Eleni Markou, Santorini Luxury Travel Writer & Hotel Curator

Eleni Markou is a Greek-born luxury travel writer and hotel curator specializing in Santorini and the Cyclades islands. Born and raised in Athens, Eleni grew up between the classical heritage of the mainland and the island culture of the Aegean, developing an early appreciation for hospitality, architecture, and the quiet details that define exceptional stays.

After studying European history and tourism management in Athens, she began her career working with boutique hotels and small luxury properties across Greece. Over more than a decade, Eleni has personally visited, evaluated, and curated hundreds of hotels across Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Crete, with a particular focus on honeymoon, anniversary, and romantic travel.

Her work centers on a simple philosophy: the right hotel shapes the entire memory of a journey. In destinations like Santorini, where views, privacy, and atmosphere matter as much as service, Eleni believes that careful curation is essential. She is known for favoring discreet luxury, architectural character, and properties that preserve a sense of calm and authenticity, even in the island’s most popular areas.

Eleni is the founder and editor of Santorini Hotel Guide, where she provides experience-based recommendations for couples, honeymooners, and discerning travelers seeking the most romantic and refined hotels on the island. Each hotel featured in the guide is selected based on location, privacy, design, service quality, and long-term guest satisfaction — not advertising or promotional relationships.

She divides her time between Athens and Santorini, returning to the island several times each year to revisit properties, evaluate new openings, and monitor how established hotels evolve over time. Her expertise lies especially in caldera-view hotels, boutique cliffside properties, and adults-only luxury resorts designed for privacy and romance.

Eleni’s writing has been influenced by classical Greek aesthetics, European boutique hospitality, and the belief that true luxury is quiet, personal, and timeless. Through Santorini Hotel Guide, she aims to help travelers choose not just a beautiful hotel, but the setting for one of the most important journeys of their lives.