Greece, Italy and Spain are the holy trinity of holiday destinations for British travellers.
And who could argue? They’ve got everything from ancient architecture and delicious food to some of the world’s most spectacular beaches.
The only question is where to stay.
For those planning a trip, Condé Nast Traveller has just announced the winners of its prestigious 2026 Reader’s Choice Awards.
This includes the best hotels in the holiday trifecta, chosen via online voting by independent travellers.
The ranking is based on criteria such as service, design, food, location, and rooms. You know, everything that makes for a perfect stay.
Here, we look at the best hotels in Greece, Italy and Spain, including how affordable they are.
Because even though infinity pools and sea views sound great, they can come at a hefty cost. One can dream, hey?
Best in Greece: Canaves Epitome, Santorini
It’s no surprise that Greece’s best hotel is in Santorini.
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The island is a wildly popular destination known for high-end cliffside resorts, fine dining, and breathtaking sunsets (though some would argue it’s been spoiled by Insta-tourists in recent years).
The winner, Canaves Epitome, offers the best of all that. The hotel, which scored a near-perfect 99.07/100, is in Oia, a town defined by iconic whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches.
It was praised for its amenities, including the main infinity pool and the sunset lounge bar and restaurant (which has, er, sunset views).
The hotel is listed on the Michelin Guide—its Elements Restaurant serves a sophisticated range of European grub and the finest Greek produce.
There are 53 suites and villas, with private or plunge pools, beach access, and VIP butler service on request.
You can even ask for in-room treatments such as candle wax massages and pedicures if you’re too lazy to schlep to the spa.
It’s also the only hotel on Santorini with sea and sunset views from every room. It’s what real estate agents would describe as ‘indoor-outdoor living’.
Katharos Beach, a secluded cove, is a short walking distance from the hotel, and a free shuttle service to and from Oia Town is available.
So… how much? Shock: Canaves Epitome isn’t cheap.
The cheapest room (which, interestingly, is the Honeymoon Suite with Plunge Pool) starts from £964.61 per night in May 2027. Rates go up to £1,916.52 for the Epitome Pool Villa.
Best in Italy: Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Sicily
If you’re still thinking about Dua Lipa’s Sicilian summer wedding, why not save up to stay at the 5-star Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel?
This hillside retreat is in Taormina, an upscale resort on the island’s east coast, flanked by Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.
The Grand Hotel Timeo was built in 1873 as Taormina’s very first hotel, which was really a glorified guesthouse. Today, it’s a far cry from those humble beginnings.
Guests are welcomed by Mediterranean gardens filled with a patchwork quilt of bougainvillaea and cypress, palm, and olive trees. And after check-in, you have full use of a secluded private beach.
But what else do you get from a hotel that scored 99.81/100?
A Michelin-starred restaurant that serves Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes.
A book-themed terrace bar that serves elaborate cocktails.
A sprawling wellness centre with a sauna, Turkish bath, gym and massage services.
As for where you’ll rest your head, there are 67 opulent rooms, two signature suites or 21 rooms in the newly renovated Villa Timeo to choose from.
The hotel’s location is a selling point in itself: right next door to Taormina’s ancient Greek Theatre. It’s the second-largest theatre in Sicily, and one of the best-preserved.
Tickets start from €14 (£11.84), and events like the Taormina Film Festival are held every June.
So… how much? Expect to splash out.
The cheapest room (a Signature Suite) starts from £1,265 in May 2027. Rates go up to £2,010 for Villa Timeo Premium Suites.
Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa, Málaga
Málaga has its fair share of bougie hotels, and Finca Cortesin is no exception.
The golf and spa resort scored a cool 99.75/100 for its pristine 18-hole course and the many high-end services it offers.
Aesthetically, this five-star resort is all about Andalusian charm (think whitewashed walls and palatial interiors).
Each of the 67 suites and residences boasts marble bathrooms, high ceilings and four-poster beds, bathed in natural light. Some enjoy an unobstructed view of the Mediterranean.
You’ll never be short of things to do, either. There’s a spa and wellness centre; an indoor salt-water pool; a Balinese beach club and tennis and padel courts for anyone who wants to work up a sweat.
Beyond the resort walls, it’s a 35-minute drive to Marbella’s glitzy boutiques and 20 minutes to the millionaire’s playground of Sotogrande.
For a more authentic side of the region, head to nearby Estepona, an underrated spot that has preserved its identity as a traditional ‘Pueblos Blanco’ — one of the ‘White Towns of Andalusia’.
There’s also Ronda, an ancient town known as the ‘City of Dreams’. It’s perched on a steep gorge 100km from Malaga, and yet to succumb to mass tourism.
So… how much? The cheapest room (Junior Suite with spa access) starts from £1,187 per night in May 2027. Rates go up to £1,722 for Executive suites with spa access and mountain views.
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