Latest Reviews for Firostefani

First Choice, El Greco, July 2008. Good clean hotel, maid service every day, lots of short stay visitors, staff very friendly and helpful, 10 minute walk to fira, pool water freezing(refreshing). Good facilities with A/C, pool bar, snack menu through the day, restaurant open at breakfast 8-10 dinner 7-11, good selection.

A really wonderful hotel - so lovely that we could barely tear ourselves away to explore the island! Our room was spacious, spotlessly clean and with everything you could want (including free safe and daily towel change). Best of all was the terrace which was very private, not overlooked at all and had amazing views of the caldera. The staff were very professional and friendly and the choice at breakfast was extensive.

The hotel was laid out like a traditional village and was very picturesque being built down the edge of the cliff on different levels. The 3 pools were lovely, quite small but deep. Although the hotel was full there was never a problem finding a sunbed - and very comfortable they were too. When we came back from a days sightseeing at 2 or 3 in the afternoon we always had a choice of beds beside any of the pools. There was a small poolside bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks in addition to the main restaurant.

A word of warning though, the design of the hotel (and also many of the other hotels on this side of the island) means that it would be very unsuitable for those with mobility difficulties. We had to climb approx 50 steps to get from our room to the restaurant, reception etc. If this is a problem then a room at street level should be requested.
The hotel is about 2km south of Fira with a couple of restaurants and a bakery close by. Fira is a 15 min walk away but the road is unlit. The hotel's courtesy bus is very reliable and runs into Fira 5 times a day (first trip out 9.15 and last trip back 22.05). The taxis are good and cost 5 euros.

The island itself is unbelievably beautiful with lots to see. We enjoyed walking to a number of places including along the caldera rim from Fira to Oia and from Fira to the village of Pyrgos. Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia are astonishing places to explore with dozens of places to eat and drink and while away the hours gazing at the views. We also spent some time at Kamari which looks to have a nice beach and also has many tavernas. The villages of Pyrgos and Emborio are peaceful, traditional places and are lovely to explore.

We only had a week on Santorini and would definately return again - we might be able to spend more time relaxing at the hotel next time!

Hotel about 5 - 10 minute walk from Fira centre which is a pleasant walk on a warm night. Very clean, fresh linen every day. Breakfast lovely with plenty of choice and not rushed - very relaxed atmosphere. ALL the staff very friendly, even remembering our names! Sat at pool bar many a night until after 1am.

Plenty to do on the island - buses are cheap and run a regular timetable - Kamari and Perissa both offering clean beaches with plenty of sunbeds and lots of bars and restaurants. Red beach is also worth a visit but the walk down a bit scarey if you're unsteady on your feet. Unfortunately the archaelogical site at Akrotiri was still closed following an accident last year - still, that's just the excuse we need to return again in the future.

Eating out not as expensive as we expected - just look around. Caeser restaurant in Fira was excellant, we ate there 4 times during our 2 week stay! Some of the bars overlooking the caldera a bit pricey - 20 Euros for 2 drinks!

The only downside was the driving, we hired a quad bike for a few days but negotiating the one-way system through the town centre was a nightmare and very busy all day, every day!

We will definately return to Fira in the future and stay at the El Greco Hotel - we had such a fantastic holiday there this year.

best hotel ever stopped at the staff are great view is amazing location spot on food great restaraunts nearby short walk int fira.

We stayed at the El Greco Hotel, Fira, Santorini in September 2004 for 2 weeks. In retrospect this was 1 week too long!!! Booked independently over the web for flights and accommodation and got a good deal so no complaints about that.

Our opinion on the hotel is that if you want a very very quiet holiday then this is for you. If, like us, you want a quiet holiday but with some entertainment/music in the evening or perhaps even the bar open to have a drink when you return to the hotel - you have picked the wrong hotel.

Hotel is attractive and nicely decorated - reception area and bar is stylish. Found out from the staff that pool bar and bar in reception had not been opened all summer. Question - WHY?? Not staff shortages as there was plenty of staff about. A complete mystery.

The maid service was excellent though, our bed linen was changed every day (yes every day) clean towels, and very thorough. Top marks for that.

The two guys on reception were great, very polite and helpful - they are 4* without question. Always ready to chat and gave us lots of info on what to do etc (and we certainly needed help for that as there was zilch at the hotel)!!

There are two swimming pools and our large and pleasantly decorated room was in a block of 8 apartment/suites built around the smaller of the two swimming pools. It all looked so idyllic from our room, but it was like a morgue. No 'holiday atmosphere' whatsoever.

Also breakfast at the hotel left a lot to be desired. Very disorganized - although the selection was OK, had to wait for clean plates, cutlery, bread, no fresh milk, no fresh orange juice. Every day the same. All rather inferior and not a 4* choice at all. All in all we made the best of our holiday but we would not stay at this hotel again. This hotel is classed as 4 star. In our opinion it just limps in as a 3*star.

We have since learned that travellers to Santorini tend not to go for 2 week vacations. Mostly people go for 3-4 days - see the spectacular views in Fira and Oiu and then travel to another island. (Wish we had done that as we were bored stiff after a week).

The views are spectacular in Fira but of course the inevitable ";tourist traps"; are everywhere and if you decide to have a meal in a restaurant on the Caldera side - be prepared to take out a bank loan before you sit down and order!!!

If you like plane spotting, then Kamari is for you. We did enjoy sitting by the beach in a bar (yes one that was open) HIP HIP HOORAY and watching the planes come in. There are lots of restaurants in Kamari and shops - we liked it there.

We have been to Greece many times, Crete, Halkidiki, Zante and Athens, but by far Santorini is the most expensive.

All in all we made the best of our holiday in Santorini - the jewellery shops in Fira are very interesting! But we would not go back to the Island or this Hotel - not for us.

Just arrived back from Santorini, absolutely stunning island, views are breathtaking. The apartments i was a little apprehensive about as i had booked them on a hostel website, they were listed as budget accommodation!!!! but on arrival we were extremely suprised, excellent location, they were really clean, excellent breakfast provided every morning, which we sat up on the terrace to enjoy, whilst staring out at the amazing views, staff really friendly and helpful, would definately reccommend these to anyone holidaying on a shoestring.

The main resort teeming with really good restaurants, but one i would definaely reccommend was the Pygos Tavern in the centre of Pygos Village, a little tricky to find, but well worth it> and finally you must do the Boat trip to the Volcano, hot springs and thirassia for lunch, well worth the money, all in all a peaceful relaxing wonderful place for a holiday.