Best Boutique Hotels in Greece

Luckily the presence of many hotel neighbors doesn't seem to disturb the relaxing vibe at Anastasis Apartments. The 11 large, apartment-style units have individualized contemporary decor and offer private balconies and kitchenettes. A welcome plus for many travelers: Anastasis Apartments is free of Santorini's typical (and tiring) cliff steps, making it great for anyone concerned with mobility issues. While there are bars and restaurants within easy walking distance of the Anastasis, keep in mind that most other mid- to upper-mid-range venues are set up for self-catering. If you want something more than just snacks on-site, you'll have to bump it up to a higher category.

The Achtis Hotel is a three-and-a-half pearl family-owned boutique hotel located in a quiet area only five minutes' walk from the historic village of Afitos, putting restaurants, bars, and the beach within walking distance. The 35 guest rooms are individually decorated with antique touches and offer flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies or terraces. There's a palm tree-lined outdoor pool with a poolside bar. The restaurant serves free buffet breakfast that includes homemade cakes, as well as dinner and occasional theme nights. This hotel's convenient location, warm and helpful owners, and tropical gardens with peacocks and fish ponds earn high praise from guests. The nearby Blue Bay Hotel has similar rates and offers more features, like a gym and spa. 

This small hotel on the island of Santorini is comprised of seven luxury villas featuring fireplaces, private verandas, and high-end decor details. Elevated atop the less crowded northern curve of the area’s caldera and having replaced its bar and restaurant with butler and room service, Aenaon Villas is set up for upscale couples searching for a private retreat. There are no children under 12 permitted. Guests interested in a less isolated experience should look at neighboring San Antonio Hotel, which is larger and has a more sociable vibe.

For those looking to escape the bustle of certain Santorini locales, the 27-room Astra Suites’ quiet cliff-side location is a well-regarded option. The hotel has remarkable views with rocky caldera cliffs at its sides, the Aegean Sea below, and bright blue skies above. Rooms have large personal terraces and fluffy bedding while outdoor spaces are sleek and modern. The mix of traditional architecture and colorful contemporary decor gives the property an elegant and relaxing vibe. However, considering the high number of stairs, Astra’s not ideal for those with mobility issues.

The 21-room Rocabella Mykonos Art Hotel & Spa is a luxurious boutique hideaway just above gorgeous Agios Stefanos beach. Built in quintessential Mykonos style -- with lots of winding stairs, whitewash, terraces, and stunning stone walls -- the hotel has a beach-y zen vibe that promotes instantaneous relaxation. Rooms are spacious and modern with artistic, natural decor -- plus amazing views of the sea. The little touches, such as aromatherapy candles for in-room turndown service, make a visit to the Rocabella the epitome of laid-back luxury. Unlike some competitors, the Rocbella has both a spa and gym.

A lovely boutique property, Pezoules is set into Oia's lower caldera cliffs, giving guests sweeping views of the Aegean. With only six rooms -- many designed in a cave-like style -- it is a small, quiet, and personal property ideal for couples. Rooms mimic the hotel's chic blend of traditional architecture and minimalism and feature ergonomic Dimstel mattresses. Slim on the features but with more than the nearby Aris Caves, this property has a small infinity pool with an even smaller deck and a tiny pool bar serving snacks and drinks. The experience is best suited for travelers who want to explore the surrounding area but come back to a quiet room, and overall this is a gorgeous property with upscale rooms and an authentic Greek island vibe.

This part of Santorini is renowned for its specular vistas, and the 14-room Andronis Boutique Hotel takes full advantage of its privileged position -- there are few places in the hotel without gorgeous sea views. Cave-like rooms are luxurious and really quite special, as are bathrooms and private balconies. The pool isn't huge, but is lined with sunbeds overlooking the all-important panorama. All in all, it's luxury accommodation at a luxury price, so for a cheaper option, without quite the views, check out Oia's Sunset (it has a bigger pool).

Enigma Apartments & Suites is a small boutique property popular with young couples. The suites with hot tubs get high ratings and past guests who didn't opt for the upgrade report regretting it. Free Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast are welcomed perks, but there isn't a swimming pool or restaurant. The cliffside location overlooking the area’s caldera means sweeping views from each of the guest rooms, though there isn't a rooftop patio, which is usually common at this price point. Unless you're booking one of the suites with a whirlpool and large patio, you may be happier at the Astro Palace Hotel and Suites, which has a swimming pool, rooftop deck, and restaurant -- but you'll lose the caldera views.

The 70-room boutique Lindos Blu is a luxury, adult-only hotel built into a steep hillside outside historic Lindos, with spectacular panoramic views of the Aegean. From the moment guests arrive, no detail is neglected, from welcome drinks to waiter service at the private beach, from the abundant (and delicious) free breakfast, to dinner at the hotel's romantic, gourmet restaurant. Rooms are spacious, luxe, and lovely, with whirlpool tubs, balconies, and, in some, private pools.

There's little to not like at this quintessential, yet modern and upscale, Santorinian complex. The location of Ikies Traditional Houses is close to ideal -- perched on a tranquil cliff top with easily some the best views on the island -- and there are plenty of vantage points to enjoy it from. Rooms are spacious and very nicely finished, though some private terraces can feel a little public. Like most properties here, the pool is small, but perfectly formed. A very similar option can be found nearby at the Atrina Traditional Houses, so you might want to compare prices.

The 15-room Lithos by Spyros and Flora is an upscale boutique hotel located a few miles from central Mykonos, along the shore at Agios Ioannis Beach. Whitewashed and quintessentially Greek in appearance and decor, the hotel has been created with enormous attention to detail, from stylish poolside lounge chairs to unique stone and glass tables in the lobby. Rooms are very large, modern and stylish, with crisp white decor and elegant glass-enclosed showers, plus kitchenettes and private verandas with sea views. The pool terrace, with incredible vistas of the Aegean Sea, is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail as the sun goes down. This is a wonderful value for this category of property, but travelers wanting more amenities, like a spa and gym, could try the Myconian K Hotels.

The Aeolos Mykonos is a 28-room hotel perched hillside just over a half-mile from Mykonos Town center. The modern-Cycladic property is centered around the pool and garden area, ensuring pretty views from each of its bright white rooms. All rooms come with a private balcony or terrace and guests can take a dip in the outdoor pool or relax in the bubbling whirlpool. While there is a cute breakfast room and a bar that serves snacks and even room service, there is no full-service restaurant on-site -- meaning guests have to either make the trek up and down the hill or catch rides with the hotel's informal shuttle service.

The three-pearl Aetoma Hotel is an outstanding bed-and-breakfast, ideally located in beautiful Nafplion near the harbor. The hotel and its five individually decorated rooms are beautifully designed with the 18th-century origins of the building in mind. Antique furnishings, quality artwork, and traditional color palettes create an intimate, romantic atmosphere that couples rave about. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and furnished balconies, plus jetted tubs  or hydromassage showers. Guests rave about the warm, hospitable owners and the scrumptious free breakfast, featuring homemade breads and pies. This is one of the top properties in the area, but for a larger hotel with a restaurant, check out Pension Marianna. 

Located in the village of Imerovigli -- an area known for spectacular sunsets -- and built along a caldera rim, the upscale Santorini Princess has loads of outdoor seating for soaking up the scene. The hotel’s 22 spotless apartment-style suites are spacious and comfortable, and most afford superb views from private terraces. With an outdoor pool, bar, lounge, and cafe, as well as an on-site restaurant and spa, guests never need leave the hotel’s isolated location. However, multiple stairs and no elevators are a problem for those with mobility issues, and guests seeking a popping nightlife are better off checking out places directly in town like Dreams Luxury Suites.

This 10-room boutique property rests cliffside and mid-caldera, just outside Imerovigli. Because public space is limited to the narrow, windowless lobby and the smallish infinity pool area, the vibe here is private and thus it's a romantic spot for couples. While the property is within a 15-minute walk to the center of town, there’s a hefty amount stairs to deal with. For those with mobility issues, the stair-free Anastasis Apartments (which also has a spa) may be a better bet for a slightly higher price. However, those seeking out a private holiday surrounded by beautiful views and a highly traditional aesthetic will find Artemis Villas hard to beat.