The 9 best hotels in Greece and on the Greek islands
Check into the best hotels in Greece this summer if you want heavenly weather, ancient history, and easy island hopping.
More than 6,000 islands and 300 sunny days a year make Greece an excellent place for a holiday. Thanks to our list of the best hotels in Greece and the Greek Islands, you’ll be soaking up the sun in no time.
Known as the old home of Greek gods and legends, Greece has fantastic historic sites spanning four millennia.
You can stay in the capital and be mesmerized by the Acropolis, seen from almost every corner in Athens. Visit Mount Olympus, home of the Greek Gods, or sail around the crystal-clear waters of the Pelion Peninsula in Thessaloniki.
Travelers often use the mainland as a springboard to the islands. You’ll find charming fishing villages with whitewashed and wisteria-adorned houses and lush olive groves and cobbled lanes leading down to some of the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean.
Our picks of the top hotels in Greece, on the mainland, and the Greek islands range from luxury beach resorts to traditional guesthouses.
You’ll want to check out our favorite hotels in Greece whether you’re visiting Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, or Halkidiki.
#1 Hotel Grand Bretagne, Athens
The Grande Bretagne in Athens offers five-star Hellenic glamour. Built-in 1874, this remarkable building is rightfully known as Athens’ grande dame and is considered one of the best hotels in Greece. It occupies a prime location on Syntagma Square, overlooking the Hellenic Parliament, where you can see the famous changing of the guards. Also nearby are the National Gardens. Inside, find period glamour in the form of stained-glass ceilings, potted palms, and a wealth of antiques.
There’s an outdoor pool on the seventh floor, a fancy spa with mud chambers, thermal suites, steam rooms, and the Wine Library. The rooftop terrace overlooks the city after a night spent in one of the hotel’s stately rooms.
#2 Kókkini Porta Rossa, Rhodes
This charming boutique hotel was originally a 14th-century knight’s residence in Rhodes’ Old Town. Kókkini Porta Rossa makes for an ideal base for exploring the Old Town’s historical highlights, such as the Palace of the Grand Master and the Church of Our Lady of the Castle.
This tranquil hotel has just six spacious suites, all named after family members who have lived there. They are all beautifully decorated in a rustic-chic style, with painted wood ceilings, rough sandstone walls, and tiled flooring adorned with Persian rugs and covetable antiques. The Michalis suite, named for the carpenter, has its garden. Although there is no restaurant, breakfast is served in the courtyard under an ancient mulberry tree shade.
#3 Iconic Santorini, Santorini
Located near the tiny village of Imerovigli on one of Santorini’s volcanic cliffs, this oh-so-stylish cave hotel offers phenomenal views of the Aegean Sea and neighboring islands. The boutique hotel Iconic Santorini evokes the island in its purest form, featuring traditional blue-and-white decor, wood and stone, and an odd palm tree.
In the end, it’s all about those views. There’s an infinity pool (with those views), an alfresco restaurant (with more views), and a cave spa, just in case you need further pampering. The 19 cave suites all feature vaulted ceilings, whitewashed walls, driftwood, and some even have private plunge pools.
#4 Afitis Boutique Hotel, Halkidiki
In 1969, the Afitis Boutique Hotel opened on the westernmost tip of the Halkidiki peninsula and had attracted visitors ever since. You can relax around the two palm-lined pools or swim in the sea at this stylish Greek hotel with a private sandy beach. You can also explore Petralona Cave and thermal springs, or have a long lunch in Afytos village, a short stroll away.
There are just 50 rooms here, so this is not a sprawling resort and is more intimate than most on the mainland. The region has two good restaurants, Daphne and Mesogeios, which feature the region’s homegrown produce. Rooms are spacious and individually styled, hinting at the hotel’s original 1960s ambiance.
#5 The Merchant’s House, Corfu
A small, elegant boutique guesthouse in the 14th-century Venetian village of Old Perithia on Corfu makes an excellent alternative to the beach sprawls the island is known for. It is housed in a 17th-century building, once a tradesman’s bazaar, and it boasts just six suites, all with a refined vibe: think beamed ceilings, cast iron beds, and dark wood furnishings. In contrast, the hotel does not have a restaurant, several excellent tavernas in the village within walking distance.
There are plenty of things to see in the area, including the Megali Grava cave. Mount Pantokrator, the highest mountain on Corfu, offers some of the island’s best hiking and cycling trails.
#6 Kalesma, Mykonos
Kalesma means ‘inviting’ in Greek, and despite its chi-chi appeal, this contemporary boutique hotel in the Aleomandra region of Mykonos is as warm and welcoming as they come. The restaurant was designed by acclaimed restaurateur Aby Saltiel, who created the stunning space overlooking the Aegean Sea away from the bustle of Mykonos Town.
You can stay in one of a handful of whitewashed villas, which look like a typical Mykonian village, aside from the fact that all have decent-sized pools and views of the Aegean. Also included are a chapel, in-room spa treatments, and Pere Ubu, the hotel’s chic restaurant. You can watch the sunrise and set from Ornos Beach, while Agios Ioannis, the famous beach featured in Shirley Valentine’s movie, is only a short distance away.
#7 Ypseli Anafi’s Hive, Anafi
A chic island getaway can be found at Ypseli Anafi Hive on the tiny island of Anafi, just east of Santorini. It is located on the south coast of the island near the beach of Roukounas and is named after the traditional clay beehives found on the island. Located just steps from secluded beaches, there are eight suites, but they all sleep up to six and have a deliciously rustic vibe with raffia chairs, natural woods, and macrame light shades, plus a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Aegean.
Despite the absence of a restaurant, a traditional Anafi breakfast is served by the pool and under the gaze of Mount Kalamos, one of the highest rocks in the Mediterranean.
#8 Atrium Prestige, Rhodes
Located on Rhodes’ south coast, this sprawling spa resort built into a lush hillside has everything you need for a relaxing Greek getaway: spectacular sea views, great dining options, and a superb spa. Atrium Prestige rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished, yet classic in style. The top-shelf suites include private pools.
There are a lot of activities to keep guests occupied at the resort, from yoga on the beach to diving lessons at the PADI dive centre. Make sure you visit the nearby village of Lindos and explore the ancient ruins of the acropolis, where the remains of the goddess Athena lie.
#9 Delfino Blu Wellness Hotel, Corfu
A contemporary wellness hotel built into Corfu’s cliff face offers some of the island’s best sunset views, overlooking Agios Stefanos on the island’s craggy northwest coast. The Delfino Blu Wellness Hotel offers three swimming pools overlooking the Ionian Sea in lush tropical gardens. Nonetheless, the luxe outdoor spa highlights, where you can take a crystal steam bath or opt for natural thalassotherapy.
Each of the 15 rooms and suites has a view of the sea, and some even have a fireplace and a large terrace for sundowners. While breakfast in Kohili is an authentic Greek feast accompanied by champagne, dinner in Kohili is an elegant Mediterranean affair featuring seasonal ingredients.
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