Katikies Garden Santorini

Within Fira’s old Venetian quarter, Katikies Garden Santorini, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, has transformed a former monastery into a remarkable collection of 40 suites gathered among gardens, courtyards, fountains and centuries of island history.

This is Santorini seen from a rather different perspective. Instead of descending the bare volcanic cliffs, Katikies Garden turns inwards towards greenery, shaded passages and the architecture of its monastic past. Bougainvillea tumbles across pale walls, fountains bring water into the courtyards and old arches and substantial stonework remain woven through the hotel, giving it a sense of permanence that feels quite distinct from the island’s familiar cave hotels.

The gardens are a defining part of the experience. Santorini’s landscape can be wonderfully stark, so finding this much planting in the middle of Fira comes as a lovely surprise, particularly when the narrow streets outside give way to quiet corners filled with flowers and greenery. The original monastery provides the bones of the hotel, but it is the combination of history, water and gardens that gives the place its soul.

Rooms & Suites

The 40 suites are distributed through the old buildings and gardens rather than arranged along conventional hotel corridors, giving many of them a pleasing sense of independence. Interiors are polished and contemporary, with richer fabrics and furnishings sitting comfortably against the older architecture and generous terraces extending the rooms outside.

Private water is a recurring theme. Garden Suites and Superior Garden Suites have pools enclosed by their own outdoor spaces, while the Katikies Garden Pool Suite adds a sea view to its private pool. The Senior and Honeymoon Suites exchange the pool for an outdoor jetted tub, creating a more intimate place to settle in at the end of the day.

The garden categories are particularly appealing here because they make the most of what distinguishes the hotel. Closing the door on central Fira and having your own terrace, planting and pool beyond it gives the suites a wonderfully private quality while leaving the town waiting just outside.

Dining

Selene is woven deeply into Santorini’s gastronomic story and gives Katikies Garden a restaurant with genuine stature. Today, chef Ettore Botrini leads its kitchen, taking the island’s ingredients and culinary traditions into more contemporary territory while respecting the volcanic landscape and agricultural heritage that have shaped Santorini’s food.

The former monastery makes an atmospheric home for the restaurant, with dark and cream interiors, flashes of colour and historic architecture creating a setting with real presence. Dinner here feels rooted in the island rather than simply accompanied by it, which makes Selene an important part of the experience even before the first plate arrives.

Wine has equal billing. Selene Wine Bar and the old Wine Caves delve into Santorini’s extraordinary viticulture, with tastings exploring its volcanic terroir, indigenous grapes and producers. Curated by Master of Wine Yannis Karakasis and hosted by knowledgeable sommeliers, they offer a fascinating introduction to an island where vines have been shaped by wind, ash and centuries of tradition.

Experience

The outdoor pool sits within the gardens, surrounded by greenery and sun terraces that feel pleasingly sheltered from the energy of Fira. Katikies Pool Deck provides somewhere to linger over drinks and light dishes, allowing the middle of the day to unfold at an entirely different pace from the streets beyond the walls.

That contrast is one of the great pleasures of staying here. You can spend the morning among Fira’s museums, shops and caldera paths, return through the gates for an afternoon beside the pool and then step straight back into town when evening arrives. There is no need to choose between retreat and location because the hotel manages to provide both.

The Archaeological Museum of Thera, Museum of Prehistoric Thera and Megaro Gyzi are all close by, while Fira provides an excellent starting point for exploring the wider island, whether the day leads towards Oia, the vineyards, the archaeological landscapes of Akrotiri or the villages of the interior.

Wellness

A.SPA takes its cue from the gardens, with treatment spaces surrounded by bougainvillea and greenery rather than separated into a more conventional wellness environment. Massages, facials, body treatments and longer spa rituals are joined by dedicated relaxation areas, allowing treatments to become an easy part of a slower afternoon.

There is something particularly appealing about returning here after a day around Santorini. Once the gates close behind you, the fountains, gardens and old monastery walls soften the pace remarkably quickly, making a swim, massage or hour on your own terrace feel like a genuine retreat from the island outside.

Where

Katikies Garden Santorini sits in the historic heart of Fira, with the Archaeological Museum of Thera, Megaro Gyzi, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the town’s restaurants, shops and caldera viewpoints all within easy reach on foot.

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