Review: Andronis Arcadia Hotel (Santorini, Greece)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last July, I enjoyed a terrific holiday on the Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Ios (Cyclades). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Lufthansa A320neo Business Class from Frankfurt to Mykonos
• Review: Aeonic Suites & Spa, Mykonos
• Review: Myconian Imperial, Mykonos
• Review: Calilo, Ios
• Review: Cavo Tagoo Santorini
• Review: Andronis Arcadia, Santorini (today)

Today: Review of Andronis Arcadia Hotel (Santorini, Greece)

• Location: Google maps
• Hotel website: Andronis Arcadia Hotel

Arcadia Hotel is the newest addition to the Andronis family of five-star hotels, villas and honeymoon retreats on the idyllic island of Santorini. Named after the mythical home of the god Pan, Arcadia was a place of natural harmony and pastoral enchantment. This earthly Arcadia is located on the fringe of picturesque Oia, an easy stroll from the village centre, but far enough away to ensure peace and privacy. Every suite has its own pool, situated to capture the magical views towards the Aegean sea and the island’s unforgettable sunsets. Facilities includes Santorini’s largest swimming pool, an excellent wellness center, and two acclaimed restaurants.

Andronis Arcadia features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Santorini.

Have you ever stayed at Andronis Arcadia Hotel? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Andronis Arcaida calls Greece’s most scenic island – Santorini – its home. Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic eruptions causing the collapse of a mega volcano’s central part, hereby creating a large crater (caldera). The spectacular island offers visitors magnificent landscapes with blue domed chapels and whitewashed houses perched on black volcanic cliffs, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful shimmering Aegean waters. Santorini is the most sought after place for a romantic getaway in Greece, and also enjoys a growing reputation as a wedding destination for couples from all over the world.

• Andronis Arcaida is located off the charts in a quiet area on the outskirts of Santorini’s loveliest village Oia. From the 5-star property, it’s a 10 minute uphill walk to the center of Oia village, where you find picturesque alleys, lively restaurants & bars, dozens of souvenir shops, and breathtaking caldera views. The resort is also within walking distance of the small and tranquil beach of Katharos. The airport is 30 minutes and the ferry port about 40 minutes by car, with complimentary pick-up and drop-off service provided to all guests. The ancient archaeological site of Akrotiri – Santorini’s answer to Pompeii – is about 40 minutes away by car.

• Designed by the Greek firm Kapsimalis Architects, Andronis Arcadia’s minimalist whitewashed pavilions mimics the cuboid lines of a traditional Cycladic village, albeit in a strikingly contemporary fashion. The property’s exterior heavily uses stones, drawing on the colors and textures of Santorini’s volcanic crater and its lava. The hotel’s rustic and earthly-luxe interiors bring elements of nature indoors, from the succulents and plants to local wood and materials. The Greek forged cement coating technique used throughout creates a minimalistic look and is softened with locally made wooden furniture and a soothing neutral color palette.

• Andronis Arcadia tumbles down a gentle slope facing the sea. On top of the hill – near the hotel entrance – is a polished-concrete block pavilion, which houses the modern reception area. At the bottom is the resort’s main communal area, which features two restaurants and the hotel’s magnificent infinity pool. The latter is the largest swimming pool on Santorini and boasts incredible panoramic views of the Aegean Sea towards the islands of Ios and Sikinos. Lined by chic sunbeds and featuring a sunken bar, the entire pool area comes alive in the late afternoon on the tunes of the house DJ, with the trendy vibe building up as the sun sets.

• The hotel has 53 suites of six categories including Eden Villa, the largest villa on the island complete with six bedrooms over three floors, plus its own spa, fitness centre, private chef and two pools. The suite interiors have geometrical-style design alongside square recesses on the walls, and natural fabrics throughout including linen to give the ultimate sense of light and space. During my holiday, I stayed in a two bedroom, two story villa, with each floor featuring a bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and a cozy living area. The villa’s highlight was a west facing terrace with small plunge pool, which offered a magnificent view of Santorini’s famous sunset.

• Andronis Arcadia is home to two excellent restaurants:
  • Signature restaurant Opson is spearheaded by Chef Stefanos Kolimadis and showcases dishes inspired by the tastes and ingredients of classical Greece through a several course tasting menu developed in consultation with a classical scholar.
  • The resort’s all-day dining venue – Pacman Sunset Restaurant – is located along the main pool and serves excellent Mediterranean seafood, local dishes with ingredients grown in the Andronis gardens, as well as Japanese cuisine. The à la carte breakfast is also served here, with plenty of dishes to choose from.

• Evexia Spa is Andronis Arcadia’s spa & wellness center, developed in partnership with founder of luxury skincare brand ila, Denise Leicester, and Dr Zulia Frost, who pioneered the non-invasive hair profiling test. The largest spa on Santorini, Evexia is located in the lower part of the resort and has has five treatment rooms with the option for in-suite treatments. A signature treatment of the wellness center is the ‘Water Path’ that takes place in the outside area of the spa with panoramic view over the island, allowing guests to enjoy the majestic sunset of Santorini while they experience cryotherapy. Cryo bandages and Walks in the Kneipp pools offer the healing effects of a hot and cold therapy. Evexia Spa is also home to a large fitness room.

• Andronis Arcadia is the newest addition to the Andronis Exclusive family of five-star hotels on the idyllic island of Santorini. The Andronis company is owned by Miltiadis​ Andronis, a Greek hotel magnate who began his career as a hairdresser in Athens. Today, the Andronis group owns and manages two hotels in the Greek capital and six retreats on Santorini. The latter include Andronis Luxury Suites, Andronis Boutique Hotel, Alte Mare by Andronis, Andronis Concept, and Andronis Honeymoon. Each Andronis property is inspired and informed by the landscape and the culture it resides within. Guided by the Greek term “Philoxenia”, the Andronis staff are passionate about creating moments and memories that resonate long after they have passed.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

• Since Andronis Arcadia is not located on the volcanic rim, the property does not have views of the Santorini’s famous caldera. The hotel offers a different type of experience on the island, with a quiet setting and amazing sunset views. It’s only a 10 min walk to Oia center, where the caldera can be admired in all its natural splendor. If a room with a caldera view is a must, I recommend staying at one of Andronis Arcadia’s sister properties: Andronis Boutique Hotel or Andronis Luxury Suites.

• When you choose to stay in one of the two bedroom villas (as I did), it’s important to emphasize that the villa’s second bedroom on the lower floor doesn’t have a window nor natural light (the master bedroom on the upper floor feels far more superior due to its size and large windows). This setting might be ok when the villas occupants are a family (parents with their children) but this is not so ideal when the villa would be shared by two couples.

• Landscaping around the resort feels a bit sparse, especially around the walkway that tumbles down from the reception pavilion to the restaurants (with a large parking lot one one side) and around the main pool area (with a barren field in front of the pool). The property has plans though to expand in the near future (and double its room inventory), so chances are that resort’s landscaping will feel more sophisticated and organized when the resort is fully finished.

• A five-star resort that caters to families is a rarity on the island of Santorini, especially in Oia, but Andronis Arcadia is the exception to the rule. The resort’s multi-bedroom villas are perfect for families, the property is packed with kid-friendly activities, plus there’s an enormous infinity pool overlooking the Aegean. While this is great news for families of course, it also means that the resort might not feel as romantic nor intimate as some of Oia’s other hotels, although honeymooners and couples will also feel at home here since all villas come with a private pool.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: 9/10
• Rooms: 8/10
• Food: 9/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 8/10
• Service: 8/10
• Value for money: 8/10
• Overall experience: very good 8,5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Andronis Arcadia Hotel (and/or receive many free perks).

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Santorini is spring and fall when the weather’s warm and the crowds are few. Like all of the Cyclades, Santorini welcomes the most visitors during the summer, so you’ll need to make your reservations at least two months in advance to travel then.

HOW TO GET THERE

Arcadia Andronis Hotel is a 30 minute drive from Santorini (Thira) National Airport, which is served by most European charters and some full-service and low-cost airlines in tourist season (click here for a direct link to their websites).

PHOTOS

Below is a selection of my photos of Andronis Arcadia Hotel Santorini. To view more hotel photos (including meals), click here.

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