Firstly, it is very important to make a clear and very significant distinction. In the world of travelling, you get travellers and you get travellers. For many who travel casually, it is easy to be impressed by a view, the property or its service.
But when you are as frequent a traveller to luxury hotels, villas and resorts as PR guru Cleo Anderson, you have seen and experienced the best luxury travel has to offer on virtually a daily basis.
This exceptional exposure that very few can boast to have acquired has made Cleo one of the most discerning travellers in the industry. So, when she gives her endorsement to a hotel, restaurant or experience, you can bet your life that it is the best the area has to offer.
We recently asked her to put together her ultimate guide to the always fabulous Santorini on where to stay, where to eat and what to do.
Cleo Anderson’s Best Place To Stay In Santorini
Now, what makes Cleo, Cleo is the fact that she never does anything half or simple. On her mission to find the best place to stay in Santorini for you, our readers, she didn’t just select the hotel – the Iconic Santorini. Oh no. She even stayed in multiple suites in order to select the 3 best suites that the hotel has to offer.
The Cave Suite At The Iconic Santorini
The cave suite at the Iconic Santorini is an original cave house set deep into the caldera’s volcanic rock. This dreamy suite features a generous interior with separate bedroom, sitting area with romantic love bed sofa, two full bathrooms with showers, a large dedicated terrace with table seating, loungers and a jetted plunge pool overlooking the fabulous Aegean.
The Cliff Suite At The Iconic Santorini
Situated on an exclusive spot for the utmost in solitude and seclusion, breathtaking views of the historic volcano can be enjoyed from the table seating or loungers on the wraparound balcony. Offering a choice of jetted plunge pools, you can choose to relax in either the indoor grotto or outside on the suspended terrace – literally suspended from the volcanic caldera wall. This intimate hideaway presents an idyllic escape for lovers’, honeymooners or those seeking an escape from it all.
The Iconic Suite At The Iconic Santorini
This lavish residence fully captures the spirit of the caldera and historic Cycladic architecture. Featuring a spacious living room, elegant bedroom area, both indoor and outdoor jetted plunge pools as well as an oversize rain-shower, this truly luxurious suite opens to a sublime terrace with table seating, loungers and pergola-shaded section overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Dining At The Iconic Santorini
In her report back, Cleo stated that the Pergola Restaurant at Iconic Santorini was “simply great”. This is the spot where she chose her first lunch on her mission in Santorini.
“Their inspired island chef honours his heritage by serving authentic Greek and Santorinian dishes, prepared fresh daily in the comfortable setting of the Pergola restaurant. Freshness is paramount and they strive to use as many locally grown products with respect to age-old recipes. Their valued guests are encouraged to pass by the open kitchen and see what the chef has on the menu for the day and to learn a thing or two.”
The much-loved Iconic breakfast is served at the comfort of each guest’s personal terrace seating or pool-side whenever desired throughout the day and is a true luxury for romantics and honeymooners alike. A new set of breakfast choices are offered each day, providing guests with the option to taste as many local recipes and ingredients as possible throughout their stay or a custom order according to their preferences.
A light lunch menu is available throughout the afternoon and is usually served pool-side, up in the Pergola Restaurant or at the personal terrace seating outside each residence.
Freshly prepared salads and snacks, as well as some dishes of the day, are the main features on their lunch menus. Following the practices of restaurants in years gone past, their daily dinner choices are hand-written on a blackboard by the chef, who prepares a different set of dishes according to the availability of the freshest ingredients he finds at the local market each day.
Their authentic dinners are savoured in the tranquil Pergola Restaurant with gorgeous views of the caldera cliffs, dyed orange by the setting sun.
What To Do In Santorini
On her quest to put together the ultimate itinerary for us, Cleo has come up with a list of the best places to eat, visit and experiences while on your trip to Santorini
Restaurant Ambrosia – For A Romantic Night Out
The Restaurant Ambrosia is probably the best restaurant in Oia and is the perfect location for a romantic dinner for two. With its fantastic atmosphere and delicious food, this spot would make the perfect location for any romantic night out.
Kaliya – Best Place For Cocktails With A View
Kaliya is the perfect place to watch the sun going down while drinking delicious cocktails as you enjoy some great snacks. The view is to die for and it the ultimate spot in which to enjoy the cool summer breeze on a hot summers day.
Hatzidakis Wines – Best Place For An Intimate Wine-Tasting
Hatzidakis Wines is a lovely historical small family-run winery. A visit here is perfect for that intimate feel that doesn’t make you feel as if you are just a faceless visitor to another corporate wine farm.
Santo Wines – Best Place For A Wine Tour And Meal
Santo Wines is the perfect place to visit if you want to enjoy a wine tour and finish it off by drinking in the sunset over deliciously fresh seafood.
41 Forty-One – Best Beachside Restaurant
41 Forty-One is a fabulous beachside restaurant with an exclusive lounge zone on the sand which is absolutely perfect for a long summer lunch. It is such an idyllic spot and is the ideal background for that Instagram profile picture!
Ammoudi Fish Tavern – Best Authentic Greek Restaurant
Ammoudi Fish Tavern is a fabulously typical Greek restaurant on the water with an amazing view. This is where Cleo had her final dinner in Santorini and is a fantastic spot to soak up the sea and sun.