We swoon over hotels with swimming pool edges high above the sea.
In Greece, the island of Santorini has several swoon-worthy hotels – like Ikies Traditional Houses (a boutique cave hotel) and Vedema Resort (a classy luxury retreat).
But one time when choosing where to stay in Santorini, we picked the Grace Santorini.
Grace Santorini review
Talk about location!
You probably know that Santorini, as a volcanic island, is one of the most unique places in Greece.
Set high atop the island’s volcanic crater rim, the Grace Santorini boasts a spectacular perch – offering staggering views of the monolithic Skaros Rock in front and the dazzling sea beyond.
The Grace Santorini is also an adults-only hotel; guests must be 14 or older to stay here.
It’s little wonder, therefore, that the boutique hotel is a favorite with honeymooners.
Grace Hotel Santorini rooms
All of the 21 rooms at the Grace Hotel Santorini have king beds with luxury linens, Korres toiletries and all-white 60s mod furnishings.
Most rooms even feature private plunge pools or heated hot tubs.
Our barrel-shaped room was tunneled into the rock face, like the cave dwellings built by Santorini fishermen and villagers hundreds of years ago.
It also had an outdoor hot tub.
Santorini hikes and walks
Our Grace Santorini review won’t be complete if we don’t talk more about the walks you can do from the hotel.
Walking is one of the best ways to soak up Santorini’s ambience.
We’ve already mentioned the hike from the Grace Hotel up Skaros Rock.
From the hotel’s setting in the quiet little village of Imerovigli, we also liked to walk along a two-mile cobblestone path on the edge of the cliffs – past charming restaurants and houses with flower-filled balconies – to the capital of Fira to shop or have lunch.
Back to the Santorini Grace Hotel pool
Then we’d return to the Grace to cool off in its zigzag infinity pool, one of the largest on the island.
Poolside caves with loungers and potted palms were cool havens for hiding from the sun.
But the thing we liked best?
Simply hanging over the edge of the pool, gawking at those impossibly beautiful Santorini views.
Other Grace Santorini reviews
Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, the Grace has received several recent awards.
The Grace was recognized as not only the best resort hotel in Greece, but as the best resort hotel in Europe in the Travel+Leisure 2021 “World’s Best Awards.”
It was also ranked the No. 5 resort in Conde Nast Traveler‘s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards for the “Top 20 Hotels in Greece and Turkey.”
Also see other Grace Hotel Santorini reviews on TripAdvisor.
Staying at the Grace Santorini?
What we loved:
The fresh and youthful vibe is fun – spoons of sliced fruit were left at nightly turn-down instead of traditional chocolates.
Be aware:
There are lots of steep stairs at this boutique Santorini hotel! If you have difficulty walking, this hotel is probably not the right place for you.
More information:
Experience more of Greece!
Read our posts on:
Athens | Is Athens worth visiting? You bet! From the fabulous Acropolis Museum to the changing of the guards, check out these 19 good reasons to go.
Mykonos | Mykonos is a slice of cool in the hot blue Aegean. See our Mykonos travel guide, including the best Mykonos beach hotels.
Philippi | History whispers around every corner at the ancient ruins of Philippi.
Crete | Where to chill? St. Nicolas Bay Resort has lovely suites with private pools.
Facts and tips | Did you know you know it’s illegal to wear high heels to the Acropolis? Check out these 108+ useful and fun facts about Greece.
Photo credits: 3, 6, 7, 10 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 Santorini Grace Hotel
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Elaine Schoch
Thursday 10th of July 2014
It looks like an amazing place! Not sure I'd ever want to leave the hotel...
Heather
Friday 27th of June 2014
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!
Janice and George
Friday 27th of June 2014
What a nice way to celebrate your 40th birthday! Lucky girl :-)
Christine
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
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.
Frank
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
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 :) )
Janice and George
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
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...)
Charu
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
Blue on blue on white, and a pristine view to match. Think Homer would have liked it here?!
Janice and George
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
Absolutely!