The Best Resort Hotels in Greece in 2017

By Stirling Kelso
July 11, 2017
Credit: Courtesy of Canaves Oia
T+L readers have Santorini on the brain this year. The destination not only won for the Best Island in Europe, but its resorts also snagged four of the top five slots in this competitive category (the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort, on Crete, was No. 3).  

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.

Located in Oia, a village on Santorini’s northern coast, the winner, Katikies Hotel, is built into cliffs. All rooms have verandahs that afford sea and sunset views, but what really distinguishes this resort from its neighbors is the top-notch service: “The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and catered to our every whim,” said one T+L voter. 

The No. 2 winner, Canaves Oia, is just next door. Whitewashed rooms have plush beds and minimalist décor that directs the eye to views of passing cruise ships and neighboring Thirasia Island. Snag the honeymoon or river pool suites for their private plunge pools. 

Also in Oia, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is another stunner thanks to its infinity pool and terraced seating for sun-loungers. The adults-only property also has a range of dining options — Charisma, which serves traditional Greek dishes, and the Japanese-influenced Asea Lounge Restaurant — that our readers love. 

Mystique’s sister property Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, is farther south. Its medieval-town location and historic buildings — it’s housed in a 400-year-old wine cellar and century-old mansion — distinguish it from other winners. The all-suites and villas property also has a private beach, making it one of Santorini’s best options for families. 

Keep scrolling for more on this year’s winners. 
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5. Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini

Credit: Courtesy of Mystique

Score: 91.92

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4. Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini

Credit: Corutesy of Vedema

Score: 92.92

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3. Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete

Credit: Courtesy of Blue Palace

Score: 93.18

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2. Canaves Oia, Santorini

Credit: Courtesy of Canaves Oia

Score: 95.17

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1. Katikies Hotel, Santorini

Credit: Christian Kerber

Score: 95.45

Resort competition on Santorini is fierce, as scores of hotels — even budget options — are built into the island’s volcanic cliffs, affording them panoramic Aegean Sea and island views. What sets this year’s winner apart is its romantic atmosphere and welcoming staff. “The English translation of Katikies is ‘home,’ and, true to its name, the employees treated us like family,” said one T+L reader, who celebrated an anniversary there. A pair of honeymooning T+L readers who changed their reservations to this hotel moments before departure — “it was the best unexpected luck I've had in my life!” — also raved about the food (the Mikrasia restaurant features Greek dishes such as calamari with fava beans and slow-cooked lamb). Adding to the charm: all rooms and suites have private verandas overlooking the caldera, and there are not one, but three infinity pools to choose from.

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By Stirling Kelso