La Maltese Estate

We booked a week at La Maltese Villa for our summer vacation, seeking the full Santorini experience. To make the most of it, we chose a Caldera View Suite with a private terrace and jacuzzi and while we had some initial doubts due to mixed reviews, we decided to give it a chance. Overall, it turned out to be quite a good stay. The hotel is located in Imerovigli, a peaceful and charming village about a 20-minute walk from Fira. The location is ideal, close enough to the action, but far enough to enjoy tranquility and the iconic Caldera views without the crowds. Within walking distance, you’ll find everything you need: supermarkets, great restaurants (both upscale and affordable), car rental agencies, a pharmacy, and a bus stop. It’s important to note that the Caldera View Suites are in a different building from the main hotel. This annex offers breathtaking views of the Caldera and magical sunsets—undeniably one of the highlights of our trip. However, the suite itself had some quirks. Ours was split-level, with the bedroom upstairs and the bathroom downstairs, which wasn’t the most convenient layout. The bathroom design also lacked privacy, featuring translucent glass on both a window and a French door, and the toilet had no door at all making it awkward if someone was in the living room area. The terrace, although beautiful, is semi-private, shared with guests from the other four suites in the building. Access to the rooms is via this shared space, so don’t expect complete seclusion. The jacuzzi was a simple inflatable unit that fits two people. It’s not luxurious, but it does the job, especially with a glass of wine at sunset. That said, when we first went to use it, the water was dirty and uninviting (floating debris, hair, insects). Thankfully, Sultan, a kind and very attentive staff member, changed the water the next morning after we insisted. Sultan was great, he welcomed us at 1:00 AM when we checked in and helped us throughout the stay, including providing fresh towels and assistance when needed. Breakfast is served at the main hotel building, about two blocks away, from 9:00 to 10:30. It’s fairly basic, not particularly memorable. The main swimming pool is also located at the main hotel, though we didn’t end up using it during our stay. Final thoughts: The location is excellent, and the views from the Caldera suites are absolutely unforgettable. The staff was genuinely friendly, especially Sultan, who really made a difference. However, the suite layout, bathroom privacy, and jacuzzi quality could be significantly improved. With a few upgrades, this could easily become one of the top spots in Imerovigli. Would we stay again? Possibly—if those improvements were made.

We’re honestly heartbroken with our experience at La Maltese Estate. We booked the Honeymoon Hot Tub Caldera View Room and were given a lower category Junior Suite instead which is clearly shown on their own website as a completely different (and much cheaper) room. When we told the staff, they just acted confused and surprised, pretending they had no idea what we were talking about. They never took responsibility or offered any real solution. We spent the first two days of our short holiday trying to get help, and only got a vague “we won’t refund you” response on day three. Breakfast was also misleading we chose it while booking but were charged extra on arrival, with no clear explanation. We didn’t even stay in the room they gave us because it was totally wrong for us uncomfortable layout, steep stairs, and not what we paid for. Still, they charged us full price and tourist tax. Honestly, we regret not reading the reviews before booking. This hotel is a scam hiding behind fancy pictures and empty promises. Not relaxing, not honest, and definitely not worth the price. We would never recommend it to anyone!

We booked a specific Honeymoon Suite with Hot Tub & Caldera View at La Maltese Estate months in advance — to celebrate a 40th birthday and anniversary. When we arrived, the staff didn’t say a word about any changes. They just brought us directly to Room 105, pretending everything was normal. The room was much smaller, darker, and nothing like what we booked. We asked, “Is this really the Honeymoon Suite with hot tub we reserved?” The receptionist shrugged and said: “I don’t know, all rooms are similar.” You work here and don’t know the room names? Seriously? It became obvious: • They gave our booked suite to someone else, likely for a longer stay or higher price, • And tried to pass us off the simplest available room, hoping we wouldn’t notice. When we showed them photo proof from our booking vs what we were given — they just waved it off and said, “You booked a suite, and this is a suite.” Zero apology. No explanation. Just gaslighting and deflection. They also tried to charge €120 extra for breakfast even though it was selected in the booking. When we refused and showed our documents — they backed down. We refused to stay in the fake room. They never offered the correct one, and we moved out. If you’re planning a special occasion, don’t risk it here. They will resell your room for profit and hand you whatever’s left — then pretend it’s the same thing. Beautiful views can’t cover up dishonest management.

We booked La Maltese Estate for a relaxing week in Santorini, but ended up leaving furious after just a few hours. The hotel presents itself online as a luxurious cliffside retreat with amazing views, a bar, a restaurant, and an inviting pool area. In reality, it was nothing like what is advertised: The bar and restaurant were completely closed, with no mention of this anywhere in advance. The pool area was completely deserted, with no staff or guests in sight. The pool beds were filthy and stained—clearly not maintained. The photos on their website give the impression of a cliffside location with a panoramic view, but the actual site is awkwardly situated in the middle of buildings and electric poles, far from the picturesque setting they claim. The room description says “Mansion Superior Pool View... beyond imaginable with amazing views”—but we had no view, just walls and cables. The hotel felt abandoned, eerie, and completely lifeless. This experience ruined the start of our vacation. We felt scammed by the false advertising and left after only a few hours. For the price they charge, this is absolutely unacceptable. Avoid this place at all costs unless they make serious improvements and stop misleading people with fake imagery and descriptions.

Absolutely disgusting, avoid at all, costs room and not safe wires hanging out wall no Wi-Fi no television, breakfast, disgusting with no choices and Buddha bar closed vouchers purchased as a wedding present couldn’t be used and still not refunded. We stayed October 2024. Absolute rip-off. Nothing as described or for honeymoon so much better in the area. Avoid avoid avoid!