Kerry Christiani

Even from a distance, Santorini is a sight to behold. Surrounded by the azure Aegean Sea and home to its famous flooded caldera, it’s a true gem of the Cyclades. This is the Greece that attracts tourists from all across the globe: the sugar cube-like houses glinting in the sunlight (almost good enough to eat) and the domes of Orthodox churches sending flashes of blue through the landscape. The island is almost too attractive. On the days when a cruise ship has docked, Santorini’s largest towns, like Fira and Oia, become packed with friendly visitors. But don’t let that put you off. If you know where to look, there are plenty of lesser-known, picture-perfect spots to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Start your holiday here. And now, relax... RECOMMENDED:🇬🇷 New to Greece? Here's where to stay in Santorini☀️ Check out the best spots to visit in Greece  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Often brushed aside as being just another cheap-and-cheerful package destination, Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, has an alter ego. For history, Rhodes Town is (quite literally) the Holy Grail – the Knights Hospitaller polished the cobblestones of its citadel in the fourteenth century. Dip into the Unesco World Heritage Old Town today for places to stay that are big on medieval charm, with heavy doors pushing open into courtyards paved with sea pebbles and perfumed with frangipani. We've searched every corner of this idyllic island to bring you the very best that Rhodes has to offer – from boutique bolt-holes in the shadow of Lindos’ acropolis to seriously stylish sea-facing spa resorts. Read on for our favourites. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in RhodesRECOMMENDED: The best hotels in SantoriniRECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Mykonos Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Whatever the mood, moment or budget, Spain has a hotel that fits the bill. We’re talking places with personality, history and one-of-a-kind design that will take you from the ragged heights of the Pyrenees to the sun-bleached badlands of Andalusia, the Modernist boulevards of Barcelona to the Moorish alleyways of Córdoba. Choose wisely and where you stay will add a whole new dimension to your travels. Monasteries with boutique cachet, classy caves between city and sierra, revamped castles and middle-of-nowhere country manors—we’ve combed the country to find lodgings that border on the soulful, spiritual and sublime. Here are some of our favourite hotels in Spain.