We've just returned from a week at the Philoxenia. We had a fairly large family room on the ground floor, our only complaint was the bathroom, as it was a kind of small wet room, where you had to stand next to the toilet and shower which meant everything got wet and the floor was soaked for the next few hours which meant splashing around whilst you continued getting ready in the bathroom. The rooms are located in a nice courtyard area, where you could sit outside your room, but there was a lot of noise from dogs barking in the surrounding area which goes on constantly

Perissa beach is great but the amount of hawkers offering everything from Thai massage to DVD's was infuriating, about 20 per hour. We had a rather cloudy start to our week but it got very hot towards the end of the week. Food was average, all of the restaurants seem to be offering the same kind of menu and everything comes with chips and rice! Our best meal was the 'Villager's Ommlette' in one of the seafront tavernas next to the rock.

We did the walk up the mountain to ancient Thira which was very hard work but worth it, the ancient city ruins were amazing. We also did a 2 euro local bus ride to Fira, which was very pretty but very touristy and busy.

All in all Santorini is very pretty, Perissa is great location and the hotel was pleasant enough.

We booked through Manos for this holiday and following a 30 minute transfer from Thira Airport, we arrived promptly at the apartments. The husband and wife team where awaiting us and showed us straight to our room with no fuss and so within 30 seconds of arriving we where already settling in to our room.

The room itself (number 6) was a large self catering apartment with 2 twin beds, a dresser, large table, cupboards, drawers and then the kitchen unit. It also had a small bathroom with what I must say featured the best shower I've ever had in Greece thanks to the excellent water pressure! There is also a safe (€15 p/w) and air conditioning (€50 p/w)

Within the grounds are a swimming pool and reasonably priced bar as well as the reception area. The hotel also has WiFi which you just need to ask for the password to access as well as a small library of books left by guests for you to read. As mentioned the owners are lovely and very friendly and personable. When the light bulb outside our room went, it was fixed in no time and they remembered that we had gone to Imerovigli for the night and asked us all about it which was lovely and just something you can't get in larger properties.

Nearby; there is a supermarket right next door and the 24 hour bakery down the road. A few minutes further will bring you to the beach and to a good selection of quality, good value restaurants.

The Philoxenia is a small property that is traditionally Greek in it's style and offers a great value and relaxing base for your holiday.

We stayed at the Philoxenia for one week in August 2010 and it was a fantastic holiday.

The staff are very friendly and helpful and made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. There were a few people staying there who return year after year so they must be doing something right!

We stayed B&B but to be honest an apartment would probably be better as the breakfast is only toast, however there is a 24hour bakery down the road so it wasn't a problem.

The rooms are basic but comfortable as is most greek accommodation but had everything we needed. We had air conditioning and a safe in the room which you have to pay extra for when you arrive.

The location is great, about a 3 minute walk to the beach and main strip of tavernas and bars and the same in the other direction to the 'main road' with lots of other shops and tavernas. There is a huge hill behind the hotel where you can climb to the ancient ruins. The hotel pool is nice too if you don't fancy the beach and has a jacuzzi bit you can relax in.

There is lots to see on this beautiful island and plenty of excursions to keep you busy. The air conditioned buses around the island are only 2euros to pretty much anywhere. A visit to the capital Fira and the sunset at oia are a must if you want to see more of the island.

All in all, we had a fantastic holiday here and would definately recommend it. Even the 10 hour flight delay on the way home couldn't spoil it!

i'll start by saying we had originally booked a luxury 4* hol in portugal, but the damn ash cloud spoilt that, so we were forced into heading to town and booking the next holiday we could find.

we were offered this little gem. i knew nothing of santorini (i like to research where im going first) but the hotel looked nice so we booked it.

the hotel was only 30mins from the airport by coach and we were greeted on arrival by the hotel family in the courtyard. they are a very friendly family and they led us to our apartment. they speak good english, but i did always make a habit of saying hello / goodbye / thankyou in greek. we were in apartment 4 - first impressions were that it was a little bit dark, as its tucked away behind a tree, but this was perfect for keeping the room cool under the hot sun.

the apartment was spacious enough for the 2 of us. it had a double bed, and a single bed under the window of a quite large room. the kitchen was a big space, with a combi oven-grill and 3 hobs, plenty of cupboards, a fridge freezer and all cooking utensils.

the shower room is a wet room. unfortunately its not the biggest and the loo roll got wet a few times, but what the hell!!

the pool was lovely and clean - reasonably small but perfect for cooling off - and the jacuzzi was nice. this, coupled with the outdoor bar made a lovely courtyard / relaxing place.

location wise, its ideal. like others have said, theres a mini market next door and a 24/7 bakery - not the cheapest, but nice all the same.

2 mins walk to the left, or ahead, is the start of 'the strip' - a mile or so of lovely tavernas and cocktail bars.
we sampled a few tavernas and the food was very nice, and depending where you go, reasonalbly cheap. food prices generally float between 7euro for a mousakka, to 15euro for shrip dishes, so a nice range. beer is also 2euro a pint!

the beach front is only a 3min walk behind the strip. again, lots of tavernas line the walkway, and everyone is so friendly!

santorini's 'season' is between may / october so we were amongst the first groups there and it felt very quiet and peaceful.

for such a small island, there are a LOT of rental places! atv quads are very much the rage on the island!

we did a few of the package tours... the volcano visit was nice, as was the (not-so-very) hot springs. we also went scuba diving with the santorini dive centre - very reasonable and very professional.

its nice to get a car and drive to 'oia' on the north - very quaint markets and shops. the lighthouse at akrotiri is worth a drive, and around the mountain from perrisa is kamari - a more touristy area but still really nice