Telegraph Top-10: The best boutique hotels in Santorini

 Afroessa

In a variation on the usual local cliffside cave-house conversion, this is partly an adapted kánava, or wine cellar, from the 18th century, turned into accommodation only during the 1990s. In two units, you can still see the original wine collection basins, left in situ under glass panels. Service is willing, both from the owners and seasonal staff. The reasonably secluded but unheated pool, next to the pleasant, pastel-shaded bar in the main communal area, is almost big enough to do laps in.

 Astra Suites

The multilingual staff are clued up and proactive without being intrusive; manager George has been here for two decades. There is a fair-sized caldera-edge pool, which is heated for comfortable spring or autumn use. Courtesy rooms are available for late departures, and there is a small spa with hammam, sauna and treatment room. Breakfast is brought to your terrace.

 Atrina Canava 1894

The striking volcanic-rock-walled pool area at this hotel contrasts with the dazzling white exterior and interior surfaces elsewhere, though rock outcrops have been left unrendered in the original Canava 1894 unit and the Xenonas suite's bathroom.Melanie, her daughter Athina and their team give excellent service: toting luggage up and down, super-early breakfasts for early departures, booking restaurant tables. You're given a mobile upon arrival to communicate with them.

  Photo: Gil Strommen

 Avaton Resort & Spa

Interiors are cutting-edge modern. Laura the manageress, and her whole team are ace for bookings, recommendations and general helpfulness. The stunning grotto-spa is a highlight, with a massage room for couples (the dominant clientele at Avaton), sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool for afterwards and a heated hydromassage pool.

  Photo: Ventouris Photography www.gventouris.com +306977430013

 Enigma Apartments and Suites

Staff, especially manageress Khrysoula, are tops, good about looking after early flight arrivals – you'll probably get breakfast to revive and early access to your room. There are hot tub suites, and there's fairly good privacy for the terraces, screened from next door by a solid wall and some climbing plants. Cocomat bedding and either ApiVita or Molton Brown bath goo in all rooms.

 Esperas Traditional Houses

Mock-troglodytic and Cycladic vernacular architecture combine to pleasing effect at this hotel. Expect excellent staff: excursion arrangements (some room rates include them) and restaurant recommendations are arranged with aplomb. There’s a big dug-out unheated pool, suitable for proper swimming, under two grotto features; natural-fibre chaise lounges await at the view-ward rim of the deck.

 Iconic Santorini

To enhance privacy and service levels, Iconic is never full – only 12 of the 20 units are bookable at any given moment, unless you're a wedding party hiring the whole place. Décor throughout is Mediterranean beach-house, predominantly white and earth tones, with cushions as colour accents. Staff are friendly, with any reasonable request fulfilled in a jiffy. There's a tiny gym, and small spa which squeezes in a pool and couple's massage room; gym use is not allowed during spa treatments.

 Kapari Natural Resort 

Curve da la cave. There are no sharp edges anywhere here; even the restaurant loo has fountain-bowl sinks. Ochre and buff are the predominant hues, extending to polished-cement floors, with matching soft furnishings. Service is smiley and willing, from early breakfasts if needed to room service to travel arrangements.

  Voreina Gallery Suites

The 'Gallery' part of the name denotes the original art on the walls of every suite, donated by past resident artists; this rotates over time and won't necessarily match what you see on the website. Design throughout is contemporary without being too in-your-face. Service is efficient and very discreet.

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