Villa Danezis

The host was really nice, and we had a pleasant stay overall. The outside areas are lovely, with the pool and garden clearly the focus, but the rooms need renovation. Our kettle had a little rust inside, and there were only two electrical outlets: one by the entrance and one by a bed, where a lamp was plugged in. The booking photos show three matching beds, but in our room one was actually an expandable guest bed. Without a rental car, getting around seems difficult: it’s quite a walk, and the road is winding and downhill. With a car, I imagine it would be fine. The accommodation feels overrated to me.

We paid 85 euro a night, which felt very affordable, and this would be a nice place to relax away from the tourist hub if that’s what you’re after. We stayed in room 7, which was spacious and had a balcony overlooking the countryside, plus a mini fridge and air conditioning. The property has a pool, but also stairs and no elevator, so expect to carry your luggage. There were some practical drawbacks in the room: the shower had no curtain or door, so water kept getting onto the floor, and there were no hooks for drying towels. Outlets were scarce, and there was no luggage rack or safe. For us, the location wasn’t very convenient without a car or tour. We had to walk about 15 minutes along a road with no shoulder to reach Mesaria, and we never saw the local bus. A taxi to Fira cost 15 euro. We took a bus tour, but it wouldn’t drop us at the hotel because, they said, the streets were too small for their bus to navigate, unless I misunderstood.

I arrived at midnight, and the staff had thoughtfully left my key by the door so I wouldn’t be stranded. I had a good weekend here, with a neat, roomy bedroom and bathroom.

Messaria is a picturesque village that feels removed from the island’s busy spots, while Fira is only about 10 minutes away by car. The hotel’s location worked really well for us. We loved the outdoor area, with a pool, bar, and lounge to relax in. Inside, the rooms were comfortable and very clean, with a design that blends modern and traditional architecture. The staff were delightful and went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable. I highly recommend Villa Danezis to anyone visiting Santorini.