This is an utterly charming place to stay, away from the tourist hordes in Thira and Oia. A 19th century traditional home, it is squirreled away down a tiny alley in the charming white-washed village of Emporio. The old castle, a church and a cute neighborhood cafe with the most amazing Greek yogurt and sour cherries, are just steps away. The interior is charming and there are wonderful outdoor spaces to sit and enjoy the pleasant weather, including a sunny rooftop that offers great views. We enjoyed preparing meals in the well-stocked but compact kitchen and just relaxing, between driving excursions to other parts of the island.
Bear in mind that this is a traditional house in an old village: there are a few dozen not-quite-even steps to get from the nearest parking to the house. The bedrooms are cozy and you have to hunt a bit for electrical outlets - this is not the Four Seasons, especially in terms of space. There is wifi, though!
But in terms of charm and thoughtfulness, this is better than the Ritz. The host is very responsive and the winning touch was her kind mother, who met us, got us checked in, gave us lots of stories about the house and the neighborhood, and showered us with helpful information and tips. We felt like family!
You must have a car - the location is not convenient to use the bus system. There is free parking in different locations within a short walk. At first this intimidated us a bit, but quickly you feel like a local and understand where you can park and there is always a place within a few minutes' walk. Several markets and many restaurants are within an easy walk.