Santorini is a dream destination and what better place to stay in Santorini than in a place called Iconic Santorini? We had heard of the cave hotels built into the side of high cliffs of Santorini, Greece.
We’d seen yogurt commercials showcasing the blue and white villages of Santorini situated in paradise. But until we laid eyes upon the island of Thera in Greece we never truly understood the beauty this land possessed.
Iconic Santorini Experience
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We arrived early in the morning from Athens. The drive from the airport was uninspiring, but once our taxi let us off and we walked to the cliff’s edge towards our cave hotel located in Imerovigli, we gasped in awe.
Santorini is truly breathtaking.
White and blue cement buildings line the edge of the cliffside town with long pathways leading down to luxurious boutique hotels.
Cave Hotels in Santorini
We were staying in the Iconic Santorini cave hotel. Cave hotels in Santorini are all the rage. They are old cave houses renovated to beautiful boutique rooms carved into the side of the rocky cliffs.
Residents of Santorini built these caves to blend into the rocks to hide from pirates, but today, they have been remodeled to rooms of pure bliss and luxury.
The staff met us at the top of the cliff to take our luggage down the long narrow stairs. There are no escalators or elevators in Santorini so a lot of walking up and down narrow passages is on the agenda.
It’s worth the extra effort to stay in one of these Cliffside villas though, as you are immediately transformed to a world of luxury.
The Room at a Cave Hotel Santorini
It was near the end of the season so we were lucky to be able to check into our room even though it was only 7:00 am. We were treated to fresh fruit juice and hot towels upon check-in, and immediately felt refreshed after the early morning start from Athens.
As our luggage was taken to our room, we were shown all the amenities the hotel has to offer. A beautiful infinity pool, spa and massage, soaker tubs, and fine dining were on the agenda for the next couple of days.
But it was the room that really stood out. The staff showed us to our domed room built on the side of a cliff. It definitely looked like a cave, but this wasn’t a bare bones rocky cavern.
It was a luxurious room mixed with chic bedding and traditional design.
Coco-Mat Beds
They even took time to talk to us about our bed!
Each room has the award-winning Coco-mat mattresses with high-grade sheets and thick duvets.
I don’t think I have ever slept so well.
I’ve been suffering from neck pain for quite some time, but with the combination of the bed and high-end pillows, my pain disappeared during our stay on the island.
Relax in a Santorini Cave Hotel
Santorini is a place where you simply relax. For our first two days on the island with Iconic Santorini, we did nothing but stay in the hotel.
Each morning, breakfast was brought to our private balcony where we sat outside eating yogurt and honey, and assortments of fresh breads and cheeses accompanied with rich cappuccinos and freshly squeezed juice.
You would think that would be enough, but we also had eggs to order and pastries to savour. I dreamed of breakfast each evening.
Relaxing in Luxury
Days started late here in Santorini.
We slept in for the first time in months and ate leisurely at our own pace.
We then went back to our room to relax and enjoy some light reading or writing before heading out to the pool for some more sunshine and tranquility.
The Views
There are so many little nooks and crannies to get lost in our Santorini cave hotel.
We barely saw another person as we had our own lounge chairs in front of our room or we could sit in one of the many levels to the hotel.
As the day went on, the inviting bed lured us back for a mid day siesta.
I can only imagine how hot it must be in Santorini during the summer months and to escape to a room build into the stone would be a welcome reprieve.
We visited near the end of the season and while the weather was still amazing at a balmy 27 degrees Celcius, we had no crowds to deal with and could enjoy Santorini in peace.
Sunset from Imeroviglia
Many people run over to the neighbouring city Oia to watch the sun go down.
The crowds at the abandoned castle can be overwhelming there, but we had the privilege of watching the sunset from the privacy and seclusion of our balcony at Iconic Santorini.
Ever-Changing Dinner Menu at Iconic Santorini
We delighted in quiet dinners by the pool relishing delicious Greek foods like muscles saganaki and souvlaki.
Santorini is proud of its wine production and a bottle of wine accompanying the delicious flavours is a must.
Ordering a second bottle to take back to our terrace, we spent the night sitting outside taking in the moment and realizing just how lucky we were to be there.
A cat came up to our door and snuggled on Dave’s lap for quite some time before deciding that it had enough of us and set off to hunt.
Cave Hotel in Santorini is Worth the Splurge
We don’t normally write about a hotel experience.
But spending two days in paradise is worth the dedicated post.
As I started writing, I had visions of writing about our thoughts and feeling of seeing Santorini for the first time, but as it evolved.
Instead, I realized that our first thoughts and feelings about the island just so happened to take place at Iconic Santorini itself. And it was pure heaven.
Starting our stay in Santorini in Imeroviglia was the perfect introduction to the island. It is quieter than Oia and Fira but it is as luxurious and beautiful as either.
Located on the path between the two towns, it is easy to get around from the Iconic Santorini and by having our car rental during our time on the island, we could scoot around to an place we wanted.
For more information on staying in Santorini, visit the Iconic Santorini boutique cave hotel website.
Read next:
SANTORINI IS AN AUTHENTIC BOUTIQUE CAVE…HOPE YOU HAD A AMAZING EXPERIENCE.THE SUNSET THERE IS MOST BEAUTIFUL THING…
Staying at a cave hotel, how cool is that, not what first comes to mind for a cave. Great pictures. I love your Hotels reviews, I like to read from “professional travelers” like you two and I always find ideas for future travels.
I hope to start posting guest posts and guest interviews of travelers like you two.
Happy travels and hope to meet up sometime.
Thanks Martin. We’ll try and do more reviews. I find that we tend to neglect the hotels that we stay in when we are lucky enough to be able to spend time in some amazing places. Hearing your comment makes me think that we will do more!
OMG I want to stay there RIGHT NOW
It is a fantastic hotel!
I disagree , Santorini is a volcanic Island , without greenery, but is the most luxury island of GREECE.
Not quite sure what you disagree about. We didnt’ say it was green, but we definitely said it was luxury 🙂
It sounds like it was an incredible hotel! I love the outside view you had! Thanks for sharing your stay!
Thanks! The view was unbelievable. I don’t think we’ve had that type of reaction to a destination in years. We literally gasped when we walked up to the cliff edge after our cab ride and saw the island for the first time.
Staying in a cave hotel is part of the Santorini experience! We’ve now stayed at three different ones (Mystique, Ikies Traditional Houses and Grace Santorini) – and we’ve loved all three. Some people might wonder if you get claustrophobic staying in a cave hotel. But our rooms had windows by the entrance door allowing the light to flow into the room (did yours at Iconic Santorini?). And the views! Those forever sea views can’t be beat…
Our room was very spacious with the lots of windows at the front. We didn’t feel claustrophobic at all, but I have a feeling these rooms are little bigger than others.
The place looks like paradise and it sounds really great that you are staying at Iconic Santorini cave hotel for two days. Thanks for sharing the wonderful snaps.
This place looks great! We hope to go to Santorini sometime in 2015! We will be checking out the cave hotel now!
You will love it Paul. Make sure you try the Iconic Santorini. If not, make sure you at least splurge on a night or two in a luxury cave hotel with infinity pool. It is a must in Santorini and the experience just isn’t the same without romance and luxury for a night or two.
beautiful hotel…but it is out of my budget..
If you go in the off season as we did you will find it very affordable and the weather is still good in Santorini. Cheers