Born from one family’s genuine desire for warm hospitality, each one of our properties has its own unique story to tell. Discover the Santorinian tradition and heartfelt authenticity behind every hotel, and learn about how Secret Hotels came to be.
The beginning
1890
The property in Oia is acquired through marriage, between two renowned families in the field of shipping. It was used as a grape storage site as well as for the production of wine for private consumption. As the years went by, the exquisite quality of wine that was produced made the family consider it as a retail product.
Involvement in the wine trade
1975
The family acquires the historical sailing boat of St. George, the name of which is inspired by the namesake, large church of Oia. In this way, the shipping family begins to export among all the other products their wine as well to Russia and other locations.
From a winery to our first home
1990
The winery was converted into residential houses for the members of the family and for hosting their friends on occasion. The family begins to feel the rewards of being hosts and aware of the satisfaction of warm and heartfelt hospitality, even if it was an amateur occupation at the time.
The birth of professional hospitality
2011
The family decides to become actively engaged in the tourism sector by making inherent sense of hospitality their profession. The legacy begins by converting the property into the 1st hotel and main pillar of the Secret Hotels collection.
Opening of Santorini Secret Suites & Spa
2014
After 4 years of difficult construction works, which were challenging due to the geomorphology of Oia’s terrain, Santorini Secret Suites & Spa finally opened its doors. Designed according to the Cycladic architectural tradition, the structure of the hotel has maintained the Santorinian beauty ideal and the charm of its genuine past by tastefully showcasing the elements that are reminiscent of its previous use as a winery and grape storage site.
The Secret brand expands
2015-2016
Wanting to increase their presence as contributors to the island’s tourism, the family decided to purchase two more properties in order to build the next two hotels in Oia; Secret Legend Suites & Santorini Secret Premium.
Opening of Secret Legend
2017
Spring
Secret Legend Suites were carved into the Caldera through the restructuring of a 19th century building which housed a traditional bakery in a historical spot of Oia, in front of the great church of Platsani. The Cycladic architectural design dominates the hotel by way of a minimal aesthetic, dressed in white tones and stone built furniture, while the hotel’s facade incorporates local volcanic rock.
Opening of Secret Premium
2017
Summer
Previously a captain’s house with amazing views onto the Caldera and the Aegean, this building was resided by families of seafarers who lived in Oia during the old ages. It was acquired by the family in 2016 for turning it into the Secret Premium hotel, since it exuded the warmth and genuine hospitality feel of an actual home. It is located on Oia’s pedestrian road just behind Santorini Secret Suites & Spa.
Opening of Tramonto Secret Villas
2018
In 2018, the old captain’s manor, which has been owned by the family since 1880 and boasts incredible sea and sunset views, was restructured and fully refurbished in a Mediterranean style with baroque touches.
In keeping with the original form of the manor, the spaces on the ground floor especially have been kept precisely as they were, in the typical canava, dome-shaped and cave-like. This is now Tramonto Secret Villas (Tramonto meaning sunset in Italian), and the next addition to the Secret Hotels collection.
Opening of Secret View Hotel
2019
In 2019, Secret View Hotel opens its door as the newest member of the Secret Hotels collection. A newly-built complex, just 10 minutes from Oia, it has been designed with the utmost respect for the natural landscape.
It is set within an endless vineyard, in the traditional settlement of Foinikia and boasts enchanting sunset views. Created for offering its guests the opportunity of true Santorinian living, which is to experience the beauty and authenticity behind the simplicity of a traditional village right in the heart of nature, away from the hustle and bustle.
Expansion of Secret View Hotel
2021
In 2021, Secret View Hotel is back and bigger. 18 unique suites have been designed with the luxury in simplicity and have been added to our complex creating a new paradise.
Keeping the original style and adding more comfort and luxury. Our new section with 18 suites more, new spa and pool bar area and the White Rock restaurant sets an even more sensational and ultimate experience to our guests.
