Perivolas

A ten minute stroll from the heart of Oia town, set on the russet red cliffs above the sea, Perivolas is encased in three hundred year-old caves that were once the homes of fishermen and farmers.

The all-white guestrooms are signature Santorini, caved with vaulted ceilings and injected with a dash here and there of fuchsia pink and lilac purple. Each has a living area and private terrace, from where you can drink in views with a chilled glass in hand – suite 15 has the most spacious of all. Splash out on the Perivolas Suite for ultra-luxury with your own private steam room, indoor hot tub and private pool.

Help yourself to the exquisite buffet breakfast, laden with freshly baked pastries, fruit and thick Greek yoghurt topped with honey; and have eggs or pancakes from the a la carte menu. Dinner is a romantic affair, with white linen tables lit by candles under the arched ceilings of the converted cellar, or on the sea-facing terrace. Try the octopus carpaccio or lemon-braised lamb and finish with an indulgent soufflé. If you don’t want to leave the room, room service is available until 11pm.

At Perivolas you’re bound to spend hours and hours by the infinity pool, lapping up the caldera views, or in the sumptuous spa with its steam room and sauna, Jacuzzi and gym.

Tear yourself away from your sun lounger to soak up Santorini’s delights: whether that’s ambling through the white and blue alleys of Oia, exploring archaeological sites like Akrotiri or taking a private catamaran to get up close to the lava islands. For something more active, go horse riding on the beach or try water sports like windsurfing and water skiing from Perissa, and take a day trip to nearby Ios which is rumoured to be the burial place of Homer.