Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection

Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection in Santorini, Greece, stands as a beacon of luxury, receiving a coveted Michelin Key One-Keys distinction for its exceptional offerings. Guests consistently laud the hotel for its breathtaking caldera views, impeccable service, and sophisticated design, making it a highly sought-after destination for an unforgettable island escape.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection, is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their experiences as "outstanding," "exceptional," "perfect," and "amazing." It holds a "Wonderful" rating of 9.0 on Booking.com, with a comprehensive rating of 9.5 out of 10, including high marks for cleanliness (9.6) and service (9.6). Many consider it a "world-class boutique hotel" and a "bucket list" destination that lives up to expectations.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

• Spectacular Views: Perched in Imerovigli, the hotel offers "probably the best scenery in Santorini," boasting "breathtaking views" of the caldera, Skaros Rock, and the legendary sunsets towards Oia.
• Exceptional Service: The staff is frequently praised as "five-star," "friendly and professional," and "the best service I've received anywhere in the world."
• Elegant Design: The hotel is a "gleaming white minimalist marvel" that perfectly interprets the Cycladic vernacular style with contemporary flair, featuring design items and a chic, sophisticated aesthetic.
• Luxurious Amenities: Highlights include the heated infinity pool (touted as the largest on the caldera), in-room spa treatments, a 24-hour fitness center, and personalised guest services like a pillow and scent menu.
• Gourmet Dining: The Michelin-awarded restaurant, Varoulko Santorini, and the superb, multi-course breakfast are consistently lauded.

3. Room Quality

Grace Hotel offers "immaculate and incredibly comfortable" rooms and suites, equipped with "current-day technology" and modern decor. Many units feature private plunge pools and terraces that provide glorious panoramic sea views. Rooms typically include king-size beds, crisp linens, goose-down duvets, satellite TVs, DVD players, and iPads. Guests can customize their stay with pre-arrival requests for bathroom amenities (Apivita cosmetics), an in-room fitness kit, a seven-choice pillow menu, and a selection of in-room drinks. While many rooms are semi-private, some lower-category rooms, particularly Deluxe rooms, might experience a lack of privacy due to their proximity to public walkways. Some guests have noted that outdoor plunge pools or indoor jacuzzis have a fixed temperature that can be too cold at night.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Grace Hotel is a significant highlight. Breakfast is described as "outstanding" and "superb," a several-course meal that changes daily and can be enjoyed in-room. This a la carte Champagne breakfast is a "foodie epic" featuring homemade pastries, various egg preparations, pancakes, fresh juices, smoothies, Greek yogurt, and feta pie, offering a refined alternative to typical buffet breakfasts.

For dinner, Varoulko Santorini, the hotel's Michelin-awarded restaurant, offers a culinary journey of Mediterranean creations with authentic Santorinian flair, curated by pioneering Michelin-star awarded chef Lefteris Lazarou (and Head Chef Giannis Koutsourakis). The menu often features seven-course tasting menus based on the day's fresh catches, beautifully presented on hand-spun ceramics. While the food quality is generally excellent, one older review mentioned that dinner portions could be small for the price. The hotel also features a champagne lounge and a poolside bar, where sundowners and light canapés are served nightly.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Grace Hotel is consistently rated as exemplary, often cited as one of the best aspects of the stay. The staff is described as "very kind and hearty," "friendly and professional," "attentive," and "committed to ensuring guests are well taken care of." Personal touches include champagne welcome drinks, Polaroid photos upon check-in, and a "memory box" for mementos. The concierge is readily available via WhatsApp, known for being "incredibly prompt and communicative." Guests appreciate the staff's willingness to go the extra mile, such as carrying heavy luggage up the hotel's many stairs without complaint. While largely positive, there have been isolated reports of minor service issues or staff disagreements, which are not representative of the overall exceptional service.

6. Location & Accessibility

Grace Hotel is ideally situated in Imerovigli, a picturesque village nestled on the highest part of the caldera, offering unparalleled "unbeatable" and "quiet and peaceful" views of the sunset and Skaros Rock. It's less crowded than the more bustling towns of Oia or Fira but remains within easy access for visits to both, with Fira being a short walk away.

Accessibility is a consideration due to the hotel's clifftop location, which involves navigating approximately 150 steps. This may pose a challenge for guests with mobility issues. The hotel generally has an adults-only policy, with guests needing to be at least 14 years old to stay in rooms and suites, though The Villa accommodates all ages.

The hotel is located about 5 miles (8 km) from Santorini Airport and 6.2 miles (10 km) from Athinios Port. Airport and ferry transfers can be arranged by the hotel for a fee. While public buses are available, they require a transfer in Fira and can be very crowded during peak season. Parking in Imerovigli can also be a challenge for those renting cars.

7. Value & Pricing

Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection, is recognized as one of Santorini's most luxurious and expensive hotels. The average room price is around $1155, significantly higher than the island's average of $503. Weeknight prices average $1,409, while weekend nights can reach $2,671. Prices fluctuate seasonally, with April being the cheapest month and July the most expensive. Despite the premium pricing, many guests feel the unforgettable experience, exceptional service, and stunning location provide "exceptional value for money" within the luxury segment, making it "worth every penny."

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Privacy Concerns: Certain lower-category rooms, particularly Deluxe rooms at the lowest levels, may experience reduced privacy due to their proximity to public walkways.
• Mobility Challenges: The extensive number of steps (around 150) due to its caldera-side location makes the hotel less suitable for guests with mobility issues or very young children.
• Dining Cost/Portion Size: An older review mentioned that dinner portions at the Santoro restaurant were perceived as small for the "astronomically high rates." Some guests also found the wine list expensive and desired more varied dining options beyond the Michelin-star tasting menu.
• Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Temperature: The fixed temperature of outdoor plunge pools and indoor jacuzzis has been a minor complaint, with some guests finding them too cool for evening use.
• Room Design Choices: A specific complaint noted an "odd decorative volcanic wall" in some rooms that might limit natural light and views compared to a full floor-to-ceiling window.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. trip.com
3. booking.com
4. travelplusstyle.com
5. santorinidave.com
6. theluxurytravelexpert.com
7. auberge.com
8. travelocity.com
9. theweddingedition.co.uk
10. mrandmrssmith.com
11. youtube.com
12. hotels.com
13. reddit.com
14. expedia.com
15. agoda.com
16. kayak.com