Best Hotels in the Greek Islands: Understated Luxury And Panoramic Views

We explored Greece in 2 weeks, across the mainland and 3 of the famous Greek islands. While our accommodation on the mainland was airbnb and budget hotels, we splurged on 3 Luxury Hotels on Greek islands. If you are visiting Santorini, Mykonos or Crete and are looking for the best hotels on Greek islands, these 3 choices won’t disappoint!

All of these 3 Greek Island Luxury Hotels are part of the Marriott chain, we enjoyed our stay here on a combination of Bonvoy points plus cash.

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3 Luxury Hotels on Greek Islands

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini

Destination

Santorini’s reputation precedes any trip to this famous island: panoramic views, romantic sunsets and volcanic-sand beaches. If you are looking for jaw-dropping views of the caldera, no better place than Oia village in Santorini. This postcard-pretty village looks like a work of art as the houses are carved into the lava rock.

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is located on a cliff overlooking the Santorini caldera in the Aegean Sea. The hotel is less than 5 minutes from several restaurants, cafes, and boutiques on the main road of Oia. It is a short distance away from the bus terminal.

Rooms

Mystique’s iconic location on the lower side of the Caldera offers unobstructed, infinity views to the Aegean Sea and the volcano, that are enjoyed from every spot of the hotel. Gazing at these panoramic views was a large part of our Santorini itinerary.

Each of the 41 suites and villas of Mystique are done in traditional Cycladic architecture, with minimalistic design theme and soothing colours. Suited for an understated Luxury Hotel on a Greek Island. Sweeping caldera views are available from each suite and villa. Our suite had a master bedroom, a living room, an outdoor area with a fantastic jacuzzi, from where one could watch the gleaming blue waters of Aegean Sea.

Hotel Amenities

The hotel features 2 infinity pools, both with poolside bar service and caldera views. The hotel has an on-site fitness centre and a spa. I did not use either. Just walking the narrow pathways to the room and the restaurant was enough exercise!

We had all our breakfast meals at Charisma Restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner. Charisma highlights locally sourced ingredients with several Santorinian favorites on the menu. Lure is their other restaurant featuring Mediterranean fare. We had an excellent lunch at Charisma apart from the delicious breakfast. The hotel is walking distance from plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars on the main street in Oia village.

Recommended for Families

This hotel is a favoured destination for couples and honeymooners. As per their website, only ages 14 and older are allowed. They did allow my 13-year daughter, but do note that there are no amenities or facilities for children. Also, this hotel is located in the caldera and is full of stairs with no elevator. This hotel is not suitable for guests with mobility issues, and that’s true for many hotels in Oia.

Activities

Oia has the 2 striking Blue Domed churches of Santorini, a world-famous Greek landmark. A popular tour in Oia is a photoshoot against the backdrop of the iconic blue-domes roofs and whitewashed houses here. From the hotel, it is easy to walk down the main street to the northernmost point for epic sunsets (no sunset views from the hotel itself). You can also walk down to Ammoudi Bay for a fresh seafood meal. You can consider a food tour with wine tastings or a local cooking class in Santorini.

The hotel can arrange any of the popular tours in and around Santorini. One of the top things to do in Santorini is to take a sunset cruise. Or you can take a boat tour to the Red and Black Sand Beach.

Booking Information: Mystique

Myconian Kyma, a Member of Design Hotels, Mykonos

Destination

Mykonos is known for its party vibe, great beaches and beach bars. Aside from that, Chora or the old town of Mykonos is the most frequented part of Mykonos. Think white-washed buildings, bright bougainvillea planted outside blue doors, and iconic windmills. This car-free zone has plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars.

There is a famous Mykonian Hill at a walking distance from the old town, home to some of the luxury hotels owned by a local. Myconian Kyma, a member of Design Hotels, is one of this collection. This is a great location, close enough to the old town for a 10-15 minute walk but also far enough to be quiet and peaceful away from the Little Venice crowds.

Rooms

Rooms and suites at Kyma follow the straight lines and curves of the Cycladic architecture, which this island is famous for. Our large suite sported a terrace with a private Jacuzzi and a dazzling Aegean Sea view. Each room has excellent sea views and you can see amazing sunsets from spots all over the hotel.

The service at the hotel is top-notch. I loved their check-in, introducing us to the hotel and to all possible attractions of Mykonos, be it famous beaches, beach bars or restaurants.

Hotel Amenities

There is a spa centre at the hotel. And an onsite Greek restaurant NOA offering Mediterranean and Greek food dishes. The breakfast views has panoramic views of the Mykonos old mills and the Aegean sea. Along with a fabulous spread. 

The hotel features a large pool. The pool deck is the heart of the hotel, surrounded by shaded sunbeds, an outdoor lounge and a fabulous bar.  

Recommended for Families

The hotel is welcoming to both couples and families. Its proximity to the town’s bustling maze of narrow alleys, booming with hip bars and acclaimed restaurants, makes Kyma one of the best hotels on Greek islands for guests who seek nightlife paired with elegance.

Activities

Exploring the Chora old town and its picturesque alleys, quaint shops, lovely churches, and the famous Mykonos windmills was the highlight of our Mykonos itinerary. Mykonos has several beautiful beaches that you can explore. On the Mykonos vs Santorini debate, Mykonos wins hands down as far as golden sandy beaches are concerned. We wanted a non-party beach and enjoyed an evening at Ornos beach.

A history lover should make sure to add a day trip to Delos to the Mykonos itinerary. The island of Delos is only a 30-minute boat ride from Mykonos. It is recognised as one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. 

Booking Information: Myconian Kyma

The Tanneries Hotel & Spa, a member of Design Hotels, Crete

Destination

Crete is the largest island in Greece. This diverse island offers plenty of activities, ancient ruins and stunning mountains besides sun, sand and the sea. Chania in the western region of Crete is a place where different civilisations have flourished throughout the centuries. 

The Tanneries is located in a waterfront setting few minutes away from Chania’s city center. The hotel is converted from a complex of heritage-protected original tanneries. It is inspirationally designed with excellent quality throughout. 

Rooms

All the 20- luxurious suites hotel ranging from 40-104 sqm face the waterfront with exceptional sea view and away from the crowds. We had a large suite on 2 levels, so that our daughter had her pwn bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. The rooms opening up to the sea are very comfortable, large enough and perfectly equipped with everything you might expect. 

Hotel Amenities

For breakfast, we went to Periplous Seaside Restaurant located on the ground floor in front of the ocean. What a sight! This lovely restaurant is highly recommended for a meal, we went for dinner one of the 4 nights we stayed at the hotel. The food at breakfast and dinner was delicious and it was so nice to eat right by the water. 

The Tanneries Spa center offers an indoor heated swimming pool with hydromassage, an outdoor jacuzzi, a massage room, a steam room and a fitness room.

Recommended for Families

Absolutely! You won’t regret it. The large rooms, the comfortable beds, the excellent bathrooms, the proximity to the city center, all make t a fantastic stay for families and couples.

Activities

Chania is a large island, so it is best to rent a car to explore. The hotel has free parking for guests, and that’s a big help. You can drive via winding scenic roads to reach Lasithi Plateau. And go further to visit the Diktaion Cave, also referred to as the Cave of Zeus. If you don’t have a car, it is easy enough to take a guided tour to the Lasithi Plateau and the Diktaion Cave. You can even combine a tour of Lasithi Plateau with Knossos Palace.

Visiting the Knossos Palace near Heraklion town was one of the highlights of our Crete itinerary. We had booked a private guided tour to Knossos Palace. The fit and the adventurous should not miss out on the Samaria Gorge hike, one of the best hikes in Greece. The logistics of managing the Samaria Gorge hike by myself were too complicated and I had booked a tour for this. 

Booking Information: The Tanneries Hotel & Spa

The splurge at 3 of these best hotels in the Greek Islands was definitely worth it!

Planning a trip to Greece? Check out –

Itinerary Suggestions: Greece in 2 weeks, Greece mainland itinerary, Greece with kids: A 10-day Itinerary

Also see, Packing List for Greece and Famous Landmarks of Greece

Greece places: 3 days in Athens, Complete Guide to Meteora, Best day trips from Athens, Acropolis of Athens, Hiking trails in Greece

Greek islands: 3 days in Santorini, Beautiful Greek islands for a family holiday, Crete or Santorini, Mykonos in one day, Santorini vs Mykonos

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