Eparchiaki Odos Akrotiriou, Akrotiri, Greece | (937) 315-4602
Overlooking Caldera rim and picturesque Caldera Beach
Outdoor pool and bar overlooks the Caldera
Free breakfast includes Greek items, cakes, and fresh fruit
Apartments with kitchenettes and beds for four people
Spacious standard rooms with furnished balconies
Fast and free Wi-Fi throughout
Free parking in a nearby lot
Family-owned with helpful and friendly staff
No full restaurant
Steep steps down to the beach
Little within immediate walking distance
Thin bathroom doors in some rooms do little to block privacy
Kokkinos Villas is a pleasant budget option overlooking Caldera Beach in the relatively quiet village of Akrotiri. The 21 rooms are divided into spotlessly clean apartments with kitchenettes and traditional hotel rooms. All units have some sort of outdoor space and Caldera view. A free breakfast of mostly cold items is served in an indoor/outdoor breakfast room. There's little to do on-site, apart from an outdoor pool with a seasonal bar. Caldera Beach, a local beach with just one restaurant and a scuba operation, is just below the hotel. It's a lovely spot for a swim, but the steep walk might be too much for some. For something with better beach access and a full restaurant, check out the Sea Side Beach Hotel in Kamari.
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Scene
Cycladic whitewashed architecture with light blue accents
Kokkinos Villas (no villas to be found) is built with the island's predominant color scheme of bright white and light blue accented by rock walls. The hotel is built into a cliff directly above Caldera Beach, so there are gorgeous views and some prerequisite stairs, though they're not as predominant as the steps you'll find in Oia and Fira. The small reception area includes a gray leather couch and a hand-painted mural of a nearby lighthouse. From there, the space opens to the breakfast room and a seating area with couches and a flat-screen TV. Huge windows show off the Caldera rim views. The hotel is family owned and operated by hands-on owners who are helpful with booking tours and making suggestions. We were presented with a souvenir bottle of ouzo to take home. Guests are a mix of families (drawn by the apartments) and couples, usually on a budget.
Location
In the lesser visited village of Akrotiri, near Red Beach
At first glance, Kokkinos Villas might seem like it's too out of the way. And it is a 20-minute drive to Fira and another 25 minutes from there to Oia. But, the southern end of the island is home to Santorini's beaches, airport, and wineries. Plus, there are fewer crowds and lower prices than on the northern part of the island that's heavily visited by cruise ship passengers.
Rooms
Apartments and rooms with free bottled water and Caldera views
There are 21 units here, divided into four types of rooms and apartments; the largest apartment sleeps four people. Decor is straightforward with mostly neutral tones, tile floors, and white walls. Furniture is painted white and blue to match the hotel's exterior. Nautical art like sailboat figurines and watercolor paintings are added for a little panache. All units come with free bottled water, air-conditioning, safes, pool towels, mini-fridges, kettles, flat-screen TVs, and dependable free Wi-Fi. The apartments add kitchenettes with sinks and dining space. Some of the apartments are lofted or have sunken living room areas. Bathrooms can include step-in showers encased by glass, or cave-style showers with mosaic tiles. Note that some bathroom doors are made of thin, almost translucent glass that doesn't block light or noise. Toiletries, hairdryers, and towels are provided. All units have a private or shared outdoor area and some sort of Caldera view.
Features
Free breakfast spread, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi
As a smaller budget hotel, there aren't loads of features here, but free breakfast and an outdoor pool are added benefits. The free breakfast consists of self-serve items like hardboiled eggs, boxed juice, coffee, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, olives, cakes, and tomatoes. There's dining space indoors and on a covered patio with Caldera views. The outdoor pool isn't enormous, but it has excellent Caldera views and a handful of sun loungers and parasols. There's a seasonal pool bar as well. Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the property. Parking is available in a small lot next to the hotel's entrance or above on a cliff in a public parking lot. The hotel is family owned and staff is available to assist with tours, transfers, and suggestions for restaurants and wineries.
