If you squint on your flight into the tiny international airport on the Eastern side of Santorini, you might be able to spot a new cascade of chic whitewashed buildings carved into the craggy expanse of the island’s Mesa Vouno mountain.
The spot is famed for its Ancient Thira ruins, but now it’s also becoming known as the home of Sandblu, an exclusive hideaway that opened towards the end of last year’s summer season.
The Vibe
Located on the edge of the small resort town of Kamari, Sandblu is a study in modern Cycladic minimalism, set across various levels of the sea-facing hillside and populated by a fleet of lovely linen-clad staff and a glamorous, exceptionally well-attended crowd of guests. After first welcoming guests in time for the summer season last year, Sandblu has just re-opened its doors following an expanded design that includes the addition of 15 new rooms, headed up by the prestigious Rockwell Group.
Set out like a small Greek village itself, complete with a soothing spa, four places to drink and dine, even boutique stores on site, you’ll find no reason – or desire – to leave Sandblu during your stay, though there’s plenty to see and do on the doorstep should you wish to partake.
The Rooms
There are now 66 rooms, suites and villas at Sandblu. Given its recent opening and renovations, each and every room feels box fresh and achingly tasteful. There’s plenty of white marble and handcrafted wood and rattan furniture, with muted furnishings and thoughtful lighting to soften the space.
Clearly, a skincare fan was involved with the curation of amenities – there are ESPA products laid out generously in the bathrooms and 111Skin masks in the mini fridge (alongside icy Ruinart and indulgent truffled Greek snacks). Some suites and all villas have private pools, but all have generous balconies with gorgeous sunrise and sea views. While this is the wrong side of the island for full sunset viewings, the ombré orange, pink and violet shades still colour the evening sky perfectly.
The Food + Drink
There are various dining spots at Sandblu, but the highlight is Nectar, an elegant al fresco restaurant by the smaller of the hotel’s two pools on the lower level. Elegant cocktails and elevated Greek dishes are the order of the day, including a delicious caper-topped fava bean dip and taramasalata that is unrecognisably different from the lurid pink offerings found in UK supermarkets. Produce comes from Santorini and other nearby islands and it shows – every bite feels fresh and authentic, especially the catch of the day carpaccio and rich slow-cooked lamb.
A similarly authentic breakfast (as well as lunch) is served at Plateia, which is located by the hotel’s large infinity pool. The tiganites (Greek-style pancakes that are filled with honey and cheese) are not to be missed, but there are also eggs, fruit, cereal and all the other usual suspects. If you accidentally miss breakfast, there’s a great bakery on-site, as well as a wine bar and cellar for later in the day.
The Spa
As you might expect from the rooms, the products used in the Aurora Spa are 111Skin and Espa, and there’s also an indoor pool and sauna for those seeking relaxation. The ‘Inner Calm’ treatment feels revelatory, with a full-body aromatherapy massage plus breathwork and a scalp massage with rose quartz crystals – floating guaranteed.
The Little Extras
There are various boutiques, including a difficult-to-resist ‘general store’ selling sun cream and snacks in the most stylish way possible. Ditto the astonishingly chic kids’ club, which is filled with tasteful wooden toys and playthings – no garish plastic in sight.
The To-Do List
Part of this hotel’s allure is that it feels a world away from Santorini’s tourist-heavy spots, but if you do want to visit Oia and Fira, the hotel will be more than happy to organise transfers – the journey is less than half an hour. There are plenty of excursions available, including beach horse riding and wine tasting, and things to explore in Kamari. There’s a black pebble beach, taverns and an open-air cinema. The most adventurous can even hike to the top of the Mesa Vouno mountain to see the Ancient Thira site. After a few cocktails by the pool, it looks surprisingly doable – but nobody’s going to judge you for staying firmly put. In fact, that’s actively encouraged.
All image credit: Sandblu Santorini
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