Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites

The hotel, like the others extends down the side of the Caldera thus offering excellent views. Access to all areas requires negotiating steep steps. The pool is tiny like many in the area but with only 4 sunbeds. You need to be up early to grab one if you plan to sunbathe and you have little to no chance later in the day. Our room. Key card wasn’t working and neither was the phone bell/ringer. There was a kettle but no cups, saucers, spoons, coffee or tea or other supplies to go with it. House keeping. The room was always clean and tidy. Getting facecloths or gowns was not a certainty but quickly rectified when we called. The room was small with a lovely view from the balcony and room window. However the balcony sits adjacent to the foot path that runs along the caldera so passers by can look into your room. Bed. Comfortable but one side is against the wall so one has to either climb over your partner or scramble to the end of the bed. Bathroom. Cave-like style with excellent shower. The basin was badly stained and drain partially blocked, the door frame has lost part of its architrave and the nails exposed but bent over. Restaurant uninspiring but with excellent views. During our 6 days we never saw anyone eat there. It wasn’t surprising the manager was able to guarantee us a table on the first night, with the best views and at such short notice. The manager is friendly but not very effective. Ineffective because the faults in the room were never fixed. The issues in the bathroom appeared to have been there a while. Promises to get things done or fixed were not kept. Breakfast was the only meal we ate at the hotel and we had the same each day. The first breakfast was a disaster. Fruit platter was the same as the fruit salad and was served in a bowl not dish. On day 3 consistency with our breakfast prefer was finally achieved. Eventually it was delivered on a tray with the correct number of plates, bowls and food items. The patisserie items we had were always fresh. The chap who delivered breakfast each day was very serious, not very welcoming. He was unlike his colleagues who were both friendly and helpful. 2nd attempt The hotel offers great views along the Caldera but requires navigating steep steps. The pool is small, with only 4 sunbeds, making it essential to arrive early for a spot. Our room had a non-functioning key card and phone bell. While there was a kettle, it lacked cups, spoons, and supplies. Housekeeping kept the room clean, though facecloths and gowns were not always available, but were provided quickly upon request. The room was small yet had a lovely view, but the balcony was close to the footpath, allowing passersby to see inside. The bed was comfortable, but one side was against the wall, making it tricky to get out. The bathroom had a cave-like design with a great shower, but the stained basin and partially blocked drain needed attention, and the door frame was damaged. The restaurant offered excellent views, and

We enjoyed the stunning views from our beautiful cave room at Iliovasilema hotel suites on the Caldera. The staff couldn't be more helpful and very attentive to making our stay perfect. The pool and plunge pools are perfectly poised to take in the aerial views at leisure and to relax and read. We liked being able to walk along the Caldera to explore the Island whilst being able to retreat back to the quieter sanctuary of Iliovasilema. The Island can get very busy and noisy with tourists. However, the quieter position of Iliovasilema was perfect for us. It was also kept spotlessly clean. Thank you for a much needed restful stay.

This is a gem of a hotel! Souzana at reception was amazing and can't leave out Despina who was soo sweet! The staff can't do enough for you!! This is a boutique hotel built into the side of the cliff and there are many stairs with no elevator so, if you have mobility issues, this hotel may not be for you (this will be the same, I imagine, for any hotels directly on the Caldera) but for the rest of you I highly recommend!! Good restaurants in walking distance but also tasty eats and drinks available there but with a smaller menu. The rooms are comfortable and quiet and all with Caldera views and the walkway from Oia to Fira is right out the back door!! Plunge pool with sunbeds for those that may not want to leave the hotel and a plentiful breakfast served either in your room or in the dining area. The sunset views don't get any better anywhere else!! Souzana hugged us on the way out like we had been friends for years - so warm and friendly - wouldn't stay anywhere else!!

We booked through Tui but wish we had just booked direct. Sadly our initial impression of a junior suite did not meet our expectations. This I think was down to Tui & their misinformation. So check your understanding of your room at time of booking. Every room is different. The location is perfect. The best place I think on the island for sunsets and just the most stunning views. Two of my sisters had been and I trusted their judgement. Be on the Caldera. Oia and Fira too busy. August must be hell. Imerovigli just the most wonderful base for a holiday. The hotel is a set of 19 rooms (i think) on a steep cliff with narrow steep steps - dodgy knees or any fitness issues please avoid. But otherwise unique and beautiful. The staff were amazing. Special mention to Sotiris who I think was the most hard working and conscientious worker Ive seen. You handled those steps magnificently. Paris you were great too. So helpful and nothing too much trouble. The lovely housekeeping staff too. I didnt catch your name but thank you for your smiles. Despina on reception you are star. You booked our tours and I really valued how you whatsapped us after our sunset cruise to see if we’d enjoyed it. So sweet!!! However, stop directing people to the archeological museum in Fira - it has been closed for 2 years 🤣🤣 or to the Fish Tavern in Amoudi Bay which was our biggest disappointment 🤣 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I We loved Pearl on the Cliff to eat and Anogi (wonderful food). I loved my walk to Skaros castle and the little church each morning, our Fira visits and our big walk to Oia (a must do - it’s not that bad a walk at all!) Wish our room had a full length mirror and I think all rooms should have small coffee machines. Also when you buy a cocktail for 15€ I think a small dish of olives or nuts should automatically be an accompaniment. The prices in Santorini are beyond insane and I think the quality of service and attention to detail is what will make a difference to the long term success of these places.

Words can’t express the pleasure of staying at the Iliovasilema Suites. From when we arrived late at night and saw our amazing room, and the lovely meal the kitchen provided, we experienced nothing more than exceptional customer service - and friendliness! To the staff at reception, thank you for seemingly always cheerful and smiling. To the young man who carried our bags up the many steps and ran the bar, I wish I’d taken your name to say thank you and let you know how special you are. Cleanliness is down the amazing housekeeping team. Excellent food is provided by the kitchen and delivered by brave men up those steps! The hotel is beautiful and the views are spectacular. Finally to Suzanne at reception - I hope I’ve spelt your name right! A HUGE thank you for your information, smiley face, happy nature and desire to ensure your guests have the very best experience staying at Iliovasilema. We will be back!!

We came here 18 months ago and loved the island and the hotel so much that we returned to both. The welcome as we returned to the hotel was warm and genuine, with the staff keen to do whatever they could to make us comfortable. We even got a room upgrade - room 19 is gorgeous! If we ever returned again we would not hesitate to come to the same hotel.

From the moment we booked our stay with Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites they were incredible. Any questions we had were answered, they assisted with our transfers and provided restaurant recommendations. They also helped us arrange a quad bike to travel the island for the day. Location for us was just perfect, there are a couple of shops at the top, the walk to the capital (Fira) is around 40mins but the main walkway has beautiful views the entire time. Imerovigli is quieter which after being in Fira most days was nice and relaxing to come back to. You can walk to Oia from where we stayed as well but we never did (around 2hr30 walk). Personally we preferred Fira to Oia so it made our location even more perfect as we went there most days. I’d made Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites aware that it was our wedding anniversary whilst we were with them and was gob smacked that they’d arranged a stunning room upgrade for us to their swim out pool room! The room was beyond beautiful and the pool lovely and warm. With us travelling in October it was a lot cooler in the evenings and we spent every night relaxing in that pool. Breakfast is on your balcony whilst staying with Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites, purely because of the immense view you get no matter what room you’re staying in. They offer a wide selection which you pick the night before and will even cater to your needs if there is something not on the menu to your liking. We used the hotels restaurant on our wedding anniversary as the balcony has stunning views for sunset. The food and drinks were lovely and all the staff at the hotel are just amazing. 100% would recommend Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites as the place to stay whilst in Santorini!