 SANTORINI ICONS REVIEWS
Maria
Kifisia, Athens |
Adored it, despite some service problems
Date :
2005-09-22 11:06:49
Rating : 
Excellent |
| I stayed in Icons Hotel in Imerovigli, Santorini at late August 2005.
I stayed for 4 nights in a Deluxe Double room on 385 euros per night.
I found the general image of the hotel extremely good, despite some considerable service problems met.
Starting by the good comments:
Icons hotel is located in Imerovigli, best location to stay in my personal view. Imerovigli is not as crowded as Fira, and not as quiet as Oia. It is located in the best part of the island, with the best views towards the caldera and the volcano. The hotel has a unique architecture. Rooms are excavated in the cliff with small windows, organized on some spacious belvederes ( open terraces ) facing the volcano and the sea. This architectural idea ( similar to this of Katikies in Oia ) delivers an easy lounge spirit which i adored and found one of the best hits of the hotel but someone may be annoyed beacuse of the lack of privacy. Everything is being done on these large open terraces: breakfast, sun bathing, viewing, eating, towards the sea and the volcano.
My room (14 ) was spacious with a nice bed. I found the room well decorated but the accomodation just basic. Needed some more things to feel more comfortable. For example: i found the wardrobe really tastefull but small. It was enough for me but i can't think of a way it would be enough for a couple with many luggages.
Reception was very kind and waiters/ bellboys really good, friendly and always running to serve anything you needed.
Food from the small restaurant was PERFECT. Best taste i ever had, on a sensible price according to the hotels prices. There are many other choices for dining in the village but having a dinner in the hotel is total worth of the high prices and the service.
Pool was fantastic. One of the best moments of my life. Not crowded, not over chlorined, clean, spectacular, half digged under a semi closed terrace, with unbelievable views and a part of it accomodating underwater seats and small jaccuzi type hoses. I found most of the pools in the best hotels of the island crowded and stuffed with people but this one was best level choice.
Let's go to the bad things now:
I really believe that under this price, faults are unacceptable. And the hotel, since it was its opening year had some of them. The sad thing is that these faults were tiny details that were ruining the whole image. For example:
I could never find an ashtray. During all 4 days we kept asking for ashtrays that were being delivered in 30 seconds but when we were leaving the room they were vanishing.
A spot bulb in a light fixture was off. They replaced it in exactly three minutes.
Small wrong deliveries in breakfast orders ( orange juice instead of grapefruit juice ) happened sometimes. When i reported it, the order was restored in no time, but i had to ask for it.
Safe in the room closet had not been attached in the closet. I laughed loudly understanding i had to visit the town bank to deposit my money.
Room maids were helpfull but not properly trained in way of behaviour. All of them kind but having a grouchy expression rather than an airy spirit, while reception was good and waiters and chef were really excellent.
I also found AC adequate but not perfect, while outdoor units were a bit noisy ( something common all over the island, since outdoor space is really limited everywhere ) etc etc etc.
Overall, i would definitely go back again without second thoughts, even paying such a high price. I adored the specific location and the architectural concept of the hotel. If you decide to book on it, be prepared for the perfect location and feeling, along with some minor service problems.
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SANTORINI
ISLAND
