Alanslegal
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
- Posts
- 5,238
Imerovigli | Santorini Island | Greece
You may have not heard of the Anastasis Apartments before but this place should be your only choice the next time you think about heading to the picturesque Greek island of Santorini. The idyllic property situated on the high cliff top of the caldera has postcard perfect views of the caldera itself and ocean below it, and that magical view was easily matched with exemplary service from all the staff of the hotel. I experienced this because I recently stayed there, those short five days and four nights in late July were absolute bliss: tranquil, peaceful and soothing.
Everyone knows Santorini; picture those white painted buildings with aqua blue roofs perched vulnerably on the edge of the steep cliff face, houses stacked on top of each other and with balconies, terraces and roof tops all overlooking the water below. Then imagine the world’s best sunset that Santorini is most renowned for, where thousands of people from all angles of the globe, come to meet in the late afternoon for those few glorious minutes when the sun slides beneath the horizon in the far distance.
Santorini is a most spectacular island and staying at the Anastasis made it all that fantastic. To be honest, I only found this property by way of a Tripadvisor newsletter, which gave the property extremely high credentials. [I do know that some folks dismiss Tripadvisor’s ratings and accuracy] but when the Anastasis is awarded the following Traveller’s Choice 2011 Awards, then I guess the property can’t be too bad after all.
#4 in the Top 10 Hotels for Romance in Europe
#2 in the Top 25 Hotels in the World
#1 in the Top 10 Hotels for Service in the World
With too good to be true reviews, I quickly emailed the hotel to seek room availability for the dates that I will be on the island. Their website does not have a real-time booking engine and then the only reason I can think why it does not is because the owners want to take a more personal approach; to know the guests, to know where you are coming from, when you are arriving to make sure that everything will be perfect from the moment you arrive. Great news though, I am booked into their last remaining room, the Superior Apartment.
Flicking through the hundreds of candid reviews on Tripadvisor, there were no negative reviews, absolutely nothing. Page after page of praise, great service, magical moments, best hotel experience ever and so on made it conclusive that this place was something, really something! I could not wait to get there!
After five weeks of travelling around Asia and Europe, this was a great place to just put up the feet and do nothing but gaze into the caldera below, recharging my body for the final two weeks of running around the rest of Europe before heading back to boring old Sydney *a hint of sarcasm*.
Arrival:-
I had organised a transfer (via the hotel) from Santorini National Airport (JTR) and was met at the arrivals gate by the waiting driver who had a printed my name off an A4 paper. At a set cost of EUR20 this was peace of mind as I preferred not to catch the public bus, hire a car or risk the same cost paying a local taxi driver. After a 25 minute drive from the airport, driving through the biggest town on the island of Fira, then the smaller towns of Firostefani and Imerovgli, I was in front of the hotel. The staff at the hotel was expecting my arrival and synchronised the bellboys to be awaiting the car the moment it arrived. My baggage; two large checked luggages and two cabin sized cases; were quickly taken and I was escorted to the check-in area.
Check-in:-
We entered the cosy foyer of the hotel and were warmly welcomed by Irina, the local Greek girl who was one of the senior assistants there. A cold towel and fruit drink was offered as we went through the check in formalities. Not too long after the owner Despina introduced herself and wished me another round of welcome before taking over Irina. Despina thanked us for choosing to stay with them and now proceeded to introduce the property to us.
Despina explained that her staff were there for our needs and that should we require anything at all, then they were there anytime we required. In fact, Despina even gave her personal mobile number to us. No request was too difficult apparently though Despina did explain that even though her team was there for us, they would be discreetly be so in the background, really wanting us to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the property and its surrounds.
You may have not heard of the Anastasis Apartments before but this place should be your only choice the next time you think about heading to the picturesque Greek island of Santorini. The idyllic property situated on the high cliff top of the caldera has postcard perfect views of the caldera itself and ocean below it, and that magical view was easily matched with exemplary service from all the staff of the hotel. I experienced this because I recently stayed there, those short five days and four nights in late July were absolute bliss: tranquil, peaceful and soothing.
Everyone knows Santorini; picture those white painted buildings with aqua blue roofs perched vulnerably on the edge of the steep cliff face, houses stacked on top of each other and with balconies, terraces and roof tops all overlooking the water below. Then imagine the world’s best sunset that Santorini is most renowned for, where thousands of people from all angles of the globe, come to meet in the late afternoon for those few glorious minutes when the sun slides beneath the horizon in the far distance.
Santorini is a most spectacular island and staying at the Anastasis made it all that fantastic. To be honest, I only found this property by way of a Tripadvisor newsletter, which gave the property extremely high credentials. [I do know that some folks dismiss Tripadvisor’s ratings and accuracy] but when the Anastasis is awarded the following Traveller’s Choice 2011 Awards, then I guess the property can’t be too bad after all.
#4 in the Top 10 Hotels for Romance in Europe
#2 in the Top 25 Hotels in the World
#1 in the Top 10 Hotels for Service in the World
With too good to be true reviews, I quickly emailed the hotel to seek room availability for the dates that I will be on the island. Their website does not have a real-time booking engine and then the only reason I can think why it does not is because the owners want to take a more personal approach; to know the guests, to know where you are coming from, when you are arriving to make sure that everything will be perfect from the moment you arrive. Great news though, I am booked into their last remaining room, the Superior Apartment.
Flicking through the hundreds of candid reviews on Tripadvisor, there were no negative reviews, absolutely nothing. Page after page of praise, great service, magical moments, best hotel experience ever and so on made it conclusive that this place was something, really something! I could not wait to get there!
After five weeks of travelling around Asia and Europe, this was a great place to just put up the feet and do nothing but gaze into the caldera below, recharging my body for the final two weeks of running around the rest of Europe before heading back to boring old Sydney *a hint of sarcasm*.
Arrival:-
I had organised a transfer (via the hotel) from Santorini National Airport (JTR) and was met at the arrivals gate by the waiting driver who had a printed my name off an A4 paper. At a set cost of EUR20 this was peace of mind as I preferred not to catch the public bus, hire a car or risk the same cost paying a local taxi driver. After a 25 minute drive from the airport, driving through the biggest town on the island of Fira, then the smaller towns of Firostefani and Imerovgli, I was in front of the hotel. The staff at the hotel was expecting my arrival and synchronised the bellboys to be awaiting the car the moment it arrived. My baggage; two large checked luggages and two cabin sized cases; were quickly taken and I was escorted to the check-in area.
Check-in:-
We entered the cosy foyer of the hotel and were warmly welcomed by Irina, the local Greek girl who was one of the senior assistants there. A cold towel and fruit drink was offered as we went through the check in formalities. Not too long after the owner Despina introduced herself and wished me another round of welcome before taking over Irina. Despina thanked us for choosing to stay with them and now proceeded to introduce the property to us.
Despina explained that her staff were there for our needs and that should we require anything at all, then they were there anytime we required. In fact, Despina even gave her personal mobile number to us. No request was too difficult apparently though Despina did explain that even though her team was there for us, they would be discreetly be so in the background, really wanting us to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the property and its surrounds.