I have traveled pretty extensively for work and this was by far one of the best experiences for a resort stay I have had. First and foremost the service was exceptional. The staff was very kind and willing to accommodate us in anyway that they could. We found it a common theme that the Greek people were exceptionally kind and considerate but the Phos staff seemed to be even more. We discussed a pastry we had nearby that we really liked and they commented they possibly could have it arranged to bring to us for dinner they evening since they did not have desserts. They always seemed to go above and beyond to help whenever they could.
The rooms were beautiful. Well maintained and the caldera views were astounding. It was a treat to always wake up and see the sea and the volcano and also the twinkling lights of Oia and Fira at night. If you are looking for sunsets you can typically see it from your room/pool off to the left or you can just go outside and watch (at least in late April when we were there). The infinity pools were a little on the chilly side. They were heated but were definitely more on the colder side for a heated pool. They were fine during the day in the sun but on the verge of being a touch too chilly at night. To Phos credit, they did turn the heat up when we asked but it was still a bit much at night. We were there end of April where the air temp was around 70 degrees Fahrenheit so that’s worth considering as well.
The breakfast was outstanding. It was a free breakfast each morning that was a little of everything (fruit, pancakes, Greek yogurt, breads etc). You can tell them when to deliver it and we also had our eggs prepared like an omelet which was delicious and nice of them to accommodate.
I can’t really say there were any “negatives” just things to consider for your stay. As mentioned it is down the southern tip of the island so there is not really much there and it will be quiet and private. If you wish to go into Oia or Fira, it’s going to be a 20 or 40 minute drive accordingly. I would recommend renting a car. We did not and each transport we had to pay approximately 40 Euros each time one way. We did this as we were drinking throughout the day and I didn’t feel comfortable driving but note that the transport fees are pricy in the island. You can have them arrange a transport for you or use uber which matches you with a local driver but it’s 40 euro minimum each time.
One of the closest restaurants is the “Good Heart” and it was some of the best food we had during our stay in Santorini. Highly recommend that for dinner one night. It’s about a 3 minute car ride or a really uphill walk there; your choice.
We did not have the dinner at Phos mainly because it was laid out as an A La Carte menu which we were slightly discouraged by. We were hoping for more of a three course meal as it appeared dessert was not an option on the menu. Former reviews mentioned the food was really good but we admittedly did not try it.
The drinks were unfortunately the most expensive that we saw anywhere we stayed between Santorini and Naxos. This was a bit unfortunate because we wanted to order a few drinks to enjoy by the pool but the cocktails were around 24 Euro minimum from what I remember.
Overall this was an exceptional experience and I cannot say enough about the kindness, the service and attentiveness of the staff they were outstanding. Know if you stay here, you will be well greeted and taken care of. The views will be amazing and it will be more of a private/romantic vibe. Just understand it’s a little bit of a ways from everything so you have to be prepared to travel a bit as it’s not really walkable to any main areas. We will hopefully be back someday, it was a...
Read moreOur experience at Phos The Boutique in Santorini had its highlights, though a few aspects left us a bit disappointed. The breathtaking view from our villa and the luxury of our private pool were undeniable high points. We enjoyed spending our days relaxing by the pool and taking in the views. The food was exceptional, particularly the breakfast spread, which was very much needed due to lack of good restaurants in the area. The 5-star attentive service from Anna and George was amazing, they were always available to get us anything we needed. Joanna’s housekeeping was also truly impressive, and we have nothing but good things to say about the staff and the service. However, certain aspects did take away from the otherwise wonderful stay. One notable issue was the lack of proper storage for clothing in our villa. The absence of drawers or sufficient storage options was a noticeable inconvenience. Additionally, our choice of a two-bedroom villa had its drawbacks. While the master bedroom was fantastic, the second bedroom lacked a door and was part of an open-plan layout. This arrangement fell short of our expectations for privacy and comfort. Another minor setback was the challenge of maintaining privacy. Conversations and music from neighboring villas were easily audible which compromised the sense of seclusion. Neighbors frequently peering over wasn’t the most comfortable thing. The villas/rooms are in close proximity to the reception, so conversations being had in the reception area (staff, check-ins, check-outs, guests) were easily audible from our room, and frequently woke us up early mornings. Thank you Anna for doing everything you could to mitigate the noise. Lastly, the ongoing construction next door detracted from the serenity we had hoped for. The noise from drilling and other construction activities was a notable disruption, and considering the premium price point of our stay, it was disappointing not to have been informed about this in advance. I’m not sure why they would choose peak season for construction, because it definitely impacted our stay. In summary, while Phos The Boutique has its merits – the panoramic views, attentive service, and delicious food– there are certainly aspects that require attention. Enhancing room amenities, ensuring adequate privacy, and providing timely information about potential disturbances/better planning the timing of construction work would have...
Read moreWe just arrived back home from our vacation in Santorini where we spent a week late September, heard some many things about the island and it was finally time for us to visit. So what is there to say about Phos.. The view is mind boggling, the heated pools were FANTASTIC, their modern architecture, the temperature was on point, the Villa is enormous and spotless. We were lucky as the weather was perfect but I have no doubt that even if it was raining we would still go for a swim! We managed to get some amazing photos of the Caldera, the sky, the sunset, my partner being a serious photoholic - absolutely loved!
The Reception team would arrange our breakfast everyday exactly at the time we requested it a la carte at our very own terrace and would make sure to go over and beyond preparing special delicious dishes for my partner who is vegetarian and very picky and knowledgeable with her food. Not that I can complain! I met Marina the chef as well, I had to find out who was the source of the delicacies :D We stayed at the Eclectic which is enormous. The Villa was a bit expensive but in hindsight, its a destination of worldwide fame so its something to be expected, but 100% worth every single penny we paid for.
The hotel is located about 15 minutes maybe 20 from the main capital but that's exactly the point.. Its good to be away from the beaten track. The best adjective to describe it I guess would be tranquil, truly peaceful and with privacy which is exactly what we were looking for.
The staff, the ladies at the reception are absolutely spectacular. I never felt such a personalised service before and I have travelled a lot , can't waste these days off work! I wanted to arrange a surprise for my partner for her birthday and had some very specific details I wanted to include in the surprise. Ada and Athena (I hope I got their names right) made it all possible even if it was a last minute notice. We also arranged various trips through the reception like a cat cruise and we were going to book a Heli ride as well around the Caldera but it was very windy the last day and we had to cancel :( Oh well, another reason to come back to this amazing island and get spoiled again! Phos was probably one of the best 5 star I stayed at, I wish we will be able to visit the...
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