Carpe Diem Santorini

The Carpe Diem is a very tranquil peacefull hotel. It is a small hotel with 10 rooms set on a hill side. We had one of the smaller rooms with a terrace and a plunge pool, the other rooms were quite a bit larger with small pools on their terraces. Most people stopped on their own terraces most of the day basically making the main swiming pool my own private pool. The rooms are well presented and kept very clean. Being 5 star slippers and robes were supplied. The mini bar was very expensive so we asked for it to be cleared which was not a problem then we used it to keep our own drinks in. Breakfast was superb with a good range to choose from. This was always served by Mary who is such a lovely person always smilling. The down sides to the hotel Drinks are very expensive so it is rare to see any one at the bar. One thing lm not sure the brochure mentions is the access. This is down a 1 in 3 slope about 150 yds long. If you have any walking disabilities etc it is a slog to walk up it. Im reasonably fit and it was still hard work and the surface is very un even. If you cant walk up or down this slope u need to use a taxi which are very expensive approx 20 euros each way to cover approx half a mile. Pyrgos is a beatifull village with a maze of winding alleys and fantastic restaurants. The best ones we found included Penelopes, Rosemery, Pyrgos Restaurant and the one at the start of the town by the bus stop not sure of the name. In all we had a very relaxing week.

Beautiful hotel in Pyrgos. Gorgeous hotel and facilities. A perfect couples getaway within walking distance of the town

We had a great 2 night stay to start our 1 year anniversary. They started with a welcome drink, upgraded our room from a Senior to a Master. It was at the top of the property so we had no one overlooking our pool. Our room 203 had a sunset view, although we did have to sit on the edge of the patio to see it. There is a new breakfast every morning you can choose dishes like yoghurt, eggs, pastry, salad and a cake. We had a selection of everything. It was all delicious. For our anniversary we were given a complimentary bottle of prosecco, and fruits to have in our room while we were relaxing by the pool.

A really lovely hotel which is clean and spacious but a few notes for improvement. We stayed in the superior suite which was spacious and very clean. The towels, bathrobes and bedding were really comfortable. The view is good and the plunge pool is cold but refreshing. It’s is a very quiet hotel. In our 4 night stay we only saw 3 employers, 2 on reception and one serving breakfast. There is a lovely outside pool. Breakfast is very nice, with some different options each day. The hotels location is ok, we wanted to avoid the crowds but it does feel a little remote and although Prygos is close and has some nice restaurants, it doesn’t have the same vibes as the bigger towns. Leaving the hotel there is a very steep 100m walk to the main road. Having a car would be useful here. We spent a fortune on taxis which start at €35 euros one way to almost anywhere. Drinks and minibar prices are ridiculous. €32 euros for 2 glasses of Prosecco. Also for an indulgent escape hotel I was surprised on our last day we had to be out of the room at 11. Although they stored our bags the only place to shower and change before our 8:30pm pick up was the poolside showers and poolside toilets!

We have just returned after a weeks holiday at this lovely resort on the outskirts of Pyrgos in Santorini. The setting is beautiful and first impressions were really good. We travelled on a Tui package and arrived at around 12.30pm We were greeted and shown to a table for welcome drinks. On reflection, there is no doubt we were expected to begin our spending with Carpe Diem immediately. The drinks might have been "Welcome drinks" but we paid for them and more drinks, including water, and lunch too. There was no offer to store our luggage and go off exploring as our room would not be ready until 3pm. We were captives at this mountain view resort and that is where we would stay. And that set the tone for the week. The steep incline driveway (if you can call it that) to the resort is not for the weak and once you are in you are in. If you go out and forget something you have to manage as you are not going back. We downloaded a very limited menu for the restaurant and there was no doubt we wouldn't choose to eat here again. It was the A la Carte menu with only 4 ridiculously expensive main courses and little else. Earlier reviews suggested staff were amazing but our experience didn't leave us feeling like the reception staff went above and beyond. We never saw a Manager and we were never given any resort information. I couldn't tell you anything about the spa or gym as we were never told about it. The restaurant on site may have been permanently closed at night as we never saw anybody in there or any sort of promotion for it? Having seen the limited menu on day one it was never an option for us. Breakfast was lovely and Mary who served us was delightful and recalled our drinks orders from previous days. We made the hike out of the place twice daily for the first 5 days and then I hit a wall. We had carried supplies back from the village a couple of times as there was no way I was paying 5 euro for a bottle of water in the hotel. I truly felt like a captive and this isn't what holidays are supposed to be like. So we made the decision to rent a car for the last 2 days and decided our sanity meant more than a glass of wine with our meal. I was still on edge going up and down that slope....so steep is the incline you felt as though the car might flip with too much acceleration. Things to note: This hotel is supposedly 5 star. I would dispute that. There is no turndown service There is no full length mirror - not that it matters - don't take any fancy sandals as you need Walking boots/walking sandals/trainers for that hill! . There is no free water. In a country where the tap water cannot be consumed this is particularly poor. We drank the first bottle of water in the room and soon realised it was chargeable. In an isolated spot this is dreadful and inexcusable. The hotel entrance is NOT 5* by any means. I don't know any other 5* hotel that would expect you to have to climb in and out. We saw golf buggies/concierge in Fira assisting guests up and down the hill. That is not the case here, If you book a taxi at reception - double check the time. There was a little mix-up with our booking but we still made our ferry to Ios. That's the only thing we asked for help with and they got it wrong! Taxis are expensive. A trip to Fira or the Port (Ferry) is 30 euro. Worth it to leave captivity without a climb!! On a positive: We were lucky with our room - we had a huge balcony and lots of outdoor space but many beneath us looked like they could barely move so limited was the space. Views are outstanding, especially the sunsets. Pyrgos is a lovely town but it has its limitations. Fortunately the local buses are good and you can get to Fira and Perissa easily. Surprisingly we enjoyed using the buses....quite an education! Rooms and pools are well cleaned and maintained. In summary: We got a late deal here and paid a fair price. I wouldn't have wanted to pay more. We enjoyed our holiday and made some lovely memories, but we won't make a return trip to this place.