It might not have the blockbuster view this part of Santorini is known for, but the Andronis Arcadia more than makes up for it with space, style and almost as spectacular views of the Aegean Sea.
Traveller: Lisa Perkovic
Room: Natura Suite with Infinity Pool
Address: Oia 847 02, Greece
Date: August, 2025
Best for: a big, beautiful, best in class Santorini stay
The Signature factor
The Andronis Arcadia holds the title of having Santorini’s biggest pool, which isn’t surprising given the day beds, bridge, steppingstones, bar and even dining table and seats built into this behemoth body of water. As the name suggests, the Grande pool is just that, extremely grand. It never feels crowded, especially when you’re hidden away from the sun in a cabana for the day. It’s also a popular spot for sunset photoshoots as the sun slips below the horizon.
The concept
Sitting on the outer edge of the caldera gives Andronis Arcadia the luxury of space to spread out. Suites and villas are supersized, with sunken bathtubs big enough for four, outdoor daybeds and private plunge pools. Two and three-bedroom villas are designed for family travellers and small groups.
First impressions of Andronis Arcadia
From the street, very little of the resort is visible. It hides down the hill, with golf buggies lined up to take guests to their suites. The lobby lounge gives me a taste of what waits below, though. Honed concrete floors and low-lying armchairs let the almost 360-degree views out to the Aegean Sea do the talking.
The room
We have all the space we need in our Natura Suite – infinity plunge pool, deck chairs, umbrella, king bed, rain shower and bath all decked out in minimalist earthy tones. The square bathtub competes in size with the plunge pool, but doesn’t have the water views to lure me in. Luckily, the bright blue sea is visible from every other part of our room so we hop between bed, lounge, outdoor loungers and pool to soak up the scenery.
Highlights from the mini-bar
The complementary mini-bar is well-stocked. A piccolo bottle of Piper Heidsieck champagne, Greek beer, wine, mineral water and a very moreish chocolate and hazelnut raw bar make for an excellent afternoon snack by the plunge pool.
Top suite
The Eden Villa sleeps 12 people across three stories. Its private infinity pool alone is larger than plenty of other hotel pools on the island. There’s also a lap pool, along with six bedrooms, full size kitchen, living room, subterranean fitness center, BBQ and a spa treatment room. It’s your own private compound, but should you choose to leave, guests have exclusive use of a VIP cabana at the Grande pool too.
On my plate
We start the day at Pacman Sunset Restaurant, where breakfast competes with 180 degree views of the sea. There’s a Greek yoghurt bowl bar, traditional cheese pie, supersized serves of avocado toast, pancakes, Greek salad, even French fries to choose from. In the evening, Pacman converts into a restaurant lounge, with a DJ booth set up next to the bar. There’s even a sunset sun salutation performance. Book your table early as it becomes quite the scene as the sun sets.
Spa life
Andronis Arcadia’s Evexia Spa is home to the island’s only Kneipp Path, a great post-walk treatment. The hot and cold pools are laid out like channels and lined with rocks for reflexology and jets for pressure points. Focusing on breathing and blood flow, you’ll walk ten laps of the pools, emerging with your whole body feeling energized
Staying in
Each day the Evexia Spa hosts complementary wellness activities for guests – it might be vinyasa yoga on a Tuesday lunchtime or cross training in the gym on Thursday morning. You can book in for private yoga or personal training too, or try out the gym equipment yourself.
Little ones aged four and up will be kept busy in the ARCADemy kids club, with everything from messy play to a robotics lab keeping them entertained. The kids club also hosts evening ‘Creative Play’ sessions, which align nicely with grown up dinner time. Or they’ll organise a babysitter in your suite.
This is Greece, so kids are welcome everywhere, but enjoying a childfree meal at Beefbar, the resort’s award-winning steak restaurant, is bliss. We dine on bite sized kobe and angus beef gryos and jumbo Black Angus Beef bone-in rib eye under swaying rattan lanterns. The extensive Greek wine menu stands out too, especially with a sommelier who is passionate about putting local varieties on the map. Save room for dessert – the hand-crafted full size gold-leaf chocolate praline bar for two has a reputation of its own.
Stepping out
Oia village is literally on your doorstep. Start the day early with a walk through quiet cobblestoned streets before the day trippers arrive. You’ll have the best views of the caldera all to yourself. You will have to window shop though, with the many ceramic, jewellery, olive oil and Greek designer stores closed until 10am.
Twice a week the Andronis Arcadia hosts a free guided hike of the caldera. The 10km trail around the ancient volcano rim is one of the world’s most unique walking tracks. Hikers usually strike out from Fira, where you’ll stroll past five-star hotels’ pools and gardens before moving onto more challenging terrain. Andronis Arcadia guests are driven across to sister property Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, which sits along the path. From there, spectacular uninterrupted views of the ancient volcano crater accompany you all the way back to the Andronis Arcadia. Hikers usually take two hours to do the walk one way, so you’ll arrive in time for a well-earned breakfast pastry or two.
If you’re after beach time, hop in a taxi for the thirty-minute drive to the small village of Kamari. Home to one of the island’s famous ‘black sand’ beaches – the sand is actually small black volcanic pebbles – the water is crystal clear and the cafes are plentiful. A stroll along the waterfront under shady trees is a taste of the more local way of living in Santorini. Start the day with a pastry from Harinero Bakery and make a quick photo stop at Ariake Restaurant’s bougainvillea-lined swing perched above the sand. Save time for shopping at the likes of Sol Mare Salis, home to international and local designers. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from – most have lounger chairs set up on the sand so for a small minimum spend on food and drink, you can settle in for lunch and a swim. Save time to walk all the way to the end of the beach, where Mesa Vouno Mountain rises up in the distance.
The accolades
Named in almost every international hot hotel list out there, the resort has cemented its spot as a Greek island must visit.
Celebrity sightings
A-list celebrities tend to hide away in the ultra-private Andronis Luxury Suites, over the hillside in Oia. The Kardashians are return guests.
Insiders’ tips
Guests staying at the Andronis Arcadia have shared access to facilities at the other Andronis hotels on the island. Prioritise spending a few hours at the adults only Andronis Boutique Hotel where you’ll walk down steep steps on the caldera cliff face to two spectacular pools. The views are hard to beat. Just a few hundred metres away is the Andronis Luxury Suites. Here you’ll find Lycabettus, a fine dining restaurant famed for its rock balcony jutting out over the sea. It’s not to be missed. Book well in advance – it’s busy with elopements and small wedding parties.
Pet peeves
This is Santorini so it’s unusual there’s very few stairs in the resort, but the incline of the hill up to breakfast can take the wind out of you. If you don’t want to work up an appetite, allow plenty of time for a golf cart to arrive to take you up the hill.
If only…
We’d been told about the complementary mini-bar at check-in.
Where to find Andronis Arcadia
The resort is a thirty minute drive from Santorini airport, and a forty minute drive from the port.
