Halaris Studios

We landed from Athens at 8 a.m., but check-in wasn't until 3 p.m., so we spent the day in a heatwave and got to the room feeling sick. Is a 3 p.m. check-in with an 11 a.m. checkout really legal? What is this new trend? The air conditioning wasn't working properly, and we had to move the beds to avoid getting cold. The balcony door wouldn't shut properly either, so the wind kept making it bang all night.

We arrived from Athens at 1 a.m. after a long trip, and the man at the hotel first gave us a one-bed room even though we had booked for three. Then he said we were at the wrong place and put us out on the street. We checked everything again, and our confirmed email showed we had the right hotel. He was smoking and offered no help. The owner confirmed we did have a reservation, and the man eventually took us to another room, but it was disgusting, with cockroaches as soon as we opened the door. He just said goodnight. My friends and I slept on the beach that night. We left early the next morning, got no refund, and went somewhere else even though we had four days left. I would never recommend this place. It was a three-star hotel in 2018, then, and now it's two stars, lol. It should be one.

The room reeked of cat pee and had bugs everywhere. There was no breakfast available, and the bathrooms couldn't be accessed. The hotel is actually 25 minutes from the beach. Locals either didn't know it or said they wouldn't recommend it. The price might be good if you can put up with the smell and bugs. When we said the accommodation was too poor for us to stay, the clerk was rude and nasty, yelling and swearing at us in Greek until we left the property.

Tamara really made the stay for us. When the air conditioner in our first studio blew cold air straight onto the bed, she found us another one with a better AC position and moved all our stuff herself. That sort of setup is common in Greece, and it isn't comfortable. Studio Halaris is budget accommodation, so don't expect too much, though it could be much better if the owner put in some extra money. It's close to the Church, the first or last bus stop in Perrisa, and the beach, about 150m away. The beach is long and nice, with black sand, and there's a very good Girros just opposite the Church. Santorini is one of a kind, so don't miss visiting it.