The place to stay in Oia, Santorini!
It is a tricky task deciding on where to stay in Santorini. There are so many stunning hotels offering infinity pools, hot tubs or sunset views. But what if there was a place that offered all of this and more?
Opening its doors in April 2016, Santo Maris Luxury Suites & Spa filled a much-needed gap in the Oia hotel market. Travellers seeking space and privacy had little to choose from in Oia as the caldera was crammed with hotels offering tiny cave rooms. Plus, the caldera is steep and some travellers were keen to avoid having to climb hundreds of steps to get to and fro their hotels.
Unlike these places, each of Santo Maris’s 42 suites come with ample space, a private veranda and heated jacuzzi. And whereas you have to jostle for room with hundreds of tourists in Oia to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunset, at Santo Maris you could lounge around the infinity pool with cocktail in hand. It really gives you all the best of Oia without the maddening crowds, which is particularly priceless if you are going to Santorini during peak season. Save your sanity, stay here!
Suites
My junior suite was 45 m² and had an open-plan living room and a dining area. French doors led to the private veranda, where there was a set of sun loungers and my own heated jacuzzi. I loved the contemporary design; think white-washed walls, leather detailing and mid-century modern accents.
Pools
I loved my private jacuzzi. It had fantastic jets and after a long day exploring Oia, it was the perfect place to unwind. When I could pull myself away from the hot tub, I really enjoyed the main infinity pool, which had uninterrupted views of the sunset. There were three other lovely pools as well, plus the indoor spa pool.
This was a nice touch and I especially loved the Greek pancakes! On some nights, the restaurant had live music and when we were staying there, a harpist was performing during the sunset sitting.
The best things
The jacuzzi; space; and no crowds
Top tips
You can ask the hotel to adjust the temperature of the jacuzzi to your taste. Though it is tempting to spend all of your time in the jacuzzi, do check out the hotel pools. They are all beautiful in their own way and one of them even has some friendly donkeys hanging around nearby.
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* I collaborated with Condé Nast Traveller presents The Luxury Travel Fair and Santo Maris Luxury Suites & Spa to review this hotel. My stay was complimentary, but views are my own.