Last Updated on 05/01/2026 by Ting Dalton
Note: Hotel Zorzis is now officially called Spiros & Hiroko Hotel, but the ownership, management, and exceptional hospitality remain exactly the same. Many guests (including us) still know and search for it as Hotel Zorzis.
Santorini doesn’t have to cost the earth. While Oia’s clifftop hotels command eye-watering prices, Hotel Zorzis in Perissa offers something equally valuable – a family-run retreat where warm Greek hospitality meets pristine facilities, all just 300 metres from one of the island’s best black sand beaches.
This was our final holiday before Monkey arrived, and we loved staying in Perissa. The village gave us exactly what we needed: a beautiful beach to relax on, excellent tavernas serving fresh seafood, and a base that was affordable without compromising on comfort.
About Hotel Zorzis (Spiros & Hiroko Hotel)
Hotel Zorzis sits right in the centre of Perissa, positioned on the main road with the beach promenade just a short walk away. The 2-star property has just 10 rooms, which means it never feels crowded or impersonal.
The moment you step inside, you notice how spotlessly clean everything is. Whitewashed walls and traditional Cycladic blue accents create that quintessential Greek island atmosphere, while the attention to detail is immediately apparent.
The hosts: Captain Spiros and Hiroko
What truly distinguishes this hotel are the owners – which is exactly why they’ve renamed it after themselves. Captain Spiros (a former cruise ship captain) and his wife Hiroko run the hotel with genuine warmth and care. They’re the kind of hosts who wait up to ensure you’ve arrived safely, who share local wine with guests by the pool, and who’ll sit down to chat about the best places to visit across Santorini.
Spiros has extensive knowledge about the island from his years at sea, and both he and Hiroko go out of their way to make recommendations for restaurants, beaches, and timing your visits to avoid the cruise ship crowds. Their hospitality transforms what could be a simple hotel stay into something much more memorable.
Our room at Hotel Zorzis
We stayed in Room 9, which had a lovely balcony overlooking the pool area and the dramatic Mesa Vouno mountain behind. The room came with everything we needed:
- Air conditioning and ceiling fan (both individually controlled – essential for August heat)
- Private balcony with table and chairs
- Mini-fridge for keeping water and snacks cool
- Flat-screen satellite TV
- Safe for valuables
- Good wifi throughout the property
- Bathroom with shower, hairdryer, and toiletries
The rooms are decorated in cool whites and blues, keeping things simple but comfortable. Daily housekeeping keeps everything immaculate – Maria deserves special mention for her meticulous attention to cleanliness.
The pool area
The swimming pool at Hotel Zorzis is genuinely special. Set in a flower-filled garden with impressive mountain views as a backdrop, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day exploring.
The pool includes a jacuzzi section, and there are plenty of sun loungers scattered around so you never feel cramped. The garden setting provides natural shade in spots, and the whole area has a peaceful, almost secluded atmosphere despite being in the village centre.
This is where we’d often find Spiros in the late afternoon, happy to pour guests a glass of wine and share stories about his seafaring days.
Free breakfast
The hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast each morning in their bright breakfast room, which opens onto a terrace overlooking the garden.
Expect fresh Greek yoghurt, local honey, bread, cheese, cold meats, fruit, and the essentials to start your day. It’s simple but fresh, and sitting on the terrace with mountain views while planning your day is a lovely way to begin each morning.
Location in Perissa
The hotel’s location is near perfect. You’re right in the village centre with everything within easy walking distance:
- 300m to Perissa beach (5-minute walk)
- 20m to the bus stop for connections to Fira and other villages
- Restaurants and tavernas close by
- Santa Irini Bakery (open 24 hours) just down the road
- Supermarkets and shops within a 5-minute walk
- Free parking available for guests with hire cars
The main road runs past the hotel, but traffic is light and you’ll barely notice it inside. The pool area and garden are at the back, creating a quiet retreat.
Perissa beach: Santorini’s black sand gem
Perissa beach is one of Santorini’s longest and most dramatic stretches of coastline. The black volcanic sand (a result of the island’s volcanic history) runs for approximately 7km, merging with neighbouring Perivolos beach.
The beach has held Blue Flag status (renewed for 2025) for its cleanliness and facilities. The water is crystal clear and generally calm, making it perfect for swimming. The sand does get hot underfoot during peak summer, so bring beach shoes or flip-flops.
Beach facilities
Perissa is a fully organised beach with:
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (often free if you order food/drinks from beach restaurants)
- Lifeguards on duty during summer months
- Showers and changing facilities
- Wheelchair accessibility via Seatrac system
- Beach volleyball courts
- Water sports centre offering jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and banana boat rides
- Two diving centres for underwater explorations
What makes Perissa beach special
Unlike Santorini’s clifftop villages, which can be overwhelmingly busy with cruise ship passengers, Perissa maintains a more relaxed, authentic Greek island vibe. The imposing Mesa Vouno mountain rises dramatically at one end of the beach, creating a stunning backdrop for photos.
The beach is less about Instagram-perfect Cycladic architecture and more about actually enjoying the sea, the sand, and proper Greek taverna food with your toes near the water.
Where to eat in Perissa
One of Perissa’s great advantages is the choice of excellent restaurants right on the beach or just steps away. Most offer good value compared to Oia or Fira, and the quality is consistently high.
Our favourite Perissa restaurants
Apollon Restaurant (500m from the hotel) A traditional fish taverna right on Perissa beach. The seafood here is exceptional – think grilled octopus, fresh prawns, and whatever came in that morning. Around €40 for two people, including starters and drinks.
The Volcano Restaurant One of Perissa’s most established beachfront tavernas. Family-run with warm service and traditional Greek meze, fresh fish, and beautiful sunset views. The portions are generous and the atmosphere relaxed.
Ntomatini Restaurant Located directly on the beachfront, Ntomatini brings your food and drinks right to your umbrella if you’re on their sunbeds. They pride themselves on authentic Greek food made with fresh local ingredients. Popular with both tourists and locals (always a good sign).
Meltemi Bar (5 minutes from the hotel) Beachside restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. Great for lunch with sea views or evening cocktails.
Hellas Restaurant (100m from hotel) Traditional taverna within easy walking distance, perfect for when you don’t want to walk to the beach for dinner.
Santa Irini Bakery Open 24 hours (yes, really), this local bakery is perfect for early morning tiropitas (cheese pies), late-night souvlaki, or fresh bread to take to the beach. It became our daily stop.
Dining tips for Perissa
- Many beach restaurants offer free sunbeds if you order lunch or drinks
- Portions are generous – don’t over-order on your first meal
- Prices are considerably lower than in Oia or Fira (expect to save 30-40%)
- Book ahead in August for popular spots like The Volcano
- Try the local catch rather than imported fish
Things to do in and around Perissa
While the beach is Perissa’s main attraction, there’s plenty more to explore in the immediate area.
Ancient Thera
Hike or drive up Mesa Vouno mountain to explore the ruins of Ancient Thera, an archaeological site with Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine remains. The ruins are fascinating, but the panoramic views across Santorini are equally spectacular.
Pro tip: Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. It’s about a 30-minute hike from the base.
Beach-to-beach boat
In summer months, a water taxi connects Perissa with Kamari beach (on the other side of Mesa Vouno). It runs every 30-40 minutes, costs around €4 each way, and takes 10-15 minutes. It’s a fun way to explore a different beach and see the mountain from the water.
Perivolos beach
Walk (or get the bus) south to Perivolos, which is essentially a continuation of Perissa beach. The atmosphere here is slightly more upbeat with DJ beach bars like Chilli Bar and JoJo Beach Bar playing music through the day.
Church of the Holy Cross
The blue-domed Church of the Holy Cross sits at the northern end of Perissa beach, set against the dramatic cliff face. It’s a beautiful spot and much less crowded than similar churches in Oia.
Getting around from Perissa
Buses
The local bus stop is 20 metres from Hotel Zorzis. Buses run regularly to:
- Fira (island capital) – every 30 minutes during peak season, 20-25 minutes journey, €2.50
- Kamari beach (via Fira)
- Akrotiri archaeological site (via Fira)
The last bus back to Perissa from Fira is around 23:00-23:45 (times vary by season). Buy tickets on board – have small change ready.
Check out my guide to the top things to do in Santorini plus an essential guide
Hire car or ATV
We hired a car and found it invaluable for exploring Santorini at our own pace. Hotel Zorzis offers free parking, and rental shops are plentiful in Perissa. Expect to pay €30-40 per day for a small car in summer.
An ATV is cheaper (€20-25 per day) and easier to park, but less practical if you’re pregnant or travelling with young children.
Taxis
Taxis from Perissa to Fira cost around €25. From Santorini Airport, it’s approximately €30-35.
Why we chose Perissa over Oia
This is important because many first-time Santorini visitors automatically assume Oia is where they need to stay. Here’s why Perissa worked brilliantly for us:
The savings are significant. A comparable room in Oia would have cost 3-4 times what we paid at Hotel Zorzis. That money went towards better meals, wine tastings, and activities instead.
You actually have a beach. Oia is spectacular for sunset views but there’s no beach. You’re also navigating steep caldera steps constantly, which wasn’t ideal while I was five months pregnant.
It’s more authentic. Perissa maintains a genuine Greek village atmosphere. You’ll find locals at the tavernas, kids playing in the square, and a pace of life that feels real rather than staged for Instagram.
Easy access to the whole island. From Perissa you can drive or bus to anywhere on Santorini, including Oia for that famous sunset, then return to your peaceful beach-side accommodation.
Practical information
Adults only: The hotel doesn’t accept children under 14-15 years old. This keeps the atmosphere peaceful and makes it perfect for couples.
Prices: Rooms start from €105 per night in peak season. Book directly for the best rates.
No lift: The hotel is two storeys but has no lift. If you have mobility issues, request a ground floor room when booking.
No airport transfer: The hotel doesn’t provide airport shuttle service, but Spiros can arrange a taxi for you.
No pets: Unfortunately, Hotel Zorzis isn’t pet-friendly.
Peak season: July and August are busiest. For a quieter experience, visit May-June or September-October when the weather is still beautiful but Perissa is less crowded.
Final thoughts on Hotel Zorzis
Hotel Zorzis Santorini (now Spiros & Hiroko Hotel) offered us exactly what we wanted from Santorini – genuine Greek hospitality, a spotlessly clean comfortable base, and an unbeatable location near a stunning beach, all without breaking the bank.
Spiros and Hiroko’s warmth transformed our stay from a simple hotel booking into something memorable. If you’re lucky, Spiros will crack open some wine by the pool and share stories from his days captaining cruise ships around these very islands.
Perissa proved to be the smart choice. While everyone else was squeezing through Oia’s narrow streets fighting for sunset views, we were watching the sun drop behind Mesa Vouno from a beachside taverna with fresh grilled fish and a carafe of local wine, then walking two minutes back to our peaceful hotel.
That’s the Santorini experience I’d choose every time.
Hotel Zorzis Santorini (now Spiros & Hiroko Hotel) is located in the centre of Perissa village, Santorini. Rooms from €105 per night. The hotel is adults-only (no children under 14-15 years). Search for “Hotel Zorzis Perissa” or “Spiros & Hiroko Hotel Santorini” to find current availability.
Comments are closed.