Fira to the Folklore Museum, Fira, Greece | (937) 315-4602
Convenient and quiet location; walkable to Fira and bus station in five minutes
Refreshed cave-style rooms with minibars; most have balconies and Aegean Sea views
Chic outdoor pool with high end sun loungers
Cold breakfast buffet of Greek pastries, cakes, and fresh fruit (for a fee)
Hip bar serves cocktails all day and into the evening
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Friendly and helpful staff
Charge for breakfast and no full restaurant
Shares pool, bar, and breakfast room with sister hotel -- can get crowded
No caldera views and a 10-minute walk to the caldera (pro for some)
Parking lot is down the street and not secure
The Evgenia Villas & Suites is a three-pearl boutique hotel within a 10-minute walk to Fira's scenic caldera. The 14 cave-style rooms have been updated to include minibars and lovely tiled bathrooms; some have furnished balconies overlooking the swimming pool or the Aegean Sea shimmering in the distance. The outdoor swimming pool has a club vibe with dance music and stylish sun loungers (but no view) and a hip bar. There's a charge for daily Greek continental breakfast and no other meals are served at the hotel. Staff is especially helpful and hands on for suggesting tours and excursions. Note that parking is down the street in an abandoned movie theater. For access to the same features, but sleeker rooms, check rates at the adjacent sister hotel: San Marino Suites.
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Scene
Cycladic-style architecture; popular with groups and families
Evgenia Villas & Suites is popular with families and groups because suites sleep up to four people and there are few steep steps with which to contend (unlike on the caldera). The Cycladic style of architecture means whitewashed walls, stone steps, and blue accents -- when we arrived we spotted a bridal photoshoot on the steps leading to the second story. The boutique is sophisticated with a gorgeous pool and modern sun loungers. Potted succulents and cacti add doses of color. The renovated bar is hip and features a white bar counter and Mid-century modern touches in the stools and lighting. Fresh fruit is usually displayed on a tiered stand. The lobby is tiny, but bright with blue doors and windows.
Location
On a residential street in Fira near the Folklore Museum
Hotel rates are cheaper on the Eastern side of Santorini because the Aegean Sea is in the distance and none of the hotels have views of the caldera and the sunset. The Evgenia Villa & Suites is within a 10-minute walk of Fira's caldera and its abundance of shops, restaurants, and yes -- the famous views of the water and hillsides clustered with blue domed buildings. The hotel is built off of a quiet stone paved street in a mostly residential neighborhood, and it's about a two-minute walk to a mini-market and the Folklore Museum. Fira's central bus station and a strip of casual restaurants are about a five-minute walk. Farther afield, it's about a 30-minute drive or bus ride north to Oia. Santorini Airport is about a 10-minute drive.
Rooms
Refreshed cave-style rooms with blue accents
Rooms and suites at Evgenia Villas & Suites (don't be fooled by the name, they don't offer private villas) have been updated and refreshed with a minimalist Cycladic style and modern features. The brightly lit rooms have laminate wood floors, whitewashed walls, and blue and white furniture and curtains. Features include a small flat-screen TV, kettles, free Wi-Fi, and refrigerated minibars. Superior Suites can sleep four people and face the distant Aegean Sea. Tiled bathrooms usually have a bowl sink on a small vanity and a step-in shower with tiled walls. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Furnished balconies vary in size and overlook the swimming pool or the parking lot, some have distant views of the Aegean Sea.
Features
Gorgeous swimming pool, adjacent cocktail bar, and (for a fee) Greek continental breakfast
Features are shared with the adjacent sister property (San Marino Suites), so the breakfast room and pool can get crowded -- especially in high season. The pool itself is surrounded on three sides by modern sun loungers, and European dance music softly plays on hidden speakers. The adjacent bar is open all day for cocktails and beer, but doesn't provide waiter service or serve food. This is also where breakfast is served (for a fee). The cold spread includes fresh fruit, spinach pie, croissants, small sandwiches, cakes, cereals, and coffee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Friendly staff is on hand to suggest tours and provide directions. There's free parking down the street in an abandoned movie theater, but the lot isn't paved and was lined with garbage and debris during our visit. It might be better to arrange for airport/ferry transportation with the hotel and skip a car.
