Dream Island Hotel

On an island that's packed with charming little white-stucco hotels, the Dream Island Hotel still manages to stand out, and is wildly popular among returning guests and first-time visitors. The family-run property is housed in a white, light grey, and light pink building with red and sea-blue doors and trim overlooking the sea. The Cycladic-style architecture is typical of Fira, and sets the tone for a stay here -- with elements of that traditional style used tastefully throughout the hotel. The contemporary lobby is done in entirely in white and gray, and features a cocktail bar and large black-and-white photo on one wall. The breakfast room is also predominantly white, with splashes of blue, and has a Greek cafe feel. Small details make the difference, though, like the arts-and-crafts accents we saw on posts and in various nooks throughout. Though most guests are tourists, the hotel also draws a few business travelers due to its location near the Petros M. Nomikos Conference Centre. Note that there's no elevator, but staff can assist with luggage. 

The Dream Island Hotel is about a three-minute walk from the northern edge of Fira and a 10-minute walk from the main square and bus station. There are numerous cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, wineries, rental car agencies, and tour operators within a short walk of the hotel. It's a three-minute walk from the Megaro Gyzi cultural center, and a four-minute walk from the Archaeological Museum of Thera and the cable cars that ferry passengers down to the Old Port (which are otherwise a three-minute drive away). The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a five-minute walk from the Dream Island, as is The White Door Theatre, with its Greek music, dance, and wedding shows. The Petros M. Nomikos Conference Centre is a five-minute drive or 10-minute walk away, and it's a little under a 10-minute stroll from the hotel to reach the area with the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the 19th-century Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the airport and a 20-minute drive from the Thira (Santorini) ferry. Red Beach -- considered by many to be the best beach on Santorini -- is a 20-minute drive from the Dream Island Hotel. 

The Dream Island Hotel offers 20 rooms, suites, and villas that generally have a minimalistic, but modern, look, with white walls, white furnishings, and grey or tan bedspreads and curtains. Some rooms have needlepoint items made by the owner, adding that much more charm to the spaces. White furniture with simple lines, striped fabric headboards, and beachy wall art all come together to create spaces that are unfussy, but sharp and bright. At under 200 square feet (18 square meters) entry-level rooms are a little small, but most other rooms are fairly spacious. 

All 20 units come with individual air-conditioning, safes, mini-fridges, free bottled water, kettles for instant coffee and tea, and flat-screen TVs with some English channels. All rooms have private balconies, some with sea views and/or hot tubs; some also have sofa beds and villas come with kitchens. Bathrooms are generally spacious, with hairdryers and showers, and some have additional amenities such as steam cabins and jetted tubs. Fixtures are modern, and include details like vessel sinks. Counter space is generous. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are available and one pet weighing up to 22 pounds (10 kg) is allowed in each room free of charge.

The Dream Island offers a decent array of amenities for a mid-range property, including a free breakfast buffet featuring cooked-to-order eggs, meats, tomato croquettes, pastries, and Greek yogurt. The hotel also has a lobby cocktail bar, but there's no proper restaurant for lunch or dinner. Other features include an outdoor pool overlooking the Aegean Sea. It's a lovely space with a large deck and a small children's pool. The hotel does not have fitness center, but a health club open to the public is located about a 10-minute walk away. Other features include a 24-hour front desk, a public computer, ample free parking, and free roundtrip airport and ferry dock transfers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.