Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Andronis Boutique Hotel Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: On the caldera in the center of Oia
• Map
• Hotel website: andronis.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 72182
• Check prices for Andronis Boutique Hotel
Andronis Boutique Hotel in Oia, Santorini.
Hotel Review
Andronis Boutique Hotel – Luxury hotel in on the caldera’s edge with two pools, jacuzzis in all suites, and Oia’s first restaurant, Lauda.
Gorgeous, white-washed hotel with incredible views over the caldera. An all-suite property, each unit has been hand-carved into the cliffside in traditional Santorinian cave-style. Every suite has its own jacuzzi or plunge pool in addition to the hotel’s two shared pools, one heated and one cool. Its restaurant Lauda is the oldest restaurant in Oia (opened in 1971, it had the island’s first telephone), and features a menu designed by a 3 Michelin Star Chef.
See Also
Andronis Boutique Hotel – Location
• Area: Fantastic location, as central as you can be in Oia, along the marble path of the pedestrian-only zone. The hotel is surrounded by amazing restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, and is about 3 minutes from the Oia Bus Terminal.
• How to Get There: The hotel is located on the footpath just off the main road into Oia, making it very easy to travel to and from, whether by taxi, driving yourself, or riding the bus. It is approximately 18km from the Athinios ferry port and the Santorini Airport to the hotel, though they are in different directions.
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. From the Oia Bus Terminal, it’s an easy 3-minute walk to the hotel.
Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 25 taxis serving the whole island, so there is often a wait; schedule a ride through a private car service in advance 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 Boutique Hotel 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.
• Handy to: Church of Panagia of Platsani, Oia Castle.
Map of Andronis Boutique Hotel
Andronis Boutique Hotel – The Basics
- Ages: An adults-only hotel, only ages 13 and older are allowed. Guests tend to be couples from 24–60 years old celebrating a special occasion, usually a honeymoon or anniversary. About half of the guests here are Americans.
- Beach: The closest beach is at Ammoudi Bay, the port immediately below Oia, less than a kilometer from the hotel. This is a popular spot for swimming and cliff diving; the beach is too rocky and small to do much lounging. This 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.)
- View: Gorgeous caldera views throughout the property.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All rooms include either a private jacuzzi, or a private heated plunge pool, or both.
- Parking: Free parking in several public lots nearby.
- Extras: Welcome bottle of wine and fruits, bespoke room experience (pillow menu, scent preference, and choice of luxury brand amenities), sunset catamaran tours (additional fee).
- When to Book: The hotel usually operates from the first of April until early November. 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 72182
- Email: info@andronisboutiquehotel.com
- Website: andronis.com
Andronis Boutique Hotel – Amenities
- Pool: 2 pools – 1 heated and 1 cool – served by a pool bar.
- Spa: Access to spa at their sister hotel Andronis Luxury Suites close by.
- Fitness Center: Access the fitness center at their sister hotel Andronis Concept Wellness in Imerovigli.
- For Disabled Guests: This is a caldera hotel with lots of stairs and no elevators. It is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
- For Families: An adults-only hotel, only ages 13 and older are allowed. There are no special amenities for children, and the largest suites have a maximum capacity of 3 guests.
- Activities: Catamaran cruise of the caldera at sunset, inclusive of wine and meal (additional fee).
Andronis Boutique Hotel – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: Lauda is the oldest restaurant in Oia, but it has a 3 Michelin Star Chef since 2017 who has modernized and elevated the menu. Serving thoughtful Greek plates, highlighting local ingredients, wine, and seafood, this is easily one of the best restaurants on the island. Open for lunch and dinner, the atmosphere is elegant yet casual, and the views are fantastic. Serving lunch from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and dinner from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. • $$$$.
- Lounge/Bar: The pool bar offers refreshing classic and unique cocktails all day, and lunch from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., with food prepared by Lauda.
- Breakfast: Complimentary breakfast served at Lauda from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The hotel offers their signature “Breakfast of the Gods”, with a large buffet of superfoods and Greek delicacies, plus eggs and toast made to order.
- Room Service: Available during restaurant hours.
Andronis Boutique Hotel – Rooms
- Room Types: Petite Suite • Classic Suite • Elegant Suite • Executive Suite with Plunge Pool • Executive Suite with Cave Plunge Pool • Signature Suite • Water Retreat Suite • Prestige Suite with Infinity Pool • Cave Pool Suite
- 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 Rooms: The Prestige Suite with Infinity Pool is the best room here. A spacious 100 sqm makes it among the largest suites in Oia; it features an open plan, king bed, and a large terrace with a private infinity pool and jacuzzi.
- For Families: An adults-only hotel, only ages 13 and older are allowed. There are no special amenities for children, and only a few room categories that accommodate a maximum of 3 guests. Those are the Prestige Suite with Infinity Pool, Executive Suite with Cave Plunge Pool, Executive Suite with Plunge Pool, and the Elegant Suite.
Andronis Boutique Hotel – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located in the heart of Oia on the marble pedestrian path, surrounded by an endless choice of restaurants, shops, and attractions. The most photographed Church of Panagia of Platsani is only 2 minutes away, and the Oia Bus Terminal is just 3 minutes away on foot. The castle ruins, the most popular sunset viewpoint is a 9-minute walk west, while Ammoudi Bay is just a little farther, 15 minutes from the hotel.
- Bus: Andronis Boutique Hotel is very close to the Oia Bus Terminal, just 3 minutes away. Buses here serve all of the major villages and beaches on the island, often 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. 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 Boutique Hotel – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Melitini: 100% Greek menu, using local Santorinian, Cycladic, and Greek ingredients only. Quaint, cozy interior and stellar caldera views from the rooftop terrace.
- PitoGyros: Hands-down, the best gyros in Oia. Seating is limited.
- Candouni: Cozy, family-owned restaurant with live, Greek music and absolutely delicious food.
- Lotza: Simple, honest Greek comfort food with stunning caldera views.
- Roka: Authentic, Santorinian menu with solid dishes, especially the meatballs and octopus.
- Anemomilos Restaurant: Located next to the hotel of the same name; refreshingly local vibe, not touristy at all. Great food, friendly atmosphere.
- Lefkes: Cozy, romantic restaurant in a converted wine cellar in the charming Finikia village.
- Ammoudi Bay Restaurants: 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.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Fino Cocktail Bar & Restaurant: The best cocktails in Santorini. Plus inspired Mediterranean food and an extensive wine list.
- Marykay’s Bar/Hassapiko: The only nightlife in Oia, this is where to go for dancing, as they regularly host live bands and DJs.
- Sunset Sangria Bar: Chill spot for sangria, cocktails, and tapas with excellent sunset views (though not of the caldera).
Best Nearby Cafes
- Meteor: Excellent coffee and breakfast with sweeping caldera views, though a little on the pricey side. Turns into a bar at night.
- Vitrin Café Creperie: 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 and Cool Shops
- Bligaki: Santorinian accessories, especially jewelry and bags, mostly handmade.
- BLOW by Labro: High-end designer boutique with unique pieces.
- It’s a Beautiful Day: Greek-designed clothing and luxury-brand accessories.
- B.Loose: Greek-made, casual linens for men and women.
- Steps to Art: Truly unique metal sculptures, replicas inspired by Akrotiri, and jewelry made with volcanic sand and watch parts.
- Spilia Cave Greek Clothing: Handmade, leather sandals, cotton and linen Greek clothes, located in one of the original living caves of Oia.
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. 1-minute walk from the hotel.
- Church of Panagia of Platsani: The most iconic church in Santorini, beautiful inside and out.
- Museum of Ancient, Byzantine Musical Instruments: Faithful replicas of Greek instruments dating from the prehistoric through Byzantine eras.
- Maritime Museum: Small museum focused on Greek Naval and Santorinian seafaring history. Only €3 to enter.
- Castle of Agios Nikolaos (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.
- Domaine Sigalas: Santorini’s best winery, with options for tours, tastings and tapas.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- 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.
- Asteras Supermarket: Small, but solid selection with a surprising amount of fresh produce for its size, along with pre-packaged deli cuts, snacks, beer, wine, and some beach gear.
- Proton Supermarket: Small market, but usually has the best prices. This is where most locals shop in the area.
Andronis Boutique Hotel – The Hotel
Andronis Boutique Hotel’s entrance opens up over a fantastic view terrace overlooking the caldera.
Like most in the area, this multi-level hotel has plenty of stairs to navigate…
…with stunning views the whole way down. From here, you can see the volcano in the center, and Imerovigli and Fira to the left…
…and looking right over the pools, you can see Thirassia Island.
From the main pool level, you can see the whole hotel, hand-sculpted white caves with orange sails.
Closer to the unheated pool and pool bar.
Just three steps down gets you to the heated infinity pool overlooking the caldera.
On the same floor, you’ll find Lauda Restaurant. Reserve early for a table on the terrace with the best views…
…though their covered terrace is beautiful as well and tends to be less windy.
Inside the hotel, expect spacious and elegant cave suites. This is one of the Executive Suites with Cave Plunge Pool. At 70 sqm, this is one of their larger suites, but even their smallest suite (the Petite Suite) is an ample 30 sqm.
This is one of the handful of suites that can accommodate up to 3 guests, with a king-sized bed and a single-sized sofa.
This is the typical minibar set up for all of the suites, with a Nespresso machine. Not pictured is the mini-fridge and welcome wine.
Behind the bedroom, there is an ample dressing room and closet space.
The cave-style bathroom uses pressed concrete and marble dust, and features a traditional open shower and modern fixtures.
Its private terrace is quite spacious…
…with a small dining area and a cave plunge pool.
The cave plunge pool.
View from inside the cave. Check Rates and availability: Andronis Boutique Hotel
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