The three-and-a-half-pearl Loucas Hotel was built in the 1930s and is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels on Santorini, with some of the best views of the caldera. It's also one of the few properties in Fira that's open year-round, though both the Greek restaurant, Aris, and Crystal Cocktail Bar close in the winter. Most guests love the views and the easily walkable location (via steps) to restaurants, jewelry stores, and the cable cars. Less popular are the free daily breakfast and though the 30 cave-style rooms all have caldera views, the decor is bland and past guests have complained about maintenance issues and slow Wi-Fi. For something with way more style (but no caldera views) and a better free breakfast, check rates at San Marino Suites.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Loucas Hotel was built in the 1930s and is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels on Santorini, with some of the best views of the caldera. It's also one of the few properties in Fira that's open year-round, though both the Greek restaurant, Aris, and Crystal Cocktail Bar close in the winter. Most guests love the views and the easily walkable location (via steps) to restaurants, jewelry stores, and the cable cars. Less popular are the free daily breakfast and though the 30 cave-style rooms all have caldera views, the decor is bland and past guests have complained about maintenance issues and slow Wi-Fi. For something with way more style (but no caldera views) and a better free breakfast, check rates at San Marino Suites.
Antonia Hotel Santorini is a family-owned budget property with 15 rooms and studios. The east-facing hotel doesn't have any of Santorini's world famous sea views, but a location on a quiet street just a couple minutes’ walk from Fira's main square makes up for it. Standard rooms and studios with balconies are available, though past guests have noted that triple rooms can feel cramped for three people. There isn't an on-site restaurant, but coffee and wine are free. Two tiny outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, and nearby parking are nice perks for this price point, as is the free shuttle to the airport or port. Oia's Sunset, in the northwest tip of Santorini, is another value property, this one with visible sea views from some of the apartments and a relatively large pool.
Antonia Hotel Santorini is a family-owned budget property with 15 rooms and studios. The east-facing hotel doesn't have any of Santorini's world famous sea views, but a location on a quiet street just a couple minutes’ walk from Fira's main square makes up for it. Standard rooms and studios with balconies are available, though past guests have noted that triple rooms can feel cramped for three people. There isn't an on-site restaurant, but coffee and wine are free. Two tiny outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, and nearby parking are nice perks for this price point, as is the free shuttle to the airport or port. Oia's Sunset, in the northwest tip of Santorini, is another value property, this one with visible sea views from some of the apartments and a relatively large pool.
Enigma Apartments & Suites is a small boutique property popular with young couples. The suites with hot tubs get high ratings and past guests who didn't opt for the upgrade report regretting it. Free Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast are welcomed perks, but there isn't a swimming pool or restaurant. The cliffside location overlooking the area’s caldera means sweeping views from each of the guest rooms, though there isn't a rooftop patio, which is usually common at this price point. Unless you're booking one of the suites with a whirlpool and large patio, you may be happier at the Astro Palace Hotel and Suites, which has a swimming pool, rooftop deck, and restaurant -- but you'll lose the caldera views.
Enigma Apartments & Suites is a small boutique property popular with young couples. The suites with hot tubs get high ratings and past guests who didn't opt for the upgrade report regretting it. Free Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast are welcomed perks, but there isn't a swimming pool or restaurant. The cliffside location overlooking the area’s caldera means sweeping views from each of the guest rooms, though there isn't a rooftop patio, which is usually common at this price point. Unless you're booking one of the suites with a whirlpool and large patio, you may be happier at the Astro Palace Hotel and Suites, which has a swimming pool, rooftop deck, and restaurant -- but you'll lose the caldera views.
Tzekos Villas occupies a gleaming, white, traditional Cycladic building cascading down the side of the western cliff face of Fira, the capital of Santorini. Rooms range from small to spacious, though all have superb caldera-view terraces or balconies, and some even have private hot tubs. While the swimming pool is one of the area's largest, getting to it from most levels requires lots of stairs so this hotel is not suited for those with mobility challenges. It is also a little dated in part, but overall the rates are surprisingly reasonable for an upper-middle-range hotel with one of the finest vantage points on the island.
Tzekos Villas occupies a gleaming, white, traditional Cycladic building cascading down the side of the western cliff face of Fira, the capital of Santorini. Rooms range from small to spacious, though all have superb caldera-view terraces or balconies, and some even have private hot tubs. While the swimming pool is one of the area's largest, getting to it from most levels requires lots of stairs so this hotel is not suited for those with mobility challenges. It is also a little dated in part, but overall the rates are surprisingly reasonable for an upper-middle-range hotel with one of the finest vantage points on the island.
Dream Island Hotel is a quaint three-pearl property overlooking the Aegean Sea, about a four-minute walk to the cable cars to the Old Port and a 10-minute walk to Fira's main square. The 20 bright and modern rooms all come with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies, some with sea views; a few also have jetted tubs. The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool and a deck with views of the sea, and there's a free breakfast buffet with hot and cold items as well as free transfers to the ferry terminal. Those who want a mid-range hotel with pool and a location closer to the main square might want to consider the Villa Renos instead.
Dream Island Hotel is a quaint three-pearl property overlooking the Aegean Sea, about a four-minute walk to the cable cars to the Old Port and a 10-minute walk to Fira's main square. The 20 bright and modern rooms all come with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies, some with sea views; a few also have jetted tubs. The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool and a deck with views of the sea, and there's a free breakfast buffet with hot and cold items as well as free transfers to the ferry terminal. Those who want a mid-range hotel with pool and a location closer to the main square might want to consider the Villa Renos instead.
Anatoli Hotel is an excellent mid-range choice for families and couples who want to stay near the heart of the action in Fira while avoiding its notorious crowds and high rates near the Caldera. Originally built as a distillery in the late 1800s, the family-owned hotel now offers 11 clean rooms (some of them are cave-style and there's one apartment) that include air-conditioning and furnished outdoor spaces. A free cold breakfast is served in either a lovely courtyard or dated breakfast room. The back of the property holds a large pool and sundeck where staff is on hand to serve a selection of drinks and light food. Most guests walk to Fira Town's Caldera (about a 10-minute uphill trek) and spend little time at the hotel apart from sleeping and breakfast. For something with Caldera views, check rates at Nefeles Suites Hotel, but lose the large pool and parking access.
Anatoli Hotel is an excellent mid-range choice for families and couples who want to stay near the heart of the action in Fira while avoiding its notorious crowds and high rates near the Caldera. Originally built as a distillery in the late 1800s, the family-owned hotel now offers 11 clean rooms (some of them are cave-style and there's one apartment) that include air-conditioning and furnished outdoor spaces. A free cold breakfast is served in either a lovely courtyard or dated breakfast room. The back of the property holds a large pool and sundeck where staff is on hand to serve a selection of drinks and light food. Most guests walk to Fira Town's Caldera (about a 10-minute uphill trek) and spend little time at the hotel apart from sleeping and breakfast. For something with Caldera views, check rates at Nefeles Suites Hotel, but lose the large pool and parking access.
Lava Suites & Lounge has a misleading name, as the lounge is actually just a rooftop area where breakfast (and occasionally drinks during high season) are served. Otherwise, the mid-range boutique offers a convenient and quiet location right around the corner from the Jewelry Market drag of Fira Town, plus it has gorgeous Caldera and church views. Sure, you'll see all the usual whitewashed walls here, but the multi-level property also has a storybook look with romantic shaded nooks, rock walls, tons of greenery, and water features. Nine individually decorated cave-style rooms range from simple with few frills to an over-the-top Master Suite with a private whirlpool. A rooftop terrace, small swimming pool, and heated whirlpool round out the features. For something in the center of Fira and with chicer rooms, check rates at Aroma Suites Hotel.
Lava Suites & Lounge has a misleading name, as the lounge is actually just a rooftop area where breakfast (and occasionally drinks during high season) are served. Otherwise, the mid-range boutique offers a convenient and quiet location right around the corner from the Jewelry Market drag of Fira Town, plus it has gorgeous Caldera and church views. Sure, you'll see all the usual whitewashed walls here, but the multi-level property also has a storybook look with romantic shaded nooks, rock walls, tons of greenery, and water features. Nine individually decorated cave-style rooms range from simple with few frills to an over-the-top Master Suite with a private whirlpool. A rooftop terrace, small swimming pool, and heated whirlpool round out the features. For something in the center of Fira and with chicer rooms, check rates at Aroma Suites Hotel.
With plenty of palm trees and colorful flowers decorating its lawns, the grounds at Anissa Beach Hotel are lovely. The all-inclusive, mid-range resort has a sandy beach area with umbrellas and loungers as well as a large outdoor pool area with a children’s pool. There’s also a spa with a free indoor pool and an animation team organizing tournaments and activities, but overall facilities are a bit run-down. There isn’t any Greek food on the hotel’s dinner buffet, but guests can dine at the on-site Greek tavern once a week. There’s not much within walking distance of the hotel, but it's still a suitable option for those looking for a relaxing beach holiday on a budget.****
With plenty of palm trees and colorful flowers decorating its lawns, the grounds at Anissa Beach Hotel are lovely. The all-inclusive, mid-range resort has a sandy beach area with umbrellas and loungers as well as a large outdoor pool area with a children’s pool. There’s also a spa with a free indoor pool and an animation team organizing tournaments and activities, but overall facilities are a bit run-down. There isn’t any Greek food on the hotel’s dinner buffet, but guests can dine at the on-site Greek tavern once a week. There’s not much within walking distance of the hotel, but it's still a suitable option for those looking for a relaxing beach holiday on a budget.****
This 222-room, upper-middle-range hotel has a solid list of on-site features and a much-appreciated animation team, but the surrounding area leaves little else to do. An on-site restaurant and two bars are part of the all-inclusive package, plus there are an a la carte restaurant and late-night disco bar. The main pool gets crowded, especially during activities, but there's also a beach with loungers for guests. The design throughout is contemporary and mostly utilizes neutral colors. All rooms have furnished terraces or balconies, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities. Guests looking for a more convenient location might prefer Hersonissos Maris Hotel and Suites.
This 222-room, upper-middle-range hotel has a solid list of on-site features and a much-appreciated animation team, but the surrounding area leaves little else to do. An on-site restaurant and two bars are part of the all-inclusive package, plus there are an a la carte restaurant and late-night disco bar. The main pool gets crowded, especially during activities, but there's also a beach with loungers for guests. The design throughout is contemporary and mostly utilizes neutral colors. All rooms have furnished terraces or balconies, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities. Guests looking for a more convenient location might prefer Hersonissos Maris Hotel and Suites.