Heliades Apartments - Heliades Apartments

View !!!

Most beautiful location

IMO the best view in Santorini

Greeted upon arrival and the place immediately felt like home. Breakfast was great but the biggest positive is obviously the spectacular view.

I spent there a week with my girlfriend in June 2013. Lovely mini-apartment, with a breath-taking view. It is easy to reach, well connected to the public transport (bus stop is within about 200 m) and close to a minimarket (~100 m). The rooms were very clean, the personnel was gentle beyond expectation. We had breakfast served daily on the "private" terrace. The home-made orange jam is something you really need to try! And we also got the recipe hand-written by Olympia, the owner of the place. I would definitely recommend this place.

I was disappointed with our stay in the standard apartment. The room is split level, which is ok. But the steps to get up there are steep and small like a ladder. I was also at risk of banging my head on the low part of the curved roof. The bed and pillows are ok. The bathroom is small with a small shower surrounded by curtains. It was a good shower, just small. There is a handly living area with small table and chairs plus a sofa. The most disappointing aspect was the private balcony. It does indeed overlook the caldera but was actually not located with our room. It was around the corner about 10 meters away. This is not disclosed to the guest until you arrive. The location of Heliades is close to the top. Good views and handy access to restaurants at the back and the main foot ways below.

Every other review has mentioned the view, I’m sure. They are probably all spot on: it’s unbeatable. If you’re looking for that stereotypical Santorini experience—the view, the sunset, the quaint, white, barrel-vaulted villas—bingo; this place nails it. But it’s everything else that makes it the place to stay. For starters, Olympia was so helpful from minute one. She booked us on a catamaran cruise (a must-do) and handled everything. We were maybe a little wary at first, as sometimes hotel owners send you to their friends and you aren’t really getting the best deal. But the company she recommended was half the cost of what we were finding online and the experience was unbelievable. (Check out my review of Spirikados Sailing Cruises.) Olympia also recommended and booked an ATV rental for us (again, slightly cheaper than what we were finding online), and that was an equally enjoyable experience. Breakfast daily is lovely and more food than you really need. There could be more coffee and a better device to keep it warm, but that’s a minor complaint. There is a kitchenette, but you really can’t cook a meal as there are no pots or utensils, so it’s really for aesthetic value only. The fridge and nearby market is handy since you’ll need to keep a supply of drinking water on hand. The bed—at least in our apartment—is in a loft that is low on the sides causing a head-bumping hazard the first time you go up there. And if you’re nervous about climbing a ship’s ladder to get to your bed, then choose another place. It’s slightly sketchy or uneasy feeling at first, but we found it a minor thing. When I’m in my 60s and unsure I might start thinking twice about it. We love finding unique and wonderful places to stay on vacation, and this is among the best we’ve found.

The apartment was simply amazing. The view from the balcony was breath taking and the owner (Olympia) was very friendly and helpfull. Also, the breakfast in the morning was great. Especially because we could enjoy it from the balcony.