Erosantorini

One of the island’s only year-round options, Erosantorini provides a large buyout option for larger groups in need of luxury and privacy.

• The expansive terrace that stretches across the entire property
• The multi-terraced pool and its hidden cave underneath
• The variety of facilities, from a telescope to an outdoor cinema to a chapel

Far from Fira’s bustle and Oia’s hemmed-in streets is a modest gate in the middle of a patch of dirt and parched scrub, its walls stretching in either direction with little to hint at what lays beyond. It’s easy to miss. But hidden behind this wall is one of Santorini’s best new properties, Erosantorini.

Staying here isn’t a small feat. The four villas that make up the property are only available for a total buyout, so couples shouldn’t expect to get a room unless booking rooms for their luggage. But for larger groups or families—Erosantorini is one of the few properties on the cliffside that allows children—this could be the perfect answer to the otherwise slim availability at hotels closer to town.

All villas are roughly the same, with only slight differences that build up imperceptibly until you reach the last one and realize that there’s an entire Turkish hamam in the basement, and the first villa didn’t have a basement to start with. The architecture is clean and white, and while less restricted than the wine cave accommodations of Oia are not hugely spacious. Each room has a private backyard with a plunge pool, but each backyard is linked by a narrow alley, so none are completely private. Ultimately, the “villas” wind up feeling more like standard rooms, but you’re not visiting Erosantorini to stay in the rooms all day.

The main draw of the property is its sweeping terrace, a sprawling concrete space around which each villa sits like spokes on a half-wheel, with an oversized infinity pool that pours itself over the edge into what should be the Aegean below. Further examination, however, reveals a second infinity pool, a step down from the first, with cavelike intrusions into the facade wherein lie swings for more private vista gazing. The terrace has four sunbeds scattered about it, looking like islands in a sea of grey, and there’s a firepit and outdoor cinema to the left. Up the hill, guarded by shrubs that protect the privacy of the property, is a chapel and yoga area.

Ultimately, Erostanorini stands as the perfect location for a family getaway on an island that all too often precludes the option of enjoying family time at all. With the addition of the outdoor kitchen and dining room staffed by an in-house chef, there’s little reason to leave the property at all, which is perfect considering its distance from town (though there are vans for transfers on request).

As a property only available for total buyouts, this four-villa property is only appropriate for larger groups between 8 and 16 people. It’s also one of the only cliffside properties that allow children. Given the slightly less-than-private accommodations, it could be a perfect option for a multi-generational family outing.