It was the touch of something brushing past my toes that woke me from my reverie. I opened my eyes to see a black cat with golden eyes scampering off across the sun-baked stones. Behind this was a vista to beat any daydream: a turquoise pool slipping seamlessly into an aqua-marine sea far below; this dazzling azur, ringed by the brown and red of ashen cliffs, and topped by the white of myriad houses and a scattering of blue church domes.
Where else could I be but on the volcanic island of Santorini? Or, more precisely, stretched across a lounger by the pool at Perivolas, a collection of traditional vaulted houses perched above the sea-filled cauldron at Oia. With its organically curved terraces spilling down the slope, its cool white rooms and suites half-dug into the mountain-side, its carefully manicured gardens, and its infinity pool, this must be one of the most hallowed pieces of earth in the whole Med. Black cats clearly bring good luck in this part of the world.
Highs
- Swimming in the stunning infinity pool with panoramic views of the caldera and sea beyond
- The friendly and helpful staff who go out of their way to ensure you have a magical time
- The breakfast buffet: what a delicious way to start the day
- Watching the sun set over Oia’s rooftops from your private terrace, rather than jostling for space at Sunset Point
- Shopping in the boutiques of Oia and Fera (Thira)
- Exploring the lava islets by boat and watching smoke rise from the earth below your feet
Lows
- It’s expensive, even by Santorini standards
- It’s often full (but no large groups, thankfully), so early booking is strongly recommended
- The rooms are (deliberately) dark, but this keeps the blistering heat out in the height of summer
- It's on the outskirts of Oia - you're 10 minutes' walk from the bustling centre - but this could also be considered a plus point!
- Smaller rooms could be considered a little basic, but all have terraces with the most breathtaking views
Best time to go
The best times for reliable sunshine, without the heatwaves or crowds of midsummer, are spring (April - May) and autumn (September - early October). It is closed in winter (November to April).
Our top tips
Go for at least 4 days. Be sure to fit in a day-trip to the lava islands, a day visiting Akrotiri and ancient Thira, and a couple to chill out and explore Oia.
- Boutique Hotel
- 21 rooms
- Restaurant + bar (open daily)
- Over 16s welcome
- Closed: November to March
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
Perivolas has been featured in many glossy travel and interior design magazines, partly because of its stunning setting but also for its fascinating architecture and stylish minimalist décor. In the traditional style of the island, the rooms are dug out of the soft, ashen cliffs for coolness, and have vaulted roofs for extra stability.
Once home to fishermen and farmers, the suites were transformed into luxurious cave dwellings by local craftsmen. The floors are soft and marbly, the beds soft and comfy, and the ensuite bathrooms have solid-looking aluminum fittings. All rooms have a sitting area and deckchairs outside on their private terrace.
The Superior Suites have a spacious sitting room and, further into the mountainside, a cosy bedroom with an arched stone partition. The Junior Suites are slightly smaller, with a sitting area attached to the bedroom. Suites are very similar, but are a little more secluded. The Lifestyle Studio is the smallest, with a bed and lounge in a single open-plan space. The Deluxe Suites have an outdoor Jacuzzi or infinity pool, while the amazing Perivolas Suites have a spa area, a hydro-therapy whirlpool, heated infinity pool, oh, and a celebrity price tag...
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The poolside wine cellar is now a restaurant-bar with canvas chairs and those classically Greek metal tables - meals are served exclusively to hotel guests. At breakfast, expect an excellent buffet including freshly made pastries, a seasonal fruit salad (ours boasted kiwi fruit, green apple and pineapple with cinnamon) and creamy yoghurt with nuts and honey. A la carte options included eggs, pancakes and smoothies made to order. The filter coffee and fresh orange juice were just what the doctor ordered.
Lunches and dinners are created from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients; simplicity and flavour are key. Lunch might include grilled shrimp souvlaki, cheese pie and moussaka with local white aubergine, while the evening menu features the freshest fish - catch of the day cooked in sea salt crust - and traditional Greek dishes with a twist, such as lemon-braised lamb. Alternatively, opt to sit out on the poolside terrace with a glass of white Santorini wine, or a cocktail, and Mezedes plates as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.
For a seafood dinner, if you have the energy (or a car), go down to the small fishing quay beyond the town, where the best of the 5 seaside tavernas is the yellow-and-blue Ammoudi at the end. Red mullet, sea-bream and other catches of the day are tender on the palate (but not so on the pocket). For a convenient, cheap and very Greek dinner, wander just down the road to Anemomilos, whose staple oven dishes (roast chicken, moussaka) rarely disappoint.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Sunbathe on the terrace, cooling off in the famous pool
- Relax in the wellness centre, where you can enjoy tailor-made massages and treatments, relax aching muscles in the steam room and sauna, or gaze at the astounding volcano view from the alfresco Jacuzzi
- Wander through the winding alleys of Oia, with its photogenic chapels and sea-views; browse through the jewellery and craft boutiques
- Walk down to Ammoudi, a tiny harbour at the bottom of a cliff for a swim, meal or boat trip
- Take a boat across to the lava islands in the middle of the caldera, which are still smoking with sulphur
- Drive to the wonderfully preserved (pre-eruption) ruins of Minoan Akrotiri or the (post-eruption) ancient city of Thira
- Go windsurfing, sailing or water-skiing at Perissa, or diving at Akrotori
- Go horse-riding along the black-sand beaches near Exo Gonia (foreign-run stables)
- Whatever you do, don’t miss sunset either from your terrace or Sunset Point in Oia - it's one of the world's all-time classic views!
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
Kids
Children under 16 years of age are not allowed at Perivolas for safety reasons.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Perivolas is perched on the cliffs high above the Aegean Sea, a short walk from the beautiful villiage of Oia, Santorini.
By Air:
Fly direct into Santorini (18km) or via Athens (300km).
By Ferry / Hydrofoil:
From Athens port Piraeus, there are regular ferries and hydrofoils to Santorini. Most vessels leave Piraeus in the early morning or mid afternoon; ferries take 6-8 hours while hydrofoils take only 4-5 hours but cost more. It is a superb way to arrive, cruising into the calm caldera and looking up at the volcanic cliffs around you.
From the Airport / Port:
The hotel is about 30 minutes' drive from both Santorini airport and Santorini (Athinios) port. The hotel can arrange a taxi transfer or you could hire a car.
We advise that you check boat timetables (see GTP or ask the hotel) before confirming your hotel booking.
Detailed directions to the hotel itself will be sent when you confirm your booking.
Airports:
- Santorini, Thira 18.0 km JTR
- Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos 300.0 km ATH
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km