For June’s Spa Of The Month, Megan Murray visits Sandblu in Santorini to deep-dive into the spa’s new partnership with 111Skin.
What colour is serenity? If there is one, surely that hue would be blue. Which, not-so coincidentally is the shade for which Santorini, one of the most visited Greek islands, is known.
As a magpie for design, I often seek out the brightest and boldest of colours when I travel. And, though I usually get my kicks at maximalist hotels in Paris or jewel-toned riads in Marrakech, there’s something special about the Santorini blues – which soothe rather than excite.
Famous for its postcard cobalt roofs – in Santorini, colour makes less of a design statement and instead, is a holistic marker of a place that embodies a feeling of calm. Never has that felt more true than when standing on my private terrace at Sandblu, one toe in the infinity pool, as I watch an azure sky meet the mirrored sea below. I scan the stretch of white-washed buildings in between; glance around at linen-covered furnishings, a white marble bathroom and water-inspired artworks in my suite, and you know what? I don’t miss a kaleidoscope of colour. Actually, I feel better for the lack of it; peaceful, grounded – and ready for a massage.
After all, Sandblu is a place to relax. Like, really relax. Just a ten-minute drive from Santorini airport, you’ll be whizzed to your room, suite or villa in no time, where spanning views, sumptuous accommodation and your terrace are all waiting. The views of Thira mountain are spectacular and slow local life hums around the resort – soon, you’ll forget what your 9-5 looks like.
Now, an exciting new spa partnership with luxury skincare brand 111Skin (of which Kim Kardashian is an investor, did you know?) is bringing even more relaxation to your treatment experience. You could say, there’s never been a better time to check in. Here’s why.
THE LOWDOWN
While Santorini is famous for tourist hotspots like Oia and Fira, those who want to enjoy the island without getting caught in someone else’s engagement photos can look to the seaside village of Kamari. Close to the airport and only 30 minutes from those picture-perfect spots, it’s a haven of volcanic black sand beaches and small villages. It’s here that Sandblu makes its home, built into the ancient Thira mountain. With the benefits of an elevated position, the resort is staggered so that each villa boasts views reaching out to the distant island of Anafi and retains privacy from the others, as well as being framed by the rocky mountainside which feels almost other-worldly in person.
Sandblu opened last summer (July 2024) and the vibe straddles authenticity with all-out luxury – from the moment your air-conditioned car meets you from arrivals. A thorough check-in will determine what you need from your trip: Horse riding on the beach? An emphasis on Santorini’s wine scene? A de-puffing Cryo facial? Or perhaps nothing at all, aside from lying back by one of the hotel’s many pools. You’ll be sipping a refreshing welcome cocktail while you make these decisions, so there’s no rush.
A buggy delivers you to your accommodation, where you’ll find fruits and traditional Greek sweets, while ambient sounds tinkle from an unseen speaker outside. A particularly thoughtful touch is the WhatsApp contact that guests are encouraged to message, day or night, whether they need a buggy to the spa, breakfast in bed or information on local sites.
THE SPA
The Aurora Spa at Sandblu is stunning – inside and out. Its curved shape protrudes from the rock with floor-to-ceiling windows offering those inside a backdrop of sea and sky. Step inside, and a stylish welcome area greets you with hot or cold refreshments, magazines and a look through the spa menu. That spa menu is now even more packed, as Sandblu’s existing partnership with ESPA is joined by 111Skin’s luxury treatments.
The initial offering includes calming and deep tissue massages, for which ESPA’s aromatic oils are heavenly. I particularly loved the rosemary and orange. ESPA is also known for its crowd-pleasing skincare range and there are facials available including the Natural Facelift which incorporates Kobido massage and facial workouts to lift and tone.
As for 111Skin, teaming up with Sandblu is somewhat of a homecoming for Dr Yannis Alexandrides, a world-renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon who founded the brand to repair and rejuvenate the skin of his patients. He hails from Athens himself, so was thrilled to work with the Greek resort and provide guests with 111Skin treatments here. The treatments, by the way, start in your mini fridge. And, in my opinion, a selection of eye and face masks are much more exciting than anything that comes in a bottle!
Across the spa’s menu you’ll find two 111Skin massages – Vitality and Serenity – which uplift and invigorate, or destress and release pressure, using slow, meaningful movement. As for facials, there are four to choose from; Celestial Black Diamond, De-Puffing Cryo, Reparative and Rose Gold Radiance.
For me, it was all about the signature Celestial Black Diamond facial, which layers products in between one of the now-iconic masks, which has been hailed a game-changer by beauty editors across the industry, contributing to the brand’s cult status. This is mixed with face massage, for reduced puffiness, brighter skin, reduction of fine lines and pigmentation, and one hell of a snatched jawline.
After your treatment, enjoy the sauna, steam room and cold-water rainforest showers, before kicking back on a poolside relaxation bed, sipping ginger tea with a view.
THE ROOMS
I was lucky enough to make a sea-view suite with pool home for a few days – and home it was. With a wrap-around terrace, there’s space to lounge, dine, work or swim, while inside a small (but perfectly formed) lounge benefits from two day sofas and an armchair. Keep walking, and you’ll find a large bedroom complete with a sinkable, king-sized bed, and I particularly liked the marble, floating side board with stylish bench tucked underneath as a place to get ready in the mornings. As for the bathroom, think double sinks, rainforest shower and all the ESPA goodies you could want. It feels luxurious but not flashy – perfectly pitched within the resort’s authentic feel.
Sandblu is designed by Rockwell Group, an architecture and design firm based in New York with offices in Los Angeles and Madrid. Inspiration was drawn from traditional Greek villages, evident in touches like window shutters, curved, cave-like ceilings and woven furnishings. The space prioritises natural light which bounces beautifully across the light colour scheme and with flowing drapes, it feels like a total escape. There are three main room categories: size-up to a villa and across two floors you’ll benefit from a second bedroom and a fully-equipped kitchen, while the rooms bring together a small living area and bedroom, all in one space.
THE DINING
As a Greece first-timer, I wasn’t prepared for the bountifulness of this culture’s cuisine and was totally blown away by the spectrum of restaurants, the menus and the team’s wonderful attitude to feeding their guests. For lunch at Sandblu, the all-day dining Plateia crafts traditionally-minded dishes with some serious oomph. Serving the best of the Mediterranean, you can expect the likes of charcoal-grilled octopus and grilled sardines, alongside Greek salads. Heartier dishes, like the pulled goat shoulder which is slow-cooked and falls off the bone, or a sizzling Black Angus rib-eye slathered with herby butter, featured heavily on my camera roll. Here, you can sit outside on the terrace; perhaps get a cocktail from the poolside bar and enjoy the views.
In the evening I would recommend asking about a wine tasting, where the charismatic sommelier will share the exciting buzz around Santorini wines and how the earth’s volcanic properties transforms their bottles. Nectar is right next door, offering an elevated, modern twist on Greek cuisine with multi-course sittings. For me, the crab salad with bergamot and caviar was a dream starter, followed by a selection of raw and ceviche dishes, and slow-cooked lamb with artichokes of Tinos and pistachios for mains.
WHAT TO DO
There’s plenty to fill your days with, in or outside of the resort – so you can do as much or as little as you like. If centring your trip around Sandblu, booking in for a facial and massage at the spa is a must, as is trying both of the restaurants, learning more about Santorini wines and taking the relaxing, 10-minute walk down to the black-sand beach – where Sandblu has its own beds and towels set up.
The team can also organise car rides around the island so you can see the tourist spots. We took the short journey to Oia to walk along the promenade and take some snaps of the cliffs – it was gorgeous, but beware of high season when the crowds are heaving. You can also ask concierge for advice on other close by beaches and walking routes – there’s a 10-kilometre stretch right across the hills. Oh, and if the outdoors is your thing – you have to go horse riding down the volcanic beaches. Of course, being so close to the Aegean Sea it almost feels criminal not to get out on a boat; Sandblu can organise sailing experiences that last between a few hours and a full day.
Lead image credit: Sandblu
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