Esperas vs. Filoterra Villas
#2
We stayed at Esperas. It looks very Greek but there was not one Greek on the staff which made me feel as if I had left Greece where we had already spent two weeks. None of that famous warm Greek hospitality. Good views. Guests almost 100% from USA, many honeymooners. Pool was not heated. Easy to walk down to Amoudi Harbor from Esperas. Nice suites, comfortable beds. We were in Greece for six weeks and this is the only time I was surrounded totally by non-Greeks and Americans. Maybe that wouldn't bother you but it did bother us. If you have a fear of heights, Esperas will be a problem.
#3
Also, our room, though nicely appointed, was a cave house room. Think about it. Only light came from the front, damp. I will never stay in a cave room again. Civilized Man left caves for a reason.
#4
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Santorini is known for the famous cavehouses on the cliff, it's what most people hope to esperience if they're staying on the caldera side of the island. Esperas is a full-service hotel and Filotera Villas is more of a self-catering situation. Esperas has a sunset view as well as a caldera view, but Filotera only has a caldera view.
#5
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These hotels are in different price tiers with Esperas being almost twice the Filotetra Villas. If you are just staying in Oia, Esperas is at a picturesque location. I have stayed at The Filotera Villas. It is run by a family and has an intimate feeling. The room was tight. But its is located just below the main pedestrian street and it is located practically front of a bus stop. So, if you want to visit places other than Oia or Amoudi, Filotera is very convenient by bus and taxi.
#7
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In a perfect world I would absolutley stay at Katikies -- if anyone knows of any deals that cut their prices in half, feel free to let me know LOL all jokes aside - thanks for the info. I just cannot narrow down the hotel I would like to stay in. It's hard when TA has such mixed reviews ans you have never been to the island. I will continue my research.
#9
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@brotherleelove2004, thanks for all your help!
Max daily room budget: $300 / 220E
Travel Dates: 9/2/2014 for 4 nights
Must Haves: Balcony or Terrace, Sunset View, Pool (we are ok with a property that does not have a pool as long as we are able to use the pool of a property next to it), walking distance to restaurants and shops (within 15 mins.) & wifi available somewhere on the property.
Must have but can do without: Caldera view (it isn't a necessary but we would like it)
We want to stay on the cliffs for that view of the white buildings all around so Oia would be our #1 choice unless a property in another location offered all of the above.
This trip is for our Honeymoon.
Max daily room budget: $300 / 220E
Travel Dates: 9/2/2014 for 4 nights
Must Haves: Balcony or Terrace, Sunset View, Pool (we are ok with a property that does not have a pool as long as we are able to use the pool of a property next to it), walking distance to restaurants and shops (within 15 mins.) & wifi available somewhere on the property.
Must have but can do without: Caldera view (it isn't a necessary but we would like it)
We want to stay on the cliffs for that view of the white buildings all around so Oia would be our #1 choice unless a property in another location offered all of the above.
This trip is for our Honeymoon.
#10
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Your choices are limited. In Oia check Marizan Villas and Golden Sunset Villas. Both are within 50 yards of a very nice public access pool: http://www.lioyerma.gr
W/O the view: Laokasti Villas and Anemomilos Hotel
W/O the view: Laokasti Villas and Anemomilos Hotel
#11
We stayed at Filotera Villas in the small cave room. The room was fine, it had a small side window and a window at the front door so wasn't dark but was fairly small. The bathroom was at the rear and was nice and roomy. None of the balconies or terraces are private, because the villas are set into the hillside you gradually walk down, level after level, past each room and terrace, until you reach the pool. The pool was nice with enough room for about 6 loungers around it.
The view from our room was spectacular, heaven to wake up to. The main thing we didn't like was there was no shade and this was August so we didn't sit out at the chair and tables much. August is stinking hot there and we are used to heat.
Nicholas is the owner and his English is limited but we were made to feel very welcome and his family were always smiling. Very nice people.
Shops and restaurants are within a few mins walk. Hope that helps a bit. Nearly forgot, we had a tiny kitchenette area at the front and bought a few bits at the shops for breakfast and the odd lunch.
I could send you some photos if you want, you'd need to post your email though.
Kay
The view from our room was spectacular, heaven to wake up to. The main thing we didn't like was there was no shade and this was August so we didn't sit out at the chair and tables much. August is stinking hot there and we are used to heat.
Nicholas is the owner and his English is limited but we were made to feel very welcome and his family were always smiling. Very nice people.
Shops and restaurants are within a few mins walk. Hope that helps a bit. Nearly forgot, we had a tiny kitchenette area at the front and bought a few bits at the shops for breakfast and the odd lunch.
I could send you some photos if you want, you'd need to post your email though.
Kay
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As many properties as do come up for Oia only a small handful have both a caldera view and an unobscured sunset view. They are:
Fanari Villas, Marizan Villas, Golden Sunset Villas, Esperas houses, Theodora Suites and Oia Castle Hotel.
Of these only Esperas Houses, Fanari Villas and Esperas Houses have a pool on the premises, and they are all above the stated price limit.
Fanari Villas, Marizan Villas, Golden Sunset Villas, Esperas houses, Theodora Suites and Oia Castle Hotel.
Of these only Esperas Houses, Fanari Villas and Esperas Houses have a pool on the premises, and they are all above the stated price limit.
#14
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@KayF - thank you! I love to hear from people who have stayed at the places I am looking into. I would love to see some photos of your room. here is my business email: [email protected] - I know you stated the terrace was not private, was it roomy enough to sit out there for a few hours and be comfortable? We are thinking about booking the Cave Honeymoon room if we go with that property so hopefully it will be more spacious. Where did you watch the sunset from?
@brotherleelove2004 I appreciate all your knowledge and information on the properties. I think we would be able to afford the Esperas Standard Studio but for that price we could get a larger room elsewhere so I'm not sure if it's worth it to go with the most basic room there. After looking into the Marizan, Golden Sunset and Theodora Suites - I really like all 3 properties. The Marizan has the pool right next door which is a huge plus! Out of those 3 which would you suggest is "the best" in terms of a honeymoon feel?
@brotherleelove2004 I appreciate all your knowledge and information on the properties. I think we would be able to afford the Esperas Standard Studio but for that price we could get a larger room elsewhere so I'm not sure if it's worth it to go with the most basic room there. After looking into the Marizan, Golden Sunset and Theodora Suites - I really like all 3 properties. The Marizan has the pool right next door which is a huge plus! Out of those 3 which would you suggest is "the best" in terms of a honeymoon feel?
#15
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I can only guess what 'honeymoon feel' means to you. All 3 are excellent. Only Esperas is a full-service hotel, if that's an issue. I understand your drive to find the absolutely perfect place to stay, it's natural to want everything to be 'just so' for your honeymoon but honestly, you're starting to overthink yourself into a corner. Your room size is probably the last think you'll object to once you're there. You're going to spend most of your time out on your balcony anyway, enjoying the view. Choose the one with the room decor you like the best, 2nd best and last, then contact them with your travel dates and the one that's available then closest to the top of your list wins.
#16
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@brotherleelove2004 all this research has been making me go back and forth with my decision - you are correct and I'm just going to compare the 3 and see which one comes on top. Thanks again for all your help!
#17
Hi Shareen, I will send some photos soon. It's Christmas Eve here so we are pretty busy but if you are anything like me, you want to get things booked!
Filotera Villas are in Oia and it's an easy walk down through the lanes to the tip of the island where you see the sunset. Just follow the crowds! I would suggest walking down about 30-60 mins earlier as it can get pretty crowded as people come to Oia from Fira and other parts of the island for the sunset. Oia is really lovely, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. First time we visited Santorini we stayed in Fira but we liked Oia more.
Our terrace was not that big, it held a table and two chairs, I'm sure I have a photo of it I will send. The terrace of the room next door to us, on the left as we looked at the caldera, had a bigger terrace. I think they all varied a little. From memory, there were some people who had a room on the same level as the pool and although they didn't mind it, I wouldn't have liked the noise and people continually coming and going.
Kay
Filotera Villas are in Oia and it's an easy walk down through the lanes to the tip of the island where you see the sunset. Just follow the crowds! I would suggest walking down about 30-60 mins earlier as it can get pretty crowded as people come to Oia from Fira and other parts of the island for the sunset. Oia is really lovely, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. First time we visited Santorini we stayed in Fira but we liked Oia more.
Our terrace was not that big, it held a table and two chairs, I'm sure I have a photo of it I will send. The terrace of the room next door to us, on the left as we looked at the caldera, had a bigger terrace. I think they all varied a little. From memory, there were some people who had a room on the same level as the pool and although they didn't mind it, I wouldn't have liked the noise and people continually coming and going.
Kay