Nikolaou Nomikou, Oia, Greece | (937) 315-4602
Right in the heart of Oia for easy access to shops, restaurants, and Amoudi Bay
Refined cave-style rooms and villas with kitchens or kitchenettes; gorgeous Caldera sunset views
Most of the rooms have heated outdoor whirlpools
Beautiful communal roof terrace with sweeping views of the Aegean
Free and fast Wi-Fi throughout
Friendly and helpful owner
Porter assistance to help with bags
No pool, restaurant, or breakfast
Lots of steep steps (common in Oia)
No kids under 11 without prior permission
Some rooms don't have whirlpools
Aris Caves consists of seven rooms and villas built directly into the cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea and Caldera in Oia. This three-pearl property has almost nothing in the way of features except for a gorgeous roof terrace with sweeping views of the water. Still, rooms are done with high end finishes and kitchens or kitchenettes for self-catering. Most of the units have heated outdoor whirlpools. The location down a set of steep stairs provides more privacy than you'll usually find in Oia, along with fast access to the village's shops, restaurants, and tour departure points. For something with more features, Perivolas has a large pool, spa, restaurant, and free breakfast buffet -- but it's about 15 minutes outside of Oia.
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Scene
Cliffside boutique hotel with Caldera sunset views
Santorini's fishermen used to live in cave-like lodgings carved into the cliffs of Santorini. Today, Aris Caves has totally refurbished the historic dwellings into a cozy boutique hotel with some of the best sunset views on the island. There's a beautifully landscaped community terrace overflowing with bright flowers and a few sun loungers from which to admire the view. The boutique has always been locally owned and operated, but in 2015, a new owner renovated the rooms and added an additional villa. The scene is friendly, homey, and curated. Note that children under the age of 11 need prior approval to visit the hotel due to safety concerns.
Location
Built into the cliffs of Oia overlooking the Aegean Sea
Aris Caves has one of the best and hardest to find locations in Oia. Climb down a passage of steps -- unavoidable in Oia -- next to Ambrosia Restaurant, and bam: you're on a gorgeous cliff that provides views of Aegean Sea, Caldera, and Therasia Island. Aris Caves does have neighbors, but this section of the cliffs isn't as built up and guests are granted more privacy than you'll find elsewhere. Walk back up the steps and you'll be on the pedestrian and donkey path that's lined with shops and restaurants leading to Amoudi Bay. Note that the hotel doesn't provide any parking, so guests rely on their feet or the bus that departs to Fira every 20 minutes. It's about a 30-minute cab ride to Santorini Thira Airport.
Rooms
Cave-style rooms with kitchen spaces and high-end finishings
The newest owner of Aris Caves has taken the beautiful bones of the seven cave-style rooms and apartments and added beautiful high end touches and finishes to make them feel special. Local art, fluffy towels (a rarity), and designer throw pillows add a contemporary vibe that doesn't take away from the cave's smooth white walls and occasional boulders protruding from the ceiling. Each of the units has a kitchen or kitchenette, and nice extras like olive oil and coffee. Other standard amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, laptop sized safes, kettles, toasters, crockery, kitchen towels, irons and ironing boards, and beach towels. The Patari Suite is the largest and newest unit. It sleeps seven with a lofted bedroom by the kitchen, and has an almost completely private balcony with a whirlpool tub. Cave-style bathrooms offer a variety of tubs or rainfall showers. Toiletries, hairdryers, robes, and slippers are standard. The rooms with the best Aegean Sea views have the most stairs to access.
An important note: Some rooms aren't recommended for children under the age of 11 due to low walls and steep cliff drops.
Features
Sun terrace and free Wi-Fi
Aris Caves is a three-pearl property and not a four-pearl due to its lack of features outside of its gorgeous terrace. Because of space constraints, the hotel doesn't offer breakfast or have an on-site eatery. The owner is happy to organize tours, recommend nearby restaurants, and organize beach excursions or airport transportation for guests. Wi-Fi is free.
