Firostefani 847 00 Greece, Firostefani, Greece | (888) 399-9863
Bright, spacious rooms; some have terraces overlooking the Aegean Sea
Furnished rooftop patio where breakfast is served
Free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking
Free coffee and tea throughout the day
In-room massages available for a fee
No swimming pool or on-site restaurant
Many stairs which might be inconvenient for some (typical for Santorini)
Standard rooms have somewhat sparse decor
Santorini is world famous for Cyclades-style hotels built on sheer cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. The upper-middle-range Blue Dolphins Traditional Apartments fits that bill with lovely views of the water from the rooftop deck and many of the airy guest rooms. Breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi are free, but you won't find a swimming pool, restaurant, or fitness center here. Rooms range from standard -- without a guaranteed view of the water and somewhat bland decor -- to a tricked out private villa separate from the hotel. Compare rates at the nearby Astro Palace Hotel & Spa if a rooftop pool is a must-have -- though you won't get the same breathtaking views found at Blue Dolphins.
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Scene
A photographer's dream
Steps are a necessary evil throughout Santorini. At Blue Dolphins, you'll have to climb dozens of them to get to the best views of the Aegean Sea and the area’s caldera. There's a whitewashed rooftop patio decked out with white chairs and umbrellas. Breakfast is served there each morning and amateur photographers line up throughout the day to capture the sparkling blue water and ancient volcano juxtaposed with the Cycladic houses built into the cliff sides. A tiny lobby has just enough room for the reception desk and a small wooden chair.
Location
On a cliff overlooking the caldera and sea, though a bit of a hike to town
The hotel is built directly into a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea and caldera, so you're sure to have the postcard famous views Santorini is famous for while staying at Blue Dolphins. The hotel is six miles from the closest beach and around four miles from Santorini Airport. Free parking is available on-site. The main town of Fira, less than a mile south, is a bit of a step-filled hike. If you'd like to stay closer to the Fira and avoid as many steps as possible, check rates at Antonia Hotel Santorini -- though you'll lose the water views.
Rooms
Modern decor, with some spaces offering private balconies
Don't be fooled by the word apartment in the hotel's name, as the only room with a kitchen is the off-site villa. Rooms and suites on the property have a modern and calm decor with clean lines (although decor in standard rooms is a bit basic). White walls and gray bedding look fresh. A wooden chair has a writing table attached to it instead of a full work desk in most rooms. Flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles are standard -- as is air-conditioning. Bathrooms are a decent size but shower tiles show a bit of wear. Some rooms have whirlpool tubs as well. The cheapest units don't have balconies or views of the water.
Features
Not much besides free breakfast and Wi-Fi -- and views, of course
Free breakfast is served daily on the rooftop patio, or guests can pay to have a basket with pastries and coffee delivered to their rooms. Staff can arrange in-room massages and provides comped passes to local nightclubs on request. Coffee and tea are available at no charge throughout the day, but there isn't an on-site restaurant. This is one of the few hotels in Santorini without a swimming pool or whirlpool.
