1812 Caves 'n Mansion

Staff were absolutely amazing so accommodating. Efe and Alex are amazing helpful people and truly made the stay what it was the location in Karterados is one of the nicest parts of Santorini and right beside Fira within walking distance of some of the most beautiful views in all of the island. Rooms were so clean and unique you would think you're in another world and with the helpful staff just made the stay perfect could not ask for more especially from the staff they made the holiday so much better could not recommend a better place to stay!

Couldn't even name a negative thing without being harsh. Not a single bad thing to say about the area or the staff and the rooms everything exceeded our expectations if you were to read some peoples reviews online about Santorini you may get the wrong idea there is so many amazing places to see around the island Karterádos is one of the most beautiful places here as well don't have anything bad to say about the stay could not have been better!

The place was amazing, clean, comfortable, and in a perfect location, but what truly made it special were Alex and his lovely mum. They were incredibly kind and helpful throughout our stay, always with a smile and genuine care. It honestly made our holiday an amazing experience. They really make you feel welcome. Hopefully, we'll be back sometime. And Alex, I still owe you that drink!

The property was very well maintained everything was clean, comfortable, and in great condition. It’s located in a quiet and relaxing area, about a 15-minute walk to Fira, which was perfect for us. Alex and Efi were extremely friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was absolutely delicious, a great way to start each day.

Efi and Alex were amazing . We loved our stay here ,they made us feel so welcome.We loved the wonderful breakfast they served us each morning .

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The place was exactly as pictured. It was very neat, clean, comfortable, spacious. It is built in real caves, which added extra charm to the experience. It exceeded our expectations all around for sure. The mattresses were comfortable, plenty of counter space in the bathrooms and closets. Nothing was lacking. Both hosts, Efi and Alex, were very friendly, accommodating, and responsive. We had a very warm welcome with lots of yummy goodies. The breakfast was cooked to order every morning and it came with drink options, home made jam, variety of breads and pastries as well. Hosts went out of their way to accommodate for my food allergies and to spoil my daughter with her favorite sweets: baklava and Dubai donuts. We loved the location . The place is conveniently located walk distance to the main road where the public bus stop is and 15’ walk to the Fira town, where all busses start from and end their rides. Up the road there are restaurants, 24 hour bakery, coffee shop, etc.

There wasn’t anything we didn’t like.

Alex and his mom, Efi, were wonderful hosts. My friends and I stayed for three nights, and we truly enjoyed our time there. The lodging is an authentic old cave house—Alex mentioned it was built in 1812. The first night in late May was a bit chilly, so we used the heater. The following days grew warmer, but the inside of the cave stayed pleasantly cool. We opted for the breakfast package, and it was absolutely worth it. Efi is an excellent cook, and Alex was a gracious and attentive server. The food and service were outstanding. We were especially touched by their hospitality throughout our stay. On our departure day, we had a very early flight, and they kindly prepared four takeaway breakfast bags for us. Their thoughtfulness made a lasting impression.

The two bedrooms are separated by a door, but the ceiling is open between them, so there’s limited privacy. The location is quite convenient for visiting Fira town. One thing we learned is that Santorini’s bus system charges a fare each time you pass through the Fira bus station. The lodging is just a couple of stops (about 2 km) from the station, and the fare is €2 per ride. To get to Oia—the island’s most popular destination—you need to either walk about 20 minutes to the Fira bus station or take a €2 bus there, and then pay another €2 for the bus from Fira to Oia. We ended up walking to the Fira station and taking the bus to Oia a couple of times. Fira itself is also a great place for shopping and strolling around.

Alex and Effy were amazing hosts. The location was great as was breakfast. The room was as advertised and very clean

Alex and Efie were amazing hosts. They made sure we are at home away from home. The caves were very clean and had all the facilities. Breakfast was top notch and freshly prepared every morning. We were travelling with a toddler, but Efie made sure that the whole stay was very comfortable and relaxing.

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The service by Alex and his mother was simply amazing. They were always friendly and helpful. The breakfasts were delicious (homemade jam), and the central location made it easy to explore both the north and south of the island, and the location had good privacy.

I had a wonderful stay at 1812 Caves 'n Mansion. Alex and Efi were warm, welcoming hosts. Our rooms were spacious with nice interior design. The place has a calm, laid-back atmosphere where you can hear the sounds of owls at night. Breakfast was generously served and I was pampered by Efi's delicious homemade fig marmalade, lemonade and yogurt offered during our stay. We did not plan a specific itinerary for Santorini, but we were given brochures and we lucked out on booking a tour of the island on the same day. Alex was very helpful in answering all of our questions. Located within walking distance of Katerina restaurant which was our go-to place for dinner, 20 min walk to Fira, 10 min drive to the airport, 20 min drive to the port, and 30 min drive to Oia.

Uber and taxis in Santorini are expensive (about 30-40 euros). If you are short on time and/or are on a tight budget, I would recommend joining tours or renting transportation in order to see the best spots in Santorini, as local buses may not always be on time. Be prepared for the crowds in Oia, especially around sunset. If your goal is to be near Oia, I would recommend staying somewhere closer. Other than that, I wish I could have stayed one extra night in Santorini as 2 nights was not long enough.