays!💕
Highlights
- Perfect for – Honeymooners or any couple wanting a seriously romantic escape will find their happy place here.
- Accommodation – Rooms and suites range from about 600 to 1,100 sq. ft., and most feature a private heated plunge pool or infinity pool.
- Our favorite moment – We loved sipping a glass of wine in our private plunge pool while watching Santorini’s surreal technicolor sunsets.
- Worth knowing – There are lots of steep stairs. If you have difficulty walking, this hotel is probably not the right place for you.
Check rates and availability
- On Expedia – Where the Grace is rated an “Exceptional” 9.6/10
- On Booking.com – Where the hotel is rated a “Wonderful” 9.1/10
Why we love the location
Instead of bustling Oia or busy Fira (the capital), we loved that the Grace sits in the quieter village of Imerovigli.
One of the most unique places in Greece, Santorini’s villages cling dramatically to the rim of the flooded caldera. Imerovigli is perched about 1,000 feet above the caldera.
That higher elevation means staggering views over the caldera and dazzling sea, with the monolithic Skaros Rock dominating the scene below.
Best of all? We could watch Santorini’s famous sunsets without elbowing our way through the crowds that gather nightly in Oia.
The atmosphere here felt wonderfully peaceful. Yet it was only a short stroll into Imerovigli when we wanted dinner outside the hotel.
Rooms and suites
Like many Santorini hotels carved into the cliffs, no two accommodations at the Grace are exactly alike.
There are just 21 rooms and suites, each cleverly tucked into the volcanic rock. All have those gorgeous views we couldn’t get enough of.
Choices, choices
You can choose from:
- Deluxe Rooms – These beautifully designed rooms have private terraces overlooking the caldera. Most offer almost 600 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space, complete with a heated plunge pool on the terrace.
- Suites – Ranging from more than 700 to 1,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space, most are kitted out with private plunge pools. The Grace Suite With Plunge Pool also boasts an indoor hammam steam bath.
- Infinity Suites – If you really want to ramp up the “wow” factor, these indulgent suites (more than 1,100 sq. ft.) feature terraces with private heated infinity pools, separate living rooms and – get this! – complimentary use of an in-room LED facial mask!
- The Villa – The most exclusive digs? A secluded three-bedroom villa with its own swimming pool, full kitchen, spacious terrace and even the option of private chef-prepared dining. It’s especially suitable for families, groups of friends or longer stays.
All rooms also feature a pillow menu with seven choices, scent diffusers with your preferred fragrance and luxurious Apivita bath amenities.
A cool architectural touch: To provide privacy from the hotel’s common stairways, some rooms have custom light-filtering screens crafted from dark, locally sourced volcanic stone.
Our cave-style room
We stayed in a Deluxe Room With Plunge Pool.
Inside, everything felt airy and contemporary. White-washed walls, brushed concrete floors in soft gray tones, white mid-century furnishings and luxurious linens created a calm sophisticated retreat.
Outside was the real showstopper. Our private heated plunge pool overlooked the caldera, and it quickly became our favorite spot for lingering over a glass of Santorini wine as the sun slipped below the horizon.
We also loved the evening turndown service. Instead of chocolates, the staff left little spoons of sliced fresh fruit – a sweet surprise that matched the hotel’s fresh modern personality.
A spectacular infinity pool
The Grace’s striking zigzag infinity pool is one of the largest in Santorini – and it’s every bit as photogenic as you can imagine.
Tucked into the cliffside around the pool are cave-like alcoves with cushioned loungers and potted palms. We’d hide away from the midday sun in one of these cool havens, just right for two.
Our favorite spot, though? Leaning over the pool’s edge, gawking at the seemingly endless views across the caldera.
Dinner with a caldera view
At night, the hotel’s restaurant, Varoulko Santorini, is a lovely spot to dine. Many of the tables are arranged around the illuminated pool, where the water shimmers with changing colors.
Expect a modern take on traditional Greek cuisine, with a focus on seafood. The executive chef previously worked at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant, and the refined cooking reflects that pedigree.
On the menu?
Perhaps start with shrimp ceviche with blood orange, ginger and pomegranate, or grilled scallops with caramelized onion. Then move on to a lamb-and-lobster pairing or fresh whole fish for two baked in a salt crust.
Explore beyond the Grace
If you’re up for a little morning exercise, don’t miss the hike up Skaros Rock in front of the hotel.
The climb starts with a steep stone staircase before becoming a rugged gravel path with no guardrails in places.
On the far sea-facing side of the rock sits the tiny whitewashed Theoskepasti Chapel. It’s one of the island’s prettiest (and most secluded!) spots to soak up more caldera views.
The round-trip hike is about one mile long and took us a little over an hour. Breakfast somehow tasted even better afterward!
We also enjoyed walking the cobblestone path along the cliff’s edge to Fira to shop or have lunch.
It’s an easy two-mile walk, passing charming restaurants and white-washed houses with flower-filled balconies.
The Grace touch
Here’s something we noticed right away: The staff somehow seemed to know everyone’s name almost instantly. It made us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we arrived.
It’s easy to see why the Grace Hotel Santorini continues to rack up awards. Just two recent ones:
- #1 Resort in Europe and Greece – Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Awards” 2025 list of resorts
- #1 “Best Hotel in Greece” – Conde Nast Traveler‘s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards (and #30 for “Best Hotel in the World)
After spending several blissful days here, those honors don’t surprise us in the least.
Note: The Grace is open seasonally, from mid-April to the end of October.
See more reviews and check rates
More of our Greece reads
- Greek Dreams Await! Plan the Perfect Trip to Greece
- The 10 Most Beautiful Boutique Hotels in Rhodes
- Why Visit Athens? 19 Great Reasons to Go
- 15 Hidden Gems and Unique Places in Greece
- IKIES Santorini: A Stunning Cave Hotel!
- Best Beach Hotels in Mykonos
- Surprising and Fun Facts About Greece
- Soak Up History and Philippi’s Ancient Ruins
- Santorini’s Vedema Resort Wowed Us With Discreet Luxury
- St. Nicolas Bay Resort: Crete’s Finest Luxury Hotel?
- Are You Doing the Santorini Donkey Ride?
Pin our review of the Santorini Grace Hotel (Auberge Collection)
Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 1, 4, 5, 9 Santorini Grace Hotel
About the authors
It looks like an amazing place! Not sure I’d ever want to leave the hotel…
I am in love with these photos! Gorgeous colors. We’re doing Greece and Italy for my 40th birthday (as my 39th birthday is all booked up) and this makes me even that more excited!
What a nice way to celebrate your 40th birthday! Lucky girl :-)
Gorgeous deep blues and whites. The colors alone spell heaven for me. And that hotel? I’m definitely swooning. A look into my wallet will sober me up, but the comfort is in knowing the rest of Santorini can be had.
Wow, this hotel is gorgeous! Love the contrast of the white and blue, and the views. However stairs seem pretty challenging (wouldn’t work as a porter in this hotel :) )
Yes, we liked being the guests not the porters :-). (At least they wouldn’t have to go the gym at the end of the day…)
Blue on blue on white, and a pristine view to match. Think Homer would have liked it here?!
Absolutely!
That pool is stunning. It looks so cool and inviting against the heat of Greece. I want to go to Santorini the next time I’m in Greece.
This looks the perfect place for Jim and I to celebrate our anniversary. Must book!
Ohhhh swoooon! I want to be here right now… how can I get there without any money? This place is going on my bucketlist.
Wow. We are cruising the world. Currently in Sicily. Greece is only 270 nm from here. Next year it’s on our itinerary. I’ve heard Santorini is amazing. Like that you like luxury. We do too.
Patricia
I LOVE Santorini!! Unfortunately I only spent a short while there, before embarking on a 10-day sailing trip around the Greek islands. I wish I had tacked a few extra days on at the beginning or end of my trip to do Santorini properly – won’t make that mistake again! Your pictures are stunning.
Great post. I was looking for hotels in Santorini. We are heading to Greece in October for the TBEX, and was going to spend some time in the islands before heading to Athens. Thanks for sharing.
Santorini is a stunning island – you’ll love it if you choose to visit… Enjoy TBEX!
The crystal clear sky and blue water with white buildings always remind me of Greece! So beautiful! I can’t wait to make it there in October!!
Santorini in October? Lucky girl… The weather will still be warm enough to catch some rays, but cool enough you’ll be comfortable exploring during the day.
I would so love to visit Santorini and this property looks amazing! Either the blues of the water or your photography (or both) are brilliant!