Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Anemomilos Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: At the entrance to Oia village, with villas overlooking the caldera.
• Hotel website: anemomilos.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 71410
• Check prices for Anemomilos Hotel and Villas
The shared courtyard pool at Anemomilos Hotel and Villas in Oia, Santorini.
Hotel Review
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Affordable, family-friendly hotel with a variety of rooms, studios, and villas, plus a free-form pool and an excellent restaurant.
Anemomilos offers accommodation for every price range, from budget rooms to moderate studios and their new boutique cave villas. Villas all feature sweeping caldera views with either a private jacuzzi or a shared pool with hydrotherapy jets. Rooms and studio suites are in the main hotel area across the street, many with views of the Aegean Sea (not the caldera). Superior Studios add a hot tub. Facilities here include an excellent, local-style restaurant, free parking on site, a kids’ pool, and a free-form pool deep enough for diving. Service is friendly, warm, and unfussy.
See Also
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Location
Excellent location at the entrance to Oia. The villas all overlook the caldera; rooms and studio suites are in the main hotel on the other side of the street from the caldera. The hotel is an easy 10-minute walk to the best restaurants, shops, and attractions in Oia and Finikia.
• How to Get There:
The hotel is located on 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. There is a small bus stop about 20 meters from 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 Anemomilos 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, Animomilos offers free parking on site (a major perk).
• Handy To: The marble pedestrian path in Oia, Finikia village, Church of Panagia of Platsani.
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – The Basics
- Ages: All ages are welcome here. Guests tend to be a good mix of couples and families, with families traveling mostly in the summer months.
- Beach: The closest swimming spot (though it is not a proper beach) is at Ammoudi Bay, the port immediately below Oia, 1.5 km from the hotel. This is a popular spot for swimming and cliff diving; the beach is 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 for you.)
- View: The 4 villas all have gorgeous caldera views. Rooms and studios have sea views of the Aegean (not the caldera) or the pool.
- Kitchen: Studios and villas all have kitchenettes.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Superior Studios with Hot Tub have an indoor private jacuzzi, while the Superior Studios with Hot Tub and Sea View feature an outdoor private jacuzzi. The Villas Avra and Armonia boast outdoor private jacuzzis with caldera views. Villas Gaia and Hydor share a private pool with hydrotherapy jets that overlooks the caldera.
- Parking: Free parking in their lot onsite.
- Extras: Wheelchair-accessible studios in the main hotel. They offer the following services for an additional fee: port or airport transfer, wedding planner, boat and road tours.
- When to Book: The hotel usually operates from late March 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 3 months in advance for the low and shoulder seasons.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +30 22860 71410, +30 22860 71517
- Email: info@anemomilos.com
- Website: anemomilos.com
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Amenities
- Pool: Large, deep free-form pool with an attached kids’ pool in the main hotel courtyard.
- Spa: No spa.
- Fitness Center: No gym.
- For Disabled Guests: They offer some wheelchair-accessible studios in the main hotel on the ground floor. The villas are on the caldera, and are inaccessible for those with mobility issues.
- For Families: This is an all-ages hotel. Guests here have access to the main pool with an attached children’s pool. Standard Studios can accommodate up to 3 guests, Villas Avra and Gaia sleep up to 4, and Villas Armonia and Hydor can host up to 5 guests. All villas are 1-bedroom/1-bathroom units.
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: Anemomilos Restaurant has been a local institution for over 30 years, serving simple, rustic Santorinian and Greek dishes and wines. Built long before the hotel, it retains a local following and remains amazingly un-touristy. This is where to go to get traditional Greek favorites like moussaka and pastitsio. The restaurant is open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with especially great lunch and dinner service.
- Lounge/Bar: The restaurant has a full bar, with a very good local wine selection.
- Breakfast: A simple, traditional breakfast buffet is available from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It can be booked as part of the room rate, or it can be added separately for €10.
- Room Service: Available during restaurant hours.
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Rooms
- Room Types: Budget Double Room without Balcony • Double Room with Sea View • Standard Studio • Superior Studio with Hot Tub • Superior Studio with Hot Tub and Sea View • Villa Avra • Villa Armonia • Villa Gaia • Villa Hydor
- 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: The best options for couples are the Villas Avra and Armonia. These cave-style villas are 45 sqm and 60 sqm respectively, both with king-sized beds, private terraces, outdoor jacuzzis, and stunning views of the caldera.
- For Families: The best options for families are the Villas Gaia and Hydor. These cave-style villas are 60 and 52 sqm respectively, and both feature a king-sized bed in the master bedroom, plus 2 single-sized sofa beds in the living area, and a kitchenette. Villa Gaia can add an additional child-sized bed on request. Villa Hydor is a 2-story unit. These villas share a private swimming pool, making them ideal for larger families or groups to rent out together.
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located at the entrance to Oia, along the main road connecting Oia to Fira and the rest of the island. Walk 4 minutes west to get to the marble pedestrian path that leads to the heart of Oia, where you’ll find an endless choice of restaurants, shops, and attractions, as well as the bus terminal. Head east to find the traditional village Finikia, which has a couple of great restaurants and Sigalas winery. The Oia Castle ruins are just 19 minutes away, while Ammoudi Bay is just 5 more minutes past the castle at the bottom of the caldera.
- Bus: There is a bus stop about 20 meters from the hotel; get off here when you return from a trip. But the bus usually fills up at the first stop, the Oia Bus Terminal 11 minutes west of the hotel, so it’s best to catch the bus out from there to be sure you get a seat. Buses from 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, plus you can have them meet you directly at the hotel near the parking area. 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.
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – 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.
- Lefkes: Cozy, romantic restaurant in a converted wine cellar in the charming Finikia village.
- PitoGyros: Hands-down, the best gyros in Oia. Seating is limited.
- 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.
- Ammoudi Bay Restaurants: Each of these waterfront restaurants is phenomenal, offering the freshest fish on the island. The steep 25-minute walk down takes longer coming back up, but your waiter will be happy to call you a cab.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Fino Cocktail Bar & Restaurant: The best cocktails in Santorini. Plus, inspired Mediterranean food and an extensive wine list.
- Sunset Sangria Bar: Chill spot for sangria, cocktails, and tapas with excellent sunset views (though not of the caldera).
- Marykay’s Bar/Hassapiko: The only nightlife in Oia, this is where to go for dancing, as they regularly host live bands and DJs.
Best Nearby Cafes
- Mes Amis: Amazing little spot on a covered patio overlooking the caldera. Super casual, fantastic views, and great food.
- Meteor: Excellent coffee and breakfast with sweeping caldera views, though a little on the pricey side. Turns into a bar at night.
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.
- Domaine Sigalas: Santorini’s best vineyard, offering tastings, tapas, and full tours.
- 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
- Perivolas Market: Small store with a decent selection of drinks, wine, and bread.
- Village Super Market: Good selection of staples at a fair price (for Santorini).
- 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.
- Proton Supermarket: Small market, but usually has the best prices. This is where most locals shop in the area.
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – The Hotel
This is the outside of Anemomilos Hotel’s reception area, which is on the main road in and out of Oia. Following that road straight ahead leads to Fira and the port. On the opposite side of the street (out of view) is the caldera where their 4 villas are.
Right next to the reception is the restaurant, a perfect spot for a hearty Greek lunch or dinner.
They offer both indoor and outdoor dining areas.
The covered terrace is their most-requested spot for dinner.
The main hotel is behind the restaurant, with a sunny shared lobby and a marble staircase leading up to the second floor. Like most hotels in Santorini, there is no elevator.
The free-form pool is behind the lobby. It features an attached kids’ pool in the front, sun loungers all around, and views to the Aegean Sea. At the far end of the pool, there is a deep end suitable for diving or cannonballing.
This is the Double Room with Sea View, a budget room one category above the entry level.
This small room accommodates 2 guests maximum; a straightforward, clean, and simple option.
The bathroom features a glass shower and podium sink. A refresh is coming soon.
This room has a balcony with sea and pool views…
…which are partially obscured by trees.
The best rooms in the main hotel are the Superior Studios with Hot Tubs and Sea Views.
Superior Studios are twice the size of the Budget Rooms and can accommodate up to 3 guests with a queen bed and single sofa bed.
These rooms include kitchenettes with kettles, mini-fridges, and two-burner stoves.
Bathrooms are fully renovated in a traditional Cycladic style using pressed concrete and featuring Greek-style open showers.
The main highlight of this room type is the private balcony with a sea-facing jacuzzi.
View to the Aegean Sea from the jacuzzi.
Renovations and refreshes are done every year, room by room. This is another room in the same category, only it has been refurbished.
The living area of the same room. Check rates and availability: Anemomilos Hotel and Villas
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