I cannot find anything positive to say about the Atalos.

We were given a horrid, pokey little room and one of the two lightbulbs in the entire apartment went out after two days and was never replaced. We didn't have a single hot shower once and don't even get me started on the state of the bathroom. We spoke to our rep the very next day and demanded to be moved but unfortunately the accommodation she offered us was just as bad as the Atalos, so we declined and found our own. Once the owner found out we had complained and were leaving he never stopped badgering us and even had the audacity to show us a 'superior' room that he then offered to move us into. I didn't see this room but my partner did and he said it was better than the room we were in but still way below the standard we expected. Unfortunately that still didn't stop the owner from constantly giving us the hard sell and trying to get us to change our minds about leaving. Needless to say, we left as soon as we could.

know the rooms were advertised as basic, but we've had basic accommodation in Greece before which cost far less than the Atalos and the standard was much higher. I would describe this as sub-basic and would never consider going back there. The Atalos ruined the first week of our holiday but thankfully we moved to a fantastic hotel for our second week and were able to relax.

As somebody else has already pointed out, the towels were like sandpaper and I think we received clean towels just once in the week that we stayed there. As for Yiannis' legendary hospitality, we didn't see one bit of it the entire time we were there. Once word got out that we were leaving, we were given the cold shoulder from everyone - and I mean everyone. I can only imagine that Yiannis must have told his 'regular guests' about us leaving because not one of them spoke another word to us for the rest of the time that we were there!!!

The only advice I can give is - just stay away from the Atalos.

I

Once again giannis and his family made our holiday a wonderful experiance.We just love the place very warm welcome from both and little maria seems to of shot up from last year.As for the island well it just cant be beaten.Cant wait to get back next year .if youve never been book it now you will not be dissapionted
see you soon giannis

Antony & Julie

Perfect vacation



My family stayed in the Atalos Villas for two weeks this August- September.

Atalos Villas- one of the friendlies hotels we have ever stayed in the lovely atmosphere.



The hotel itself is just wonderfull, clean and like a home from home.

The pool is perfect.

Kamari with it's black sand and pebble beach is very relaxed.

All restaurants and bars deliver good quality of service and food and drink.

Santorini is lovely and it's small enough to enable you to see it all in one holiday.

The bus goes up to Fira in just about 15 minutes.

The owner Giannis very welcoming when we arrived, and were there to help us.

Stay here and you will be very happy!

We did the right choice by staying at the Atalos Studios. We have travelled around the greek islands for the past 10 years and the apartments were typically greak, basic and very clean with the rooms cleaned every day apart from Sunday and towels changed once a week.

Kamari was well choosen, out of the hustle and bustle of Thira and Oia but easily accessable by the local bus route.

If you do go on any excursions i suggest you go with kamari tours and make sure that Maria is your guide. She is 60 plus but looks around 40, a local with a font of knowledge.

We made the Love Boat our local and Fannis the owner made it all worthwhile (ladies he`s a bit of a dish - but married).
Watch out for Splash - check your change before you leave the till and make sure your paying for what youve actually drank.

We weren`t far from the pebbly beach and this was the only draw back and so spent most of the time keeping Yianni company by the pool / poolside bar.

Some people may consider him rude but he was brilliant to us, he ferried us all in 2 trips over to his favourite restaurant and told us to call him when we were ready, but none of us had taken his number, we asked the restaurant owner if he had his number to be told no problem you are Yiannis guests we will call and pay for a taxi for you.

Remember that you are on Greek time and yianni works very hard and he does sometimes diappear so if you are thirsty and its around 3.30 in the afternoon get yourselves 2 pints instead of one.

Yanni`s englidh is quite good but he also has to learn other languages for other guests be patient and explain yourself properly and you shouldn`t experience any problems. This is part of the Santorini charm its not Corfu where the island has been invaded by the British its still Greek. Yianni has inspired me to start greek lessons and i hope to return to try my new language out. If you have a phrase book take it with you and give it a try.

This island has the most spectacular sunsets and it is worth visiting Oia but go early for a good seat and take a picnic for a truly romantic evening. There is also a spectacular sunrise which you should be able to see if your on the second floor.

There is a little restaurant called the Liver Bird which opened this year and it did do the best breakfast if you are going over take some HP brown sauce as they pay a high price for it over there.

Although the volcano trip is a must dont get too exited about the hot springs.

Many cruise ships visit this island on a weekly visit, and if you plan on buying youself some gold jewellery dont bother the prices are hiked up for the American tourists.

There is a quaint and lovely village above Kamari called Pyrgos and i wish we could have spent more time to explore the streets.

Mess ogania was heavily damaged by the earthquake and is within walking distance from Kamari and at the road entrance to this village there is alovely bakery, take a walk back to Kamari take the road directly opposite the bakery and stop and eat your picnic on the wall to the church and watch the planes overhead in the shade of an olive tree.

Ancient Thira is also a must with spectacular views over to Thira.

Hope you have fantastic holiday Santorini is definately one of my favourite islands and i can`t wait to return.

Yianni - if you read this Alun, Mathews, Aimee, Shirley and Kelly all miss you.

Rosemarie