Perched on the southern caldera cliffs, beaming white against greenery, volcanic rocks, and blue sky, Astra Suites has a vibe that’s all about simple luxury. Having won the 2013 Condé Nast Johansens award for Most Romantic Hotel, Astra is ideal for discerning couples who want to be absorbed in the blanched luxury of its contemporary Cycladic style. Seamlessly blending traditional elements with a modern aesthetic, Astra Suites also introduces splashes of color through accents like terracotta floor tiles and well-placed succulent patches. Bright furnishings add further cheer, including very colorful chairs situated by the front desk.

Artwork is minimal save for a few watercolor and ink works hanging by reception and in rooms. Normally this may lead to a stark style with no personality, but the attention given to the venue’s interior design and overall architecture sets the tone perfectly.

Astra Suites is located at the top of the southern cliffs of Santorini’s caldera, and is less than two miles from the region’s bustling capital, Fira. Astra offers guests remarkable panoramic views across the Aegean Sea, especially at sunset. Skaros Rock is within walking distance and guests only need to drive 10-20 minutes to reach some of Santorini’s historical points of interest.

While Astra Suites is away from town, its location is shared by many neighboring hotels and is not as secluded as other Imerovigli properties like the Santorini Princess. That doesn’t seem to matter much as Astra Suites has been listed as a Top 25 hotel of the world by TripAdvisor users and was given the Gold prize for Excellence in Customer Service at the 2014 Greek Tourism Awards.

This 27-room hotel has eight different room categories, each designed with traditional stark white Cycladic architecture and outfitted with a bright decor. Pops of color are captured in the tiled floors and fluffy bedspreads, with a prized oasis of blue found in the infinity pools on select suite terraces. With unique interior design, each unit has an exotic feel and comes with spectacular caldera and sea views. Some of the spacious personal terraces, like on the ground floor, are in public view, resulting in less privacy than others. Rooms also come with air-conditioning, minibars, fully equipped kitchens, and gorgeous tiled bathrooms as well as a free bottle of local wine.

The hotel’s sparkling blue, heated infinity pool overlooking the caldera and Aegean Sea is a notable amenity. A few chairs, large lounge bed, and simple bar surround the pool, with free towels provided as well. On the highest level of the property, the outdoor Astra Restaurant serves up its creative take on traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine along with a free breakfast. Room service and personal terrace dining are also available.

A full wellness spa performs bodywork and treatments and includes a sauna and hot tub. Sailing and other excursions can be arranged by the concierge desk. With the towns Fira and Oia nearby, the hotel offsets the island’s lack of cabs by offering transportation services (for a fee) and car or motorbike rentals. Other features include an on-call doctor and business services like scanning and laptop loaners.