Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Andronis Arcadia Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: Sea and sunset views, north of Oia
• Map
• Hotel website: andronis.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 27392
• Check prices for Andronis Arcadia
The poolside lounge at Andronis Arcadia in Oia.
Hotel Review
Andronis Arcadia – Refined, family-friendly hotel with an infinity pool, lagoon pool, spa, and two top-notch restaurants.
Contemporary, Cycladic accommodations all feature a private terrace with a heated pool and unobstructed sunset sea views (not over the caldera). Suites and villas range in size from a spacious 42 square meters to the enormous 6-bedroom, 600 square meter Eden Villa. Their signature restaurant, Pacman, serves Mediterannean fine dining paired with sushi, while the Sunset Restaurant Bar by the infinity pool highlights craft cocktails, local wines, and casual meals. The new Grande Pool has small “islands” for seating and converts into a lively bar space at night. Set within a short walk of Oia’s best-loved attractions and near the bus station with routes to Fira, while being removed enough for rest and relaxation.
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Andronis Arcadia – Location
• Area: Peaceful setting on the northwestern edge of Oia, just 150 meters from dining and shopping, 300 meters to the caldera’s edge, and only 600 meters to the Byzantine castle ruins, Santorini’s most popular sunset lookout point. Oia’s main bus station is just steps from the hotel with frequent service to Fira, where the main bus hub serves the whole island.
• How to Get There: The hotel sits on the main westbound road through Oia, making it very easy to travel to and from, whether by taxi, driving yourself, or riding the bus. It is approximately 20km from the ferry port and about 16 km from the Santorini Airport to Andronis Arcadia.
There are always buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing hourly from Santorini Airport. There are no direct buses from the port or airport to Oia, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board a different bus to Oia – the entire trip from the port or airport to Oia will take at least an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. The hotel is only 250 meters, about a 3-minute walk, from the Oia bus station.
Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 25 taxis in total serving the whole island, so there can be a long wait; schedule ahead to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out. A taxi from the airport to Andronis Arcadia will cost roughly €35 to €40. A taxi from the ferry port will cost around €35 to €40. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $60 (or €50), but is worth it to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with many tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave that for the locals to navigate. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. Upon arrival in Oia, Andronis Arcadia offers free parking.
• Handy to: Oia Bus Terminal, the Byzantine Castle Ruins, and the heart of Oia’s pedestrian district.
Map of Andronis Arcadia
Andronis Arcadia – The Basics
- Ages: Guests of all ages are allowed at the hotel. Family amenities include spacious suites and villas, cots, cribs, kids’ menus, babysitting, child-sized bathrobes, swim goggles and water wings, kids’ yoga, kids’ spa treatments, and more.
- Beach: The closest swimming spot (though it is not a proper beach) is at Ammoudi Bay, the port immediately below Oia, less than a kilometer from Andronis Arcadia. This is a popular spot for swimming and cliff diving; though it’s too rocky and small to do much lounging. Ammoudi Bay is the main port of Oia, and is served by several spectacular seafood restaurants. It’s a steep trek down and back again, but it’s relatively easy to catch a cab at the bottom to bring you back up the hill. (Buy a snack at one of the restaurants and the waiter will be happy to call one.) Katharos Beach is another rocky beach nearby with one beach bar. It is off the beaten path, so much quieter than Ammoudi Bay but not as beautiful.
- View: All suites and villas boast a sunset view over the Aegean but not the caldera. This is a spectacular sunset spot for unobstructed views of the sun sinking into the sea.
- Kitchen: The 3-story, 6-bedroom Eden Villa features a fully equipped kitchen.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All suites and villas have their own heated private pools on their terraces with sunbeds and sunset views. The Three Bedroom Villa adds a jacuzzi, and the Eden Villa adds a second heated pool.
- Parking: Free parking onsite.
- Extras: The hotel’s Sleep Concierge offers a pillow menu, in room aromatherapy, bedtime snacks, and a lavender turndown service. Room amenities include a fitness kit, a choice of 3 toiletry brands, Nespresso machine, and organic selections in the minibar. Services include 24-hour reception, 24-hour room service, free yoga, free functional training, free daily hiking. Family perks include kids’ menus, child-sized robes, kids’ yoga and spa treatments, and more.
- When to Book: The hotel operates from mid-April/early May through October. Reserve at least 4 months in advance (6 months is better) for stays during high season from June through September, and about 2 months in advance for the low and shoulder seasons.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +30 22860 27392
- Email: info@andronisarcadia.com
- Website: andronis.com
Andronis Arcadia – Amenities
- Pool: Large, unheated, infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea served by an all-day pool bar.
- Spa: Wellness spa blending traditional healing with modern techniques, including hair profiling tests, cryo-wrap walks through their Kneipp pool, herbal organic products, and a wide range of tailored skin care and body treatments.
- Fitness Center: Excellent gym facilities with modern, well-maintained equipment, including cardio machines, cable machines, a punching bag and golves, Smith machines, and free weights. Yoga and functional training are available, as are child and family yoga sessions.
- For Disabled Guests: Though the hotel is not wheelchair accessible, those with mild to moderate mobility issues should be fine. The hotel has fewer stairs than those located on the caldera’s edge, and the staff can arrange golf carts to transport guests around the property. The Sunset Suite offers the easiest access to hotel facilities, including the pool, restaurants, and spa.
- For Families: All ages are welcome at Andronis Arcadia. Most suites and villas accommodate 4 or more guests. The 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom Family Suite is split over 3 floors and sleeps up to 4, while the 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom Eden Villa (the largest villa on the island) sleeps up to 12 and adds a full kitchen, second pool, and a spa room. Family amenities and facilities include private pools in all room types, kids yoga and spa treatments, kids pool gear (goggles and water wings), child-sized bath robes, kids’ menus, cots and cribs. Cooking classes and tennis are available at their sister property Andronis Concept Wellness in Imerovigli (transportation can be arranged).
- Activities: Live music, weekly cocktail parties, sunset parties, free guided hikes, free yoga and kids’ yoga.
Andronis Arcadia – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: Pacman is a vibrant fine dining restaurant serving Meditrannean fine dining and sushi. Gorgeous sunset views over the Aegean every evening, plus tasty craft cocktails and local wine. • $$$
- Lounge/Bar: Sunset Restaurant Bar serves signature cocktails, local wine, beer, and refreshments by the infinity pool throughout the day from 11:00 a.m. until midnight.
- Lounge/Bar: The Grande Pool operates much like a beach club, with sunbeds and umbrellas available by reservation, casual poolside fare, and music events in the evenings.
- Breakfast: A decadent, complimentary, a la carte breakfast is on offer daily in Pacman restaurant or delivered directly to the suites.
- Room Service: Available 24 hours with a dedicated menu.
Andronis Arcadia – Rooms
- Room Types: Sunset Suite • Executive Suite • Family Suite • Two Bedroom Villa • Three Bedroom Villa • Four Bedroom Villa • Eden Villa
- Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their room categories. It is allowed on the private outdoor terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
- Best Room: For couples, the Executive Suite is the best choice. This 50 square meter, open-plan suite features lavish décor, a private terrace with an infinity pool and expansive sunset view, and a contemporary bathroom with dual vanities.
- For Families: Andronis Arcadia is open to guests of all ages as well as pets. Kid-friendly amenities include kids’ menus, babysitting, pool accessories, kids’ yoga and spa treatments, and more. The hotel offers several wonderful accommodations for families, including 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom Family Suites, spread over 3 stories with an infinity pool and sleeping up to 4. Larger groups should book a villa. The top tier villa here is the 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom Eden Villa which sleeps up to 12 and offers its own private spa, gym, fully equipped kitchen, and two private pools. At 600 square meters, this is the largest villa on the island.
Andronis Arcadia – Local Transport
- Walking: Tucked into a quiet nook just northwest of Oia village’s center, about a 2-minute walk from romantic dining and luxury shopping, about a 4-minute walk from the caldera, and a pleasant 9-minute walk to the picturesque castle ruins. The hotel is an easy 4-minute walk, to the bus station with frequent service to Fira.
- Bus: The Oia Bus Terminal is only 250m away and serves all of the major villages and beaches on the island (sometimes with a change in Fira). Tickets are bought on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per person in the daytime, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) run less frequently and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can get very crowded, especially during the high season, so much so that they often fill to capacity and are unable to take on more passengers. There are only 23 public buses serving the island.
- Taxis: The nearest taxi stand is at Stathmos Taxi near the Oia Bus Terminal. There is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island (with guests from about 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Book ahead to avoid the wait, plus you can have them meet you directly at the hotel. There will be a small surcharge for advanced reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Oia to Fira is €20, and from Oia to the airport runs about €35 to €40.
- Scooters/Motorcycles: Scooters are the main mode of transportation for the locals, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it can be very dangerous. The roads here are zigzagging, hilly, narrow, and have sheer drop-offs with no guardrails and no street lights in most areas. Lots of dirt roads and potholes.
- ATVs/Quads: ATVs are a fun and popular mode of transportation with tourists, but for the locals stuck driving behind them, they move too slowly and hold up traffic in an area where getting around is already a hassle. For those who don’t ride quads regularly (i.e. most people), they can be dangerous at high speeds and on turns. Crashing your ATV is a sure-fire way to ruin your vacation.
Andronis Arcadia – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Candouni: Cozy, family-owned restaurant with live, Greek music and absolutely delicious food.
- Roka: Authentic, Santorinian menu with solid dishes, especially the meatballs and octopus.
- Lotza: Simple, honest Greek comfort food with stunning caldera views.
- PitoGyros: Hands-down, the best gyros in Oia. Seating is limited.
- Melitini: 100% Greek menu, using local Santorinian, Cycladic, and Greek ingredients only. Quaint, cozy interior and stellar caldera views from the rooftop terrace.
- Ammoudi Bay Restaurants: Ammoudi Bay, the port below Oia and closest swimming spot, is home to four phenomenal seafood restaurants, offering the freshest fish on the island. The steep 15-minute walk down takes longer coming back up, but your waiter will be happy to call you a cab.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Sunset Sangria Bar: Chill spot for sangria, cocktails, and tapas with excellent sunset views (though not of the caldera).
- Fino cocktail Bar and Restaurant: The best cocktails in Oia. Plus, inspired Mediterranean food, and an extensive wine list.
- Fino Cocktail Bar and Restaurant: The only nightlife in Oia, this is where to go for dancing, as they regularly host live bands and DJs.
Best Nearby Cafes
- Meteor: Excellent coffee and breakfast with sweeping caldera views, though a little on the pricey side.
- Vitrin Café Creperie: One of the best breakfasts on the island, plus AMAZING sunset views if you arrive early enough to snag a table.
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- B.Loose: Greek-made, casual linen wear for men and women.
- It’s a Beautiful Day: Greek-designed clothing and luxury-brand accessories.
- BLOW by Labro: High-end designer boutique with unique pieces.
- Steps to Art: Truly unique metal sculptures, replicas inspired by Akrotiri, and jewelry made with volcanic sand and watch parts.
- Spilia Cave Greek Clothing: Truly unique metal sculptures, replicas inspired by Akrotiri, and jewelry made with volcanic sand and watch parts.
- Bligaki: Santorinian accessories, especially jewelry and bags, mostly handmade.
Nearby Attractions
- Oia-Fira Hiking Trail: One of the top attractions on the island is this scenic 10.5 km hiking trail connecting Oia and Fira. A mix of sidewalk, cobblestones, and dirt trail, this route boasts gorgeous vistas the entire way. Hiking south to Fira, the full length of the path from the Byzantine Castle Ruins takes from 2 to 5 hours; Add about an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock in Imerovigli. 3-minute walk from the hotel.
- Museum of Ancient, Byzantine Musical Instruments: Faithful replicas of Greek instruments dating from the prehistoric through Byzantine eras.
- Church of Panagia of Platsani: The most iconic church in Santorini, beautiful inside and out.
- Maritime Museum: Small museum focused on Greek Naval and Santorinian seafaring history. Only €3 to enter. 5-minute walk.
- Maritime Museum: (aka Oia Castle aka Byzantine Castle Ruins): The medieval castle ruins are the most popular sunset viewpoint on the island.
- Ammoudi Bay: Best known for its fresh fish restaurants, Ammoudi is the rocky port of Oia; boats sail to Thirassia and cruise the caldera from here. It’s an incredibly popular spot for cliff diving, and is one of the best places to swim on the island.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Proton Supermarket: Small market, but usually has the best prices. This is where most locals shop in the area.
- Asteras Supermarket: Small but solid selection with a surprising amount of fresh produce for its size, along with prepackaged deli cuts, snacks, beer, wine, and some beach gear.
- Elliniki Diatrofi Supermarket: Great selection of local cheeses, wine, liquor, fresh produce, and staples. Open until after midnight, sometimes as late as 2:00 a.m.
Andronis Arcadia – The Hotel
View of Andronis Arcadia from above showing the infinity pool with the pool bar jutting into the water, along with Pacman Restaurant and the Sunset Restaurant Bar. Sunset, Family, and Executive Suites are seen at the top of the photo.
The hotel was constructed in a Cycladic minimalist style with boxy shapes, whitewashed walls, and local flora.
The hotel’s “green roofs” help incorporate the property into the natural landscape of the island.
The hotel infinity pool offers sweeping westward views over the Aegean Sea.
By day the lively infinity pool terrace is set up with umbrellas and fresh towels. In the evening, the umbrellas are removed to offer unobstructed sunset views from the terrace, bar, and Pacman Restaurant.
Floating sun loungers are arranged in pairs for the length of the infinity pool. Pacman Restaurant, seen here on the left, serves sushi and Greek taverna fare for lunch and dinner. The sunken pool bar in the center background offers refreshments all day until midnight.
Outside a Sunset Suite. Its sliding glass wall allows brilliant natural light into the room and creates a cozy indoor-outdoor living space.
The Sunset Suite offers a private, heated pool with sea views and a terrace furnished with sun loungers and a table for two.
Though Sunset Suites are the entry category rooms, they offer luxurious bedding, stylish decor, and a breezy open-plan layout.
The sunny terrace and infinity pool of the Four Bedroom Villa. This villa accommodates up to eight guests.
Side view of the terrace of a Four Bedroom Villa with a pool, lounge chairs, and an olive tree.
An unobstructed sunset sea view from the terrace and heated infinity pool.
In addition to the pool, the Four-Bedroom Villa adds a gorgeous jacuzzi.
From the terrace, the sliding glass door opens up to the living room with a sectional sofa and boho chic decor.
Another angle on the living room of the Four Bedroom Villa.
One of the villa’s bedrooms. All rooms feature medium-rich woods, a sandy palette, and soft lighting.
The Eden Villa is the largest room type at Andronis Arcadia and the largest hotel villa on the island. Eden Villa sleeps up to 12 with 600 square meters of living space with 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 pools, a kitchen, spa room, and more.
Side view of Eden Villa’s pool and terrace. Sliding glass walls open up to reveal the dining room, seen here on the right.
The living room is adjacent to the dining room and also connected to the pool and terrace through a sliding glass wall.
Eden Villa’s pool lit up at night. Check prices and availability: Andronis Arcadia
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