Mystique by Jeroen Bergmans

As the traditional, trologytic cave rooms of boutique hotel Mystique are painted a comforting cream, they stand out against the blinding Cycladic white of the other luxury hotels that cling to Santorini’s dramatic caldera. Sculptural driftwood fixtures give the fashionable, contemporary interiors an eco-ethnic twist, and the intimacy of this cosy retreat is complimented by the efficient service that’s a hallmark of Starwood Hotels. The latest addition to Santorini’s impressive list of luxury boutique hotels, Mystique is favoured by well-heeled jet-setters and honeymooners in the know.

The facilities

Guests at Mystique start their day with a healthy, Greek breakfast at Charisma restaurant, which also serves refined, modern Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. Then it’s time to while away the day beside the boutique hotel’s bijou, curvaceous infinity pool or soaking up the rays on the sun terrace which overlooks Santorini’s legendary volcanic caldera.

Aura pool bar is the perfect spot for those obligatory sundowners. Oia has a handful of excellent restaurants, but true gourmands should book the atmospheric wine cave, Secret, to feast on the boutique hotel’s impressive 7-course amuses dinner where every dish comes with a carefully-selected Santorini wine.

In-room aromatherapy massages can be arranged and for those who value exercise over pampering, use of the fitness centre at sister boutique hotel Vedema is free.

The rooms

All the boutique hotel’s 18 rooms have pared-down interiors in Mystique’s signature creamy hue with driftwood headboards and cushions embroidered with floral designs adding a traditional touch. Tivoli radios, plasma-screen TVs and Wifi are a nod to the needs of the modern traveller and locally-sourced limestone floors and private terraces facing Santorini’s caldera add a sense of place. Ex Voto toiletries and mini-bars full of champagne and pink lemonade are a welcome a dash of extravagance.

The Spiritual Suites are the most spectacular and they include a private dining room, Jacuzzi bath, spa bed and mini-gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment. The boutique hotel’s two villas are reserved for the most decadent of honeymooners and celebrities who insist in ultimate privacy.