Ramni House

The first-floor room had an amazing sea view, and breakfast was nice served beside the pool. The sanitary kits were amazing too. The location is top notch, right by the beach with a pool, and Oia town is about 10 minutes away by ATV or car. The host was incredibly helpful. I’d rate the rooms four stars because they’re a little outdated. With some renovation, this could be a 10/10 place to stay in Santorini. For now, I’d give it 9/10.

The good points first: the property is right on the coastline, with sea views from the master bedroom and pool area. A lovely woman lives in a small property next to the house; she prepares breakfast and cleans every day. There’s parking, which is essential because of the location and very limited public transport. That said, after staying here with my family last summer, I feel people should know what to expect. At about €775 per night in peak season, this was simply not acceptable for us. I wouldn’t recommend it for families, stays longer than a few days, or anyone hoping to relax here for much of the day. It seems more suited as a place to leave your things, explore the island, and sleep. Otherwise, expect a “hard-work holiday.” I’ve attached photos to support these points. This isn’t a villa. It’s divided into three small apartments, each with a small bedroom, en-suite shower room, and kitchen, and each is really suitable for only 1/2 people. The setup doesn’t work well for a family. The bathroom and kitchen fittings are crude and VERY outdated. Cooking options are extremely basic: a two-ring camping-style electric hob, and a small 1980s-style fridge with a tiny freezer on the top shelf. The furnishings are rustic, which some may find charming, but others may not. The bathroom is also very dated. There’s no proper shower, just an old handheld unit that you have to crouch under to wash. Other fittings are old and/or dirty, as shown in the photos. There are no washing facilities: dishes have to be washed by hand, and there’s no washing machine or tumble drier. That makes it impractical for families or stays beyond a few days. Basic cooking supplies like BBQ coals, olive oil, and salt aren’t provided, so expect to go to the supermarket. A major problem is the road, only about 5 meters from the property. It’s the island’s main road and a busy route between the airport and Oia, with heavy traffic all day, including coaches, cars, cement trucks, and motorbikes. The noise is more or less continuous, continues at night, and disturbed our sleep. You can hear it from the pool as well. I’ve attached photos to show this. Since the grounds open directly onto the road, with no gates, it also isn’t suitable for young children. Cars pass at around 70-80kmph. Outside there’s a pool, seating area, and dining area. The pool isn’t heated, though that’s fine in the hottest summer months. The seating areas are very, very scruffy, and the furniture looks 10-15 years old. One of the main seating areas also had a strong smell of animal urine, cats I think. The beach in front is a nudist beach, which may be a plus or a minus depending on your view, but some people may find it intimidating. As is typical for Santorini, it’s pebbles, not sand.

The rooms have a distinctive traditional style, and the atmosphere is brilliant. With its lovely setting and amazing view, it felt like a real paradise in Santorini.

Perfect place on the island. Vasilis is a very nice man, the best on the island. He deserves all five stars, plus another ten!