H

ōm Santorini calls itself a summerhouse, which is a rather modest term for this stylish twelve-suite hotel built right into the island’s cliffs. With a laid-back, footwear-optional, drinks-anytime vibe, it certainly embodies the homey charm of a friend’s vacation home. But the sleek design and panoramic ocean views from every room are a step above what a houseguest might reasonably expect — not to mention the striking swimming pool and a menu of modern Greek dishes, delicately portioned and exquisitely presented on stone plates.

The look mixes the elegance of ancient Greek architecture with a clean, contemporary aesthetic, the décor rendered in curving shapes and earthy hues inspired by sky and sea. Like many Santorini hotels, Hōm tumbles down a steep hillside, and the building’s form is somewhat dictated by the landscape. As a result, the hotel’s physical spaces are compact, including rooms and terraces that hug the cliffs and jut out over the water. Options run the range from double rooms with built-in wood furnishings and smooth concrete floors to the lavish master suite with its oversized marble bathroom and a spiral staircase leading to a private terrace with a plunge pool. Of particular note is the cave suite; as the name suggests, it’s carved into volcanic rock, and the room opens onto a small private patio with a hot tub. All rooms and suites have king-sized beds, Nespresso machines, eco-friendly Greek toiletries, sculptural lamps, and art objects that evoke Mediterranean antiquities.

On a terrace facing the sea, gourmet Greek cuisine is served al fresco for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some tables are set between an infinity pool and the ocean, perhaps disrupting the view for swimmers but offering diners the illusion of being suspended between two serene bodies of water. It’s a matter of personal preference whether the pool or an outdoor table is a superior venue for cocktails during the spectacular Santorini sunset.