Greece, SantoriniJanuary 17, 2019, by Maartje

Ultimate luxury on the Greek island of Santorini: Katikies Santorini

Accommodation
Greece, Santorini, January 17, 2019, by Maartje

Ultimate luxury on the Greek island of Santorini: Katikies Santorini

That's how we end up on it Greek Santorini (that blue-white island of your dreams, yes) at the wonderful luxury resort with the name Katikies. It is a mini-chain, with two branches on Santorini and a collection of accommodation addresses and restaurants on Mykonos. A dream on a dream island, and worth your money (if you have the money) three times over.

Katikies

Katikies

It had been standing for years (but really: years). island of Santorini on my wish list. The white houses that look haphazardly stacked on top of each other like sugar cubes, as if someone gave the jar a good shake before emptying it. The romance of the Aegean Sea, overwhelming caldera views, the setting sun, a donkey here and there and evenings strung together with fresh fish dishes and fresh white wine. The dream. So when we finally went the motto was: it better be good! And what do you do then? Then you book at least a few nights in one of those hotels that populate your Instagram feed and Pinterest page. In our case it was Katakies, a sleek luxury dream place against a mountain, housed in a collection of those sugar cube buildings. And with an infinity pool. Of course with an infinity pool.

One of the most charming and important pillars (sorry, I couldn't think of another word) of Katakies is the small scale of the place as far as I am concerned: there are only 34 rooms, almost all of them with private plunge pool, clandestine veranda and dreamy blue walls, all on a cliff at an impressive height above that glittering Aegean Sea from the holiday books. That cliff ends (or begins?) in Oia (pronounced oi-ja), and Oia is therefore the place that is certainly etched in your retina if you have ever Googled Santorini. The dream. The tourist dream, that is: in the high season you can make heads turn. So go for a nice out of season. Although you won't notice this at any time of the year at Katikies: the Greek fairytale is a quiet one, all year round. That's because it is not kid-proof (good to know!) and the very high threshold, which in this case translates into more than 200 steps connecting the cubist houses. If you really have something to spend, try to reserve one of the two split-level suites (once home to a noble family in the 18th century) (these are kid-proof!). You live here more than you spend there on holiday. Delicious. What to do? Take trips to the three infinity pools, of course. And have dinner at one of the three restaurants: delicious!

More wonderful luxury resorts in Greece? These three opened their doors in 2018 and are all great: 3 x new in Greece

We enjoyed it the most at restaurant Mikrasia, the restaurant above the main swimming pool, which can also be booked if you are not staying here (DO IT! And take your swimming gear with you - actually not allowed, but rude people have half the world and a handsome boy who pulls you out of the water once you get into it). Take the extensive version of the (lunch) menu: everything is so incredibly delicious, you don't want to miss it. The Wagyu burgers and shrimp tempuras are a must. And the tuna sushi. Nom.

Oh, and while you're at it... Sip some champagne in the open-air champagne bar and pop into the hotel's boutique: here you'll find smart Greek footwear, chic swimsuits and toiletries from Ligne St. Barth (delicious).

Near

Near

Speaking of 'while you're here': from Katikies you can easily walk into Oia. Lucky you because that hustle and bustle is not for nothing. And anyone who sleeps nearby can enjoy the best of the neighborhood early or late, before the crowds start (to spend the rest of the day at the pool). When you walk out the door, you immediately bump into the juice and cocktail bar in the photo below: Step. It's fun. Do you want. Kira Thira is the area's oldest bar and is known for its vaulted ceilings, homemade sangria and live jazz. On Oia Castle you have to go because of that famous mill with a view photo and bee Vitrin Cafe Creperie you will get a really good breakfast. And right next door is another super deluxe hotel, Canvases, where you can also sit in the chic fine dining restaurant or (more fun) at the restaurant at the infinity pool, which also has a champagne bar.

Katikies Hotel

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