Skyfall Suites ★★★★

It was three years since we’d tied the knot on the romantic island of Santorini, and we’d kept to our promise and gone back every year since to relive the island’s unsurpassed beauty. Our wedding was completely inspired by the romance of this intimate island… from my dress which mirrored the classic white buildings wrapped in vibrant pink bougainvillea, to the canapés which reflected the intricate details of the Greek architecture and the splashes of colour to match the blue-domed churches. The cake was inspired by the cascading hills of the island, whilst the bridesmaid dresses were drawn from the natural elements… flowing blue gowns to match the Aegean sea, with loose wavy hair held in place with a floral olive leaf crown.

Our shared love for Santorini had started a few years ago when we’d booked our first holiday together in a luxury hotel perched on a cliff above the traditional Venetian village of Pyrgos - probably the best decision we’ve ever made. The island is no secret and draws crowds throughout the year, so we wanted to escape the tourists and find somewhere a little more remote and peaceful.

After just ten minutes of driving through traditional Cycladic houses, Byzantine churches and medieval manors, we arrived in Pyrgos and drove up to what would be our home for the next week. We opened the door to our suite and were immediately hit with the most amazing panoramic view overlooking the towns below, the crystal-clear sea and the smaller islands towards the horizon. Our suite was open-plan with a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom and a private balcony with a heated infinity pool. The rooms were spacious, full of natural light and beautifully decorated with all the facilities we needed including air-conditioning, a mini-bar, coffee & tea making facilities, a satellite TV, slippers, bathrobes and a selection of luxurious beauty products.

We got into a routine of enjoying leisurely breakfasts delivered to our terrace, made up of pastries, fresh fruit with Greek yoghurt, eggs and various other treats which changed each day. We’d then wander down to reception and get some advice from the staff who helped us with anything we needed and took care of every little detail so that we could cherish our experience. We went on a boat trip around the caldera and underwater volcano, we rode horses along the beach, we hiked around the island to discover the fascinating history and scenery, and we explored the labyrinth of narrow winding streets that lead up to the castle. We’d then return to our paradise suite and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the pool and waiting for the magical sunset, where the glow of the orange and red reflected on the white buildings was a magnificent spectacle that we’ll never forget. Supper would usually consist of a tasty Grecian dish complimented with a crisp glass of wine at one of the restaurants in Pyrgos, made using local ingredients and prepared with passion and creativity.      

Needless to say our decision to steer away from the touristy zones and escape to an idyllic sky-high suite was a good one. Our last day was sad, but we’d already arranged to come back again each year to see what other hidden treasures we could find on our romantic island of Santorini.