Stelios Place

Stelios Place has been running as a family business in Perissa since 1992 — over three decades of welcoming guests to Santorini's black sand south coast. It sits within a two-minute walk of Perissa beach, a long stretch of dark volcanic sand that draws swimmers and sunbathers from across the island. Lonely Planet once described it as "a great place and an absolute bargain," and TripAdvisor has awarded it both a Travelers' Choice Best of the Best and a Certificate of Excellence. With a current rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 264 reviews, the numbers back the reputation.

Perissa is a different Santorini from the cliffside villages. There are no caldera views here, but there is direct beach access, a relaxed local atmosphere, and a working village infrastructure that the more photographed north of the island often lacks. Stelios Place sits at the edge of the beach strip, close enough to hear the water and walk to everything you need without relying on a car.

The property is classified as both a hotel and an apartment complex, which suggests a mix of room types suited to couples, solo travelers, and small families. The family behind the hotel handles transportation arrangements for arrivals and departures — taxis or minibuses at an extra cost — which is a practical detail worth noting if you are landing at Santorini airport and traveling with luggage.

What to Expect

Stelios Place is a compact, family-managed property rather than a resort. That means you will deal with the same people throughout your stay, which guests consistently mention as a highlight in the reviews. The scale keeps service personal and direct.

The hotel's location in Perissa puts you within two minutes' walk of the black sand beach. The beach itself is long and wide, with sun loungers and umbrellas available for hire, plus a diving centre and watersports operation directly on the shoreline. The sand is dark grey-black volcanic material that absorbs heat, so proper footwear for walking down to the water is worth packing.

The main road through Perissa, also about two minutes from the property, has a bus stop with frequent connections to Fira — every 20 to 30 minutes during high season and 45 to 60 minutes in low season. The same road has ATV and car rentals, a bakery, a supermarket, a hairdresser, a beauty salon and spa, and a range of restaurants, cafes, and bars. You do not need to pre-plan every meal or rent a vehicle to stay functional here.

The hotel can coordinate arrival and departure transfers on request, which is useful if you are flying into Santorini's Monolithos airport and want to avoid the uncertainty of arranging transport on the spot.

How to Get There

Perissa sits on the southeastern coast of Santorini, roughly 12 km from Fira by road. The drive from Fira takes around 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic, following the main road south through Messaria and then east toward the coast.

By bus, the Fira–Perissa route runs from the main bus station in Fira. During high season, buses depart approximately every 20 to 30 minutes; in low season, frequency drops to every 45 to 60 minutes. The bus stop is two minutes' walk from Stelios Place on the main road through Perissa.

From Santorini's airport, a taxi to Perissa takes around 10 to 15 minutes. The hotel can arrange a taxi or minibus transfer if you contact them in advance — useful for early-morning flights or late arrivals when scheduling is harder.

Parking is available in and around Perissa if you rent a car or ATV, with rental outlets a short walk from the hotel. The property's coordinates are 36.3543° N, 25.4730° E if you are navigating directly.

Best Time to Visit

Santorini's high season runs from late June through August. During this period, Perissa beach fills up by mid-morning, the bus runs frequently, and all local businesses are operating. The heat is significant — July and August regularly reach 30°C or above — and the black sand radiates additional warmth underfoot.

May, June, and September offer a better balance: warm enough to swim, less crowded on the beach, and lower accommodation rates. The meltemi wind, which blows across the Cyclades in summer, can make the southeast coast of Santorini more comfortable in July and August than the exposed caldera rim.

October and early November are quiet but still mild, and some beach facilities begin to close from mid-October. The hotel's website is the best source for exact seasonal availability.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early for summer. Stelios Place has a strong repeat-visitor base and limited rooms. If you are traveling in July or August, reserving several months in advance is sensible.
• Contact the hotel directly for transfers. The team can arrange a taxi or minibus for airport pickup at an extra cost. This is easier to organize before arrival than on the day.
• Pack water shoes or sandals. The black volcanic sand at Perissa heats up significantly in direct sun. Something on your feet between the hotel and the waterline makes a practical difference.
• Use the bus for Fira day trips. A rental vehicle is not necessary if you want to visit Fira or Oia. The bus stop two minutes from the hotel gives you access to the island's main transport network.
• The beach runs long in both directions. Perissa connects at its north end with Perivolos, where the beach bars and more organized beach infrastructure are concentrated. You can walk the entire stretch without leaving the sand.
• Diving is available on the beach. There is a dive centre operating directly on Perissa beach, along with watersports. These are separate businesses from the hotel, but their proximity is a practical plus if you want to add an activity.
• Ask about local restaurant recommendations. A hotel that has been operating since 1992 in a small village will have better practical knowledge of where to eat than any review aggregator.
• Reach out by email or phone before arrival. The hotel email is [email protected] and the phone is +30 2286 081860. For questions about specific room types, early check-in, or any arrangements, direct contact is more reliable than messaging through booking platforms.

Facilities and Location

Stelios Place operates as a hotel and apartment complex, meaning the accommodation options are likely to include standard hotel rooms alongside self-contained apartments or studios. The website at steliosplace.com has current room listings and availability, and this is the best place to confirm the specific unit types available for your travel dates.

The surrounding village of Perissa supplies most practical needs within a short walk: supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, restaurants, bars, cafes, vehicle rentals, and a spa and salon. The beach and its associated watersports and diving facilities are two minutes from the property on foot.

For guests who want to explore the island, Santorini's main attractions — the caldera villages of Fira and Oia, the archaeological site of Akrotiri, and the Ancient Thira ruins above Perissa itself — are all reachable by bus or short taxi ride. Ancient Thira, the Hellenistic-Roman town on the ridge of Mesa Vouno, sits directly above Perissa and can be reached via a road that climbs from the south end of the beach.