"Having travelled together every year for the past five years, my best friend and I have become quite particular about what makes the perfect holiday. We know exactly what we're looking for – a beautiful adults-only environment, exceptional service, comfortable accommodation, great food and, perhaps most importantly, outstanding sunbeds where we can spend long, relaxing days in the sunshine.
We stayed at Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Spa for a week at the end of May/beginning of June and, whilst we had high expectations based on the reviews and photos, within minutes of arriving we realised the reality exceeded them.
The resort is a beautiful boutique adults-only property that feels luxurious whilst remaining relaxed and welcoming. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this was somewhere special.
Our first room was lovely and had a sea view, but it wasn't quite what we had envisioned in terms of space. Having previously read that many of the rooms differ in layout and style from those shown on the website, we knew each room had its own character. Amber could not have been more helpful and happily showed us an alternative room the following morning, which turned out to be absolutely perfect for what we wanted. For us, that flexibility and willingness to ensure guests are happy speaks volumes about the hotel's approach to customer service.
The rooms themselves are fabulous. The beds were incredibly comfortable and the showers were honestly among the best we have ever experienced in a hotel. We also loved having the little kitchenette area with a kettle, fridge with a small freezer compartment, mugs and wine glasses – perfect for keeping our wine chilled and storing snacks for the week. A little tip for future guests: take some small ice bags for the freezer as they come in very handy.
One small suggestion would be additional drawer space. We were fortunate to have a wardrobe, but some integrated drawers within the dressing table or bedside units would have been really useful without compromising the overall design. It is a balance between maintaining the beautiful aesthetic and providing a little more practical storage for longer stays.
Breakfast each morning was first-class. The combination of indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of shaded options, meant you could choose exactly where you wanted to sit. The selection was extensive, varied and constantly replenished. I particularly loved the teapots for making a proper morning pot of tea – it's those little touches that make such a difference. The breakfast staff were exceptional, attentive without ever being intrusive, and always seemed one step ahead of what guests needed.
We chose to eat lunch at the hotel every day, either by the pool or at the bar, and never once felt the need to venture elsewhere. The salads were fantastic, the pizzas were delicious and exactly the right size for a light lunch in the sunshine. The cocktails were equally impressive, especially the Piña Coladas, which became our daily ritual and something we genuinely looked forward to each afternoon.
The staff deserve special recognition because they are what truly make this hotel outstanding. Maria is quite simply everyone's guardian angel. She somehow knows exactly what you need before you've even thought about it yourself. John was equally wonderful, always friendly, attentive and genuinely invested in ensuring guests have the best possible experience. Amber deserves another mention too – a fountain of knowledge who can seemingly arrange absolutely anything and always with a smile.
Through the hotel we booked a fantastic boat trip which was one of the highlights of our holiday and very much recommended.
There is also a gym on site which we were pleased to discover. It's compact but has all the basics including a treadmill, bike, rowing machine, free weights, benches and other equipment, making it perfectly adequate for maintaining a holiday fitness routine.
One piece of feedback we shared with the hotel was that a small map or clearer instructions on how to locate and access the gym would be beneficial for future guests, and ensuring all staff are aware of its location and access arrangements would also help.
It's also worth noting that the gym shares the same space as the spa treatment area. This means that when treatments are taking place, the gym is unavailable for guest use. It wasn't a major issue for us, but it's useful information for anyone planning regular workouts during their stay.
Speaking of the spa, we booked a hot stone massage together and it was absolutely incredible – genuinely one of the best massages either of us has ever had and a real highlight of our stay.
Now for what became our favourite part of the holiday – the sunbeds. As ridiculous as it may sound to some people, this is one of our biggest deciding factors when choosing a destination. After years of travelling together, we can honestly say these were the best sunbeds we have ever experienced. Comfortable, spacious and perfectly positioned between the pool and beach, they made every day feel effortlessly luxurious.
The resort benefits from both pool and beach options. There are two pools across the property, which is laid out in a linear style. One accommodation block and pool sit at the front of the resort, while the second block and pool are just through a gate and across a very quiet road. We stayed in the second section and loved it. The second pool enjoys sunshine for most of the day, whilst the first pool catches more of the late afternoon sun, giving guests great choice depending on their preference.
The beach itself is black sand and pebbles, very typical of Santorini. The hotel's beach club area is thoughtfully designed with wooden walkways making access easy. A small tip for future visitors: pack sea shoes! Getting into and out of the sea is definitely an art form and often became unintentional entertainment as guests attempted graceful entries and exits. Let's just say there were very few Instagram-worthy moments, but plenty of laughs!
The hotel's location is excellent and we received some fantastic restaurant recommendations. We highly recommend Number 41 and Seaside, both around a 20-minute walk away and absolutely worth the trip for a special meal. Fratzeskos Fish Tavern was another standout and served some of the best fish we've ever eaten. It was packed with locals every night, which tells you everything you need to know.
Whilst we never really found what we'd describe as a traditional town centre, we thoroughly enjoyed visiting Fira for an evening, wandering through the shops and walking the caldera path towards Firostefani as the sun began to set. We finished the evening at Ginger Sushi Lounge and were so glad we did. The sushi and tuna were exceptional and some of the best we've had anywhere.
One practical tip for visitors is transport. We quickly discovered that taxis and Uber can be surprisingly expensive, often around €40 for very short journeys. It wasn't an issue for us, but it's useful to know in advance.
The location is also incredibly convenient, with a small supermarket less than two minutes' walk away for wine, beer, snacks and any essentials you may need throughout your stay.
Overall, Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Spa is somewhere we would return to without hesitation. The facilities are excellent, the rooms are beautiful, the food is fantastic and the setting is idyllic. Most importantly, every single member of staff genuinely cares about creating an exceptional experience for their guests.
It's the people who make this hotel what it is, and thanks to them we had one of our most enjoyable holidays yet. If you're looking for a relaxed, luxurious adults-only escape in Santorini, you will struggle to find better."
