The 23-room Belvedere Santorini is a small four-pearl hotel set on the bluffs of Firostefani, overlooking the Aegean with a coastal cobblestone pathway that leads to Fira’s shops, galleries, and restaurants. Rooms are decorated in stylish white furnishings and have terraces with Aegean views. Honeymoon Suites feature fireplaces in sitting areas; some suites also have kitchenettes. There's an outdoor pool with amazing sea views from surrounding lounge chairs and a charming wine cellar in the basement. However, there's no on-site restaurant or spa, so it may be worth comparing rates at the Lilium Villas Santorini, which has both.

The Sun Rocks Hotel, showcasing particularly chic Cycladic architecture, is perched high above the Aegean Sea. Attentive service and a couples-only policy gives the places a real upscale vibe, though the real star of the show are the breathtaking panoramas visible throughout. Elegant cave-like rooms opens to sea-view terraces; many feature hot tubs, and some have private plunge pools. Even by Santorini standards there are a lot of steps, so those with mobility challenges shouldn't stay here -- however romancing couples looking for a relaxing and secluded hideaway would be hard-pressed to better in the area in this price range. The Tsitouras nearby is intimate and art-filled but lacks the in-room hot tubs found in some units here.