Galatia Villas

Galatia Villas makes a nice first impression from the moment guests step into its pretty courtyard garden, which bursts with potted palms, scented geraniums, and colorful bougainvillea. Finished in typically pristine whitewashed walls with cracked paving stones and volcanic rock arches, the property exudes a quintessentially Cycladean charm. The hotel has been run by the same family for over 20 years, which contributes to its homey ambience, as do the traditional interiors and decorative touches throughout. Contrary to the name, the property consists of rooms and studio apartments rather than villas, as well as a separate annex that's situated a short walk away. Couples make up the bulk of guests here.

The hotel is located on a quiet and mostly residential pedestrianized road just on the outskirts of central Fira -- Santorini's capital and main tourist hub. The Museum of Folk Art is nearby, while Fira's center and numerous restaurants, shops, and galleries are a five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. Guests should know that it is a steep climb into town and the caldera beaches will take about 30 minutes to reach on foot. Stunning cliff-top views overlooking the caldera can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot, while Santorini Airport takes around the same time to reach by car. The ferry port takes 20 minutes to reach by car.

Rooms in the main building are decorated in a traditional style with carved wood furnishings, natural stone cladding, and splashes of red, while annex rooms have a more modern finish. In the original building, rustic art work hangs on guest room walls and the outdated red velvet bedspreads pop against the white walls and light tile floors. Some rooms have small balconies and sea views, while studio apartments have simple kitchenettes with fridges and microwaves. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with some satellite channels and DVD players. Bathrooms are clean, though fairly basic and small, with tiled walls and floors and stand-up showers in the room we visited. While most rooms are fairly quiet, rooms near the kitchen and reception area can be a little noisy. We did spot a bit of rust in the mini-fridge. 

Although there's no restaurant on-site, the hotel does serve a continental breakfast, though it isn't included with bookings. The hotel's pleasant gardens also house a small pool dappled with light and surrounded by a few lounge chairs -- the pool is better for cooling off while using the hydro-massage jets than swimming laps. The annex building also provides a rooftop hot tub for guests' use. Drivers should be aware there's no parking on-site, though there is some public space nearby. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The reception area is only staffed during limited hours, though they can provide assistance with tours and transport bookings. A shuttle service to the ferries is available for a fee.