Where to begin on a review of this magical piece of paradise is the biggest challenge! I’m writing this review at the airport as we leave Iconic Santorini and make our way back to cold rainy England and real life. Like everyone across the world 2020 has been a hard and stressful year. In the midst of it all, completely unplanned or expected at the age of 42 with no children other than my fur babies I discovered I was pregnant with a baby girl due in December. So before our lives changed and an unknown chapter revealed itself and at 28 weeks pregnant when I am still fit and active and able for travel, it felt imperative for my husband and I to escape 2020 and Covid 19 and take some much much needed time out from the world and press pause. I came across Iconic through a travel newsletter I subscribe to and was intrigued enough by the ‘Boutique Cave Hotel’ reference to click through to their website. They had a notice up on the website to sign up to receive special offers from them so I signed up not thinking much of it. That day I received an email with some brilliant offers that caught my attention and made me want to find out more. We had a limited budget given the impact of Covid and fact that we have a new little person joining our family soon who I’m told will need lots of new things bought for her! But we’d agreed we’d rather do less days somewhere really special than more days somewhere less expensive but not as memorable. So I emailed Iconic to find out more and see what our budget would secure us there. From that very first email I was impressed with the level of customer care and attention. As it was the very end of the season the team were able to offer us the amazing Grotto suite within our budget and from the start they were so incredibly helpful with recommendations for trips and restaurants to enhance our stay. We’d never been to Santorini before and only booked a matter of weeks before we came but by the time it came to actually stepping on the plane I already felt like I knew the staff and that we were going to be very well looked after. It says on their website that you will feel like you have been welcomed by an old Greek friend when you stay there. My husband and I both agreed that from the second we arrived it was like we were staying with relatives who lived abroad and wanted us to have the best time ever without being intrusive. I can honestly say that it felt like we were looked after the way any of the staff would have looked after their own family members in their homes. Nothing was too much trouble and there is a gorgeous energy and warmth throughout the hotel that cannot only be attributed to the brilliant sunshine and stunning architecture – the staff team are simply the best we’ve ever come across on holiday – and we are hugely lucky to have been to some of the best hotels in the world, but I cannot remember another time where I have felt so emotional leaving a place and so at home and at ease around the staff. Every single one of them was a lesson in hospitality best practice and what it is to be a genuinely lovely person. So like you who are reading this review I also read a lot of the reviews before we went and I can confirm: The breakfasts are outstanding – every morning was a new surprise and absolutely delicious. And whether it was a pregnancy related craving or just the fact it was so delicious I had a special omelette made every morning just for me. 😊 Having it served on your terrace with the breath-taking backdrop of the ocean and volcanic cliffs as your view was just the perfect way to start every day. The food generally is awesome – the very talented chef prepared us a special Birthday meal where we literally told him all the ingredients we liked and he devised a bespoke four course menu that blew our socks off. Combined with his breakfast gastronomy treats and paired with the surprisingly lovely Greek wine from Santorini (I would never think to order Greek wine at home but it’s the majority wine on most menus there and rightly so) and the day menu of very tasty home comforts such as a club sandwich alongside more traditional Greek fare you will certainly not need to worry about going hungry. The beds are super comfy - I have always been an early riser and I don’t know whether the last year had just caught up with me but I can honestly say I have never slept in so much on any holiday! We tended to lose track of time anyway – that is part of the magic, but the enormous beds certainly have that luxurious feel good factor that promotes excellent rest. The location is perfect – from everyone we spoke to locally including restaurant staff and taxi drivers, the Iconic is situated in the best location on the Island. Set at the top of the caldera the views are mesmerizing and the village is peaceful and quiet with some lovely restaurants and shops within 5 minutes’ walk of Iconic. There is also a beautiful walk with that view always on one side that takes about 25 minutes down from Iconic into the main town area of Fira. Along the way there are places to stop for ice cream or to take photos of the fabulous view. We cheated and walked into town as it’s all downhill from Iconic and then got a taxi back up the hill for 10 euro. Once in Fira there is a wide range of shops and restaurants to explore and we discovered some brilliant local artists. The whitewashed narrow cobbled streets are like something out of a film set and the sunsets are remarkable. If you want to go to any of the other villages/towns Iconic will organise transport and nothing is too far away. The sunset cruise is a must – Iconic organised this for us and their recommendation as with everything else was spot on. The crew on the ship were great fun and there were lots of opportunities to swim in the gorgeous sea. The food on board was great and our drinks (soft and alcoholic) provided on tap throughout. Another special memory. We stayed for 7 nights though had only planned for 6 - due to a Greek air strike we had to stay another day and the Iconic team again went above and beyond. They were meant to be shutting for the season on the day we were originally meant to leave but stayed open for us even though we were the last guests and offered for us to keep our current room at the same price as their least expensive room on low season. This kindness meant we stayed another night in paradise with minimal disruption or stress. We had also taken the holiday as part of a Birthday treat for me and after a tip off from my husband the team had organised a Birthday cake and candles for the first night of our arrival which is just another example among many of their attention to detail, care and superior customer service. Another typical example of their superlative service is that when we arrived the team had checked the weather and it turned out the day we’d booked the cruise was actually going to be quite windy so they advised us on the best day to go according to the forecast and in liaison with the cruise company and made all the changes and they were right – the day we went was perfect. Weather wise we weren’t sure what to expect having never been before and with it being October but asides from one day where it was pretty windy but still warm it was sunbathing weather for us British and Irish travellers! As you’ve probably guessed we can’t recommend Iconic Santorini more highly. The Island and most importantly, the brilliant team who are the beating heart of Iconic, have created the most wonderful memories of our last holiday together for a while as just a couple. Even as we were leaving the staff were asking us to send pics of the little one when she is born – just as your far away relatives would. We will return again as a party of three and if you are even thinking about booking a hotel in Santorini your search is over. Book Iconic now, for forever memories and an unforgettable holiday to soothe your soul, heart, body and mind.…
This hotel is something else, perched on the edge of the Caldera. We were upgraded to one of their suites with the most fabulous view over the Caldera. The suite was spotlessly clean and the hotel's Covid hygiene procedures were second to none. We felt 100% safe in the hotel, everywhere in fact, but particularly in our wonderfully comfortable and superbly furnished rooms. In these troubled and worrying times it's what we were looking for: a place to relax, chill out and not worry about Covid. Totally achieved. The breakfast which can be ordered at any time during the day and which was served on our own personal terrace was absolutely fabulous, with a variety of fruits, yoghurt, eggs, cheese, ham, pancakes, waffles, bread rolls and much more. All staff were always friendly, polite, helpful and efficient. I can highly recommend this hotel, particularly if you're worried about infection. I've never seen such careful attention to detail when it comes to deep-cleaning, or cleaning on a daily basis.One of the best palaces we ever stayed in!!…
Third visit and we still want to go back for more. Many thanks to the iconic team for making this such a wonderful stay on your beautiful island .... AGAIN. The breakfasts overlooking the volcano are to die for and the service is perfect. Mark and Lisa
We went to Iconic in August to enjoy our honeymoon. To put it in simple words: just amazing. Everything from food, location, staff and rooms there wasn't anything which didn't exceed our expectations. Espacially the staff will do everything to make sure that you can enjoy this breathtaking atmosphere and scenery to the fullest. Also the breakfast served on your private terrace is remarkable. We'll definitely be back. Sarah & Max
What an amazing stay! Cannot express and thank enough the team for making this hotel absolutely outstanding in a very unique landscape of Santorini. You always hear amazing things about this magical island but arriving and witnessing it with your own eyes - is more than expected. Driver Andreas makes you feel very comfortable and welcomed once you get out from the boat. Everyone at the hotel: George, Afroditi, Antonis, Giannis - always smiling and extremely helpful. But what makes this place is - Marcela. What a nice, sweet, approachable General Manager! She welcomed us with open arms. The stay was absolutely flawless: hotel is exceptionally clean, everything and anything you can imagine - is there. There’s impeccable attention to detail and you can feel the love to the place when you are there. The ability to have different menu breakfast brought to your own room terrace - is just the cherry on top. No wonder this hotel is ranked on top of the list and is the best on the island. Keep going, Marcela, and the Team and THANK YOU. You made my summer!🤍…
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