The Negatives:
1. I booked this place 6 mos. prior to our trip. Fanis and Tina were very responsive... up until our arrival. Our flight from Athens to Santorini got changed to a 6am flight by the airline. Fanis and Tina said they were able to accommodate us with the new times and for transfers for airport pickup and for our walking food tour that we booked separately in Fira at 10am. Upon arrival, we were picked up from the airport along with another couple and were met by a Porter named Tim in Oia (sidenote: Tim is GREAT and superhuman for hauling our luggage up and down those steep hills). We were told we couldn't check in until 2pm, nothing was open, and there was no ride for us to Fira that had been arranged. We tried contacting Fanis and Tina and until this day I have not received a response from them which is VERY disappointing. Luckily, after wandering around unknown territory for a few hrs, it became familiar and we found friendly locals who were able to help us figure out the bus system.
2. It was my birthday and we wanted to splurge on a nice seafood dinner. We got recommended by the house hostess who we later met, Katherine, to Amoudi Fish Tavern in Amoudi Bay. (FYI Amoudi Bay is the port where you get picked up for the Catamaran cruises and has killer sunset views when not in overcast). Long story short, this place was ridiculously expensive - which would have been fine if the food wasn't so tasteless. 100% tourist trap. We highly recommend Pelikanos - rooftop restaurant with AMAZING FOOD AND SERVICE in the main part of Oia and 360 views of the island/waters. Make reservations for dinner if you want to watch the sunset, it gets packed here.
3. On our last morning, the power went out = cold shower and very long wet hair.
The POSITIVES:
1. When you have to literally fight through a tourist crowd to get to your place, you KNOW the view is GOOD. Nothing beats the VIP feeling of passing through a roped off section. The place itself is 2 levels and SO WORTH THE MONEY. Very private and separated as well which a lot of places with the caldera view aren't (people can walk by those other areas). We loved our hotub views; even the bathroom view was amazing! (The stairs back up from the place are a bit of a workout but hey, it's heart healthy). Hands down, best location on the island.
2. Daily breakfast and housekeeping. Granted, breakfast was mostly pastries, a yogurt, orange juice and jams/honey but it was delivered to your door. The service was as good as any hotel, if not better.
3. Katherine is the house hostess. She was very sweet and helped us book/arrange any tours like our catamaran tour. You'll have her number to reach 24/7 via whatsapp. She is your GO-TO and was able to help us track down a wine bottle we fell in love with. She made the stay better and we wished we had her contact info prior to arrival - it wouldve been helpful.
4. Tim, the porter. He carried our bags up and down hills and stored it for us if needed before/after check in/check out. He was prompt and met us in a timely manner at ALL times. Tip this man well, he is the bomb.com
One star less for basically being stranded on arrival, otherwise the location itself and the house staff are amazing.