Antonia Apartments

Antonia Apartments shares public spaces with its sister property, Antonia Hotel Santorini. Both properties are housed in two tiered, light-beige buildings of Cycladic design, with numerous arches, railways, and stairs. Guests enter through an arch to the lobby bar, which is styled like a Greek taverna, with wood furniture, blue-and-beige checked tablecloths, and colorful pictures depicting Greek history. The hotel serves free wine and coffee, creating a warm welcome for its guests, who gather here and also around the small outdoor splash pool, set in a walled-in space with colorful murals, loungers, and tables with orange umbrellas. Unlike other Fira hotels, the Antonia doesn't have views of the caldera or the sea from the rooms and pool. Additionally, the style is dated and a bit underwhelming. The hotel draws couples, families, and friends traveling together, most of whom prefer a little independence in their vacations.

Antonia Apartments is in a quiet location off the lower main road of Fira -- a two-minute walk to the main square and bus station, which has service to area beaches. Numerous cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, wineries, coffee shops, rental car agencies, and tour operators are within a short walk of the hotel. The Old Port and Aegean Sea are about a two-minute drive away. The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral -- built in 1827 and offering views of the sea, sunset, and caldera -- is about a five-minute walk from the hotel. The White Door Theatro, with its Greek music, dance, and wedding shows, is also just five minutes away on foot. It's a seven-minute walk to the Archaeological Museum of Thera, and the entrance to the cable cars to the Old Port is about a minute's walk from there. The hotel is a 20-minute drive to the Thira (Santorini) ferry. Red Beach, considered by many to be the best beach on Santorini, is a 20-minute drive from the Antonia, and Santorini National Airport is a 10-minute drive away.

The 10 Studio and One-Bedroom apartments at Antonia Apartments are basic and a bit dated, when it comes to decor. Still, they make a pleasant enough place to crash, and are clean and well kept. Expect to see tile floors, warm wood furniture and trim, striped accent walls, and pops of orange throughout. Some have a white, beige, and brown color palette, while others sport vivid red-and-white striped walls. All units come with safes, coffeemakers, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- the One-Bedroom units have sitting areas with sofa beds. Kitchens include two-burner stovetops, mini-fridges, toaster presses, cookware, and tableware. Each also has a private balcony with tables and chairs -- but views are of the street and surrounding houses. The orange-and-white tiled bathrooms are a bit cramped, with small showers and limited counter space around the single sinks. Hairdryers are provided. When Oyster visited, the bathrooms had an unpleasant odor.

Antonia Apartments shares a number of features with its adjoining sister property, Antonia Hotel Santorini. The outdoor pool is more of a splash pool, but it has a deck with lounge lounge chairs and umbrella tables. There is no on-site restaurant, but there are several places to eat within a short walk. The lobby bar serves free wine and coffee, along with other drinks for a charge. Free parking and roundtrip port and airport transfers are available (but must be reserved at least 72 hours before arrival). The staff is available to help with sightseeing, dinner reservations, tour and excursion bookings, and car, bike, and ATV rentals. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.