Cool and luminous, Carpe Diem Santorini sits serenely atop the hills of Santorini, with panoramic views across the island to the Aegean sea. The hotel is honeymoon heaven - each of the 10 suites is sleek and luxurious, with a private plunge pool, spacious terrace and stunning vista. Have a romantic balcony breakfast, a seafood lunch in the hotel’s 270° Restaurant, then an afternoon hamman in the spa. In the evening, head over to the infinity pool for cocktails as the sun sets spectacularly over the volcanic caldera.
A short climb from the hotel is the picturesque village of Pyrgos - there are delightful restaurants tucked away in its cobblestone streets, and it’s far from the madding crowds of the coast. If you want something more energetic, friendly staff can arrange cultural tours to wineries and museums, or more active excursions like horse-riding on the beach and scuba diving. But Carpe Diem is essentially a classy sanctuary for adults in serious relax-and-read mode - those not actually seizing the day, but caressing it and letting it slip over them like sunshine.
Highs
- A very secluded setting with private access - a rarity in Santorini
- Enormous suites (we're told they're the largest on the island) with private plunge pools
- Impeccable service throughout: head butler Thrassos is always on hand to help and is full of recommendations
- A swish spa with a Yin-Yang-shaped Jacuzzi, a Turkish bath, therapeutic couples' massages and Apivita beauty treatments
- The nearby town of Pyrgos, with its higgledy piggledy streets, dazzling views of the island and fewer tourists
Lows
- The infinity pool is unheated, as are the plunge pools in the Alba and Lapis suites
- The larger ground-level suites are overlooked by the upper-level rooms and may feel less private
- The landscaped grounds of exposed volcanic rock and bright white plaster lack greenery and lushness
- There isn't a lot to do within walking distance; you'll need a car to get around
Best time to go
To avoid the crush of both heat and crowds in Santorini, late April/May/September/early October are best. At Easter, the village of Pyrgos is decorated with thousands of lanterns for Good Friday’s tenekedakia celebration. It’s also one of the sites for the Santorini Arts Biennale. The hotel normally closes each year from November to the end of March.
Our top tips
Watch an iconic Santorini sunset without the crowds; head up to Pyrgos' ruined castle or drive down to Akrotiri Lighthouse on the island's southwestern tip to see the blazing sun sink into the horizon.