Aria Lito Mansion

The Aria Lito Mansion was originally built in the '50s and is one of the most spacious and private hotels in Fira Town. The original pink mansion building is surrounded by an elegant stone terrace set with shaded furnished areas and sun loungers. There are distant views of the Aegean Sea (though not the cliff Caldera side) and the streets below. Breakfast is served in a small garden area. Lemonade and cookies are provided in the period lobby, which is decorated with carved wooden furniture and antiques. Kids are allowed here, but most of the guests are international couples on vacation. The overall vibe is quiet and upscale, with the majority of guests exploring the island after breakfast. 

Aria Lito Mansion has one of the most convenient and private locations in Fira Town. Very few hotels offer the space and quiet that Aria Lito has, while still being within less than a minute to shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The hotel's back gate leads directly (via a velvet rope) to the pedestrian promenade lined with souvenir shops that winds along the Caldera. Further afield, it's a 25-minute drive to Oia. Santo Wines Winery is about a 20-minute drive. Expect a 15-minute drive to Thira Airport. 

The best rooms at the hotel are located inside the mansion building from the 1950s. These rooms have some period details like hand-painted ceilings and tall windows, along with modern comforts such as minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Some of these rooms have enough space for a dining area and small sink in the kitchenette. A few rooms are built outside of the mansion, and while still quite nice, these rooms are slightly darker and share a terrace. Bathrooms offer a mix of showers or tubs, along with vanities and toiletries. Views either overlook the hotel's garden terrace and/or the distant Aegean Sea. 

Features at Aria Lito Mansion are more upscale and spacious than most of its neighboring competitors. Rates include a free daily continental breakfast that's either served in a furnished garden or directly to guest rooms. An all-day snacks and drinks menu is then offer by the pool or in the garden. The rectangular-shaped outdoor pool includes a spacious pool deck lined with sun loungers and potted plants; the space overlooks the neighborhood and Aegean Sea in the distance. Steps lead down to a tranquil spa with private treatment rooms, showers, sauna, and steam room. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Like most hotels in Fira, the Aria Lito doesn't have a private parking lot. Nearby parking is available for free in a public lot.