Canaves Epitome, Santorini’s Most Kid-Friendly Luxury Resort (Full Review from a Mom)

Let’s just start with the obvious: Santorini isn’t exactly known as a kid-friendly destination.

Steep cliffs, romantic cave suites, and infinity pools without fences aren’t usually the dream setup when you’re traveling with a toddler in tow. But after staying at Canaves Oia Epitome, I can confidently say — it’s not just possible to do Santorini with kids, it’s actually magical.

Tucked just outside of Oia in a quiet corner of the island, Canaves Epitome delivers everything you want from a luxury Santorini stay — jaw-dropping caldera views, impeccable design, five-star food — and it manages to do it while welcoming families with open arms.

If you’re dreaming of those iconic Santorini sunsets but don’t want to give up the perks of a family-friendly resort, this is the place. It’s one of our favorite luxury hotels to stay at with little kids!

By the way, we paid for our stay, and this is not a sponsored review. We’re luxury travel advisors and we can book you here with extra perks at no extra cost to you! Read more about how it works here. You can also browse rooms here but note that it’s often better to go through us when booking with children to get the most accurate pricing.

Why Canaves Epitome Works So Well for Families

🌅 Every Room Has a Private Pool

I’m not exaggerating when I say this changed the entire vibe of our stay. We didn’t have to fight for loungers or worry about whether the baby was too loud. Instead, we just lived in our plunge pool — floating, napping, watching the sky go pink while our toddler splashed around beside us.

Some suites have sea views, others face the famous Santorini sunsets — and all of them feel incredibly private and peaceful.

🌅 They Have Multi-Room Villas (Up to 5 bedrooms!)

While we were there, we toured the 5-bedroom villa and I have to say – WOW. It has its own gym, spa room, elevator, giant pool with hot tubs, kitchen, and outdoor eating area along with two sitting rooms. If you’re traveling with a group, this is easily the best luxury option in Santorini.

They also have a two bedroom aqua villa with a cutout to the pool so you can see your family or friends swimming from one of the bedrooms! Imagine how much kids would LOVE that.

🏊‍♀️ Resort Pools (Plural!) with Shallow Kid-Friendly Areas

There are two large pools at the resort and both welcome children. Each one has generous shallow areas where kids can safely splash, and the design is so chic you almost forget you’re not at an adults-only property (except, thankfully, you’re not).

👧 A Unique Kids Club Without Walls

Canaves Epitome has a “kids club,” but not in the way you’d expect. Instead of a physical space, they offer daily curated activities that are customized to your family — from scavenger hunts to crafts to cookie decorating. It’s subtle, intentional, and really well done.

It’s also great if your kid isn’t quite old enough for traditional drop-off care. You can dip in and out of the activities and never feel pressured to fit into someone else’s schedule.

📲 WhatsApp Concierge at Your Fingertips

Need to push back your dinner res? Request a high chair? Book a catamaran at the last minute? Just send a WhatsApp. I loved being able to message the concierge directly — no calling, no walking down to reception, no waiting.

It made every request (even random ones) super seamless.

They also have a free shuttle that you can order on whatsapp that will drive you right to Oia town whenever you wish to go.

🍽️ Omnia Restaurant = Incredible Food Without Leaving the Property

I’m so glad we tried lunch at Omnia, the hotel’s restaurant, because honestly — it’s sooo good. Think grilled sea bass with citrus foam, porterhouse steak, perfectly cooked pasta, and wine if you’re keen.

Breakfast is a-la-carte every morning with a barista with a real coffee machine (an art I see sadly dying off even in 5 star resorts lately!). Order as much as you want – it’s included in the room.

The only thing I wasn’t impressed by was the room service menu. It’s just not that amazing eating marginal $40 club sandwiches when you could be eating Omnia instead (which they can also deliver to your room).

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Booking with Us = Extra Perks (and Less Stress)

When you book any of these resorts through us, not only do you get the VIP treatment — like upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late check-out, and loyalty points, you also get someone who’s actually stayed there with a toddler and knows the little things that make all the difference. You can also browse rooms here but note that it’s often better to go through us when booking with children to get the most accurate pricing.

Think:

• Room locations that work better with a young child or family
• Which private pools get the best shade
• What to ask for at breakfast (hint: it’s the house-made Greek yogurt with honey)

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More Great Family-Friendly Santorini Hotel Options (At Different Budgets)

Let’s be real — Canaves Epitome is a splurge. And if that’s in your budget, you’ll love every moment. But if you’re looking for alternatives that are still luxurious and baby-friendly, these are my other go-tos:

💎 Andronis Arcadia

Also in Oia, Arcadia is the more relaxed little sister to Andronis’ more adult-focused properties. Rooms are still stunning, and many have private pools — just a bit smaller and a little more budget-conscious than Epitome.

✨ Book through us to get:

• Room upgrades
• Resort credit
• Early check-in & late check-out
• Full GHA Discovery loyalty points

🌿 Arressana Suites & Spa

Located in Fira, this is a beautiful boutique option if you want to stay in the heart of the action without spending big. It has a wellness-forward feel, a pool, and rooms that are elegant and cozy. It’s an excellent choice if you want luxury on a smaller scale.

✨ We can offer:

• Room upgrades
• Complimentary breakfast
• Resort credit
• Early check-in & late check-out

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One Last Pro Tip: Copy our Greece Itinerary

Want to see more? We also visited Paros and Milos! Peep our full itinerary here.

If you’re flying internationally, plan to spend the night at the Sofitel Athens Airport, which is directly across the street from the terminal. It’s quiet, has a great restaurant, and the rooms are soundproof — perfect for a travel reset before or after your island-hopping adventure.

✨ Book through us for perks like:

• Room upgrades
• Resort credit
• Early check-in & late check-out
• Daily breakfast

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Final Thoughts

Santorini with kids isn’t for everyone — but if you do it right, it can be absolutely unforgettable.

Canaves Epitome is the kind of place that proves you don’t have to sacrifice style for kid-friendliness. You can swim in a private pool, sip local wine over a sunset dinner, and watch your toddler squeal with delight in a cliffside pool — all in one dreamy day.

And if you’re ready to plan your own Greek island escape with little ones, I’d love to help you make it seamless. You can also browse rooms here but note that it’s often better to go through us when booking with children to get the most accurate pricing.

Let’s work together to build a trip that’s as magical for you as it is for them.