Honeymoon Petra Villas in Imerovigli, Santorini

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By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: In the center of Imerovigli village, at the highest elevation on the caldera.
• Hotel website: honeymoonpetra.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 22895
• Check prices for Honeymoon Petra Villas

Breathtaking views from the Honeymoon Petra Villas pool and pool bar.

Hotel Review

Honeymoon Petra Villas – Dramatic, lava rock hotel perched on the caldera’s edge with a large infinity pool, 24-hour bar, and stellar views.

This five-star boutique hotel offers a choice of traditional or contemporary suites, some with indoor or outdoor jacuzzis. Suites in the Traditional Wing are the most private, while the Petra Wing suites have private balconies and sit closer to the hotel’s facilities. Honeymoon Petra’s infinity pool has an attached jacuzzi, and is among the largest in the caldera: long enough for swimming and deep enough for diving. Its restaurant serves Greek and Mediterranean favorites with a privileged sunset view, and the 24-hour poolside bar serves a fantastic selection of local wines and handcrafted cocktails. True, local insights (the current owner was born and raised onsite), massage and steam rooms, and exclusive sailing excursions round out the experience here.

See Also

• The Best Hotels in Santorini
• Where To Stay in Santorini
• Best Tours & Things To Do in Santorini

 

Honeymoon Petra Villas – Location

Absolutely gorgeous location in Imerovigli village, with amazing dining and attractions all within a couple of minutes’ walk from the hotel. Imerovigli sits at the highest elevation on the caldera, and the views are stellar throughout the hotel and at most of the restaurants here.

• How to Get There:
Complimentary airport or port transfer is included in the room rates. The hotel sits above the caldera in Imerovigli village, not far off the main road connecting Fira and Oia, making it easy to reach by bus, taxi, or driving yourself. It is approximately 8km from the Santorini Airport to the villas, and 12km from the ferry port.

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 Imerovigli, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board a different bus to Imerovigli – the entire trip from the port or airport to Imerovigli will take around an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. The bus stop is just 4 minutes away on foot, and the walk from there to the hotel entrance is mostly flat, easy to navigate with luggage.

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 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 Honeymoon Petra Villas should be about €25 to €30, and a taxi from the ferry port to the hotel around €30. 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. Upon arriving in Imerovigli, Honeymoon Petra Villas offers free parking in their lot near the Santorini Sailing Center, about 5 minutes away on foot (a major perk).

• Handy to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, Anastasi Church, Skaros Rock.

Honeymoon Petra Villas – The Basics

• Ages: An adults-only hotel, only ages 14 and older are allowed. Small dogs are also permitted. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a special occasion, usually a honeymoon, anniversary, or even having their wedding here.
• 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 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 5 km drive to the north end, or 7 km to the south end, where the cliffs are.
• View: Overlooking the caldera with enviable sunset views from the suites and throughout the hotel, with especially good views of the volcanoes, Akrotiri, Skaros Rock, and Thirassia.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Several suites feature private jacuzzis or plunge pools. The Honeymoon Suites include indoor jacuzzis. The Traditional Suite offers an outdoor, heated jacuzzi. The Honeymoon Nest and Infinity Pool Suite have heated outdoor plunge pools.
• Parking: Free parking in their lot near Santorini Sailing Center.
• Extras: Complimentary airport or port transfer, poolside cabanas to rent (rate includes a bottle of champagne and fruits), BBQ and event space, massage room, steam room, concierge, sailing packages.
• When to Book: The hotel is open from April 1 to October 31. 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 22895, +30 22860 23891
• Email: info@honeymoonpetra.com
• Website: honeymoonpetra.com

Honeymoon Petra Villas – Amenities

• Pool: Large, unheated, infinity pool that wraps around with a pool bar, and has a few private nooks and an attached jacuzzi. Big enough for swimming or diving, and with sweeping views over the caldera.
• Spa: Honeymoon Petra offers a massage cave and a steam room.
• Fitness Center: Excellent gym with contemporary equipment located across the street about 3 minutes away. Open by appointment.
• For Disabled Guests: This is a caldera hotel with lots of steps and no elevator. Some suites have loft bedrooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
• For Families: An adults-only hotel, only guests 14 and older are permitted. There are no special facilities or amenities for children. The hotel is pet-friendly and allows small dogs.
• Activities: The owners of Honeymoon Petra also own Santorini Sailing Center and offer sailing excursions, day trips, and unique island hopping packages.
• Other Facilities: BBQ and events area, poolside cabanas to rent.

Honeymoon Petra Villas – Food and Drink

• Restaurant: Paraga Restaurant serves Greek and Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner from 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with an amazing 270° panoramic view of the caldera and Imerovigli village. Ingredients are local and organic when available, with many vegetables grown in the owner’s garden. The kitchen staff is fantastic at working around food allergies and restrictions.
• Lounge/Bar: Paraga Pool Bar is open 24 hours for drinks, featuring a well-curated wine list and refreshing cocktails. Food, prepared in the main restaurant, is served here until 10:00 p.m. The best views are available at the poolside tables and loungers here.
• Breakfast: A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily at Paraga Restaurant using fresh, local, organic products. Excellent Greek pies, yogurt, and honey.
• Room Service: Available 24 hours for drinks; serving food until 10:00 p.m.

Honeymoon Petra Villas – Rooms

• Room Types: Petra Studio • Traditional Studio • Superior Petra Studio • Petra Apartment • Traditional Apartment for 2 • Traditional Apartment for 4 • Traditional Suite • Honeymoon Suite for 2 • Honeymoon Suite for 4 • Honeymoon Nest • Infinity Pool Suite • Traditional Cave House
• Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their suite categories. It is allowed on the private outdoor terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
• Best Room: The best choices for couples are the Honeymoon Nest and the Infinity Pool Suite, both in the traditional wing of the hotel. The Honeymoon Nest offers 70 sqm of interior space spread over 3 floors with a king bed, oversized soaking tub with a caldera view, and a private, heated plunge pool. The Infinity Pool Suite is 55 sqm with a queen bed and a private, heated infinity pool.
• For Families: An adults-only hotel, only guests ages 13 and older are permitted. There are no special amenities or facilities for children. The best option for families is the Traditional Cave House. This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom suite features a master bedroom with a queen-sized bed and ensuite bathroom with a large soaking tub. Its second bedroom has a double bed. The living room and private terrace offer sitting, dining, and lounge space for up to 4 guests.

Honeymoon Petra Villas – Local Transport

• Walking: The hotel is located in the center of Imerovigli, above the caldera, and on the Oia-Fira hiking trail, with the village’s best restaurants, shops, and attractions just a few meters away. Easy access to all dining and attractions in Imerovigli, as well as the nightlife and shopping in Fira, just a 30-minute walk south.
• Bus: The nearest bus stop is in Imerovigli village, near Sunbird car rental and Posidonia Tavern, a 4-minute walk from the hotel. Buses here serve all of the major villages and beaches on the island, often with a change in Fira if heading to the airport, port, or beaches. 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, all the way down in Fira, so not very practical to walk or bus to. Plus, 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 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 Imerovigli to Fira is roughly €15, and from Imerovigli to the airport or port is around €25 to €35.
• 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.

Honeymoon Petra Villas – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• The Athenian House: Elegant fine dining with spectacular sunset views. Contemporary and imaginative Greek dishes incorporate modern gastronomic techniques and locally-sourced ingredients. Most of all, they’re delicious.
• La Maison: Contemporary, Greek fine dining with sweeping caldera views. Food, wine, and service are all phenomenal.
• Anogi: Al fresco dining with local specialties and classic Greek dishes. Rich flavors and large portions, so come hungry.
• Avocado: Traditional Greek menu, charming space, super friendly staff. Cycladic recipes and a fantastic selection of Santorinian wines.
• Le Moustache: Elevated Greek and Mediterranean dining and excellent cocktails with panoramic sunset views over the caldera.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Buddha Bar Beach: Upscale cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Pricey but on point.
• Volkan on the Rocks: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.

Best Nearby Cafes

• Hlios Bakery: Good coffee, basic pastries, and deli sandwiches. Not exceptional, but they’re cheap and they deliver (cash only for deliveries).
• To Briki: Fantastic café, the best place to try traditional Greek coffee. Breakfasts are superb and the sunset views are gorgeous.

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

• Pegasus Boutique: Next to the hotel of the same name, this little boutique offers clothing, shoes, swimwear, and accessories by Greek designers.
• Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique featuring Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear right on the Oia-Fira trail.

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 4 hours; heading south to the trail’s end in Fira, near Keti Hotel, takes about 30-40 minutes. Add about an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock either way. 1-minute walk from the hotel.
• Agios Georgios Church: Small white church on a platform over the caldera, marking the start of the trail to Skaros Rock. Gorgeous, panoramic views from here.
• Anastasi Church: The most picturesque, blue-domed church in Imerovigli offers gorgeous caldera views overlooking Skaros Rock. Popular for weddings and photo shoots.
• Imerovigli Basketball Court: Not an attraction, but good to know. This is the main parking area in Imerovigli.
• 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.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Jimmy’s Market Cava: Market and deli with a great selection (especially the wines) plus great coffee and breakfast sandwiches (more consistent and better quality breakfasts than Hlios, but they don’t deliver).

Honeymoon Petra Villas – The Hotel

Facing toward Honeymoon Petra Villas from the caldera’s edge. The lava rock construction adds rustic charm to the traditional Cycladic architecture, which spreads out over several floors connected by stairs. This lower patio has a BBQ area, and is also used for events.

The large infinity pool is located a couple of floors above the event space, and is served by Paraga Pool Bar 24 hours a day. The tables on the right offer the best caldera views.

Closer to the pool bar with a view of the sun loungers and view tables.

Honeymoon Petra’s infinity pool is one of the largest in the caldera area…

…with an attached jacuzzi area partially covered in a cave style.

There are several sun loungers surrounding the pool, and even more on the sun terrace.

View from the sun terrace, facing Firostefani, Fira, and Akrotiri villages, from left to right, with part of the volcano visible on the far right.

For more privacy, Honeymoon Petra also has a few beach cabanas for a fee. The day use rate includes a bottle of champagne and a fresh fruit platter.

Though a full spa is not present onsite, there is a massage cave and a steam room, as seen here.

The Paraga Restaurant sits above the infinity pool, and offers gorgeous views of the caldera, especially at sunset. Here you can see the volcanoes and tiny Aspronisi Island in the center, Akrotiri in the back left, and Thirassia Island to the right.

Some of the outdoor sitting area faces the caldera over Skaros Rock, with views to Thirassia Island and the volcanoes.

The restaurant also has indoor seating in its sunny dining room.

The breakfast buffet is set up inside Paraga Restaurant every morning, with a wide variety of fresh made flavors, including marmalades, Greek pies, and sweets. Many of the ingredients used are grown in the owner’s garden.

Rooms in the Petra Wing have dreamy views over the caldera from their private balconies. Like most hotels in the caldera, the word “private” does not mean “hidden”. It only means that the space is assigned for use by guests of a particular room.

A Superior Petra Studio. Suites here are all generously sized and feature understated, contemporary décor.

The suites feature a classic, Santorinian, cave-style design.

The cave-style bathroom features a stone sink and rain shower.

The Honeymoon Suites are located in the Petra Wing near the pool, and feature private patios with gorgeous views over the caldera…

…and to the village.

This 2-bedroom Honeymoon Suite opens up to the main bedroom with a living area and an indoor jacuzzi.

The jacuzzi is up a couple of steps with a privacy curtain.

Close up of the indoor jacuzzi.

On the other side of the bed is a flight of stairs leading to the second floor.

Here you’ll find the main bathroom with a natural stone sink and rain shower.

There is also a second bedroom on the upper floor with a double bed…

…and its own ensuite bathroom in a similar style.

Seen here is the patio for the Traditional Cave House, an excellent choice for families. Suites in the Traditional Wing offer a little more privacy than those in the Petra Wing.

The Traditional Cave House opens up to a cave-style living room, dining room, and bedroom in the back.

A closer look at the dining room.

The master bedroom is spacious with a romantic ambiance and unique architecture.

The ensuite master bathroom is incredible with an oversized soaking tub, Greek-style open shower, and dual vanities.

Close up of the soaking tub with the terra cotta sinks behind.

The second, cave-style bedroom has a double bed.

Its ensuite bathroom has an open-style, traditional cave shower and terra cotta sink. Check rates and availability: Honeymoon Petra Villas