"Kirini is sharp and sleek with a wonderful restaurant, Basilico, that makes it a favourite of romantics and gourmands alike."
In 2005, Katikies, one of Santorini’s legendary luxury hotels, re-branded its plush Katikies Suites as a new boutique hotel, Kirini. Catering to honeymooners and Europe’s glamorous jet-set with a penchant for fine-dining, the boutique hotel is nestled on a cliff and overlooks the volcanic islands of the Caldera basin and the beauty of the Aegean.
The facilities
The real appeal of the boutique hotel is its Michelin-star quality cuisine which mixes Italian dishes with Greek flavours. The eight tables for two are available exclusively to Kirini’s guests and those at Santorini’s second Relais and Chateaux property Zannos Melathron. Candlelight, a soundtrack that’s sultry, sassy and a touch operatic and sunsets that light up those impossibly romantic caldera views set the tone for an a la carte culinary tour de force.
The menu at Basilico restaurant is concise but comprehensive and accompanied by a wine list that includes all three varietals of Santorini’s famous whites. Parmesan bread and elaborate amuse-bouches of mushrooms with sweet herbs and cream of bacon got our gastric juices going before starters of Duck Foie with Moshato Wine Sauce arrived, unveiled dramatically beneath traditional silver tureens. The main course of Sea Bass sautéed with Fennel and Pistachio sauce was divine and the delicious signature dessert Trilogy of Sweet Greek Flavours a fitting finale to what is one of the finest dining experiences in Santorini.
Guests at the boutique hotel can also lounge at the bijou pool, and enjoy treatments or a trip to the sauna at the hotel's spa. The spa features a range of treatments including massages and facials, but do book appointments ahead of time because the spa takes only one guest (or couple) at a time.
The suites
Almost all the boutique hotel's 19 modern-baroque suites created by Greek designer Tselepis have Jacuzzis for ultimate relaxation. But every room does have a heart-stopping view over Santorini’s famous volcanic Caldera. Each suite is furnished with satellite TV, air-con and all the mod-cons expected by media moguls and megastars from a five-star luxury hotel.
Star rating:
Address: Oia, Santorini, 84702, Cyclades Islands, Greece
View rooms Address: Oia, Santorini, 84702, Cyclades Islands, Greece
Rates from:
EUR 395
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Who stays here
All manner of business bigwigs, jetset and top-drawer celebrities. The staff, of course, would never name names.
Not suitable for
- The unsteady - Kirini has lots of steps
- Kids under 16 as this is more of a couples hotel
Eating in
The impossibly romantic Basilico offers Italian cuisine with Greek accents coupled with razor-sharp service and a sultry, operatic soundtrack. Try the Seabass sauteed with fennel and pistachio sauce and the trilogy of sweet Greek flavours.
