Zannos Melathron

Splendid manor house in a peaceful, traditional village

• The peaceful location in Pyrgos, a traditional village that’s also home to Santorini’s best restaurant, Selene
• Gorgeous original features like painted ceilings, stenciled walls and abundant antiques
• The crisp white wine grown in the hotel’s vineyard

Most of Santorini’s best hotels are clustered along the caldera, but Zannos bucks the trend. Located in the hilltop village of Pyrgos, the hotel is spread across two 18th- and 19th-century mansions (a local ship-owner gave one of them to his daughter as a wedding gift.) The location may be discreet, but the interiors, by celebrated Greek designer Yannis Tseklenis, are lavish. Ochre and terracotta walls, frescoed ceilings and antique furnishing evoke the grandeur of a bygone era.

Wine is a big part of the Zannos experience. There’s an open-air pavilion in the hotel’s vineyard where guests can sample the aptly named Chateau Zannos, and the spa even specializes in vinotherapy. But the Canava suites, located in converted cellars below the main building, take the theme a little too far, and the result is rather damp and gloomy. The small, rock-cut pool is more appropriate for cooling off than for swimming laps, and the veranda has panoramic views across the island. Both are lovely spots to watch the sunset without the usual Santorini crowds.

The Zannos offers more privacy, cooler temperatures and fewer stairs than those properties located on the caldera, but not necessarily more bang for your buck. (It’s eye-wateringly expensive). The formal restaurant serves standard hotel fare, so for something more special, stroll down to Selene or up to Franco’s Café by the Venetian castle. The property’s resident donkey picks up your luggage on arrival, but you’ll need a car to explore the island (although Pyrgos is a good starting point for hikes).

Older couples who prefer stylish seclusion to poolside pampering