Situated on the quieter, western caldera of Santorini, just a short drive from Fira and the airport, you’ll find Magma Resort Santorini. The resort feels secluded yet accessible – a welcome contrast to Santorini’s busier, whitewashed towns. The building itself wasn’t quite what I was expecting when visiting the island, all dark and striking, rising from the volcanic landscape. But it’s got everything you need for a blissful experience, while offering a picturesque backdrop of the Aegean sea.
Why stay at Magma Resort Santorini?
Far from the iconic white and blue Cycladic architecture that defines Santorini, imagine a sophisticated, luxury hideaway that embodies the natural landscape. Magma Resort Santorini opened three years ago, and is a modern, minimalist structure, designed with subtle elegance and sustainably built. Forged from the very own volcanic stone of the island, its tall, dark walls blend seamlessly with elements like glass and hardwood, while the rooftops are covered in grass and wild plants. Add an impressive 70m infinity pool to the mix – plus a cosy fire pit that warms the evenings – you’ll understand the resort’s ethos with amenities designed for grounding and relaxing.
The resort also features the Astra Lounge, a private outdoor terrace overlooking the resort with sweeping views of the ocean. On Saturday and Tuesday mornings guests are invited to participate in a sunrise Yoga session, taking in the views from the Astra Lounge while soaking in the bliss of the peaceful mornings. The space is somewhere I imagine a lavish proposal happening, accompanied by fireworks, candles and champagne, or maybe a special birthday dinner with courses rolling out one after the other.
What are the rooms like at Magma Resort Santorini?
Picture 59 rooms offering the same natural character, each with a choice of private pools, hot tubs and verandas. We enjoyed undisturbed views of the Aegean sea, and listened to the birds while waking up. The rooms are tiered by size: King, Junior, Lava and Magma. There’s only one Magma room (and it’s the biggest), ideal for a getaway with friends or as a family stay, as the resort opened its doors to children last year. We stayed in a Junior Suite with a jacuzzi, which was more than spacious for two. With three terrace verandas, a jacuzzi which served more like a pool, and complete privacy from neighbouring rooms and communal spaces, the room felt like our own luxury retreat.
The palette of the rooms encapsulates Santorini’s natural tones of rust red, volcanic black and crisp white, and are designed to create a sense of calm and rootedness. While a few finishing touches wouldn’t go amiss, such as a full-length mirror, or a wider selection of tea, coffee or hot drinks, the space is still effortlessly cool, with electric black out curtains, mood lighting, a comfortable lounge space, and a spacious stone shower. The resort and rooms are also accessible for those who need it. You can definitely get a workout by taking the stairs, or opt for a buggy ride provided by staff.
What is the food like at Magma Resort Santorini?
The resort offers two excellent restaurants: Colombo Restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch, which then transforms into the Magma Soul Restaurant for dinner. Headed up by Mr Soultatos and executive chef Stefanos Kokkalis, the masterful menu utilises fresh, quality ingredients, from locally farmed meats to fresh fish from Santorini and rich olive oil from Crete. We loved the Greek salad, the chicken gyros and the beef short ribs with orzo and Cretan Graviera cheese. Feeling indulgent? You can order room service and tuck in on your balcony overlooking the ocean instead.
The continental buffet breakfast is good but pretty standard – champagne, cereals, croissants and the likes – or there’s an à la carte menu for oven-baked omelettes and scrambled tofu, coming in at around €18 each. It’s all eaten either inside the restaurant looking out onto the pool, or poolside, which is rather special, overlooking the resort’s vineyard. We visited during the low season, shortly after the hotel opened for summer, and sometimes found we were the only people at the restaurant for dinner.
What can you do at Magma Resort Santorini?
The main theme at this resort is relaxation and indulgence, and having a groundedness to the land and local area. It will be a couple of years before Magma’s own wine is served at the resort’s restaurant, but until then guests can still head across to the Magma vineyard for a wine tasting experience, albeit at an extra cost. Wine in Santorini has a distinctive character and taste thanks to the nutrients in the volcanic soil – we loved it.
In addition to wine tasting, guests can unwind at the Lava Spa, an underground sanctuary carved from the same grey-black volcanic rock that defines the resort’s aesthetic. Tucked in a cave-like setting, the dark space is tranquil, with soft music, lovely aromas and the full shebang: a heated pool, sauna, steam room and gym, all thankfully included in your stay. What will cost you are the extra treatments – massages and facials, like the Ice Queen Cyro face lift (€134) and the Holy Grail facial (€103), which I tried, which is personalised for your skin and left me baby-smooth. As with the staff from the rest of the resort, the Lava Spa therapists were professional, attentive and genuinely kind.
While the resort does welcome children, it's not specifically designed with them in mind. If your kids are content with a dip in the infinity pool and don’t require much entertainment, they’ll be just fine – but overall, there is a more relaxed, adults-only vibe.
What is the area like at Magma Resort Santorini?
A short five-minute walk up a dirt path alongside the resort leads you to the quiet hillside village of Vourvoulos. Expect a few classic Cycladic houses, corner shops and tavernas – easy options for if you’re in the mood for a snack or simple meal outside of the resort, all within walking distance.
Or you can head out for a beach day a little further out – this is a great spot from which to venture out on day trips to Fira or Yalos Beach, using Magma Resort’s complimentary shuttle bus service (a lovely touch). The shuttles run four times a day and need to be booked in advance, which can easily be done via the resort’s 24-hour WhatsApp concierge. Yalos Beach is five-minutes away and has live music, dining and pebble beaches, and Fira is more touristy, lined with boutique shops and views of Santorini’s iconic caldera coastline. Even the airport is only ten minutes away by car from the resort, but the shuttle doesn’t run there – book a taxi in advance.
Why should you book a stay at Magma Resort Santorini?
Magma resort Santorini offers you a sense of seclusion without sacrificing convenience. You won’t find the typical postcard views of whitewashed cliffs here – rather this stay will immerse you in the island’s raw, volcanic beauty, while still being just minutes from Fira, Oia, the beach and the airport.
The resort delivers on all fronts – for families, couples and solo travellers. Staying here is pricey, but fairly so: Aegean sea views, a spa sanctuary and a fantastic on site restaurant mean staying here feels luxurious. We recommend booking during low season or mid-week for better value – plus you might just get the poolside restaurant all to yourself.
DETAILS
Address: Vourvoulos 847 00, Greece
Price per night: Prices start at €330 per night (look out for discounts, and special rates for World of Hyatt members)
Closest transport: Santorini Airport is a 10 minute drive
Book now: Click here