Antica Dimora Suites

“ Absolutely fantastic hotel, service and location.

“ I stayed at Antica Dimora with my family and can honestly say that we had no complaints whatsoever! The building has been tastefully converted into suites and in a way where none of the charm of the original has been lost. The staff were very friendly and helpful and nothing seemed too much trouble for them. We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis and although the dining area was part of the hotel reception, this just added to the experience. The food was very plentiful and varied, suiting both healthy eaters and me!
The hotel couldn't be situated in a better position. Right in the middle of the old town, a five minute walk from the beach and harbour and a similar distance to as many restaurants and tavernas as one could hope for. We would all return tomorrow!!!

“ Top Tip: We ate in a different restaurant/taverna each nigh of our stay, all of which provided good food and atmosphere, but we were particularly impressed by the Pigadi. It is a beautiful restaurant tucked away in a small side street in the old town. We ate in its courtyard complete with well. The food was excellent and the warm Cretan air and subdued lighting made the atmosphere even better. The bill was exceptionally reasonable with a meal for four and house wine costing around 45 euros. The sweet, a very tasty homemade coconut cake, came free accompanied by raki. Who could ask for more?

“ This was probably strangest hotel I ever stayed at. It is 5* with 9 rooms I believe but for all the time we were there there was at the most 1 other room in use. Subsequently you feel kind of lonely, not even any hotel staff for half the time which can be a little frustrating as for example advertised that has pool side bar yet there is nobody to serve you. It can be good, you get the swimming pool all to yourself and the steam room if you like this. Slightly annoyed that after using steam twice was told it is not included in the price. I think for 5* you have to include some things as you pay a higher price! And the jacussi in room is a little bit of overstatement, it is a shower where water comes out from different places really. The receptionist did agree to waive steam room cost for us as we were not told originally and no price showing in the book. We bought trip to Santorini from reception as saw it advertised for same price in town, later found out that many other places selling it much cheaper, some even on faster boat, basically paid over €40 commission. Bit annoyed about this but I guess we should have shopped around more.

The room is well decorated, as is the whole hotel, quite traditional feel although I have stayed in bigger rooms that do not call themselves 'suites'. Nice 4 poster bed and bathroom ok although hooks on walls look like might fall out at any time, it was new 1 year ago i think. It had a nice balcony overlooking the pool, some rooms were bigger we saw but no balcony in some also. Breakfast was reasonable considering we were the only people there most of the time, in 5* hotels before it has always been a huge buffet with everything imaginable but of course for 2 people they cannot provide so much choice so slightly limited although i think you can request other things if you want. The people were nice to talk to. Its in a very convenient location near winding streets with shops and restaurants yet its quiet at night to sleep.

In conclusion, I think for 5* we expected a little more. Usually you would get water bottle put in fridge each day, we had just on first day out of 7. In other hotels you might get little treats every other day, chocolates etc, but we didnt. At the 2* hotel we stayed at at end of trip we got given bottle of raki as we left after just 2 night stay! It puts smile on your face. I feel if they dropped price a little and got the rooms occupied it would at least justify employing a full time staff member, they can serve me my pool side gin and tonic then!

“ Top Tip: There is a car hire / exchange place close just before the fish restaurants on the harbour that has good rates for everything - recommend to book things here!

There is a small cafe / bar 1 block up the road towards the hills by the church, they sometimes have live cretan music and the drinks are good price.

Santorini is worth going to, there is trip for 114 euros, dont pay 135 like we did! its exactly same boat. However, I would recommend staying 1 or 2 nights there, trip was quite fast, rushing from place to place, i imagine its amazing after all the 1 day tourists have left the island and you can watch sunset with some peace and quiet! (oh and they sell the santorini sweet wine in some supermarkets much cheaper than the €20 or so they ask on the tourist route!)

“ I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel. Whilst being one of the smaller hotels the standard was excellent. The rooms were beautifully furnished to a high standard and the staff could not have been more helpful. It is situated in the "old" town amongst the beautiful lanes with charming shops, restaurants, museums, castle and the venetian harbour. The 18km sandy beach was a 7 minute walk through the pretty lanes or along the front, no steps or hills involved! We therefore found this hotel to be in an ideal situation, quite a gem!

“ Top Tip: Good beach. We brought a beach umbrella and beach mat for 8 euros (could have got this a little cheaper in the "everything one euro shop" just up the road. This was cheaper than hiring sunbeds on the beach which were aroung 5 euros a day.
Use the red and yellow trains from the front for trips out, plenty to choose from at various prices.
For a romantic evening choose one of the restaurants "with garden". These gardens are really pretty and we only discovered them the last few days.
Be careful down in the venetian harbour when eating, they tend to try and offer you fresh fish of the day but the price jumps up to £100 as it is priced by weight!