The exclusive and ultra-stylish Cavo Tagoo Santorini is the trendiest hotel on the Greek island of Santorini, offering expansive caldera panoramas and spectacular sunset views. The boutique hotel features only 13 posh suites, all with a hot tub or private pool on the terrace. Facilities include a swanky Mediterranean fusion restaurant (one of the best dining venues on the island) and a gorgeous infinity pool with floating sun loungers. Cavo Tagoo Santorini is the sister property of Cavo Tagoo Mykonos, one of the finest boutique hotels in Mykonos and the most followed hotel in the world on Instagram.
Set on top of the cliffs of Santorini’s famous caldera, Cavo Tagoo Santorini enjoys a sublime location at the northern edge of Imerovigli. An easy 20-minute hike (uphill) from the hotel, Imerovigli is a picturesque village that looks exactly as a Cycladic village should, sprinkled with whitewashed houses, cobblestone alleys, and blue domed churches. It’s far enough from Santorini’s capital Fira and the world-famous Oia village to feel secluded (there are no tourist crowds here), yet within walking reach of these busy towns if you want to explore their shops, bars, and restaurants. Cavo Tagoo’s location is also convenient as it’s only 15 minutes to the airport and 25 minutes to the ferry port (complimentary transfers are provided)
The village of Imerovigli is also known as “The balcony to the Aegean” since it is built on the highest point of the volcanic crater, about 300 m (1000 ft) above sea level. Consequently, most properties in the All of Cavo Tagoo Santorini’s public areas and most suites (except for two) offer uninterrupted views of the island’s world-famous caldera, the underwater basin of an ancient volcano. The dazzling azure of the sky and sea, sharply contrasting black lava rocks, is a sight to behold.
The Imerovigli area home of Cavo Tagoo Santorini offers the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the famed Santorini sunsets. In addition to the benefit of enjoying prime sunset views from your private terrace or the hotel’s public areas, you will also get an extra 2 to 3 hours of late afternoon and evening sun. I adore the evening light and sunset.
Cavo Tagoo Santorini’s trendy design combines traditional Cycladic architecture with modern elegance while maintaining the original philosophy of the Cavo Tagoo brand. The result is a stunning whitewashed effect with brilliant splashes of color, and a masterful combination of traditional elements with modern purity. Designed by Liakos & associates architects, the hotel’s architectural concept fuses minimalism with soft shapes and organic materials, while staying true to the cultural and geographical heritage of the island, which has emerged from the lava. The use of black natural stone emphasizes the volcanic presence in all hotel areas, with the colors of smoked wood and copper referring to the shades of the hot lava that is still flowing on the island.
Cavo Tagoo Santorini’s stunning pool deck is a regular feature on the cover of glamorous fashion and travel magazines. Enjoying spectacular caldera views, the pool’s floating sun loungers are popular among the hotel’s good-looking guests, who come here to relax and socialize. There are also other types of sunbeds available, with covers providing some welcome shade during the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, the tranquil ambiance makes place for a clubby mood and the pool deck transforms into Santorini’s hottest address, thé place to see and be seen. The glamorous crowd gathers for Mediterranean aperitifs while enjoying the hotel’s trendy vibe and fabulous sunset views, accompanied by the music of the house DJ.
Cavo Tagoo Hotel Santorini is home to 13 stylish rooms & suites, lending the property an intimate boutique ambiance. All rooms and suites are tastefully furnished and provide such comforts as television LCD/plasma screen, luxurious bathroom amenities, and complimentary, daily replenished minibars. During my holiday, I was upgraded to the Grand Honeymoon Hotel Suite, one of the hotel’s top-category rooms. The suite featured a bedroom with a kingsized bed, an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, one sink, and a toilet, as well as a separate lounge area. The suite’s highlight was its spacious outdoor patio with sunbeds and a large heated pool, offering terrific views of Santorini’s famed caldera and sunset.
VEZENÉ Restaurant
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the spell-binding caldera and the magnificent hues of the sunset, Cavo Togoo Santorini’s signature restaurant Vezené are a Greek-inspired bistro and open-fire grill. Ranking among the best restaurants on the island, the dining venue is led by Ari Vezené, one of Greece’s most influential chefs. Born in New York and raised by Greek immigrants, Ari is the self-taught chef/butcher who garnered widespread acclaim for pairing traditional Greek recipes with whole animal butchery and extensive dry aging on lamb, goat, and game, resulting in complex flavor profiles. The food at the restaurant is truly great, offering a blend of Greek, Mediterranean, and Southern European cuisine.
One of Greece’s most influential chefs, Ari Vezené, and his eponymous bistro, widely considered an Athenian local’s favorite for over a decade. Surrender to the miraculous hues of the sunset against the dramatic backdrop of the spell-binding Caldera while enjoying flavors fueled by the aromas of an open fire grill, the traditions of a Greek taverna, and the elegance of a French bistro. Vezené is a Greek-inspired bistro and open-fire grill, motivated by personal views on local traditions. The kitchen boasts local seafood, line-caught fish, and grass-fed sustainable meats.
An excursion on the resort’s private yacht called M/Y Cavo is not to be missed. The yacht a FJORD 44 model boasts a sleek design, with several sitting areas (sun pads, cockpit table, and cockpit benches) on its upper deck as well as a stylish bedroom on the lower deck. The yacht is the perfect setting for a breathtaking journey along Santorini’s dramatic coastline, where you can plunge into an out-of-this-world coastal scenery and witness the splendor of the magic hour as the world’s most famous sunset paints everything into crimson gold. Let the yacht’s experienced captain and devoted hostess cater to your every need and desire, transforming a private sunset cruise in Santorini into a captivating experience you will treasure for life.
Things to know
* There is no gym at Cavo Tagoo Santorini and the hotel does not have an onsite spa either, but massages can be arranged either in-room or in a dedicated spa room.
* During the day, the hotel is very quiet, but that changes towards the late afternoon, when the hotel opens its pool deck (with bar and restaurant) to non-guests, resulting in a chic, party-going but also crowded atmosphere. Hotel guests lounging on the sunbeds are asked to dress up around one hour before sunset (or alternatively, you could always retreat to the pool or Jacuzzi of your own room)
* Like virtually all hotels on Santorini, Cavo Tagoo is a seasonal property, opening between April and October. Reserve well in advance to avoid any disappointment as it’s a hugely popular place.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Santorini is spring and fall when the weather’s warm and the crowds are few. Like all of the Cyclades, Santorini welcomes the most visitors during the summer, so you’ll need to make your reservations at least two months in advance to travel then.
