More about El Greco Hotel and Apartments Santorini
The place where we stayed and...
by Sprig
The place where we stayed and loved the best was the El Greco Hotel in Santorini. It was a small hotel high on the cliffs in the town of Fira. We lucked out and had a little apartment though we only paid for a room. It was beautiful. The air conditioning worked very well which is not always the case in Greece in June. Many of the hotels don't even turn the air conditioning on that early and in some cases it really didn't seem to work. I borrowed a picture from their website. I am sure they won't mind.
Nice Hotel but not a good locaiton
by TripAdvisor Member Nazhepyaz
We came to Santorini from Mykonos, after a horrible horrible ferry ride.
The hotels location was not up to my expectations, since it is next to the main street, and you dont get a nice view unless you are in one of the suites.
Not a real 4 * again, like the other hotels. If you are going to Santorini, dont expect good beaches & sea, but look for a hotel view a view of the Caldera.
Recommended areas to stay are Firostefani, Immerovigli and Oia ( my favorite!!) Where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the caldera & beatiful sunsets.
Delighted
by TripAdvisor Member moa6
I found the hotel very delightful. Very modern, clean and spacious. The hotel is so cool that some folks in our group decided to forgo the beach and stay a day by the pool.
The walk to town is about 7 minutes.
I have stayed in Ia before and have found those hotels to be less modern and thus less comfortable.
The hotel staff was very friendly and accomodating.
I recommend this place to anyone.
Beautiful town, very clean & comfortable hotel
by TripAdvisor Member ps1971
We stayed in the El Greco for 7 nights, 6-13 September 2005 and had a room overlooking the larger of the pool areas. Room was very clean with fresh towels & bed linen daily. Also, no evidence of any bugs save the odd fly which was excellent as we have been nibbled by mosquitoes before. Room was basic and all we needed with TV, fridge, wardrobe, tables, AC and the beds, which led to a peaceful night's sleep. Electricity is put on by inserting your key into a slot by the door- some may think this a bit primitive with the electricity off when you are out but we simply detached the key from the device and left it in the room while we sunbathed or went out to dinner. We aren't beach fans and spent all the time by the pool which was again exceptionally clean. No problem getting loungers and they are very sturdy for those of greater dimensions. During the time we were there, there was a very welcoming breeze for 5 days and a lesser one for the final 2 days- this is a major plus of the location which is no more than a 10 minute walk to the town centre and avoids the guests perspiring too much in the superb heat. Because of the breeze, the water in the bigger pool did feel very cold, with the jacuzzi a little better but it was fine once you took the plunge. The only meal we ate at the hotel was breakfast which was better than I expected- a decent selection of local veg, a little fruit, cereal, chopped bacon, mini sausages, "scrambled omelette" (or so it seemed), bread, cheese, ham, drinks and so on. The bar by the main pool contained a good selection of cocktails which were generally around 6.50-7 Euros with a half litre of beer served in a frosted glass 4 Euros. A glass of wine costs 5 Euros. The town was only a short walk away along a busy road and you have to get into the town for the stunning views and sunset. In these town bars, cocktails are generally 7.50-9.50 Euros and beer approx 6.50 Euros and the tables directly looking out towards the view always turn around reasonably quickly- there is an exodus once the sun has set but the views remain outstanding for a good while after this. The price of food was dependent on where you dined obviously and we found this to be better value than some of the drink prices- hard to provide a guide as this will vary widely depending on your chosen restaurant. Overall, a superb break with excellent weather, views and accommodation- we'd happily recommend Santorini and El Greco to anyone, particularly if you are attracted by the sound of lovely cobbled streets, lots of restauarants, fantastic views and plenty of "people watching" opportunities from the many bars- enjoy!
Nice hotel; convenient location
by TripAdvisor Member Weawuzz
My husband and I stayed in El Greco for part of our honeymoon. Once we told the management that we were on our honeymoon, they put us in a lovely room with a view of the caldera. The area immediately surrounding the hotel is a bit flat, un-picturesque, and seemingly under construction. The walk to the town of Fira is a bit nerve-racking as there are no side walks and the drivers are unpredictable. However, once you reach Fira, the views are spectacular and there is a flurry of activity no matter what time you go. Fira is quite close to other towns with outrageously gorgeous views, such as Firostefani and Imerovigli. Oia is a beautiful town, but not walking distance from the hotel. All in all, we had a wonderful time there -- hotel accommodations were nice, pools were pretty (but cold), breakfast was quite good with fresh, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes every morning. All in all, good value for the money, although next time, I might stay in the town of Fira, Firostefani, or Imerovigli to enjoy the magnificent views.
Its Average
by TripAdvisor Member Englanderin
El Greco is located on a busy road - its about a 15 minute walk into the centre of Thira. The outskirts of the town are grotty with too many empty shops and it badly needs a proper traffic management system (the current system is dangerous for pedestrians). There are lots of shops selling tat in Thira. Expect Athens prices! There are some good tavernas - Ambelos offers excellent food and superb views - its brilliant value for money. Spinx and Socates within the town are good basic tavenas.
El Greco is a complex rather than a traditional hotel so communal space is mainly outdoors. The hotel is on three levels with steps between each level. The hotel is much used by visitors in transit so there is plenty of comings and goings and it is substantially used by guests from the US. Its rooms vary in quality. The first room I was offered overlooked the car park. I ended up with a smaller quieter room - but with no natural ventilation apart from a window in the bathroom. The rooms are basic but clean.
There are two pools in this hotel. The one at road level is quiet and delightful, the larger pool noisey with music blasting out from the pool bar all day.
There is a good choice of food for breakfast including hot dishes and it can be taken outdoors.
The hotel is basic - 3 star.
Do not stay HERE!!!!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed here for our honeymoon. We thought, based on the website, that we were getting a good price for a nice place. We were wrong. The room was dirty when we arrived - the bathroom was not properly cleaned.
The hotel is on a busy road overlooking a construction site on the Caldera. The walk to town is unsage, especially for large groups. If you stay here, plan to rent a car or scooter.
We were so upset with out stay. We left early. It was a shame that the room was a mess since we were so excited about what we thought would have been a beautiful hotel.
Stay at El Greco
by A TripAdvisor Member
Just got back from Greece and stayed here at El Greco for 3 nights. Had a room by the pool and had a little view(not of the caldera) but of a nice mountain. Front desk personnel are available for you to be the one to ask questions. When we checked in, didn't even know about the breakfast buffet not until we overheard it thru some guests. Hotel is about a good 10 min. walk to town. You don't need a car to explore town as it is hard for parking; but definitely rent one if you decided to go to the beach and also do some wine tasting on your way. The drawback for this hotel is THEIR BED IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND VERY FIRM! Of course, the hotel didn't have an extra bed to spare but suggested to put thick blankets underneath the sheet and we also asked for extra pillows.
Overall, SANTORINI is a very beautiful island! Planning to go back there but maybe next time, stay at a a better hotel.
Do not stay here!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed at the El Greco from October 19th to 21st and were very dissapointed. It appears guests are an imposition to the staff and they were unhelpful and rude to say the least. The rooms are basic, uncomfortable beds and the walls are like paper and you can hear everything from the room next door. The breakfast buffet is passable at best. Would not reccomned this hotel as there are many others close by that are much better
Forum Posts
El Greco Hotel
by aukahkay
Has anyone stayed at the El Greco Hotel in Santorini? It is a hotel located in Fira town. I have two nights there on 25 and 26 October 2007. What are the must see and must do things in Santorini given 2 days?
http://www.elgreco.com.gr/
Re: El Greco Hotel
by brotherleelove
The El Greco is not actually in Fira Town, it's over 1/3 mile from town on the main road going south towards the ferry port an Akrotiri. This means that there will be traffic noise and all the cars, buses, scooters and trucks passing by this hotel while you are trying to enjoy the view of the caldera.
Spend some time exploring in Oia on the north end of the island, enjoy lunch below Oia at Katina's on the wharf at Amoudi. Hike up to Ancient Thera above Kamari Beach. Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.
Re: El Greco Hotel
by poppajon
you have to see the sunset. it truly is amazing.
pj
Re: El Greco Hotel
by aukahkay
Thank you for the suggestions. I will certainly visit Oia.
