Santorini's Hidden Gem: Erato Apartments - Unforgettable Grecian Escape
Santorini's Secret: My Chaotic Love Affair with Erato Apartments (A Review You Actually Need)
Forget the postcard perfection, folks. I'm here to tell you about Erato Apartments, Santorini, and it's not just about turquoise waters and sunsets you can't believe are real. This place… it's got soul. And a healthy dose of "charm" (which sometimes reads as "slightly ramshackle," but hey, ain't that life?). Buckle up, because this review is gonna be messier than a plate of saganaki after a particularly enthusiastic taverna chef gets involved.
(Keywords, baby, keywords! Santorini, Erato Apartments, Greece, Luxury Hotels, Accessible Hotels, Sunset Views, Swimming Pool, Spa, Restaurant, Free Wi-Fi, Family Friendly, Best Hotels Santorini, Aegean Sea, Cyclades)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Like Life, Really)
Okay, let's be real. Santorini, with its crazy cliffs and whitewashed villages, isn't exactly designed for easy mobility. Erato Apartments are no different. The website says "Facilities for disabled guests," but I'd call it more of a "We'll try our best" situation. There's an elevator, which is HUGE, but navigate the uneven pathways to get to the elevator? Adventure time! So, while they're trying, don’t expect perfect accessibility. Check directly with them, and be very specific about your needs. They are receptive, bless 'em – just be prepared.
(Metadata: Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Santorini accessibility)
The Internet: God Bless Free Wi-Fi (And a Prayer for Consistency)
Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely! In every room? Yes! (Hooray!). Wi-Fi in public areas? Double yes! Now, is it as lightning-fast as you'd expect in, say, Silicon Valley? Nope. But hey, you're in Santorini. Embrace the slower pace! Embrace the fact that you're not supposed to be glued to your phone. That said, when you do need to upload those stunning sunset shots (that everybody on Instagram sees), the connection is often a struggle. Be patient. Use LAN internet if you need something faster, but the general experience is… good enough. Especially for FREE.
(Metadata: Free Wi-Fi, Internet, Internet Access, Wi-Fi in all rooms, Internet [LAN])
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Bliss, Sunbathing… and Maybe a Greek Tragedy or Two?
Where do I even begin? Erato Apartments are built for relaxation. And trust me, I needed it. I arrived a crumpled mess after a particularly stressful year.
The Pool with a View: My Personal Oasis: This is where I practically lived. The infinity pool, overlooking the caldera? Jaw-dropping doesn’t even begin to cover it. Seriously, you could spend all day here, watching the boats come and go, the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky with fire. Forget your body scrub and wraps, this is the detox I needed. Note to self/you: Bring a good book, your sunglasses, and maybe a strong cocktail.
The Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: The Ultimate Melt-Down: The spa… yes, please! After a day of exploring (and a particularly vigorous round of souvenir shopping), I booked a massage. Pure, unadulterated bliss. The sauna and steam room were an absolute bonus. I swear I emerged feeling ten years younger. The "spa-like" experience is well worth it.
Fitness Center: (Whispers) I may or may not have actually used the fitness center. Let's just say the pool, the Greek food, and the wine kept me sufficiently "exercised." It's there if you're feeling ambitious.
Massage, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap: All available, all excellent. (Book in advance, because these are popular!)
(Metadata: Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Massage, Gym/fitness, Swimming pool [outdoor], Body scrub, Body wrap, Steamroom, Foot bath, Fitness center, Relaxation, Santorini activities)
Cleanliness and Safety: The Greeks Know Their Stuff, Especially Post-Pandemic
Okay, this is where Erato truly shines. In these crazy times, feeling safe is everything, and they DO take it seriously.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays: They really go the extra mile. Seeing staff constantly wiping down surfaces, wearing masks, and using those fancy sanitizing sprays gave me a huge sense of relief.
Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification: Everywhere! You will feel safe.
Staff trained in safety protocol, First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: They are prepared.
Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: No worries about cross-contamination here!
Room sanitization opt-out available: You can choose to opt-out, which is great if you prefer a more "lived-in" feel.
Individually-wrapped food options Absolutely loved this.
(Metadata: Cleanliness, Safety, Anti-viral cleaning, Disinfection, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene, Staff training, Doctor/nurse on call, Room sanitization, Safety features, Santorini safety)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Where My Diet Went to Die (Gloriously)
Let's just say that any pre-trip promises of "healthy eating" went straight out the window the moment I smelled the gyros.
The Breakfast Buffet (Buffet in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast): Oh. My. Gods. Imagine a spread so vast, so tempting, that you’re tempted to just try everything. From the classic Greek pastries to the perfectly poached eggs, from fresh fruit to all sorts of weird and wonderful local jams, it was a feast for the eyes and the stomach. I piled my plate high. And I loved every bite.
Restaurants, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Room service [24-hour]: They have it all! I became particularly fond of the poolside bar. Happy hour at sunset with a cocktail in hand? Doesn’t get much better than that! The staff were so friendly, so helpful, and the food was delicious.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Vegetarian restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: They cater to everyone.
Bar, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: all the things!
I can't recall if they have Asian cuisine…
The food was well worth the effort, even if it was a bit of a splurge compared to my usual budget.
(Metadata: Restaurant, Bar, Breakfast, Poolside bar, Room service, International cuisine, Santorini food)
Services and Conveniences: They've Thought of Everything (Almost)
Daily housekeeping: Bliss! Coming back to a clean, fresh room after a day of exploring was a major plus.
Concierge, Doorman: Extremely useful for booking excursions, recommending restaurants, and generally making your life easier.
Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal, Safety deposit boxes: Standard stuff, but appreciated.
Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Thank goodness because my suitcase looked like a bomb went off in it.
Air conditioning in public area, Elevator: Essential, especially in the summer heat!
Wi-Fi for special events, Conference/meeting facilities, Business facilities: I didn't use any of these, but they’re there if you need them.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Useful if you rent a car.
Convenience store: Always good for grabbing snacks and essentials.
Luggage storage: If you have to check-out early, you can store your luggage.
Front desk [24-hour]: Always good to know you can get help at any time.
(Metadata: Concierge, Laundry service, Daily housekeeping, Currency exchange, Santorini services)
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun (With a Caveat)
While I didn't travel with children, Erato Apartments are definitely family-friendly.
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Which is great. However…
There is no separate kids club or dedicated play area. So, while they’re welcoming to families, it’s more about family bonding by the pool than organized kid's activities.
(Metadata: Family-friendly, Babysitting, Kids facilities, Santorini with kids)
Rooms: Cozy, Comfortable… and Occasionally Quirky
My Room? It was fabulous, but don’t expect stark minimalism.
- **Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because my meticulously-not-planned-enough Santorini adventure is about to unfold. Erato Apartments, eh? Sounds fancy. Hopefully it's less "fancy" and more "charming with a functioning air conditioner" cause honey, I need that AC.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Kidding! Mostly)
- Morning (ish): Landed at Santorini Airport. Oh, the glorious, sun-drenched, white-washed promise of paradise! Squealed with excitement (embarrassingly loud, probably). Then… the luggage carousel. A sea of identical suitcases. My bag? Nowhere to be seen. Cue internal screaming and a minor panic attack. Anecdote: The airport lady, bless her heart (or curse her, depending on how this turns out), was a little too laid-back. "Don't worry, it'll come. You're in Greece, darling! Relax!" Easy for you to say, lady, you're not facing a week of potential fashion emergencies!
- Afternoon: Finally, luggage-less, hitched a taxi to the Erato Apartments. Taxi driver? Total legend. Played some Greek pop music that I think was about love and loss. He kept pointing out the dramatic cliffs, which I had to squint at because I was busy making sure my sunglasses were on correctly.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrived at Erato. First impressions: whitewashed buildings, a tiny pool that looked inviting (but probably freezing), and a balcony that, in pictures, probably looked more glamorous than it does in real life. The room? Clean, but a bit…sparsely decorated. Where's the personality, people? Did they assume everyone just came to be in-love? Fine. Whatever. I dumped my remaining clothes on the bed . Checked the balcony and had a moment with myself, just me and the ocean. That view. That view. Okay. Okay. I get it. Santorini is legit.
- Evening: Dinner at some taverna the owner recommended. Honestly, the food was a bit…meh. The octopus was chewy. The tzatziki was watery. BUT the house wine! The house wine was nectar of the gods! Drank three glasses, got a bit chatty with a table of American tourists, and ended up accidentally spilling wine on my (borrowed) beach cover-up. Quirky Observation: The Greek waiters have this unique ability to simultaneously ignore you and charm you. It's a skill.
Day 2: Oia & The Quest for the Perfect Sunset (Spoiler: It's Overrated…Sort Of)
- Morning: After a quick breakfast of something involving a croissant, went to Oia. Buses packed like sardines, but hey, at least I'm not in a sardine can. The village, of course was beautiful, and I spent twenty minutes taking pictures of a blue door. I got the shot. I felt like the queen of Insta-worthy travel.
- Afternoon: Explored Oia. Shopped for souvenirs I don't need but must have. Walked until my feet felt like they were going to fall off. Did a little bit of window-shopping. Ate a shockingly good gelato, just to make up for the disappointment I get eating dinner.
- Evening: The sunset in Oia. Now, I’d heard tales, legends, the stuff of travel brochures. And sure, it was… nice. But the crowd! The jostling! The selfie sticks! It was a sunset viewing party, not an actual experience. I spent more time dodging elbows than actually appreciating the fiery orb descending into the sea. Emotional Reaction: Mild disappointment. I was expecting some earth-shattering, life-altering moment, and I ended up fighting for a view with a group of teenagers.
- Evening (continued): Found a quieter spot (thank God) and had dinner with a view to contemplate what I'd just experienced. Ordered more wine to console myself. The sunset? Still pretty, I guess.
Day 3: The Black Beach & The Holy Grail of Gyros
- Morning: Went to Perissa Beach, the famous black sand beach. It's black, alright! Got sand everywhere. Swam in the sea. The water's a cool blue.
- Afternoon: Found a beach-side taverna that served the best gyros. Juicy, flavorful meat, perfect pita bread, the works. I had two. Maybe even three. Doubling Down Experience: I spent the entire afternoon at this taverna, just eating gyros, drinking Mythos beer, and watching the waves. I didn't need to worry about anything. Just. Food. And sun. And that perfect gyros.
- Evening: Started walking to find a club. Got lost. Went back and decided to watch some Netflix and order food. Ended up falling asleep. Perfect.
Day 4: Hike to Fira & The Cliffside Meltdown
- Morning: Decided to hike from Imerovigli to Fira. The trail! The views! The sheer drop-offs! Was glorious! Then the heat kicked in. I ran out of water. I got a bit dizzy. Emotional Reaction: Panic. Absolute, undignified panic. I started to cry (quietly, mostly).
- Afternoon: Hiked and made it, barely, into Fira. The reward: some ice cream, and the immediate consumption of water that was a moment later.
- Evening: Found a little restaurant with a great view and some seafood that wasn't chewy. Did a little shopping, and bought a dress with a very floral pattern.
Day 5: Wine Tasting & An Unexpected Friendship
- Morning: Went on a wine tour! The Santorini wines are incredible (and strong!). Learned that the island’s volcanic soil gives the grapes a unique flavor, or something like that. Ate cheese. Drank more wine. Quirky Observation: The guide kept saying "Santorini magic" after everything. I think he was trying too hard to sell us on the experience.
- Afternoon: At the vineyard I met a woman named Maria. She was an artist. We ended up talking for hours. She shared a bit about her life, her art, and how a visit to Santorini changed her life. Maria was the embodiment of "Santorini magic," even without the wine.
- Evening: Maria recommended a restaurant. It served the best fish I've ever had. The food was incredible.
Day 6: The Volcano & The Swim of a Lifetime (Almost)
- Morning: Took a boat trip to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni. The island smelled of sulfur. Climbed a muddy path to the crater. It was cool. But the heat…
- Afternoon: Swam in the hot springs (or tried to). The water? Warmish and very orange. Messy Structure & Occasional Rambles: It was a bit…unpleasant, to be honest. And the boat trip back was so long that I felt that I needed to be resuscitated after.
- Evening: Did something easy - sat on the balcony, watched the stars.
Day 7: Departure & The Promise to Return (Maybe)
- Morning: Packing. Saying goodbye to that balcony view. Feeling the bittersweet sting of leaving paradise. Found my luggage in the Erato storage. Of course.
- Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. Reflecting: Santorini? Stunning. Overcrowded? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely. With more planned, things could have been better. Would I go back? Maybe. But this time, I'm packing extra snacks, more sunscreen, and a serious dose of chill.
- Evening: Flight home. Sad. Thinking about buying a plane ticket back.
Okay, so, Erato Apartments... Is it *really* a "hidden gem" or just another Santorini place trying to sell me whitewashed dreams?
Alright, deep breath. Look, I'm a cynical traveler. I've seen brochures. I've smelled the "authentic" airbrushed bullshit a mile away. But Erato? Yeah, it deserves the "gem" label. Maybe it's not *completely* hidden anymore, thanks to the internet, obviously *I* found it on the internet, but it's not like those monstrosities that are practically *on top* of each other in Oia. You feel... private. That's the main thing that hit me. You're still in Santorini, the caldera views are still *ridiculous*, but you actually feel like you can breathe. It's not just about posing for Instagram. It's about feeling... present.
What's *actually* in the apartments? Is it cramped and musty like some of those "traditional" places, or actually, you know, *livable*?
Okay, let's get practical. "Traditional" can sometimes mean "a bit like my grandma's attic that hasn't been aired out since the 80s," right? Luckily, Erato's not like that. It's whitewashed, yes (it's Santorini!), but it's clean. Really clean. The air conditioning worked (a *lifesaver* in July!). The kitchen was small, but functional. I cooked breakfast in it, which was amazing, though I did burn the toast one day, completely my fault. It had a little balcony. My balcony. My own little sanctuary with that mind-blowing view. And the beds? Comfortable. I got a fantastic sleep there, which is important because I'm a terrible sleeper in general.
The view... everyone raves about the view. Is it *really* that good? Or are we talking postcard-level exaggeration?
Look, here's the thing: The view is… a problem. A *beautiful* problem. You’ll want to just plonk yourself on your balcony/terrace and stare. I lost an entire afternoon just watching the cruise ships sail by. It's mesmerizing. I mean, seriously, *mesmerizing*. I found myself muttering "Oh, my God, oh my God" to myself repeatedly. It's that good. The caldera, the volcano, the endless blue… It's everything you've seen in the pictures, and then some. And the sunsets? Don't even get me STARTED. Forget the filter, the real deal is stunning. Be prepared to be completely and utterly ruined for any other view on Earth.
Okay, the location. Is it convenient? Are you stuck in the middle of nowhere?
It's in Imerovigli. Which is… perfect. It's got a good balance. Far enough from the crazy crowds of Fira and Oia, so you can actually *relax* and not feel like you're in a mosh pit. But close enough, a short walk, easy cab ride, to access Fira and all the restaurants. There's also a handful of really lovely tavernas right nearby, a godsend for a lazy evening. Plus, the hike to Skaros Rock starts practically at your doorstep! Highly recommended, even though I nearly died of exhaustion. Twice. (It's worth it, though. Just take water).
What's the service like? Are the staff helpful? Or do they just disappear after you get the key?
Here's where Erato *really* shines. The owner, her daughters are incredible. They're genuinely welcoming. Like, actually *care* that you're enjoying your stay. We had a minor issue with a leaky faucet (inevitable, I think, with all that sea air!), and it was fixed *immediately*. They gave us great recommendations for restaurants, even booked a sunset cruise (which was also amazing, but that's another story...). They're not in your face all the time, but they're *there*. And that is key. They are the reason why the whole place is special.
The Sunset Cruise. You're mentioning it, so spill. Was it good or what? I've seen a thousand ads.
Okay, about that sunset cruise… It was *epic.* Truly. It wasn't just a commercial thing to sell me something. The whole experience was carefully curated. The food was incredible, homemade Greek salad and grilled fish...Oh, and the wine flowed freely. Freezing the caldera views, all that you want. And the sunset? I honestly think I cried a little. Not a full-on sob, but definitely a few happy tears. It was that moving. I'm not a "cruise person," generally. I'm more of a "sit on a rock and contemplate my existence" kind of traveler. But this? This was different. The boat, the sunset, the people... It was just... magical. I've never quite felt the same way about the colour orange since. It's a bit touristy, I won't lie. But don't let that put you off. It was one of the best parts of the trip. Book it. Just go. You won't regret it.
Price? Is it gonna break the bank? Because, let's be honest, Santorini ain't cheap.
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: Santorini. It's pricier than a London pub. But Erato is *relatively* reasonable. Not dirt cheap, obviously, it's still Santorini, and the views alone are worth something, but for the quality and the location, you're getting a good deal. Shop around, check the booking sites, but based on what I paid, and what I got, I’d say it was good value. Maybe not budget, but definitely worth it if you want the proper Santorini experience without selling a kidney.
Any downsides? Any major complaints? Be brutally honest.
Okay, the brutally honest bit. There were a couple of little things. The Wi-Fi was a bit… spotty sometimes. (Gah, first world problems, I know.) The stairs can be a little bit treacherous, especially after a few glasses of local wine, but that's Santorini for you. And I almost tripped over a grumpy cat one day. Seriously, I swear there's a feral cat population in Imerovigli plotting to take over the world. Other than those very small things, seriously, I can't complain. In fact, the grumpy cat thing was pretty funny in hindsight.
