Hotel Manos Villas Santorini

Want to save money, enjoy caring service, and willing to give up the caldera view? This is a great choice for you.

I stayed at this hotel in the early June of 2005 as a full-paying anonymous guest. It was a spontaneous choice made at the ferry terminal when the energetic owner, Popi, approached us with a binder of hotel photographs. Her price was very reasonable - 30 Euro a night - and her van was ready to go. She was picking up a pair of repeat visitors which reassured us at once.

The hotel is newly built and blazingly white in the Santorini sunlight. Mosaic pavements and a large swimming pool decorated with a fountain made of ancient-looking vases had us congratulating each other on choosing this hotel over the others.

At our request, Popi immediately arranged a discount rental car agent to come with a car for us. The price for the Santorini equivalent of a rent-a-dent? Just 25 Euro.

The next morning, we left early for sightseeing, skipping even coffee so we could work in a visit to Ancient Thira as well as Akrotiri. When we returned in the early afternoon, we were asked if we wanted our missed breakfast, which was then swiftly made for us.

When we came down to leave the following day, Popi informed us that she had just called the ferry company to confirm our departure and that there would be a two-hour delay. Instead of sitting at the crowded dock drinking overpriced frappes, we were able to enjoy another swim in the hotel pool.

Prices vary depending on the season; in high season in August, our basic double room would be 65 Euro.