Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Tsitouras Collection Review
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: On the caldera in Firostefani, a short walk to Fira.
• Map
• Hotel website: tsitouras.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22680 23747
• Check prices for Tsitouras Collection
The Tsitouras Collection’s stunning infinity pool overlooks the Santorini caldera in the village of Firostefani.
Hotel Review
The Tsitouras Collection – Polished, boutique hotel in an 18th-century mansion with gracefully appointed rooms, thoughtful service, and an infinity pool that seems to float above the caldera.
The Tsitouras Collection offers five art-filled suites and one handsome villa, each with sophisticated décor, stellar views, and a unique layout hand-sculpted from the cliffside. A converted mansion once belonging to a sea captain, this hotel offers its guests a private, luxury retreat while its well-designed community areas give the space a homey feel. The infinity pool and Maria Callas Terrace are among the very best in Santorini, located on the hotel’s highest floor and boasting panoramic views over the caldera of the volcanoes, Thirassia, Skaros Rock, and Akrotiri, all the way out to Christiana and Askania Islands on a clear day. One of the few family-friendly hotels in the caldera, Tsitouras offers babysitting services, baby cots, and spacious suites. Service is attentive, hands-on, and highly personalized.
See Also
The Tsitouras Collection – Location
• Area: Absolutely gorgeous location in Firostefani, with spectacular views over the caldera to the volcanoes, Thirassia and Aspronisi islands, and Akrotiri. The hotel sits in a quiet neighborhood with several excellent restaurants nearby, and just a short walk to romantic Imerovigli and the capital Fira.
• How to Get There:
The Tsitouras Collection includes round trip airport or ferry port transportation with all of their bookings. The hotel sits above the caldera in Firostefani, not far off the main road connecting Fira and Oia, also making it easy to reach by bus, taxi, or driving yourself. It is approximately 8km 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 Firostefani, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board the Fira-Imerovigli bus, which stops at Firostefani – the entire trip from the port or airport to Firostefani will take at least an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. The bus stop is just 3 minutes away on foot near St. Gerasimos Church, 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 serving the whole island, so there is often a wait; schedule private transfer through the hotel or 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 or ferry port to The Tsitouras Collection will both cost roughly €25. 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. The Tsitouras Collection is very near to a free parking lot, located adjacent to St. Gerasimos Church.
• Handy to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, nightlife in Fira, Skaros Rock.
Map of The Tsitouras Collection
The Tsitouras Collection – The Basics
- Ages: All ages are allowed at the hotel. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a romantic occasion, usually a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday.
- 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 6 km to the south end, where the cliffs are.
- View: Most suites and the villa have direct sea views over the caldera from their terraces or indoors. The House of Sea is the only suite with a partial sea view.
- Kitchen: The TC Private Villa has a full kitchen.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The TC Private Villa has a private infinity pool with sweeping caldera views.
- Parking: The hotel is very near to a free parking lot.
- Extras: Complimentary arrival and departure transfers, complimentary sunset cocktails, welcome drink, twice daily maid service, bespoke pre-arrival services, wedding planning, private dining, complimentary shoe shine, wine tasting, private hair and spa treatments, babysitting, doctor on call, helicopter service, concierge service, honeymoon packages, complimentary mini-bar items.
- When to Book: The hotel is open from mid-April to late 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 22680 23747
- Email: reservations@tsitouras.com, info@tsitouras.com
- Website: tsitouras.com
The Tsitouras Collection – Amenities
- Pool: Stunning infinity pool with caldera views.
- Spa: No spa on site, but the hotel offers a full menu of massage, wellness therapies, hair, and nail treatments in-room or on guests’ terraces.
- Fitness Center: No gym onsite, but personal trainers or gym passes can be arranged on request.
- For Disabled Guests: This is a caldera hotel with no elevator, though there are fewer steps here than at most hotels in the area. Due to the historic nature of the property, there are no special facilities like roll-in showers for guests in wheelchairs. However, the hotel team goes above and beyond to assist guests of all abilities. This is a suitable hotel for guests with mild to moderate mobility issues, and it is a workable hotel for those with more severe mobility issues. Contact the hotel ahead to arrange for assistance.
- For Families: This is an all-ages property and offers babysitting service on request. The pool offers a wide view over the caldera but is set back from the edge, so it’s safer for little ones. VIP Suites are suitable for groups of up to 4.
- Activities: The skilled concierge team is happy to make any bespoke arrangements for their guests. Onsite activities can include wine tasting, private dining, wedding/honeymoon celebrations, and spa treatments. Outside the hotel, they can arrange anything from helicopter day trips to horseback riding, wine tours, caldera yachting, diving, limo tours, and much more.
The Tsitouras Collection – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: There is no restaurant on site, but there is a full gourmet kitchen and bar specializing in contemporary Mediterranean and Santorinian cuisine, served all day to the Maria Callas Terrace or to the suites. The menu most prominently features fresh seafood, local wines, and seasonal produce. Private candlelight dining is available and features a 6 to 7-course spread. Food and wine tastings are always available, highlighting the best in traditional Santorinian produce and flavors. All food requests can be addressed, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more.
- Lounge/Bar: Creative and classic cocktails, local wines, and beer are served all day by the pool on the Maria Callas Terrace or to the suites.
- Breakfast: Complimentary a la carte breakfast is served at the time of your choosing to each suite. The menu features Greek and international favorites, hefty portions, and rich flavors.
- Room Service: Available all day long for every meal.
The Tsitouras Collection – Rooms
- Room Types: The House of Sea • The House of Winds • The House of Portraits • The House of Porcelain • The House of Nureyev • The TC Private Villa
- Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their rooms. Smoking is allowed on the private terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
- Best Room: Every room here is absolutely exquisite, but the best room for couples is The House of Nureyev. This 1-bedroom suite is the only one on site with its own private, caldera-view balcony. The suite is situated above all the others and features a separate living and dining room and a luxurious bathroom, along with its namesake collection of sketches of Rudolf Nureyev.
- For Families: This is an all-ages hotel offering babysitting services, baby cots, and spacious suites and a villa for up to 6 guests. The best options for families are The House of Winds and The TC Private Villa. The 2-floor House of Winds suite accommodates up to 5 guests and is the largest on-site, offering 80 sqm of interior space with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a separate living and dining area, and an upright piano. The TC Private Villa is even more spacious, with 90 sqm of interior space, plus a 100 sqm terrace with a private infinity pool. This 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom villa also boasts a full kitchen, separate living and dining room, and an unobstructed view over the caldera.
The Tsitouras Collection – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located near the main square of Firostefani, above the caldera, and on the Oia-Fira hiking trail, with amazing restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions just a few meters away. Easy access to all dining and attractions in romantic Imerovigli as well as the nightlife and shopping in bustling Fira; both villages are within 15 minutes of the hotel.
- Bus: The nearest bus stop is a 3-minute walk from the hotel, near the parking lot at St. Gerasimos. 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 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 15 minutes south. There is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island. Book ahead to avoid the wait, and have the driver meet you near the hotel instead. The average rate from Firostefani to the airport or port is around €25 to €30.
- 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.
The Tsitouras Collection – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Da Vinci Restaurant: Fantastic Italian restaurant with sea views to the east (but not caldera views).
- Aktaion: The oldest taverna on the island, Aktaion has been serving authentic Santorinian flavors since 1922.
- La Maison: Contemporary Greek fine dining with sweeping caldera views. Food, wine, and service are all phenomenal.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Volkan on the Rocks: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tango Champagne and Cocktail Bar: Refined lounge with a romantic vibe and picture-perfect sunset views.
- 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.
- 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.
- Buddha Bar Beach: Upscale cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Pricey but on point.
Best Nearby Cafes
- To Briki: Fantastic café, the best place to try traditional Greek coffee. Breakfasts are superb, and the sunset views are gorgeous.
- Galini Café: Super friendly, all-day café with superb coffee and amazing views. Best loved for their breakfasts and brunch, especially the crepes, bennies, and French toast.
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique featuring Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear right on the Oia-Fira trail.
- Pegasus Boutique: Next to the hotel of the same name, this little boutique offers clothing, shoes, swimwear, and accessories by Greek designers.
- Little Dot: Trendy boutique offering men’s and women’s street, surf, and swim wear.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drakkar Santorini: International and Greek designer-brand clothing for women.
- 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.
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 about an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock when you head north); heading south to the trail’s end in Fira, near Keti Hotel, takes about 20 minutes. 1-minute walk from the hotel.
- St Mark the Evangelist: One of only a few Catholic churches in Santorini, St. Mark is recognizable by its colorful bell tower. It’s right next to The Tsitouras Collection.
- St. Gerasimos Church: This blue-domed church is the most recognizable landmark in Firostefani. Many tours meet here as their starting point, and the village’s main parking lot is here.
- 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.
- 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. 18-minute walk walk to the trailhead; 10 more to reach the top.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Mini Market Sigalas: Small market with a good selection of staples, snacks, and wine near St. Gerasimos Church.
- Creta Alpha Market: Convenience store with a decent range of drinks, food, and sundries.
- Green Market Organics: Small but well-stocked grocery store in Fira with specialty items (gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, etc.), organic, and local products.
The Tsitouras Collection – The Hotel
Standing at the entrance to the Tsitouras Collection. To the right is the rooftop infinity pool and Maria Callas Terrace overlooking the caldera. Thirassia Island is straight ahead, and Skaros Rock is to the right. The reception area is seen a few steps down, where the laurel wreath sign is. There is a shared terrace in front of the lobby.
Turning slightly right brings the full pool and terrace into view, along with the bell tower and blue dome of St. Mark the Evangelist Church next door.
The rooftop infinity pool is one of the major highlights of this hotel, facing directly toward the volcanoes and offering expansive views over the caldera. It truly feels as if it’s on top of the world.
Another view of the pool. The white double doors are the main entrance of the hotel from the main footpath that leads to nearby restaurants, bars, shopping, and attractions.
The Maria Callas Terrace is adjacent to the pool, for all-day dining, drinks, snacks, and candlelight dinners in the evening.
View from the Maria Callas Terrace next to the pool. From here, you can see Akrotiri to the south and the volcanoes to the southwest on a hazy day.
On a clear day, you can see all the way to Christiana and Askania Islands to the center left and tiny Aspronisi Island in the center. On the right is Thirassia Island.
Maria Callas Terrace also houses the private dining area, reserved for candlelight dinners, small group dining, and wine and food tastings.
A smaller, more private terrace is near the reception area, with antique sculptures of the 9 muses, spectacular views, and a shady canopy.
Most of the suites at Tsitouras have shared patios, as seen here, with easy access to the rooftop pool and terrace.
Aside from the villa, the only suite onsite with its own private terrace is The House of Nureyev.
The suite opens up to a living and dining area with a vaulted ceiling and tasteful décor.
The Nureyev sketches hang prominently above the antique, engraved sofa.
The dining table is a custom-designed piece using an 18th-century marble column surrounded by beveled glass. More sketches hang here.
The bedroom features another vaulted ceiling, more antique furnishings…
…and a king-sized bed with high-quality bedding.
A closer look at the king bed.
View toward the living and dining room from the bedroom.
The marble bathroom features a half-glass shower, luxury amenities, bathrobes…
…and a beautiful little cupola allowing in some rose-tinted sunlight. Check prices and availability: The Tsitouras Collection
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