Cyclades Hotels
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
- Guidebooks
Guidebooks
Aigialos
At a Glance
- not a phony place set up for tourists
- quiet elegance
- friendly, discreet service
Pros
- the usual endless steps
- the pool is tiny
Cons
Aigialos Review
For a taste of old aristocratic Santorini, venture to Aigialos ("seashore"), comprising a cluster of buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and discover the most comfortable and discreetly luxurious—as well as the most poetic and serenely quiet—array of one- and two-bedroom villas to stay in Fira. Outside, various abodes are built in traditional volcanic stone, lime-washed in heavenly pastels. Inside, you'll find marble floors, beautiful antique furniture, and walls decorated with 19th-century engravings; the feel is aristocratic. Nearly all guest rooms have sublime terraces or balconies overlooking the caldera—no need to venture out at sunset. There's maid service twice daily, impeccable 24-hour service, and fresh flowers. The restaurant serves its Mediterranean cuisine only to residents, and you can eat on your private terrace. Breakfast, included, is served in a deep cave house, on the pool terrace, or on your balcony.
- Address: South end of cliff-side walkway, Fira, Santorini, 84700
- Phone: 22860/25191 through 22860/25195
- Website: www.aigialos.gr
- Location: Fira
Contact Information
- 17 villas.
- Bar, pool, business center.
- Rate includes breakfast.
- Credit cards accepted.
- Closed Nov.-Mar.
Hotel Amenities
Member Reviews
-
pickytraveler1, from California
We spent 4 nights at the Aigialos right after it opened for the season in May 2010. Because Aigalos is at the edge of Fira, it is very quiet and serene. It’s a picturesque 5- minute walk to restaurants and shopping. The caldera setting is dramatic day and night, with gorgeous volcano views and prime sunset viewing. Every morning and evening, we were delighted to hear the jingling of bells announcing the donkeys going down the path in front of our house and back up at the end of the day.
Eating breakfast on the lovely patio each morning was a complete delight. Through the welcoming red door, we had a view of the deep blue water and the volcano. Other tourists came by and took their holiday photos in front of Aiglialos. Our photos are so breathtaking that our friends can’t believe we came home.
Our dinners, made by the outstanding, creative and humble chef were fabulous. Each warm and professional member of the staff greeted us by name and did something extra to make our stay comfortable, special and memorable. The staff performs like a high-functioning and caring family, and we felt like part the family. It was so hard to leave. -
martha_kesisoglou, from Athens
I visited Aigialos with my husband in July and we had an absolutely unforgetable stay. We stayed at the beautiful Kaikias House, with its unique view to the Aegean Sea and the breathtaking Caldera - already a good reason to come back. But the hotel itself has enchanted us, with its dignified and tranquil aura, its serenity, the graceful architecture and decoration, starting from the lobby, which is furnished with rare antiques and tapestries, to our rooms with the smooth marble floors and bathroom, the hand-curved bed poster, the antiques and the original paintings. My best description is being invited to a beautiful house, full of original and rare, well-cared pieces, combined with all modern hotel amenities. Definitely not something one encounters often, even at boutique hotels. This place is the original, clasy Santorini mansion.
The hotel staff was fantastic, attentive, professional and friendly and they really go out of their way to make the stay exceptional - from restaurant suggestions to trip organization. Excellent chef - Aigialos' restaurant is really a hidden gem! Room service 24/7, maid service twice daily. Well done!
The location is really superb, both in terms of view and proximity to the Fira city, as well as to some of the island's best gourmet restaurants and the cycladic museum.
Truly exceptional in everything - looking forward to visiting it again soon! -
co096392, from New York, NY
My wife and I just ended a 3-night stay in the Evros Apartment and we cannot say anything bad about Aigialos (other than it's hard to pronounce or spell).
Jean Pierre and his staff, who took over in April '09, did everything possible to make our stay comfortable. They picked us up and dropped us off at the airport, made reservations at other restaurants, had laundry done, and provided recommendations for activities, shops and restaurants (which were inevitably good leads). Most of all, they provided attentive, polite and friendly service at every turn. We loved every second of our stay!
The hotel is on the southern edge of Thira, away from the middle of town where the cruise ship passengers congregate during the day and early evening. The loudest noises are from the donkeys that occasionally clip-clop down the path, the Santorini version of UPS.
Our view of the bay was amazing. Our large terrace provided the most incredible setting for the gourmet dinner made by the hotel's chef and served to us on our last night. The room was large and newly renovated. The marble bath was beautiful, with the sink and toilet separate. The pool and patio where meals are also served is very nice. They have free Wi-Fi, but it wasn't always working. Naturally, the staff immediately rebooted the system and got it working again.
From what Jean Pierre told us, not all the rooms have been renovated yet, but the hotel is very responsive to emails and phone calls, so after you make your booking, contact them to ask for a specific room.
All in all, Aigialos will always set the standard for us whenever we stay at a small hotel at a resort location. -
stephenssayle, from New York
Our stay in Aigialos Hotel was amazing and definitely unforgettable! The view from our balcony was unbelievable! The Aegean Sea and the volcano of Santorini were just in front of our eyes! The hotel has a traditional style and architecture, which is really interesting and –even more – remarkable. The house we stayed was amazing and very cozy. It really felt like home! The hotel staff was so friendly and very helpful with everything we needed. They helped us to organize many activities, they informed us completely about the island and all of them had very gentle manners. All the services of Aigialos were just excellent! We had everything we needed before we even ask for it! It is totally a 5 star hotel but not “cold” and “strict” like other 5 star hotels. It is an intimate, homey deluxe hotel-and this combination is so difficult to find. We will definitely go back to Aigialos!
-
harkou, from New York
Our holiday at Aigialos was an unforgettable experience. The accommodations were extremely comfortable, and beautifully and elegantly furnished with period pieces representing Greece's long history. The service and atmosphere were professional, and completely attentive to individual needs. Very highly recommended to all.
Travel Deals in The Cyclades
- Roundtrip Winter Flights to Europe incl. Tax Lufthansa
- Athens, 4-Nt. Greek Isles Cruise & Air, Save $300 Friendly Planet Travel
- 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise w/Free Hotel Stay Priceline.com
- Greece Experience — $3,125 IExplore
· Forums Trip Reports
-
Hi!
I received such great comments, advice, and tips in this forum that I wanted to give back. I got so many ideas from your trip reports that I hope I can at least help one person as you all helped me. Read more -
We were mainly travelling in Italy and Turkey but there was a Ryanair flight from Rome to Rhodes and from there it was easy to catch a ferry across to Marmaris or Fethiye - so why not? Read more
·Greece Forum
-
We're beginning to plan a trip to Greece and wonder if visitors are affected by the financial crisis, either positive or negative. Read more
· Travel Blog
-
Travel Tip of the Day
Take into account the number of stops and the arrival time: Sometimes a ferry that leaves an hour late Read more
-
Best of the Best
When Greece starts to sizzle, there's no better way to beat the heat than to hit the beach... Read more
-
Travel Tip of the Day
In country churches, and at all monasteries and convents, shorts aren’t allowed for either sex... Read more