On the Main Street Of Oia Village, Oia, Greece
Prime convenient and quiet location just on the edge of Oia
Pleasant Apartments and Studios with some kitchenettes; some lofts
All-day Greek restaurant serves local items and wines; meal packages available
Large and mostly private swimming pool with Aegean Sea views
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Large and free parking lot (almost unheard of in Oia)
No direct Caldera views
Minor maintenance and style issues in some rooms
Anemomilos Hotel Apartments is an excellent mid-range pick for travelers who are okay with trading in Caldera views for extra space and lower rates in the tourist-heavy village of Oia. The hotel is located across the road from Oia's pedestrian path and Caldera, bringing fast access to the sunset views, restaurants, and souvenir shops, without having to wake up to hordes of tourists. As of 2017 there were 31 rooms, but renovations will bring the number down to 23. Most units include kitchenettes and some are lofted for families. Features include a Greek restaurant with local wines, large and private outdoor pool, and a free parking lot (super rare in Oia). For those who must have direct Caldera views, check rates at Aris Caves (some rooms have kitchens, too).
Scene
Whitewashed Cycladic architecture with Aegean Sea views (but not the Caldera side)
Anemomilos Hotel Apartments consists of a few bright white two-story buildings with bold blue accents, as is the tradition on Santorini. Thanks to the hotel's location on the opposite side of the Caldera (which is still partially visible from some points of the property) there's extra space for features here that you won't find in competing Oia hotels that are built on top of each other on the Caldera rim. Guests enter the hotel through a large terrace that serves as seating for the Greek restaurant. There's an adjacent parking lot (incredibly rare in Oia) and the pool is at the back of the property for Agean Sea views (not the Caldera) and more privacy than usual in Santorini. Lots of families stay here thanks to the lack of steep steps and apartment-style rooms with kitchens and lofted beds.
Location
On the edge of Oia, across from the pedestrian rim of the Caldera
For those who want to drive to Oia, park their car (or ATV), and then walk to shops, restaurants, and Amoudi Bay, Anemomilos Hotel Apartments has the best location. The biggest tradeoff is that the hotel doesn't overlook the world famous Caldera, but is across a slightly busy road from the pedestrian path that meanders through souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, boutiques, and places to perch and enjoy the sunset. It'll take about 15 minutes to walk to the steps that lead down to Amoudi Bay's seafood restaurants and cliff jumping (though it can take longer due to crowds and stopping to shop.) Farther afield, it's about a 20-minute drive to Fira, or a solid two-hour hike on a beautiful and rugged path along the Caldera. Expect a 25-minute drive to Santorini International Airport.
Rooms
Apartments and Studios with kitchenettes and some Aegean Sea views
As of our visit in 2017, the hotel had 31 rooms, Apartments, and Studios but the owner plans on renovating and bringing that number down to 23. For now, the units are mostly well-maintained and pleasant, though a few Standard Rooms have old-fashioned plaid bedspreads and heavy wooden furniture. Other units are more updated with white furnishings and a lovely blue and white color scheme. Studios and Apartments have kitchenettes with mini-fridges, a burner, dishware, kettle, and sink. Apartments can be lofted with a separate sleeping area. All units include a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.
Bathrooms also vary by room type. Standard Rooms tend to have small showers with clingy fabric curtains, while other rooms have step-in showers and large vanities. Toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. Some units have furnished balconies and views of the Aegean Sea. There are occasional minor maintenance issues, like stained countertops and burnt burners.
Features
Meal packages at the all-day Greek restaurant, large outdoor pool, and free parking
Features here are excellent, especially for a mid-range hotel in Oia. The Greek restaurant serves a large menu of local specialties and wines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can dine indoors or outside on a terrace near the road. Room only, breakfast, half-board, and full-board rates are available, but there are so many nearby restaurants that the full-board option seems like overkill here. The large freeform pool has gorgeous Agean Sea views and a big palm tree for ambience. Sun loungers and a handful of chairs and tables are set out. Note that this pool provides more privacy than almost any other pool in Oia, thanks to its privileged location. Another unexpected perk is the large parking lot. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Staff can arrange airport transfers and tours.