Planning a trip to Santorini these days is as much about how to escape the crowds as it is about how to take in its justifiably famous sights. With the island’s daily influx of cruise ship passengers flooding its tiny stone streets, you can sometimes feel less like a relaxed globetrotter and more like a hunk of lamb squeezed inside a pita. As a result, deciding where to stay is all about location. The newly expanded Santo Collection may have one of the best locations on the island for those looking to be close to the action while not having hundreds of people stare at you in your hot tub. It’s the perfect balance of excitement and escape.
Spread out across three adjoining properties, The Santo Collection consists of Santo Pure, Santo Mine and The Villas. The sprawling complex, surrounded by striking, volcanic rock, is located a 10-minute walk from Oia, the most enchanting town on the island. Crucially, the rooms at the resort are facing out toward the ocean (and the spellbinding daily sunset) rather than toward the island’s famous volcanic caldera. During our stay, this felt like the best of both worlds. A walk into town provided caldera views from bars, restaurants and shops while a short stroll home provided wide-open, crowdless vistas and direct views of the sunset.
Traveling with a friend, we stayed at Santo Pure in a two-bedroom pool villa. With a private gate, driveway, and pool, the luxe accommodations would be perfect for a larger family. There’s even a private gym and sauna on the lower level. The cool gray stone interior felt comfortable while still acknowledging the island’s stark elemental nature. The outdoor pool and hot tub area was beautifully landscaped with a grand, sweeping view out to Therasia and the deep blue waters beyond. Everything across the Santo Collection is a short walk but you can also call to be picked up by a golf cart at any time to be ferried to your destination. (This especially comes in handy if you’ve had a bit too much ouzo the night before).
Every morning, we walked down to grab breakfast by the main pool area and enjoyed fresh-squeezed orange juice, delicious fruit and traditional Greek eggs and pastries. The choices were extensive enough that we were able to try something different almost every day. Also located at Santo Pure is Alios Illios, a Mediterranean restaurant from executive chef Nikolaos Nikitas; Ālme at Santo Mine is also well worth a meal. The seafood tasting menu plays with every expectation you have about how seafood should be prepared, serving up innovative dishes like Tuna Wellington. They were also incredibly accommodating to my non-seafood eating friend, which was quite a challenge!
In addition to a slew of dining options and infinity pools, the resort has a stunning outdoor gym with the best (non-virtual) view I’ve ever experienced on a treadmill, two onsite spas with classic treatments and a helpful concierge service to set you up with hard-to-get restaurant reservations and other activities. During our stay, the staff helped us arrange for taxis to our destinations, rent ATVs, book dining reservations and gave us plenty of general advice for which ruins and beaches to visit. Unless you’re placing a high priority on being located in the centre of the island or having a room with a direct caldera view, the Santo Collection is an excellent option for your next trip to Santorini. It’s a breathless experience that allows for some breathing room.
Nearby
Candouni Restaurant A traditional Greek taverna with delicious food, live music and a picture-perfect courtyard.
Meteor Café A jewel box of a coffee shop hanging over the edge of a cliff that will make you feel like you’re in a painting.
Ammoudi Bay A short walk from the Santo Collection, this harbour is where day cruises depart – you’ll find excellent seafood at Ammoudi Fish Tavern.
Neighbourhood
While still a tourist hotspot, Oia has slightly chiller vibes than the island’s capital Fira. Masses descend on the town every day at sunset, however, to catch the nightly show.
Time Out tip
Book a day trip on a catamaran during your stay to take in the island from the water. We recommend Sunset Oia.