Caldera Premium Villas

This was my fourth trip to Greece and my third to Santorini. This was definitely my least favorite hotel or hotel experience in my travels there. The pros - beautiful views, center of Oia, friendly staff. Beds are comfortable and the cave suites have a "cool" factor as long as you don't mind very limited views from the room or don't suffer from claustrophobia (one member of our group does, and he struggled to stay in the room.) The luggage valets are true heroes. It's hard for someone with nothing but a purse to get in and out - the fact that they do it like pack mules is very impressive. Tip them well. They deserve it. The cons - 1. The website does not do an adequate job of explaining how steep the climb down is or how many steps there are. We stayed in Cave Suite with Hot Tub and it is literally the last room in the hotel - which means walking the most steps. I actually took a video of how many steps it is from that doorstep to the main shopping area in Oia. It took me an average for four minutes to walk up there, but that's at a brisk pace with no breaks. I was averaging 30 flights of stairs a day there. If you have ANY type of health issue, like recent surgeries, ankles, hip problems etc - I would caution you to think hard about whether you want to do this or not. There are MANY hotels in Santorini with amazing views that don't require this type of climb. And if you are going to require this climb, at least be very honest about it in the description. I had back surgery a year ago and was healthy enough to get in and out, but the steps are uneven and not the same height, and most of the climb has no handrail to hold on to. I was death gripping the sides of whatever I could grab onto and trying to keep from falling because the stones are slippery once you get out of the hotel itself, but still have a serious climb up to the main walking. Add to this the fact that they mop the stairs every morning ( I appreciate the cleanliness), the soap and water made it even more slippery. The stairs were so steep that it actually made most of the people in my group not want to venture out more than once a day. 2. The hot tub pictured on the website looks like it's of a decent size. It's not. Two people barely fit in it. It's deep, and narrow. Beautiful view - not an adequate size. In addition, the "hot" tub was really more like a tepid bath and we actually were cold because the heat was not enough to overcome the wind from the Caldera. 3. Little things that just make for an unpleasant experience, like the hair dryer not being able to reach the sink or mirror, so you are trying to blow dry half of your hair while also not trying to rip it out of the wall. Nickle and diming for everything - my friends rented the 2 bedroom suite, just to find out that you actually have to pay 50 euros a night per person for the extra 2 people. Why not just price a two bedroom suite out for 4 people??? Also, no extra water given for the 4 person room - they want to charge 3.50 for each bottle. Pro tip - it's .50 euros at the market right near the hotel. 4. The pool is ridiculously small, and the entire time we were there, it was green in color. There are only a few chairs that fit by it, and it was just a very uninviting space to hang out. More than a few people in the pool and there isn't room to get in without being up against each other. I'm a regular pool and open water swimmer and there was something definitely wrong with that water. Pools are very important in Santorini because the beaches near Oia are not easy to reach. Without a good pool, you've got no way to cool down. We just felt that the website was very inaccurate and misleading. Without the full information, it's impossible to make a decision on staying there. I cannot imagine how many people check in and realize what they've gotten into with the climb in or out.

The Caldera Premium Suites are magnificent. My wife and I are travelers and have been blessed to see and stay in many beautiful places. The views are breathtakingly beautiful five stars and the units are luxurious, fully appointed and the hvac creates a comfortable climate. When I saw a one star review from Patricia Venice FL I had to leave my review. Firstly Patricia in the future when you book accommodations on a cliff side resort you may wish to consider stairs see you next Tuesday.

In the heart of Oia, make sure you get the porters to carry your bags down as the stairs are a killer. The rooms have the most amazing view of ocean and volcanos. We stayed in 2 bedroom villa, spacious with 2 bathrooms. Showers were amazing. Lounges was hard as hell. Rooms have safe. Swimming pool is little, no bar facilities or restaurant except for breakfast. Anna who runs the breaky is so helpful, food changed daily and was plentiful. A/C worked well

View from hotel is very good, and staff at the Hotel very good and helpful. More Steps from the top to get to hotel are very dangerous. Hotel has basic room since not as advertised and Room is also not fully airconditioned. Entrance along a public path and very dimly lit at night. From Reception to Room again lot of step, very difficult to go to room and come out. Reception does not have waiting room, you need to wait outside on the sun. View is good but all other is bad not for the price which they charged.

Worst place I’ve ever stayed at. Check in process is long. Sitting in 90 degree heat for over 30 minutes. 125 Steps from the top to get to hotel are very dangerous. thought I’d go for basic room since we were only there to sleep DO NOT BOOK IT. Basically off property. Entrance along a public path and very dimly lit at night. And it’s another 75 steps from pool area. Sign up for beware of falling rock and yellow caution tape in area where not safe to walk. Pay more and stay closer to top of hill. Website pics are very deceptive as they do not reflect room conditions. We ended up checking out early and luckily found another place to stay. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT STAY HERE!