Villa Stella

We had a great holiday. The owners were charming and helpful, and the rooms were lovely, with nice sea views. It's handy for getting to Fira and the bus station. I would've liked a kettle and some basic cups, plates, and cutlery in the room. The road outside was noisy with motorbikes all night, but earplugs did the trick.

For Santorini, where places can be expensive, this hotel was very reasonably priced. We paid about €50 a night in late May, and it was only a 10-minute walk to central Fira. Basic toiletries such as shower gel would've been nice to have.

The hospitality felt genuinely Greek, and the service was friendly. It's far enough from the busy, noisy center to be peaceful, but still close to what you need. The main road runs in front, though, and traffic from cars, buggies, mopeds, motor vehicles, quads, and the like can get really noisy. I'd choose a room near the inner garden if you want quieter surroundings. If the noise isn't a problem for you, or you're a good sleeper, some of the other rooms offer a marvelous panorama.

Villa Stella was our favorite place during our 25-day trip through Ireland, Italy, and Greece. We stayed five nights, and George, Georgie, Valentina, and Yaya treated us like family. They were wonderful hosts, let us use their phone, and even made calls for us when the language barrier got in the way. The property is distinctive, and you can tell they work hard to keep it tidy and special. Our room was exceptionally clean each day, with a fantastic view, effective air conditioning, and a comfortable bed. Getting to Fira downtown was easy, about a 10-minute uphill walk, and far enough from the noise. If you're planning to see a lot of the island, I'd suggest a scooter or ATV since taxis are expensive. Thanks for the amazing hospitality. We can't say enough nice things about this place. Staying here is an amazing opportunity and value.