Above Blue Suites, Santorini

Pros

• An address in tiny Imerovigli puts you at Santorini's highest point, offering dazzling views of the Aegean Sea and the island's caldera.
• The village's many restaurants and shops are within easy strolling distance, and you're steps from a scenic walking path that links the towns of Fira and Oia.
• Each uniquely decorated cave suite features Cycladic architecture and a private terrace, and some include hot tubs or plunge pools.  
• You'll enjoy panoramic Aegean views from the central freshwater swimming pool complete with a poolside bar.
• A romantic Champagne breakfast is served on your private terrace each morning.

Cons

• The hotel's location within the village and along the popular Fira to Oia Path means the suites don't feel particularly secluded and there's sometimes heavy foot traffic passing the private terraces.
• Guests will need to navigate lots of steps to reach the suites and pool, so this isn't a good choice for those with mobility issues. 

Authenticity

Opened in 2009, Above Blue Suites features 11 cave-style suites stacked along Santorini's famous Fira to Oia Path overlooking the volcanic caldera. Narrow steps and terraces connect the whitewashed accommodations, and a central pool area looks out over the Aegean in dramatic fashion. The suite decor isn't always quite up to the standard of the exteriors and views—the sometimes darker colors and acrylic furniture won't be to everyone's taste—but romantic touches like a Champagne breakfast and private hot tubs make this a popular spot for couples. 

Location

You'll be based in Imerovigli, just a 10-minute drive north of the capital of Fira. Full of traditional cave houses and upscale hotels carved into the cliffside, this small village is home to some of the best restaurants (and the best views) on the island. You can walk down to Fira in 40 minutes along a caldera-rim path, and the dramatic Skaros Rock is a 15-minute stroll away. Farther north, the "sunset village" of Oia is a 25-minute drive. The ferry port is reachable in 25 minutes, and the island's airport in 15. There's free parking available nearby, but not on-site. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 11 air-conditioned, cave-style suites feature classic Cycladic architecture with curved lines and thick, whitewashed walls. Each opens out onto a private terrace with dramatic caldera views, and most include an outdoor hot tub or plunge pool. The decor is unique to each room, with opulent darker colors and fabrics providing a pop of color amid the stark white interiors, and layouts range from more compact queens to a two-bedroom villa with a separate seating area. Bathrooms feature intricate mosaic tiling and rain-style showers and come equipped with bathrobes and slippers. 

Amenities

This is a small hotel with limited amenities—the central unheated outdoor pool with caldera views is the focal point of the property, surrounded by sun loungers and a pool bar that serves drinks throughout the day. There's no on-site restaurant, but an indulgent Champagne breakfast is included in the room rate and served on your private terrace each morning, and in-room massages and beauty treatments are available.

Family-Friendliness

Children are allowed at Above Blue Suites, but the hotel is geared toward couples, and there are no family-specific amenities. The many steps throughout the property aren't a great fit for younger kids and strollers, but the larger suites and two-bedroom villa can accommodate families with older children comfortably.