We picked the Notos because it's close to the beach. The hotel is really nice, has the typical white design, a little windmil, lovely pool area with hanging sunbeds, sandbags etc. The view around the hotel is stunning, sea view and port view. They have two pools right next to each other, a plunge pool and a normal pool.
The location is about 20mins from Fira and another 20mins to Oia. So it's good for a day trip, but you probably won't be going to the towns every day. There's no town around the hotel, there are 4 restaurants close by, all of them are good! The port has a little shop and of course all the boat tours start right at your door step!
Also very close are two beaches. Vlichada beach is just across the street. It has limited seats so you better head there right after breakfast if you want a sunbed and umbrella. If you're too late walk about 15mins along the beach until you reach Eros beach bar. The setting here is definately nicer, good music, very beautiful. 2 sunbeds plus umbrellas are EUR 15 for the whole day, whereas at Vlichada you pay EUR 8.
The hotel also arranges you a car starting from EUR 50 per day, books you sailing trips (starting EUR 100 per person) or arranges airport transport (EUR 15 per person one way).
We never ate at the hotel so cannot comment on that, the menu was pretty international so we rather tried the more local taverns around the area. Breakfast was good but the selection was exactly the same each day, so by day 6 it's definately getting a bit repeate (not to say boring...). They got eggs to order and lovely spinach / cheese pies, etc. The setting of the restaurant is very beautiful, open area, very stylish, it invites to sit a bit longer and have another coffee. Surprisingly we were even offered breakfast on our arrival day, very rare and really nice of them! It last until 11am which is also outstanding and longer than most other places!
The room we booked was quite small but nice. Outside of the room we had a small patio. Also the bathroom relatively small. The room was generally clean, but not overly clean. Particularly in the bathroom it seemd a bit untidy as the appliances were rusty, including/particularly the shower tub.
Wifi is really weak anywhere at the hotel and at the pool there were never enough towels. Most of the time you had to ask for it and as soon as they brought some all the guest immediately run over until all towels were gone again.
The spa is very nicely done. Treatment was okay. Products used were very nice, but the 50mins started off with cleaning and scrub, once the mask was put the therapist left the room for 30mins - not really what i prefer but i guess for EUR 30 you cannot ask for more. It was finished up with a quick massage.
The staff was really friendly, welcoming and always helpful.
We've overall spent a great week here at Notos!