Nefeles Suites Hotel

Housed in a restored 18th-century mansion, Nefeles Suites is situated in a carved-out area on the top of the cliffs on the western side of Fira, with stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the Santorini caldera. The style is simple here, and a bit dated, with dark wood furniture in the grotto-like breakfast room -- one of the few common spaces at this tiny property. Like many Fira hotels, the property is situated on several levels along the cliff, with some rooms about 70 steps above the breakfast room -- getting around the property may be a challenge for those with mobility issues. As is the case with most Fira hotels, the majority of guests are leisure travelers, and the Nefeles is best suited to couples. Note that rooms and public spaces are non-smoking. 

Nefeles Suites Hotel is in central Fira, a three-minute walk from the main square and bus station. The White Door Theatro -- right by the property -- features Greek music, dance, and wedding shows, and there are lots of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops within a short walk of the hotel. The hotel is a three-minute stroll to the Archaeological Museum of Thera and to the cable cars down to the Aegean Sea, Old Port, and ferries. About a one-minute walk past the cable car entrance is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. It's a five-minute stroll from the hotel to reach the area with the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, which dates back to 1827. The ferry port is a 20-minute drive away, while the Akrotiri settlement from the Minoan Bronze Age and the red-sand Red Beach are about 25 to 30 minutes away by car. The Santorini National Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. 

All seven units at the Nefeles are suites, and most have multiple levels, with bedrooms on upper floors and living areas downstairs. Suites are clean and well-maintained, if dated, with all-white walls, beige flooring, and old-fashioned wood furnishings. Some suites add dashes of color with navy-blue sofa cushions and brown bedspreads, but overall the look is underwhelming, especially given some of the cuter boutique properties that are located nearby. 

Many rooms have sofa beds, and all have balconies with views of the caldera and the neighboring island of Thirasia, ideal for sunset viewing (the hotel also provides binoculars). All come with twice-daily housekeeping, air-conditioning, safes, mini-fridges, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and small tube TVs with DVD players and English-language channels. Note that one suite is a little small at 194 square feet (18 square meters), but the rest range from 269 square feet (25 square meters) to 753 square feet (70 square meters), making them quite roomy.

Marble bathrooms are spacious and clean, with hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers. Past guests have reported that water sometimes sprays out from the showers onto the floors, but this is a design issue rather than a maintenance problem. Some bathrooms also have jetted tubs. Like the rooms, the style feels a bit stuffy, rather than bright and elegant. 

The Nefeles Suites Hotel features an outdoor deck and hot tub tiled in Murano glass with sea and sunset views. A second hot tub and adjacent bar are located on the rooftop, but are only open seasonally. A long, narrow outdoor pool winds its way through the property. The hotel serves a free and ample breakfast with eggs, meats, Greek yogurt, fresh orange juice, and baked goods. There's no other meal service, but numerous restaurants are within a five-minute walk of the hotel. 

Other features include free hotel-wide Wi-FI, and an internet corner with a basic printer and a laptop. There's no spa, but in-room massages can be arranged for a fee through the 24-hour front desk, which also provides tour and car rental assistance. Free public parking is available about a three-minute walk away.