Kivotos Santorini - A Bold Black Beauty on the Caldera

When most people picture Santorini hotels, they imagine pristine white buildings cascading down cliffsides like sugar cubes. Kivotos Santorini throws that postcard image out the window with a dramatic flourish. Painted entirely in volcanic black and charcoal gray, this boutique retreat in Imerovigli looks like Batman's vacation home - and that's exactly the point.

The hotel's ark-like structure (kivotos means "ark" in Greek) emerges from the volcanic rock as if it grew there naturally. Rather than fighting against Santorini's raw geological forces, Kivotos embraces them, incorporating chunks of lava rock into pools and public spaces. The result is a property that feels both otherworldly and completely rooted in place, offering an alternative to the island's sea of whitewashed sameness.

Perched on Imerovigli's highest point - so high that seagulls fly beneath you - Kivotos commands a 180-degree view spanning from southern Santorini all the way to Oia's western edge. This elevated position means you get those famous sunset views without battling the selfie-stick crowds below.

The village of Imerovigli is refreshingly low-key, home to just 500 people and a handful of authentic tavernas. From the hotel, you can walk the coastal path to Fira in about 30 minutes, or venture down to explore Skaros Rock, where centuries-old castle ruins perch on a craggy outcrop. The hike to the peak and back takes roughly two hours - just go early before the heat becomes unbearable.

For wine lovers, Santorini's volcanic soil produces some exceptional varietals. The hotel staff can arrange transfers to local wineries like Venetsanos, where tastings unfold against dramatic views of Athinios port. The island's unique terroir - waterless and mineral-rich - creates wines with distinctive character that you won't find anywhere else.

The hotel's signature restaurant occupies a glass-fenced terrace that seems to float above the caldera. Under the direction of chef Dimitris Katrivesis, Mavro serves modern Greek cuisine that celebrates local traditions while pushing creative boundaries.

Three tasting menus dominate the evening offerings: The Half Moon Experience, The Full Moon Experience, and The Dark Side of Moon Experience. These multicourse journeys feature inventive dishes like deconstructed pastitsio with cannelloni rolls stuffed with beef ragout, or charred beetroot glazed with black garlic that somehow tastes like a rainbow despite its volcanic appearance.

Breakfast is equally theatrical, served on the breezy caldera-view terrace. Expect elevated versions of Greek classics - creamy feta and tomato scrambled eggs, fresh custard pastry bougatsa, and an array of local cheeses and cured meats.

When the weather turns, meals move to a more intimate cave-like dining room carved into the rock.

The Bar transforms throughout the day, serving poolside cocktails and light bites during daylight hours before becoming the prime sunset-watching spot come evening. The extensive drinks menu features nuclear-grade spirits and creative cocktails like melon sangria made with gin and local Assyrtiko wine.

But the real show happens when the sun begins its descent. Thanks to the hotel's elevated position, you get unobstructed views of one of the world's most famous sunsets without the crowds.

The sky shifts through a spectrum of colors every few minutes - from gold to orange to deep pink - creating a natural light show that changes faster than you can snap photos.

The hotel enhances this daily spectacle with what they call Sun Rituals, a mystical celebration of the sun's primal powers that adds ceremony to the already magical experience. Pool loungers convert into comfortable sofas for sunset cocktails, creating an atmosphere that's both relaxed and reverent.

Signature Suite

Every room at Kivotos features the same bold black aesthetic, with polished concrete surfaces, curved corners, and minimalist furnishings that keep the focus on those spectacular views. All accommodations include luxury touches like rain showers, SONOS wireless sound systems, and color-changing lighting that lets you customize the mood. More importantly, every single room comes with either a plunge pool, cave pool, or hot tub positioned to maximize those caldera views.

The Signature Suite delivers on its name with 50 square meters of interior space plus a 40-square-meter terrace featuring a heated plunge pool and sun loungers. The master bedroom centers around a queen-size bed positioned for direct sea views, while a spacious living room includes a fully equipped room bar and wine cooler. The suite's state-of-the-art lighting system lets you create custom color scenarios, while the SONOS system streams music throughout the space.

Honeymoon Suite

Spread across two levels, the Honeymoon Suite offers 65 square meters of intimate luxury. The lower level features an indoor hot tub and comfortable living room, while upstairs you'll find the bedroom with its queen-size bed and walk-in rain shower.

A private balcony with sunbeds overlooks the caldera and that world-famous sunset. The suite includes a private staircase that provides direct access to the main pool and rooftop terrace when you're feeling social.

Superior Suite

With 40 square meters inside and 50 square meters of outdoor space, the Superior Suite prioritizes privacy with its tucked-away terrace location. The heated plunge pool sits on the suite's balcony, while a separate lower terrace provides an outdoor lounge and dining area. The master bedroom combines luxury and intimacy with a queen-size bed, sitting area, walk-in closet, and rain shower bathroom stocked with premium toiletries.

Kivotos Villa

This two-bedroom villa represents the ultimate in sophisticated relaxation, spreading across 200 square meters with wellness amenities that rival dedicated spas. The five-meter indoor heated swimming pool anchors a private wellness area that includes a mini gym and hammam.

An outdoor hot tub provides a different perspective on those sunset views, while the spacious living and dining room connects to a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size wine cooler. Both bedrooms feature walk-in closets and rain showers, with the master bedroom sporting a king-size bed.

Mystic Suite

At 45 square meters, the Mystic Suite creates an intimate romantic atmosphere with its queen-size bed, separate living and dining areas, and bathroom featuring both a rain shower and indoor pool. The private terrace offers sun loungers for daytime relaxation and a heated plunge pool for sunset viewing. Like all accommodations, it includes the signature SONOS speakers and color-changing lighting system.

Junior Suite

Don't let the "junior" designation fool you - this 25-square-meter suite packs serious luxury into its compact footprint. State-of-the-art amenities include satellite TV, the signature lighting system, and SONOS Bluetooth speakers, all wrapped in an architecture that feels carved from the volcanic rock itself.

The cave-style heated plunge pool on the private terrace creates a unique bathing experience, while the minimalist interior focuses attention on the panoramic caldera views.

Wellness Four Bedroom Villa

The hotel's largest offering spans two stories and 350 square meters, designed for families or groups who want to experience Kivotos together without sacrificing luxury. Built partly into the volcanic caldera, the lower level features cavernous spaces with three spacious living rooms and a dining area with its own fully equipped kitchen.

All four bedrooms include walk-in closets and rain showers, while the private wellness area matches what you'd find at a dedicated spa: a five-meter heated indoor pool, mini gym, indoor hot tub, and hammam. Two balconies provide multiple vantage points for those sunset views, complete with sun loungers and dining areas for candlelit dinners under the stars.