Stavros Villas

From the outside, Stavros Villas looks like many of the boutique hotels and private residences that dot Santorini. It has bright whitewashed exterior walls and bold blue window shutters and archways. The lobby and breakfast room look more akin to a grandmother's living room than a reception area. The space is decorated with a carved front desk, fussy brown slipcovers over ancient couches, and gauzy brown drapes. Antique-style lighting fixtures hang overhead and there are several tables and chairs where guests can have breakfast. The front desk is usually manned by the friendly owner and his family, and they're on hand to answer questions or arrange tours. Visitors include families and couples, though most of the guests spend the entire day exploring Santorini and return to the hotel for little more than sleeping and showering; many skip the simple breakfast in favor of something at the bakery.  

Stavros Villas has a quiet location on the edge of Karterados village. The nearest neighbors are a residential home and a field with a donkey, but it's all quite peaceful and there are distant views of the Aegean Sea (not the caldera side). The shops and restaurants of Karterados are about an eight-minute walk from the hotel -- though there are no sidewalks and the road is quite dark at night. The bus stop that leads to Fira is next to the bakery at the top of Karterados, about a 12-minute walk. It's then about a five-minute bus ride to the bottom of the hill that leads up to Fira and the caldera. Oia takes about 30 minutes to reach on bus or by car. It's best to have your own car or plan on taking excursions that include hotel pick-up and drop-off. 

Rooms at Stavros Villas are clean, pleasant, and come with some nice amenities for the price. The decor is super simple and a bit mismatched with bright bedding and white walls. Bed configurations vary from double beds to twin beds and additional day beds for families. All units come with a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, reliable free Wi-Fi, and a mini-fridge. Some units add a small kitchenette with a sink, burners, and basic cookware. Bathrooms are the true downfall, since some of them just have handheld shower wands in tiny showers with no space for toiletries. Bath towels hanging over the toilets are another awkward aspect to contend with. Other bathrooms have rainfall showers and more space. Most of the rooms have access to a shared patio or balcony, and some have distant Aegean Sea or immediate pool views. 

Note that our current photos are not updated and show the rooms before they were redecorated. 

Features are pretty limited. The only food service available is a simple breakfast of boiled eggs, juice, cake, and toast. It costs a fee and there are better meals to be had at the bakery in Karterados. There's a nice-size swimming pool decorated with an anchor and dolphin motif at the bottom. The pool deck has a row of blue-and-white striped sun loungers and a few tables and chairs, plus a barbecue facility. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot and the owner will help with luggage if necessary. Wi-Fi is free and reliable throughout the property.