Thirasia

We’ve visited over 20 countries, and this was our worst stay. The positive reviews are misleading; look at the negative comments for a clearer picture. Staff were polite on day one, but on the second day they pressured us to book tours through them. After we said no, they became rude and unprofessional. Housekeeping made us leave the room until 2 pm every day, something we hadn’t been told before booking. One day staff shouted at us for walking on the floor while they cleaned in the middle of the day. At 11:30 pm, we were talking quietly with no music or other noise when staff banged on our door and told us to be silent. Poor soundproofing is the hotel’s problem. The facilities were terrible: Wi-Fi didn’t work in the domes, the fridge and TV were broken, there was a musty smell and spider webs, and the furniture was outdated. The online photos are heavily edited; the place doesn’t look modern in person. We felt certain guests were discriminated against. They make money from us and disrespect us. After we left a bad review, they made false allegations against us. The staff’s bad attitude will ruin your holiday. Save yourself the disappointment and book elsewhere.

The staff were very friendly and attentive, and having a pool is a real bonus on hot days. It’s a small hotel that does the job for a night or two, though it clearly needs renovation. The bus station in Thira is about a 10-minute walk away. To reach the centre in roughly seven minutes, take the pedestrian shortcut at the back. That route is a must.

If you’re after a clean, affordable place to sleep, this hotel is a good fit. Don’t expect Instagram-ready pictures, though. I know some guests have high expectations for the rooms, but you get what you pay for. Our room was spacious and clean, and the hotel was well priced. The bus station and main square are only a few minutes away. The receptionist and owners were lovely and very accommodating. There’s also a pool; I didn’t use it, but it looked clean and good for a refreshing dip. I’ll definitely return to Santorini and stay here again.

We had a good stay, with excellent, affordable rooms and staff who were supportive, helpful, and willing to handle our requests. The problem came with the trip back to the airport. There were five of us and four bags, but we were sent a small SUV and the driver wanted to charge for two trips. The receptionist didn’t help resolve it, so we canceled and booked through Uber at a higher cost.