Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Aria Suites & Villas Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: A quiet pocket in Fira, with caldera views
• Map
• Hotel website: ariasuites.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 28650
• Check prices for Aria Suites and Villas
The pool and caldera view at Aria Suites and Villas in Fira.
Hotel Review
Aria Suites and Villas – Outstanding, family-friendly hotel in the heart of Fira, offering 6 upscale suites and 4 luxurious villas with breathtaking views over the caldera.
Aria Suites and Villas is a charming, family-friendly hotel offering spacious suites, beautiful new villas with private outdoor jacuzzis, and a courtyard pool with caldera views. The hotel features traditional Cycladic design with white boxy exteriors, arches, vaulted ceilings, and pressed concrete, along with contemporary furnishings in white and pastel. The one and two-bedroom suites and villas are all spacious, beginning at sixty square meters, and some split over two floors. An amazing breakfast spread is served to each suite every morning with fresh flavors and an exceptional a la carte menu to choose from; bar and room service are available throughout the day. Service is always friendly and highly personalized in the spirit of Greek hospitality.
See Also
Aria Suites and Villas – Location
• Area: Absolutely gorgeous location in Fira, with panoramic caldera views from Oia to Akrotiri, overlooking the volcanoes, Thirassia Island, and Skaros Rock. The hotel sits in a quiet pocket just a short walk to the nightlife, attractions, and dining of Fira. The nearby Central Bus Station makes it simple to explore the rest of the island.
• How to Get There:
Aria Suites and Villas sits above the caldera in Fira on the main walking path and not far off the main road connecting Fira with the rest of the island, making it easy to reach by bus, taxi, or driving yourself. It is approximately 8km from the Athinios ferry port and 5km from the Santorini Airport to the hotel.There are always buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing hourly from Santorini Airport. All buses stop in Fira. The entire trip from port or airport to Fira should take around 25 minutes (longer if there is traffic) and cost about €2. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. From the Fira Bus Terminal, it’s a 5-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 Aria Suites & Villas will cost roughly €25. A taxi from the ferry port will cost around €25-€35. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $45 (or €37), 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. There are several free parking lots within a 5 to 10-minute walk of the property.
• Handy to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, and Fira nightlife.
Map of Aria Suites and Villas
Aria Suites and Villas – The Basics
- Ages: All ages are allowed at the hotel. Guests tend to be couples, ages 25 and up, celebrating a romantic occasion, usually a honeymoon or anniversary.
- Beach: The nearest beach is Exo Gialos, a quiet, black sand beach with intriguing wind-sculpted cliffs at its southern end. The best beach bar and restaurant there is East Breeze, just a few meters from the cliffs. The north end has a small harbor and another great beach bar and restaurant called Yalos. From the hotel, it’s a short 4 km-drive to the north end or 5 km to the south end, where the cliffs are.
- View: Stunning caldera views can be found throughout the hotel, overlooking the volcanoes, Akrotiri, and Thirassia Island. Due to its position on a curve, some rooms have better views than others. All of the villas have direct caldera views. All of the suites have caldera views from their terraces, and more than half also have caldera views from their windows. Of the suites, Rigoletto has the best views.
- Kitchen: The villas have kitchenettes with wet bars, full-sized refrigerators, coffee/tea service, and dishes.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The villas each have a private jacuzzi.
- Parking: There is free parking in the public lot nearby.
- Extras: Twice daily maid service, in-room massage and hair services, honeymoon packages, wedding planning, 24-hour reception.
- When to Book: The hotel usually operates from the first of April until the end of October. Reserve at least 4 months in advance (6 months is better) for stays during the 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 28650 / +30 22860 28651
- Email: info@ariasuites.com, ariasuites@gmail.com
- Website: ariasuites.com
Aria Suites and Villas – Amenities
- Pool: The main hotel offers a shared pool, pool bar, and sun terrace in the courtyard facing the caldera.
- Spa: There is no spa onsite, but the hotel can arrange in-suite spa, hair, or nail services.
- Fitness Center: No gym.
- For Disabled Guests: Aria Suites and Villas is a caldera property with no elevator, though there are fewer stairs here than at most other properties in the area, and many rooms are on the ground floor level, near the pool and bar. This hotel is suitable for guests with mild mobility issues.
- For Families: All ages are allowed at the hotel, and several suites and villas can accommodate groups of 4 to 6 guests.
- Activities: The concierge team can arrange a variety of excursions and activities including yachting, wine tasting, and visits to the archaeological sites and more.
Aria Suites and Villas – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: There is no restaurant on site, though there is a kitchen which prepares the daily breakfast, candlelight dinners, and poolside snacks.
- Lounge/Bar: The Pool Bar is open all day from 11 am until 7 pm, serving fantastic cocktails, a variety of local wine, beer, and champagne, and a menu of light meals and snacks.
- Breakfast: A complimentary a la carte and champagne breakfast is served to each suite and villa every morning at the time of choice between 8 am and 11 am.
- Room Service: Room service is available all day, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks.
Aria Suites and Villas – Rooms
- Room Types: Tosca Suite • Norma Suite • Aida Suite • La Boheme Suite • Rigoletto Suite • Carmen Suite • La Vida Breve Villa • Dolce Far Niente Villa • La Traviata Villa • Fidelio 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: The best suite for couples is the Rigoletto Suite, while the best villa for couples is La Traviata. The 1-bedroom Rigoletto Suite offers the best caldera views from the main hotel, along with a king-sized bed, separate living area, and a private terrace. La Traviata is a 1-bedroom villa with both an indoor and an outdoor jacuzzi, a king bed, and a private terrace with an al fresco dining table.
- For Families: All ages are allowed at the hotel, and several suites and villas can accommodate groups of 4 to 6 guests. The best options for families are the spacious Norma Suite or Fidelio Villa. The 2-bedroom Norma Suite offers 73 sqm of space with 2 king beds, 1 sofa bed, and a private caldera view terrace. The 2-bedroom Fidelio Villa is the largest onsite with a king room, a loft king room, 2 sofa beds, and a large terrace with an al fresco dining table and private jacuzzi.
Aria Suites and Villas – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located in the heart of Fira, right above the caldera and on the Oia-Fira hiking trail. The island’s best restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions await just a few meters away. Fira is the best village for walking, as nearly everything anyone could want can be found within 5 minutes in any direction.
- Bus: The Central Bus Station in Fira, a 5-minute walk from the hotel, is Santorini’s bus hub. All routes to the port, airport, beaches, and other villages travel through Fira, making this a super convenient spot for exploring the whole island. 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 am to 5 am) 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 in Fira, about 4 minutes away on foot. 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, and have the driver meet you closer to the hotel. There will be a small surcharge for advance reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Fira to the port is between €10 to €15, and from Fira to the airport is around €25.
- 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.
Aria Suites and Villas – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Ouzeri: Exceptional spot for meze (Greek tapas), offering a modern take on traditional Santorinian flavors and Mediterranean favorites.
- Lucky’s Souvlakis: Hands-down the very best gyros in Santorini. Eating at Lucky’s is an absolute must when in Santorini. Authentic, filling, and affordable.
- Argo Restaurant: Argo features a rich menu of Santorinian and Mediterranean flavors with modern, international influences. With amazing views over the caldera, this is a popular spot for sunset dining. Reserve in advance to ensure a view table.
- Idol Restaurant: All-day restaurant serving elevated versions of traditional Santorinian dishes with 3 dining terraces and panoramic views.
- Momo: Brand new, casual, Indian and Thai restaurant with a clay tandoori oven and fantastic curries.
- Pelican Kipos: Stellar, wine-centric restaurant with over 600 varieties of local and international wines in a charming garden setting. Wine tastings and cellar tours available daily.
- Falafeland: Top-notch vegetarian and vegan street food spot with amazing falafel and veggie burgers, and cozy outdoor seating. There are a handful of meat dishes here too, which are prepared separately from the vegetarian/vegan items.
- Aktaion: The oldest taverna on the island, Aktaion has been serving authentic Santorinian flavors since 1922.
- Mylos Bar Restaurant: Modern Greek restaurant with a creative menu and plenty of vegetarian options located in a picturesque windmill with caldera views.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- PK Cocktail Bar: The best bar in Santorini, PK Cocktail Bar offers superb sunset views, creative cocktails, and 3 levels of seating in the caldera.
- Casablanca Soul Bar: With house and deep house DJs or a live band every night, tasty cocktails, and a truly friendly staff, Casablanca is always a favorite for locals and travelers alike.
- Two Brothers: Open almost all day, from 10 am to 6 am the next day, Two Brothers is almost 2 different bars in the daytime versus the night. During the day, the bar is quiet and chill, with basic drinks and a solid 2-for-1 happy hour. Late nights, it becomes the wildest bar in Santorini: crowded, crazy, loud, and fun.
- Tropical Bar: Great cocktails and a magnificent view make this a popular spot for catching the sunset. The drinks menu strips down to basic offerings after sundown, but at happy hours (9 pm to 11 pm), all cocktails are half price. Aussies take note: they sell VB here.
- MoMix: Half bar, half mad science lab, MoMix (short for Molecular Mixology) creates wild cocktails served in test tubes, as edible bites, or in bubble form.
- Kira Thira Jazz Bar: A Santorinian standby since 1976, Kira Thira is a cozy, casual bar with fantastic sangria, strong drinks, and an eclectic selection of music.
- Tango Champagne and Cocktail Bar: Refined lounge with a romantic vibe and picture-perfect sunset views.
- Enigma Club: The oldest dance club in Santorini (since 1979), Enigma opens late and keeps the party going until 7 the next morning. A hotspot for visiting celebrity DJs who spin the best dance music from Greek and international artists.
- Franco’s Bar: Well-known for gorgeous views and delicious drinks, Franco’s is one of the best spots to take in the Fira sunset.
- Volkan on the Rocks: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.
Best Nearby Cafes
- Enigma Café: Excellent café with fantastic coffee and cocktails, plus simple and delicious breakfast and sandwiches.
- Coffee Island: Off the main tourist track, this little shop has fantastic coffee drinks (maybe the only spot you can get a flat white in Santorini), a great selection of coffee by the kilo, and absolutely the best prices.
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Nick the Greek: One of the oldest jewelry shops in Santorini, Nick the Greek sells fine gold jewelry and luxury watches from Greek and international brands.
- Koukla: Eclectic, artsy jewelry in a range of styles and prices.
- Drakkar Santorini: International and Greek designer-brand clothing for women.
- Ammos: This shop has 2 locations in Fira, 1 in Kamari, and 1 in Oia. All offer a wide selection of international and Greek brands.
- Noi: Upscale women’s boutique offering elegant summer clothing, shoes, and accessories on Santorini’s famous Gold Street..
- Caldera Jewelry/Golden Santorini: Right across from Noi, Golden Santorini/Caldera Jewelry has offered fine gold and precious stone jewelry since 1976.
- Spicy Boutique and The Lace: These sister boutiques are located right next door to each other in the heart of Fira. Both shops sell Greek-designed women’s clothing and accessories. Spicy offers edgier styles, while The Lace caters toward a femme crowd.
- The White: Across from Spicy, The White is a luxury boutique selling hand-crafted clothing and footwear by Santorinian designer Sophia H.
- Isia: High-end, women’s clothing and accessories with unique pieces inspired by traditional Greek designs. You can find it on the footpath between Diesel and Cava Mejjo.
- White House Santorini: Specialty shop for all-white summer garb for men, women, and children. Located across the walking path from Idol Restaurant in Fira.
- Little Dot: Trendy boutique offering men’s and women’s street, surf, and swim wear.
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 northwest, the full length of the path from the hotel to Oia Castle takes from 2 to 5 hours (add at least an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock when you head north).
- Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral: This imposing cathedral dominates the main square in Fira. Fully renovated after the ’56 earthquake, this landmark church is surrounded by a series of grand archways, and is adorned with frescoed walls and ceilings inside in gold and vivid colors.
- Old Port of Fira: A.K.A. Fira Skala, the Old Port has a few tavernas, shops, and pretty sea views. The only connections from the port to the village are the cable cars, donkeys, or walking up the 587 steps. Nowadays, the Old Port is mostly used by cruise ship passengers, arriving daily by the thousands in the high season. To avoid the largest crowds, plan excursions around the cruise ship calendar. The beginning of the stairway down is a 10-minute walk away, plus 15 more minutes to hike down.
- Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist: Often referred to simply as the Catholic Church, St. John’s is recognizable by its brilliant yellow and blue exterior and clock tower.
- Skaros Rock: Impressive volcanic rock formation housing the ruins of a medieval castle and town, dating to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, is the only part of Skaros that is still active. The trailhead leading to Skaros begins at Agios Georgios Church in Imerovigli.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Sklavenitis Supermarket: Great little market with friendly staff and a good selection of produce, snacks, drinks, and more at a fair price.
- Green Market Organics: Small but well-stocked grocery store in Fira with specialty items (gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, etc.), organic, and local products.
Aria Suites and Villas – The Hotel
Exterior view of Aria Suites and Villas. This is the main hotel section where all of the suites are located, along with the reception, the pool, and the pool bar.
Stepping back a few meters, you can see the main walking path of Fira. Aria Suites and Villas is a 3-minute walk from the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral and all of the restaurants, bars, shopping, and attractions of the island’s capital.
The pool and terrace offer sweeping views over the caldera. The pool bar serves cocktails and light bites all day.
Stepping closer to the pool’s edge, the volcanoes come into view on the right along with the Akrotiri peninsula on the left.
Standing next to the pool bar, the 2-bedroom Norma Suite is straight ahead.
Facing the pool and bar from the Norma Suite patio’s al fresco dining table.
The suite opens up to a large living and dining room with a sofa bed, a dining table…
…and a second sofa. The classic Cycladic architecture is easy to see here with its arches, built-in sofa platform, and recesses in the walls.
Another view of the living room with French doors and a Dutch door.
This bedroom has nightstands with interior lighting and its own patio (pictured earlier).
The second bedroom.
The Norma Suite’s bathroom features red mosaic tiles, a half glass wall, and a rainfall showerhead.
This suite also has a sun terrace overlooking the volcanoes and part of Thirassia Island.
Norma is the best suite for families, but the Rigoletto Suite, seen here, is the best suite for couples.
The 1-bedroom Rigoletto Suite features a spacious living and dining area.
A bedroom with a king-sized bed.
And a spacious, colorful bathroom with a tiled shower, half-glass wall, and a rainfall shower.
The Rigoletto has the best view of all the suites in the main hotel area. This is the private balcony…
…and a peek over the edge. From here the volcanoes are right in the center, Akrotiri is to the left, and Thirassia Island is to the right.
The Rigoletto’s view over the pool.
The Tosca is another 1-bedroom suite in the main building. This is its patio.
Inside the Tosca Suite’s living and dining area.
A closer look at the table for 2 and the wet bar.
The king-bed room.
And the sunshine yellow tiled bathroom.
The Tosca Suite has a second, more secluded terrace in the back.
The brand new villas are only a short walk away from the suites. The 2-bedroom Fidelio Villa is the largest onsite. Like all of the villas, it boasts a private jacuzzi, al fresco dining area, and caldera views. From here, you can see Firostefani village, Imerovigli, and Skaros rock. In the distance, even Oia is visible.
This gorgeous, cave-style villa features a vaulted ceiling, Cycladic design, and a mix of retro and contemporary décor.
Moving to the left gives a better view of the awesome pink refrigerator, the antique china cabinet, and the vintage chandelier.
Moving to the right, you can see under the stairs to the inlaid bench.
There is 1 king-bedroom downstairs in the back of the Fidelio Villa…
…along with the ensuite bathroom. The villa bathrooms are made in the classical style with pressed concrete and marble dust.
Heading upstairs there is a second, smaller sitting area.
View from the mezzanine.
And the second bedroom.
La Traviata Villa is the best villa for couples. This is the view of Fira from the outdoor jacuzzi and dining terrace.
A closer look at the jacuzzi…
…and the caldera view.
La Traviata is the only villa with an added indoor jacuzzi.
A quick peek at the terrace jacuzzi of La Vida Breve, their most expensive suite.
And the terrace jacuzzi of Dolce Far Niente Villa. Check rates and availability: Aria Suites and Villas
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