Katharos Pool Villas

A full kitchen came with several coffeemakers, both pods and drip, plus cookware, dishes, utensils, and other basics. There were also grocery and convenience markets less than a 20-minute walk away. On arrival we found four huge bottles of water, a large plate of bananas, apples, and oranges, and a selection of jams and honey. Food delivery was easy too. The hotel lists several restaurants that deliver, at least three that I remember. They speak English on the phone, prices were very affordable at 25-40+ euro for two depending on the order, and delivery took 25-45 minutes depending on the time of day. The villa was spotless, spacious, and comfortable, with two floors, two bathrooms with showers, and two large beds. Outside there was a patio dining area, lounge chairs, an umbrella, and a pool. My son loved the pool. We were only a few steps from Ammoundi Bay, where we got a great sunset view. Alex was around every day, keeping things clean and running smoothly. We saw him cleaning and maintaining the pools, tidying the walkways, answering questions, and helping out. The main drawback is the walk into town, which takes 15+ minutes and is mostly uphill. Another option is to go down to Ammoundi Bay and climb the steps into town. That avoids most of the crowds and gives you a back route straight up to Castle of Oia, with the best town and sunset views. It's extremely crowded and hard to access before sunset. You can arrange taxis through the hotel to get anywhere on the island, or use WhatsApp to contact drivers you meet at the airport or around the island.

The walk to town takes about 15 minutes and is a bit steep, so you'll get some exercise. Free shuttles go to Ammoudi. A taxi to Oia felt pricey for a three-minute drive, so we chose to walk and enjoy the open air and the exercise. The place was quiet and peaceful, away from crowds and noise, with a beautiful view to enjoy while cooling off in or beside the pool. It was clean and welcoming, with food waiting when we checked in. The kitchen was nicely equipped, and the fridge had water, fruit, bread, and other things. Service was attentive and welcoming, and we were all happy with the stay.

We had a really nice stay at Katharos Villas. It's relaxing and a little more private than places in central Oia, with great sunset views and a heated pool we enjoyed. The accommodation was spacious and seemed suitable for families. I think four people could be comfortable, and six might be possible. We were two adults and a baby. The staff were very helpful and went out of their way to make the experience personal. Breakfast was included, though you have to cook it yourself, and they provide drinks too. Thanks to Alessandro for taking such good care of us!

The location made it easy to reach Oia, Ammoudi Bay, and Katharos beach in about a 10-minute walk. If you're heading to town on foot, the back path is much quicker and easier than the road. We’ve stayed in plenty of lovely places and can be quite particular about accommodation, but Katharos Villas still managed to exceed the high hopes I had before arriving. The villas are spacious and stay cool, with all the amenities we wanted. Angela cleaned and tidied every day, and kept everything spotless. Francesco and Alessandro went out of their way to make the trip special. They drove us to watch the Euros final when we couldn't find a place to see it, then picked us up at 2 in the morning when it ended. They also helped us get back into the restaurant we loved on our first night for our last night, and worked with us on checkout. They checked in often to see if we needed anything while still giving us room to relax. This was the best service we’ve ever had on a trip, and we can’t wait to return.