Athina Luxury Suites

The Athina Luxury Suites, like so many of the island's hotels, is accessed through windy pathways and down steep steps, making the most of the spectacular views across the Agean Sea. The pretty courtyard that greets you from the public path is a serene, modern space, surrounded by white walls, with a collection of comfortable outdoor seating, a swinging chair, pots of aromatic lavender, and miniature olive trees. Views out across the caldera stretch to the south of the island and to Nea Kameni island in the middle -- formed from lava and volcanic ash over centuries. Steps from the courtyard lead down to the bar area and several levels of sitting spaces all with the same vista. The mood is peaceful and guests tend to be couples, not surprising given the romantic style and setting. 

Athina Luxury Suites are located at the south end of Fira, the island's capital, perched on the cliffside, and just off a pedestrian walkway. The entrance to the hotel is beside the Orthodox Cathedral and just behind that, a few minutes on foot, is the Museum of Prehistoric Thira -- which is what Santorini was originally called. It's a five-minute walk from the hotel to the shops, restaurants, and nightlife of central Fira, though there are shops and restaurants scattered along the clifftop paths en route. Below the hotel sits the Old Port, which can be reached by steep steps. Be warned these are primarily the territory of the donkeys that ferry tourists up and down, so walkers can find it a little crowded and might prefer to hop in the cable-car. Transfers to the airport and to the ferry port take about 15-minutes by car, though there are buses too, which leave from the main road, a five-minute walk away. Buses also leave for beach resorts including Kamari and the pretty fishing village of Ammoudi at the base of the caldera, which is a popular swimming spot.

The Athina's 10 suites are stylishly finished with fresh whitewashed wood and contemporary concrete-molded furniture. Touches of sky blue brighten the gray-and-white decor and reflect the seaside setting. Suites all include minibars, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, safes, bathrobes/slippers, free Wi-Fi and a private balcony or terrace. Nice touches include a welcome drink on arrival and free breakfast in your suite. Master Loft Suites feature an impressive loft bed strung from the ceiling and the Honeymoon Suite adds a whirlpool on the terrace. The Royal Suite has two bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a beautifully finished balcony, complete with whirlpool and water feature. Generally, bathrooms are modern and compact, with stone-colored tiles and rainfall showers, though the Honeymoon Suite adds a jetted corner bath. The marble bathrooms in the Royal Suite are more spacious, with a shower/tub combo and twin basins in the master bedroom.

The Athina is well arranged and its features are easily accessible, not always the case in the tunnels and staircases of Santorini's hillside hotels. An oceanfront L-shape pool is lovely spot, with decking, sun loungers, and umbrellas, plus a small bar area. Drinks are available all day and an individually tailored breakfast is included for all, served in-room. Esperisma restaurant is located just next door to the hotel and has a traditional Greek menu full of fresh local ingredients. Massage and beauty treatments can also be arranged, though there is no proper spa on-site. The hotel has a small exercise room, with cardio machines and a weight bench. It's basic, but a rarity for this part of the island. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, though the signal can be patchy in the stone-walled rooms. Parking is available off-site and some previous guests find it to be too far from the hotel.