Review of The Tsitouras Collection, by Jeroen Bergmans

In dramatic contrast to the usual spare, minimalist style of many of Santorini's boutique hotels, Tsitouras Collection is crammed full of exquisite antiques, ancient amphorae, Byzantine icons, antique maps and modern Greek paintings. Owner Dimitris Tsitouras is a well-known art collector, historian and author and Tsitouras Collection is testament to his incredible taste and the talents of interior designer David Hicks who helped him create this uniquely decadent boutique hotel.

The rooms at Tsitouras Collection are more like mini-apartments. All make the most of the stunning views of Santorini's extinct volcanic crater and its legendary, spectacular sunsets. Instead of the often-cramped cave rooms typical of Santorini boutique hotels, here domes, arched doorways, vaulted ceilings and skylights are delightful architectural details that compliment the unique interiors. Not surprisingly, Tsitouras Collection has been a haven for poets, artists, designers, photographers and honeymooners for the last twenty years.

The rooms

The five rooms at Tsitouras Collection are individually-designed to reflect a different aspect of Greek history. All have butler service, white marble bathrooms, free mini-bars and sleep up to five people.

The House of Portraits is in the boutique hotel's main building which dates back to 1780. Custom-designed furniture, marble-topped tables and a wooden baptismal font cleverly offset Russian icons, oil paintings and a bust of the Greek poet Sappho.

The screenplay of a Passage to India was written on an 18th-century ecclesiastical table in the House of Porcelain where Royal Copenhagen ceramics are displayed in a hand-painted china cabinet.

Black bed-covers echo Santorini's laval landscape in the House of the Winds where vaulted ceilings and a piano lend an air of grandeur.

The House of Sea has a nautical theme unique to the boutique hotel. An 18th-century icon of St Nicholas, patron of the sea, presides over mariners' chests, ancient nautical maps and a rare Picasso ceramic piece depicting three fish.

Honeymooners usually opt for the House of Nureyev as it is the only room in the boutique hotel with its own private veranda overlooking the caldera. The bathroom is clad in rare Iznik tiles from Turkey and also has amazing views.

Larger groups and families stay at Tsitouras Collection's luxury villa. It has a fully-equipped kitchen ideal for self-catering and 3 bedrooms, each with en-suite bathroom.

The facilities

Tsitouras Collection is more than just a boutique hotel - it has become a brand. The logo - a golden crown of laurel leaves - now graces bespoke silk scarves, French porcelain and scented candles, all available at the hotel's own boutique.

A la carte breakfast is served on Tsitouras Collection crockery with silver cutlery all day. Guests can also order fresh fish and Mediterranean dishes in advance. The boutique hotel has a signature 6-course tasting menu and chef is happy to prepare any dish with enough notice. In the evening, the boutique hotel lays on complimentary cocktails at sunset on the huge terrace presided over by a bust of Maria Callas.

With only a handful of guests, the staff at Tsitouras Collection are very flexible. Beauty treatments, baby-sitting, dinners for up to 100 guests, private tours of Santorini and even weddings can be arranged on request.