On The Rocks

Carved into the caldera cliffs of Imerovigli, On The Rocks is a 24 room member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World suspended 200 metres above the Aegean with extraordinary views across Santorini’s flooded volcanic landscape.

There are places on Santorini where the setting overwhelms almost everything else, and this is one of them. On The Rocks tumbles down the cliff through whitewashed terraces, curved walls, cave like interiors and seemingly endless steps, with the caldera appearing at almost every turn. Traditional Cycladic architecture feels particularly convincing here because so much of the hotel has been shaped by the rock itself.

Its small scale adds to the appeal. With only 24 rooms and suites, there is an intimacy to the terraces and pool that suits Imerovigli beautifully, while the village's elevated position provides one of Santorini's great panoramas. From morning light across the water to the changing colours of sunset, the view is not simply something glimpsed from the hotel, it becomes the backdrop to almost everything you do.

Rooms & Suites

Every room and suite faces the caldera, beginning with compact Double Rooms and progressing through Superior Rooms and Suites with increasingly generous living space. White walls, arched ceilings and softly curved forms echo the architecture outside, while espresso machines, comfortable bathrooms and carefully chosen furnishings bring contemporary ease to the traditional setting.

The higher categories make the most of Santorini's instinct for private indulgence. The Cave Suite has an indoor hot tub, the Honeymoon Suite adds a hot tub and veranda facing the caldera, and the Master Suite crowns the collection with a large terrace and private outdoor plunge pool. It is difficult to imagine needing much encouragement to open a bottle of wine and stay there until sunset.

Dining

Breakfast is one of the pleasures of staying here because it comes to you. Served to your room or terrace, it turns the first meal of the day into a wonderfully private affair with the caldera spread out below, before Imerovigli has properly stirred and the walking paths begin to fill.

Beside the swimming pool, the bar serves cocktails, drinks and light dishes through the day, accompanied by soft music and that ever present view. Imerovigli's tavernas and restaurants are only a short stroll away, giving evenings plenty of choice while allowing the hotel to retain its intimate, residential character.

Experience

The cliffside swimming pool is the natural gathering point, tucked into the white architecture with loungers arranged towards the sea. It is a wonderfully Santorinian place to spend the afternoon, particularly once the heat begins to soften and the caldera takes on the warmer tones of late day.

Beyond the hotel, one of the island's finest experiences begins almost at the door. The caldera path threads through Imerovigli towards Fira in one direction and Oia in the other, passing churches, viewpoints and Skaros Rock along the way. Boat trips, diving, cycling and wider island excursions can also be arranged through the concierge.

Wellness

Wellness remains appropriately intimate, centred on a dedicated spa room for massages, revitalising body treatments, manicures and pedicures. It suits the scale of On The Rocks, providing a private hour or two of proper pampering without taking attention away from the extraordinary natural setting outside.

For many guests, the terraces provide their own form of relaxation. An afternoon beside the pool, a massage and sunset from your veranda is a simple combination, but on this particular piece of Santorini cliff it is remarkably difficult to improve upon.

Where

Imerovigli occupies one of the highest and most dramatic positions along Santorini's caldera, with Fira around two kilometres away and Oia further along the northern ridge. Restaurants and village life are close at hand, while the walking trail makes exploring this extraordinary section of the island possible straight from the hotel.

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