Caldera Firostefani, Fira, Greece | (937) 315-4602
Walkable and scenic location on the caldera on the edge of Fira
Elegant Studios, Suites, and Apartments; most with balconies and caldera views
Free continental breakfast delivered to rooms
Pool bar for sunset cocktails
Plunge pool, whirlpool, and sundeck facing the caldera
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some dated room components like tube-style TVs
Not all rooms have balconies and/or caldera views
No full restaurant
Nomikos Villas is a straightforward mid-range boutique hotel with a walkable and scenic location on the edge of the caldera in Fira. It's within easy walking distance of countless restaurants and souvenir shops, but it's about a 10-minute walk to the heart of the village (and ferry port), so there's a bit more privacy and quiet. The 15 elegant guest rooms offer a range of conveniences from wet bars to sleeping lofts, but not all of them have private balconies and some have tube-style TVs. A free continental breakfast is delivered to guest rooms and there's a pool bar by the plunge pool and whirlpool. There's certainly little to complain about here, but Ilioperato Traditional Apartments is a lot more stylish and has a full restaurant and much better free breakfast for around the same price.
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Scene
Quiet boutique hotel built around a plunge pool
Nomikos Villas is one of the quieter properties in Fira, thanks to its slightly out of the way location, small number of rooms, and few public areas. This is a good caldera choice for families, since there aren't steep steps and the cliff is across the pedestrian pathway (so there are no immediate steep drops at the hotel). Guests enter the pool and bar area through a cement arch decorated with ivy. The reception area (more akin to a closet than a lobby) is tucked behind the bar. If guests spend anytime at the hotel outside of their rooms, it's at the pool and pool bar, which is set with tables and chairs that overlook the caldera.
Location
On the edge of Fira, overlooking the caldera
Nomikos Villas offers more privacy and quiet than most caldera hotels in Fira, but it's about a 10-minute walk from the cable cars leading down to the ferry port and the heart of the village. Most of the immediate neighbors are similar boutique-style hotels, though there's a strip of souvenir shops and casual restaurants within a quick walk. Walking to Oia along the caldera path takes about three hours from here, and the path is steep and unpaved in some sections. Alternatively, reaching Oia takes about 30 minutes by bus or in a car. Red Beach is a 30-minute drive in the opposite direction of Oia. Plan on about a 15-minute drive to Santorini Airport.
Rooms
Elegant Studios, Suites, and Apartments; most with caldera views
There are 15 Studios, Suites, and Apartments and no two are exactly identical. The overall look is much the same with tile floors, white walls, and muted gray or brown bedding. Wrought iron headboards and built-in white concrete benches (topped with cushions) and tables are standard. The Superior Studio is lofted with two levels and can sleep three people. It includes a mini-fridge, sink, daybed, free Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV. Outdoors, the private balcony is set with chairs and an umbrella with a table. The space offers wonderful views of the caldera. The cave-style bathroom has smooth walls and mosaic tiling in the shower, though a shower wand doesn't offer much pressure. Toiletries and a hairdryer are provided. The Two-Bedroom Apartment sleeps six and has a shower/tub combo that families might appreciate. Note that this unit leads directly out to the pool, so isn't very private.
Features
Delivered continental breakfast -- swimming pool and whirlpool overlook the caldera
Because this is a smaller boutique hotel, the features are pretty limited. There isn't space for a full restaurant, but breakfast is delivered to guest rooms every morning and the cost is included in the rates. The menu consists of simple items like eggs, pastries, fruit, cereal, and juice. For relaxing, guests can sunbathe in a brown wicker sun lounger by the small pool with caldera views, or hop in the adjacent whirlpool. There's an adjacent pool bar with a few bar counter seats and the pool deck holds a handful of tables and chairs. Drinks are available at the bar, but there's no food service other than breakfast. Reception staff can provide pool towels, arrange shuttles, and book tours. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Porter service is available, but there's no on-site parking.
