Hotel Keti

Hotel Keti is one of the few cliffside hotels in Fira that allows children, but there's little for them to do. In fact, there's little for anyone to do at Hotel Keti, which is pretty common for hotels in Fira and Oia. Hotel Keti is accessed via steps leading off the main pedestrian path that winds along the Caldera cliff in walkable Fira. Guests enter through a hand-painted arch and it's easy to get caught up the amazing Caldera view before stepping into the small cave-style reception area that holds little more than a front desk and book exchange. Adjacent to the lobby is an indoor breakfast room, but most guests opt to have breakfast on the large outdoor sun deck set with white tables and chairs overlooking the sea. Walking down more steps leads to the cave-style rooms and a small pool. Due to the small size of the pool and lack of restaurant, most guests (usually international couples and families) spend the entire day exploring Santorini and return to the hotel for sleeping and breakfast. 

Hotel Keti's location is one of the main reasons guests book a stay here. It's built directly into the Caldera, and since it's as close to the bottom of the cliffs as is safe, the views are mostly uninterrupted and there's more privacy than in neighboring hotels. That does mean walking back up steps to the main pedestrian path that winds through Fira, but that's almost unavoidable if you want great views. Once at the top of the cliff, there's a seemingly endless array of seafood restaurants, hotels, boutique shops, and souvenir stores. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira is a four-minute walk. Expect about a six-minute walk to the jewelry market in Fira. Farther afield, Ventesantos Winery is about a 10-minute drive or taxi ride. A cab ride to Oia will take about a half-hour, or it's about the same amount of time on a dependable bus that leaves from the Central Bus Depot (six-minute walk) just down the main hill in Fira. Alternatively, many Santorini visitors walk along the Caldera from Fira to Oia. The path is mildly strenuous and incredibly beautiful. It should take around two and a half hours; donkeys are on hand for the steepest part of the hike. Thira Airport is a 15-minute drive and it's about a 20-minute drive from the ferry port to the hotel. 

There are just nine rooms at Hotel Keti and each is done in the island's traditional cave style, which means they're built into the cliffs and layouts vary. Each has a neutral color scheme and a few interesting architectural accents. For instance, the King Suite has a built-in couch and bed platform, and there are punches of bright yellow and gray in the throw cushions. Bird art above the bed adds a little interest. All units include a desk, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridge. Private or semi-private furnished balconies offer gorgeous Caldera views. Most of the bathrooms have a large bathtub (some are jetted) with a handheld shower wand. Toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. The King Suite is the only unit with an outdoor whirlpool tub, but it's not heated. 

Since Hotel Keti is a small boutique hotel with a cliffside location, there's little room for features here. On the hottest days, guests do appreciate the small jetted plunge pool. There's an adjacent sun terrace with loungers and almost uninterrupted Caldera views. Free breakfast includes continental items like cereal, pastries, and fruit. It's served in a small breakfast room or on the adjacent sun terrace. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Staff is on hand to assist with carrying bags. Like most Fira hotels, this one doesn't have a parking lot. Guests with a car can park it at the bottom of the hill in a public lot and then walk.