Atalos Villas

We did the right choice by staying at the Atalos Studios. We have travelled around the greek islands for the past 10 years and the apartments were typically greak, basic and very clean with the rooms cleaned every day apart from Sunday and towels changed once a week. Kamari was well choosen, out of the hustle and bustle of Thira and Oia but easily accessable by the local bus route. If you do go on any excursions i suggest you go with kamari tours and make sure that Maria is your guide. She is 60 plus but looks around 40, a local with a font of knowledge. We made the Love Boat our local and Fannis the owner made it all worthwhile (ladies he`s a bit of a dish - but married). Watch out for Splash - check your change before you leave the till and make sure your paying for what youve actually drank. We weren`t far from the pebbly beach and this was the only draw back and so spent most of the time keeping Yianni company by the pool / poolside bar. Some people may consider him rude but he was brilliant to us, he ferried us all in 2 trips over to his favourite restaurant and told us to call him when we were ready, but none of us had taken his number, we asked the restaurant owner if he had his number to be told no problem you are Yiannis guests we will call and pay for a taxi for you. Remember that you are on Greek time and yianni works very hard and he does sometimes diappear so if you are thirsty and its around 3.30 in the afternoon get yourselves 2 pints instead of one. Yanni`s englidh is quite good but he also has to learn other languages for other guests be patient and explain yourself properly and you shouldn`t experience any problems. This is part of the Santorini charm its not Corfu where the island has been invaded by the British its still Greek. Yianni has inspired me to start greek lessons and i hope to return to try my new language out. If you have a phrase book take it with you and give it a try. This island has the most spectacular sunsets and it is worth visiting Oia but go early for a good seat and take a picnic for a truly romantic evening. There is also a spectacular sunrise which you should be able to see if your on the second floor. There is a little restaurant called the Liver Bird which opened this year and it did do the best breakfast if you are going over take some HP brown sauce as they pay a high price for it over there. Although the volcano trip is a must dont get too exited about the hot springs. Many cruise ships visit this island on a weekly visit, and if you plan on buying youself some gold jewellery dont bother the prices are hiked up for the American tourists. There is a quaint and lovely village above Kamari called Pyrgos and i wish we could have spent more time to explore the streets. Mess ogania was heavily damaged by the earthquake and is within walking distance from Kamari and at the road entrance to this village there is alovely bakery, take a walk back to Kamari take the road directly opposite the bakery and stop and eat your picnic on the wall to the church and watch the planes overhead in the shade of an olive tree. Ancient Thira is also a must with spectacular views over to Thira. Hope you have fantastic holiday Santorini is definately one of my favourite islands and i can`t wait to return. Yianni - if you read this Alun, Mathews, Aimee, Shirley and Kelly all miss you. Rosemarie

We have been in september 5 years running staying with my family ( 5 persons) in Atalos Villas Hotel. The Atalos Villas are in a guiet position only 5 minutes from the supermarket and 7 minutes from the beach and tavernas. The owner Yiannis helped to make such a happy time for us. They are both so thoughful and work so hard to make sure you have a perfect holiday. The rooms were spotlessby clean and had great balconies if you wanted to sit outside in the evening. The pool is very nice with plenty of sun beds and palm trees. I am glad we stayed in Kamari, as it was more relaxed, and Thira- Oia both seemed to be swarmed by the crowds coming from the cruise ships, and were also a lot more expensive. We would highly recommend to go there and we will certainly be back.

We spent 1 week in Aug 07 in Atalos Villas and had a great time. The owners – Giannis and Irini are extremely friendly and very accommodating. Giannis picked us at the airport and drove us back to airport at the end of our stay. If you need help finding a car, need extra kitchen stuff or just need some advice on where to go – Giannis and Irini would always help. Giannis always prepares breakfast and lunch snacks by the pool. Greek salad is highly recommended. We had 1 bedroom apartment: 1 large bedroom with 2 queen beds + sofa and a separate 2nd bedroom with a full bed. 2nd bedroom is separated from the kitchenette by a curtain. Kitchenette had a refrigerator, gas stove, pans, dishes, all utensils, etc. Large bedroom had A/C and a very nice balcony with side sea view. The room was crystal clean – cleaned by Irini every day except Sunday. Atalos Villas is not an ocean front property, but is only 3-4 minutes walking from the Kamari beach and the promenade with dozens of restaurants. Right before the beach are 2 small supermarkets. Would definitely come back some time. We booked directly via Atalos Villas web site. Some previous reviews suggested that that way you get a preferential treatment. Not sure about that but we were very happy with our choice. My recommendation is – book directly with Atalos Villas.

My boyfriend and I stayed in the Atalos Apartments for two weeks this August and I couldn't think of a bad word to write about it! The owners Irini and Yiannis (not sure of spelling) were wonderful and their wee daughter Maria is a very sweet child! The location was brilliant, only 5 mins to the beach and you are surrounded by so many different restaurants suited to every taste. I would recommend staying in Kamari as although the West side of the island is great (views are stunning) it is a trek to the beach and you miss the cool sea breeze in places like Oia and Fira. One thing I would like to add is if you are considering booking a trip to Santorini through Xcel Travel first cost the trip yourself, it some cases you may find its a lot cheaper to book through Atalos apartments and get your own flights.....

Booked Atalos through Kosmar Holidays and quickly discovered that the owner gives preferential treatment to those who book directly with him. The rooms he allocates to Kosmar clients are a disgrace whereas the ones he allocates to those who have booked direct with him are quite grand in comparison!! When we arrived and were handed the key there was no sign of a "welcome" just an abrupt indication as to where the room was - the sight of which horrified us and we went to complain immediately - this initial complaint left us ostracised by him for the entire fortnight! The balcony was overlooking a buiders yard - cement mixer, scaffolding, wrecked car, etc. etc. the electrics were handing off both cerilings and walls. Never had a warm shower in the entire fortnight and the towels resembled sheets of sandpaper. He was rude to Kosmar guests and charming to those who had booked direct. The pool area was pleasant enough but frankly we wanted to be as far as possible away from Atalos and the owners.

We have just a 2 wonderfull weeks at the Atalos Villas we where self catering but the hospitality that you get from the owners Gainnis and Irnni and Maria is wonderful. I stayed here 3years ago and we always said we would go back and we where not disappointed in fact it was better the rooms are nicely decorated and there is Televison in the room and Hairdryers safety boxes and the use of air conditioning which you do need because it was very hot.The rooms are cleaned every day and towels every other day,there is a poolside bar which the food that Gainnis cooks is brillant for snacks and bar prices are alot cheap than anywhere in Karmani.We went on trips to the Volcano that was Excellant and the sunset,ther are lots of good restaurants,also we found a good bistro sort of bar where you could get snack which some times you need for a change from greek food, it was nice to eat here for a change,it is called the Liverbird. If anybody are thinks to go to Santorini this is the place to Stay Atalos Villa because you would not get anywhere nicer and friendly, we are going back next year, there was me and my husband Kevin and are 2 friends Joan and Tommy Kay also my sister and husband and my niece where there at the same time we made lots of new friends who all said if they went back to Santorini they would stay here well and truly value for money and you get to me lovely people Gannis, Irnni and Maria who are just not owners but become friends as well.

We stayed at Atalos Villas for a week this August. The apartments are great value for money, in a really good location near the beach and restaurants. Most apartments have a balcony which was a real plus point of the room. Giannis was very pleasant and always willing to help. The most amazing views in Santorini can be found on the West Coast of the island, which is easily reached by bus (buses run every half an hour from Kamari to Fira). I don't have any negative things to say, the holiday, accommodation, Santorini were great! Claire and Olly, England

having spent our holiday for the past five years at atalos apartments in kamari, santorini, we are very pleased with the accommadation. the facilities are very good, rooms are comfortable and adequately equipped. cleanliness is first rate and yannis and his family (the hotel owners) are always very pleasant and friendly, we have become very fond of them. we meet up with many other people, who like us visit atalos, year after year. the hotel is very well situated, close to local tavernas and the beach. we will continue to visit atalos for many years to come and would thoroughly recomend atalos to anyone considering holidaying on the beautiful island of santorini. we would fail to see how anyone would not be satisfied with atalos. well done yannis and family we look forward to our next visit and many more. marian and chris from portsmouth

Myself and my partner stayed one week in the Atalos apartments in Santorini end of June 2007. Overall, we had a very good experience given the cheap holydays package we bought. The Atalos apartments enjoy a great location: 10 minutes walk from the beach and the centre of Kamari. Although it is very well located, this place remains very quiet except for the aircraft noises which affect the whole resort of Kamari anyway. However, it did not bother us at all. I found the Atalos apartments very charming and well kept. Our bedroom had been freshly renovated and was clean. However, it is rather basic accommodation but given the price, I knew it would not be 4 stars. Anyway, it was OK for me. The pool side is very nice with plenty of sun beds and palm trees. I found the pool a bit small but it did not stop me to spend hours in it. Fact, the owner seems to be a bit grumpy but nobody is perfect isn’t it? and if you take the time to have a little chat with him, he is actually a nice guy. Santorini is an amazing place to visit and I definitely recommend it.

We had a great holiday in Atalos Studios with Giannis and Irini looking after us. Unfortunately Margaret fell and injured her ankle and broke her toe.After that if we wanted to go out for a meal etc. Giannis offered to take us and pick us up. He looked after us more than the travel agents did.We had a good laugh with him regularly and found him very helpful throughout our 2 weeks holidayThe Studio was cleaned every day and the towels and bedclothes were changed regular.The Studios are in a good location and it is easy to get to the beach and town center. His Pizzas are superb and drinks are quite reasonable. We had some great nights at his bar and he was excellent even though he tended to disappear every now and then. Kamari is a lovely resort and we would certainly go back there and to the Atalos studios. We might get a cheap holiday there if he reads this review!!!!!!! Lol & Margaret Osborne Eston Middlesbrough