Fira 84700 Greece, Fira, Greece
Just 20 steps down to one of Fira's main streets
180 degree views of the Aegean Sea and caldera
Light, airy rooms with balconies and wondrous sights
Outdoor bar and whirlpool with sunset views
Free homemade multi-course breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
No swimming pool, on-site restaurant, or spa
Steps may be inconvenient for some
Villa Renos is a boutique, often budget-friendly property that has been owned by the same Greek family for the past 300 years. The ancient building has been renovated with a major emphasis on out-of-this-world, unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea and the regional caldera. Each guest room has a private balcony with French doors that overlook the water. Some rooms have private hot tubs as well. A free multi-course breakfast incorporates organic ingredients and gets rave reviews from past guests. There's a bar near the outdoor (unheated) whirlpool but no restaurant or full swimming pool. If you're looking for lower rates, it's worth looking at the nearby Antonia Hotel Santorini. You'll lose those gorgeous views but rooms are nearly half the price.
Scene
A small, family-run Cyclades architecture hotel
Villa Renos was built more than 300 years ago and has stayed in the same family since. Today, the building is completely modern and includes a rooftop bar and whirlpool with epic views of the Aegean Sea and the regional caldera. The whitewashed facade, flat rooftop, and steep stone steps -- just a fact of life on the island of Santorini -- are all eye-catching examples of traditional Cyclades architecture. Potted cacti and herbs add a dose of color to exterior areas. Breakfast can be served indoors in a small dining room or outside on the magnificent rooftop, both of which are romantic settings.
Location
Perched on the side of a cliff in Fira and near town attractions
Villa Renos has one of the best locations in Fira. The hotel is built into a cliff at the top of a hill allowing guests to look down onto the water and hundreds of whitewashed buildings. Fira's pebble-lined shopping streets are reachable via 20 short steps. Just outside of Villa Renos you'll find street vendors and cafes, though the hotel is in a relatively isolated spot and very quiet. Past guests have been so enraptured by their stay that one Australian couple has visited for 25 consecutive years.
Rooms
Serene with private balconies and some of the biggest bathrooms in Santorini
Each room at Villa Renos has French doors leading onto furnished balconies with those same jaw-dropping views of the Aegean Sea and caldera you can find from the rooftop. The decor is calm with white, green, and blue walls and furniture. Air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars are standard, as are electric kettles. Some rooms include private whirlpools on the balconies. The Deluxe unit is divided into a two-floor loft and includes a cavernous bathroom with an original stone archway and a unique cave-like shower.
Features
Rooftop bar and whirlpool with wondrous sights, plus free gourmet breakfast
Past guests have reported that staying at Villa Renos feels a lot like staying with a caring Greek family, and the free daily breakfast is a big part of that homey vibe. The hotel owner's mother prepares a fresh multi-course meal every day relying on organic ingredients, using everything from meatballs to marmalade. The rooftop bar isn't a hotspot but it's an ideal place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sun set over the Aegean Sea. The whirlpool isn't heated so it's more of a cooling plunge pool during hot afternoons than a soaking spot at night. Wi-Fi is free. If views are less important than a swimming pool, check out nearby Antonia Hotel Santorini -- they have two.