Goulielmos Hotel & Spa — Hotel in Municipality of Thira

We stayed at Hotel Goulielmos for 10 days - which I thoroughly recommend so you can really see all of Santorini and enjoy what the country has to offer without rushing about, plus have time to relax. Hotel Goulielmos is honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed. It’s tucked into the cliffs of Akrotiri, not crowded at all, and has that peaceful, away-from-it-all feeling. There are a couple of little mini markets just up the road, and you can walk to the village where you’ll find Theofanis Greek Experience – an amazing restaurant with incredible live music, dancing, and yes… plate smashing. Such a fun night!

The pool area is gorgeous, but we were lucky enough to stay in a room with our own private lounge pool. It was the perfect temperature – just cool enough to be refreshing but not so cold you’d hesitate to get in. Perfect for escaping the heat. Breakfast every morning was lovely, with plenty of choice and fresh local produce. Dinner at The Edge restaurant was also fantastic and would highly recommend.

The staff here are something else – genuinely some of the most attentive and friendly people we’ve met on holiday. The highlight for us was meeting Eleftheria, who welcomed us like we were old friends. She gave us loads of tips about the island and made us feel instantly at home. She’s an absolute credit to the hotel. Paris and Natalia also went above and beyond – nothing was ever too much trouble.

Akrotiri itself is a gem. It’s cheaper and less crowded than Fira or Oia, and in my opinion has the prettiest views of the caldera and mountains. Definitely hire a car – you can get anywhere on the island in about 35 minutes.

A few recommendations if you’re planning a trip: Restaurants – Theofanis (Akrotiri), Metaxi Mas (near Fira), Dimitri’s (Vlychada), Gallini Taverna (near the airport). Experiences – A traditional boat sunset cruise (Medousa) with Miltos and Stathis, horse riding in Akrotiri, exploring the Akrotiri ruins (get a guided tour and split the cost with others), and hiking up Skaros Rock for the views. Beaches - red beach hike (like being on Mars), Monolithos (for actual sand and not rocks), Caldera beach (for no crowds), Vlychada beach (for views).

I genuinely can’t fault Hotel Goulielmos. You could spend more to stay in the busier parts of the island, but you’d be swapping peace and space for crowds and noise. There’s something incredibly special and intimate about Akrotiri – and Hotel Goulielmos is right at the heart of it.

Thank you to everyone at the hotel, and especially to Eleftheria for taking the time to go through all the places I’d researched and giving me even more ideas. The Greeks in general are so kind and friendly and we really enjoyed taking the time to get to know certain individuals a bit better. We will remember...

Our stay at the hotel was truly unforgettable. The location is simply breathtaking, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. The rooms are immaculate, cozy, and feature a charming little pool—perfect for a refreshing dip before or after exploring the beautiful surroundings. The hotel thoughtfully provides a range of activities through partnerships with local companies, with a convenient catalogue available in the rooms.

What truly sets this hotel apart, however, is the incredible service. Every single staff member we encountered was warm, helpful, and genuinely kind. I’ve never experienced such consistent friendliness from an entire team; it made our stay feel extra special.

The restaurant at the hotel is equally impressive, serving incredibly delicious food that added to the overall experience. Each meal felt like a treat, with a variety of options to suit different tastes, making dining there a real highlight of our stay.

The location of the hotel is ideal for both relaxation and adventure. Whether you want to explore the island or simply unwind, it’s perfectly situated. The bus stop is right in front of the hotel, but we found private transport convenient as well. For those who prefer public transport, it easily connects you to the island’s top destinations. Plus, just a short 10-minute walk away is a serene spot perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

If you’re looking for a more local experience, a quaint village with shops, restaurants, and even a pharmacy is only a 5-minute stroll from the hotel. It’s a perfect blend of convenience and charm. Special thoughts 💭 to Elie, Paris,Thomas and the Aircraft engineer The...

Absolutely amazing hotel! We loved everything about it! The view is out of this world! What a privilege to see it everyday! The pool is great. We were in the family room with pool and it was a brilliant room! Loved the pool the outside area was lovely! You can have your breakfast brought to your room every morning free of charge which we did everyday because we loved the view from our rooom! And the breakfast was absolutely amazing as well!

Loved the shower as well lots of water pressure!

I highly recommend this hotel this is so peaceful I would go back without hesitation! You can relax when you are there and if go visit the touristic place, it’s a nice place to escape the crowds after day at Oia or Fira!

My only disappointment was that they dropped us wayyyy too early at the ferry! I did say we didn’t want to stay hit the lady insisted you had to be there one hour before which I highly disagree with and you can get stuck in traffic for up to 1 h which I highflying doubt considering we were there in 15 minutes we just ended waiting around forever in the port which is not particularly...