Canaves Sunday

Canaves Sunday is named after the most unhurried day of the week, and the place lives up to it. There are just eight cave suites, stacked over four levels and all facing the caldera, right in the pedestrian heart of Oia. Add an infinity pool, the Veranda Sushi and Sunset Bar perched at the village’s highest point, and the full spa at sister hotel Canaves Oia Suites around 80 metres away. Interiors stick to Santorini’s chalk-white palette with enough warmth that the boho-chic label never tips into cliche.

The experience

The mood is what sets Canaves Sunday apart on an island where luxury can feel performative. With only eight suites, it feels more like a stylish private house than a hotel, and the team runs it that way, with 24-hour in-suite dining, twice-daily housekeeping and a concierge who can sort sailing trips and restaurant bookings. Days tend to drift between your terrace and the infinity pool, which is unheated, so it is at its best in high summer. When you want pampering, the spa at Canaves Oia Suites is a two-minute walk, and in-suite treatments and yoga can be arranged too. Evenings belong to the Veranda.

The rooms

The eight cave suites run from around 45 to 85 square metres, and every one faces the caldera. Interiors are chalk-white and softly rounded, with linen textiles and handmade details giving the boho-chic look some warmth. The Master Suite has its own infinity pool and the Honeymoon Suite an outdoor hot tub, so those are the two to request if private water matters. Some guests find the suites smaller than Oia’s very top tier, but nobody seems to mind once the sun goes down.

Food and drink

The Veranda Sushi and Sunset Bar is the star, set at the highest point of Oia with sushi, cocktails and a well-chosen wine list, and the sunset as the main event. It is small and popular, so book a table early. Beyond that, 24-hour in-suite dining means you can eat on your own terrace whenever you like, and the restaurants of Oia are just a few minutes away on foot.

The neighbourhood

You are in the pedestrian heart of Oia, so the village’s restaurants, galleries, boutiques and sunset viewpoints are all a short stroll away. Ammoudi Bay, with fishing boats, fish tavernas and swimming off the rocks, is a long flight of steps below the village. The caldera path south towards Imerovigli makes a spectacular morning walk. Taxis are scarce on the island, so book any transfers in advance.