This Gorgeous Santorini Resort Is One of the Best Hotels in Greece, According to T+L Readers

It took two days, in late August, to arrive on Santorini from Boston with two kids under 7, but we made it, seeking shade and a refreshing welcome spritz in Andronis Arcadia's serene lobby, a vision in neutrals. Perched at the top of a hill just outside of the island’s most attractive town — anyone who has ever stumbled upon an Internet image of Santorini will recognize Oia for its curved white buildings, cascading down the volcanic slopes of the western side of the island — the hotel’s lobby overlooks the caldera and the cerulean Aegean.

In 2019, Andronis Arcadia opened in Oia, Santorini, a sprawling, vivacious hotel that offers guests room to roam and room to lounge. The 114-suite, four-villa hotel – part of the larger Andronis brand – is a favorite among Travel + Leisure readers and perfect for the young, the creative, and the family-minded. 

 Living roofs planted with native flora ensure that even the interruption of architecture blends in with the natural landscape, and abundant plantings throughout the grounds — bougainvillea, pomegranate, cactus, olive trees — recalled a walk through a local botanical garden. Each morning, we walked up the long ramp, past the lobby, and into Oia, past blooming olive trees that would, after our departure, no doubt yield the next year’s harvest.

My children, husband, and I spent three nights at Andronis Arcadia, where we dined at the property’s restaurants, strolled past ripening pomegranate, and enjoyed bespoke cocktails by three separate and distinct pools. We also had the opportunity to look behind the curtain at two other properties within the Andronis portfolio. 

En route to the airport on Santorini, we sat poolside at the 21-suite, seven-villa Andronis Concept’s Throubi Restaurant, for breakfast. The wellness-focused property, which opened in Imerovigli, the island’s capital, in 2018, is known for its legendary long pool and laundry list of massage options, and stunned us with its mature landscaping and slick architecture; buildings rose from the ground like Richard Stella works of art. The shadows felt created by design. Concept is a peaceful place, meant for those seeking a restful, quiet experience.

In Athens, we spent one night at the centrally located, six-suite Andronis Athens, which opened in 2016; the petite hotel is tucked into the hip Psyri neighborhood. A free-standing tub, massive balcony with built-in banquette, and shower large enough to accommodate a whole family were stand-out features of this property, which allowed us to walk all around the city during our 24-hour stopover.

But if you were to ask our kids about their favorite moment in Greece, they may have recalled the zero-entry pool at Andronis Arcadia, our first stop, a massive, aquamarine oasis flanked by large, floppy, bean bag–like chairs, flexible seating areas, and shady oases. There, they spent the better part of a hot afternoon in goggles, circling the pool in aquatic bliss, looking out onto the Aegean below, marveling at the scenery, and at their good fortune.

 Here, my review of the Andronis Arcadia — and what you should know before booking your stay.

The Rooms

Our 360-square-foot suite had two bedrooms, two separate living rooms, a wet bar, two bathrooms with walk-in showers, and a pool with an ocean view. “It’s the natural version of luxury,” says Georgia Gourzela, the property’s interior designer. “All our Andronis Arcadia suites and villas were designed as if to bring the outside in, without compromising absolute comfort and relaxation.” 

The hotel’s minimalist design incorporates a neutral palette of grays and earth tones, bringing in elements like marble, pressed cement, natural brushed oak, and linen, and providing a soothing backdrop for the contrasting blue vista of the Aegean.

All categories of one- and two-bedroom suites come with private pools and caldera-facing lounge areas, and the hotel also offers multiple categories of villas: three bedrooms, four bedrooms, and the six-bedroom Eden Villa, which sleeps up to 12 people.

Food and Drink

There are two restaurants at Andronis Arcadia. The resort hosts breakfast each morning at Pacman Sunset Restaurant, the main restaurant. There, we indulged in thick Greek yogurt each morning, topped with local honey and dried fruit; a breadbasket, served with marmalade, kiwi jam, amber-colored honey, and strawberry preserves; and a full breakfast of scrambled eggs and Greek salad. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, too, leaning into the island’s heritage of local seafood. 

 Andronis Arcadia’s most recent culinary addition is Beefbar Santorini, a popular restaurant brand that began in Monte Carlo. The indoor-outdoor space, helmed by chef George Kyrtsallidis, faces the caldera and enjoys a stunning sunset view. “We were looking for a sophisticated-feeling brand to add to the hotel’s lifestyle aspect that felt like it had a similar culture to our property,” says George Filippidis, Andronis’ managing director. “Beefbar, like Andronis, is a family business, and it ticked all the boxes.” 

Here, guests can order a Wagyu tomahawk, carved tableside; a Black Angus chateaubriand for two; a Japanese Kobe steak, sold by the gram. A special, multi-course menu, fashioned just for us, highlighted some of the restaurant’s finer points: battered and fried corn, for instance, as well as palm-sized gyros, a trio of sliders with different and compelling toppings, and a pepper-crusted, center-cut filet. With the sun a ball of magenta behind us, we had the very best view in the house.

Activities and Amenities

The hotel boasts three pools in differing sizes and depths; a comprehensive kids’ club; a gym; and a conference center. During our time on Santorini, it was hot — so hot that we favored long afternoons spent either at our own private pool or hopping between the resort’s dedicated three. 

 Parents are welcome, at Andronis Arcadia, to sign kids up for half-day or full-day sessions at the large and well-staffed kids’ club, where lunch is included. Our own kids enjoyed some time out of the sun and came back renewed — and with detailed drawings of Spider-Man, conceived with the help of the artistic and patient staff. Evening programs and babysitting are also available, an added bonus for parents looking to experience some of Oia’s high-concept dining establishments.

The Spa

The 1,000-square-foot Evexia Spa features Kneipp pools, which are twinned cold and hot pools designed to assist with reflexology. Guests are invited to walk through in a unique treatment called The Water Path. Other spa facilities include treatment rooms with views of the garden and sea, a beauty studio offering manicures and pedicures, an outdoor relaxation area, outdoor treatment pavilions, sauna and steam baths, a yoga studio, a Mediterranean spa garden, and a lounge with a sunset view. 

Accessibility and Sustainability

Each suite is planted with a living roof and plantings throughout the grounds are native to the surroundings. Buildings have also been covered with a thermal façade in order to promote energy efficiency. The property offers two ADA-compliant rooms for guests. 

Location

Located about a five-minute walk from the heart of Oia, you need neither a car nor an Uber to enjoy Santorini’s most famous neighborhood, though the hotel can provide rides at an additional cost, should you wish to visit local wineries or the beaches on the southern side of the island.

Finding the Best Value

You’re unlikely to find any kind of deal on Santorini during high season — but during the shoulder months (April and May, September and October), prices on this admittedly expensive island do begin to creep down. All rates at Andronis Arcadia also include a daily a la carte breakfast, as well as a welcome drink upon arrival.