Istoria

On the black sands of Perivolos Beach, Istoria, a member of Design Hotels, is an adults only retreat of just 12 suites where volcanic stone, private terraces and the deep blue Aegean reveal a very different side of Santorini.

There is no mistaking where you are. Black volcanic sand, rough stone, ancient olive trees, herbs and aloe are woven into the hotel, creating a palette drawn directly from the landscape rather than the familiar whitewashed imagery of the island. Oversized stone vessels and pieces that appear collected rather than decorated add a sense of history, while arches and softly textured walls give the buildings an almost sculpted quality.

The name comes from the Greek word for story, and that idea runs quietly through the hotel. Each suite takes its name from the word in a different language, while the architecture unfolds through gardens, terraces and intimate spaces towards the pool and Perivolos beyond. With only 12 suites, there is an appealing sense that everything belongs to the same small world.

Rooms & Suites

The suites are wonderfully individual spaces, shaped by high arches, tactile materials and private terraces filled with Mediterranean planting. King beds or twin beds sit within calm, earthy interiors, but the real pleasure comes when the doors are open and the room begins to merge with its outdoor space.

Many of the terraces have their own hot tub or private pool, turning them into somewhere you genuinely want to spend time rather than simply an extension of the room. Others make the most of panoramic sea views, with the dark beach and Aegean providing a dramatic contrast to the softer tones within.

Verse, Tale, Nara, Luma, Storia, Conte, Tarina, Recit, Rakonto and Saga each carry the storytelling theme in their own way, and the intimacy of the hotel means choosing a suite feels rather more personal than selecting from a conventional run of room categories.

Dining

Mr. E. is the heart of Istoria’s dining, serving Mediterranean food from breakfast through to dinner in a relaxed setting that belongs to the pool and gardens as much as to the restaurant itself. The cooking draws naturally on Greek produce and Mediterranean flavours, fitting the unhurried beachfront character of the hotel.

Breakfast is à la carte, and later in the day the same space slips easily into long lunches, drinks and dinner. Cocktails and lighter dishes can accompany an afternoon beside the pool or on the beach, so eating here becomes part of the rhythm of the day rather than something that requires changing pace.

Experience

The main pool stretches through the centre of the hotel, surrounded by broad terraces, planting and sunbeds before the property gives way to Perivolos Beach. Dedicated seating on the black sand brings the sea firmly into the experience, and the contrast between the dark volcanic shoreline and clear Aegean water is particularly striking.

Perivolos also gives you a coastline to wander along, with beach clubs and restaurants dotted beside the shore. Cycling, hiking, diving and horse riding can take you further, while cooking experiences offer another route into the island when you feel like doing more than moving between the pool and sea.

Yet Istoria is particularly good at making plans feel unnecessary. With your suite, pool, Mr. E. and the beach all within a few steps of one another, entire days can pass within this small stretch of Santorini without ever feeling as though anything is missing.

Wellness

The Asian Spa continues the intimate approach with massages, body therapies, facials and beauty treatments rather than a vast wellness complex. Treatments can become part of a slow afternoon between the pool and beach, with dedicated relaxation spaces extending the experience afterwards.

There is a natural sense of wellbeing to the setting itself. The gardens, volcanic landscape and constant presence of the sea give Istoria a grounded quality, particularly early in the morning when Perivolos is quiet and the black sand seems to run uninterrupted along the coast.

Where

Istoria sits directly on Perivolos Beach on Santorini’s southeast coast, placing the island’s long volcanic shoreline immediately outside while providing an excellent base for venturing inland to its villages, vineyards and extraordinary volcanic landscapes.

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