Istoria, a Member of Design Hotels, Santorini

Istoria is a fantastic hotel. It only has 12 rooms, but everything about the experience felt like a big hotel stay. The pool was often our own (just the four of us), and the restaurant was perfection, especially at breakfast. We enjoyed the movie night with our children (14&18), and were well taken care of by Stelios when we wanted drinks by the pool. His attention to service and recommendations for good local restaurants were excellent. He seems to know everyone. Maritea, Manos and the other staff members treated us so well and left us wanting for nothing. We'd love to come & visit again.

This place is just superb! Cannot say enough good things about it. Small boutique hotel perfect to unwind and relax away from the crowds. We had a room with a little plunge pool on the terrace. Room was huge and beautifully decorated with AC, low lighting and super bathroom. Breakfast is incredible with a wide choice of ala carte options. The hotel pool is amazing and we had our choice of loungers every day. Location is excellent with a sandy beach just across the road with reserved loungers and loads of restaurants and bars within walking distance. If you want a gorgeous boutique hotel away from the crowds in Fira and Ouia where you never have to book anything in advance then this is the place. We never had to wait for a lounger, a restaurant table or a drink and all this in August. Special shout out to Stelios and MH in the spa who went out of their way to help us with all our requests. We will definitely be back.

My wife and I shared three incredible days at the Istoria Hotel on Santorini in September 2025. There is a lot of hype about Oia and Fira but you can take a car/taxi to visit those places which we found to be very touristy and crowded. The Istoria Hotel is in a much more peaceful location and Perivolos Beach is literally steps away (the pool is even closer if that's your preference). If you are looking for a relaxing place at a hotel that will assist you with anything you need, the Istoria Hotel is the place for you. The room had all the amenities we needed. The staff is what stands out the most. They were not only accommodating but we really did feel like family by the time we left. There were plenty of hugs on the last day. From the front desk, to the dining, to the bar - all the staff were amazing. With only 12 rooms, there is plenty of time for them to pamper you with attention. Radula and the rest of the wait staff really stood out for their friendliness and service. Stelios at the bar was also a standout for his friendly banter and excellent drinks. He also gave us an excellent dinner recommendation - Rosemary in Pyrgos. Wonderful sunset without all the people in Oia! We can't say enough about all of them - we wanted to stay another week! We would recommend staying here and doing day trips to other places around the island. We stayed for three days and had no problem getting to them all but had nice quiet relaxation when we were at the hotel.

Istoria is a stunning hotel. With only 12 rooms we felt like we had a private experience. We loved our room and the private jacuzzi on our patio. The pool was beautiful and we enjoyed relaxing there daily. We were on our honeymoon so the lowkey vibe was just what we wanted. Steios was a hidden gem. His attention to service and recommendations were excellent. The food was delicious. Mario and the other staff members treated us so well and left us wanting for nothing. I highly recommend this hotel and would stay here again.

This is such a unique hotel in Santorini. It’s beachfront, with free access to the stunning black sand beach, a must-see and a wonderful place to swim. The design is exceptional, and the interior decor with its decorative details is outstanding. The food is absolutely delicious, and we loved spending our days swimming in the pool or the sea while enjoying tasty snacks. The hotel is located on an authentic, less crowded side of Santorini, offering a more peaceful atmosphere but still with plenty of options nearby.The service was excellent as well.

We had an amazing experience at Istoria. The hotel is beautiful and so convenient to the entire beach stress of shops and restaurants. The staff was so kind and attentive. Scheduling rides around the island was a breeze! I would recommend this place to anyone and will definitely return!

This is the second time I have stayed in Istoria as I stayed in 2024 and now 2025 and I must say I was disappointed the second time around after a fantastic stay last year. The restaurant and bar staff were incredible this time so I don’t want to include them in this. I found the reception staff quite strange/awkward to deal with and also the perks that used to be there last year definitely weren’t there this year, eg free bottles of prosecco in your room. Breakfast here is amazing and one of the bests in terms of choice and quality I’ve had globally.

My husband and I stayed in the Storia suite for our honeymoon and had an amazing experience. Our room had stunning views of the Black Sand Beach and the hotel pool was absolutely incredible. The suite itself was beautiful, but the service provided by the hotel staff is what made our experience so memorable! Everyone was so kind helpful, and they always greeted us with the biggest smiles. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience!