Hotel Review: Ikies, Santorini

Ikies is located overlooking the stunning caldera in a quiet spot on the edge of Oia town, which is on the northwest tip of the island. The centre is a 15-minute walk, which has buses to the island's capital, Fira, 14 km away. The nearest swimming spot (though not technically a beach) is Ammoudi Bay, the port just below Oia, 2km away. There's a 10.5km Oia-Fira hiking trail a minute away, and the beautiful Church of Panagia of Platsani, castle ruins, a maritime museum, a museum for ancient musical instruments and a vineyard (Domaine Sigalas) are all nearby.

By plane: direct flights to Thira take around 4 hours from London and Manchester. It's a 25-minute drive to the hotel. Free parking available. Book flights to Thira.

You feel very away from the bustle of the town centre, not least because Ikies is at the end of the village and not overlooked. Like much of Oia, the property is a maze of little whitewashed terraces and rooms hollowed into the hillside, overlooking the Aegean and cliffs all around. The cave-like rooms all have hand-sculpted walls and ceilings, adding character.

The staff are very helpful and friendly. Ikies has few facilities - there's no spa or gym, for example - but it's not that sort of place. There's a medium-sized communal pool overlooking the caldera and in-room beauty/wellness treatments and sessions are available on request. Instead of a bar or restaurant there's private dining, and drinks can be brought to your room. The result is that it's not a great place to socialise with other guests and it explains Ikies popularity for a romantic getaway.

• Sun terrace
• In-room dining
• 24/7 reception
• Swimming pool
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms and suites are built into the rock, which apart from giving them individual shapes and sizes, means that they keep cool. Cave-like, with domed ceilings, they are minimalist and painted white, with a metal panel on each displaying some traditional Greek poetry or prose. They have spacious terraces with sun loungers, suites have big sofas in the living area, most have jacuzzis and a few have steam rooms. A few are not so secluded.

Room types: Studio, Maisonette, Suite, Villa

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, private in-room dining, terrace, TV, free Wi-Fi

There's no restaurant or bar, but there are breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and drinks menus which are all brought to your room. The cuisine standard is high, although dinner seemed a bit rushed, no doubt because it was hard for the waiter to gauge the optimum time to bring each course.

Ikies: private in-room or terrace dining, daily. Breakfast served, 8-11am. Lunch and dinner served, 12-10pm.