Pantheon Villas

Pantheon Villas wouldn't look out of place in Beverly Hills. Thanks to it's slightly out-of-the-way location away from Fira and Oia, there's ample space for garden grounds with fig and pomegranate trees planted between the pink bungalows that house some of the guest rooms. The aqua-blue rectangular pool is one of the largest on the island, and it offers views of the caldera across a pedestrian path. Chic white day beds and umbrellas invite guests to linger, and there's a large (unheated) whirlpool on the edge of the property with some of the best caldera views. The vast majority of guests here are couples on their honeymoon, but thanks to the lack of stairs and cliff drops, families stay here as well. 

Most guests love the exclusivity and views that Pantheon Villas location on the edge of Imerovigli provides. Since the hotel is built on the island's neck, it offers sunrise Aegean views from one side of the property and sunset Aegean views from the other. And it still has stunning caldera views just across the pedestrian path that meanders from Fira all the way to the tip of Oia bay. There's little else in the immediate vicinity, apart from a few blue-domed churches and boutique clothing stores. Expect about a 30-minute walk to the heart of Imerovigli and then another 20 minutes to the tourist zone that is Fira: filled with shops, restaurants, gyro stands, and the jewelry market. Oia is about a two-hour walk in the opposite direction and the path gets steep; parts are unpaved. There, you'll find Amoudi Bay, sunset views, fine-dining restaurants, and high-end shops. It's about a 10-minute drive from the ferry port, 15-minute drive to the airport, and 30 minutes to Red Beach. For longer visits, a car or ATV would be helpful for getting around the island. There's also a reliable public bus and ride times are about the same as a drive. 

There are just 20 rooms and five of them are private villas with a kitchenette and private pool. Each unit has a slightly different layout, but the design scheme with white walls, tile floors, and clean-lined furnishings remains the same. Some rooms have more cave-style elements in the architecture, such as arched entrances or second lofted floors. Standard features include air-conditioning, mini-fridge, flat-screen satellite TV, safe, and free Wi-Fi. Fresh fruit and a bottle of wine are nice welcome gifts. Many of the units upgrade to a small kitchenette with two burners, a sink, and cookware. The most popular rooms are the Villa Maisonettes with Private Pools. These have a private outdoor pool area surrounded by a stone wall and views out over the Aegean for sunrise. One of the Villa Studios has an outdoor whirlpool that overlooks the caldera. Bathrooms vary and can include older white shower/tub combos or renovated gray cave-style showers. Hairdryers, toiletries, and towels are provided. 

Features at Pantheon Villas focus on relaxation, though it is missing a spa. The highlight is a toss-up between the swimming pool and the restaurant. The rectangular-shaped pool is one of the largest on the island, and it's surrounded by beautiful day beds and sun loungers topped with cushions and towels. A large nearby whirlpool is set to overlook the caldera. The adjacent restaurant has both outdoor and indoor dining spaces. The free breakfast buffet is popular, and the lunch and dinner menus offer more creative fare than what you'll usually find in the area. Menu items include fresh smoothies, a seafood platter, pork belly, and watermelon salad with mint. Half-board packages are available. There's also a full bar for cocktails and wine. Poolside waiter service is a nice touch. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Guests can park in front of the hotel for free.