Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Have you ever gone to Oia, Santorini without a reservation?

Search

Have you ever gone to Oia, Santorini without a reservation?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 24th, 2012, 08:16 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have you ever gone to Oia, Santorini without a reservation?

Hi
My Greek friends tell me that I should just show up to Santorini without a reservation and that there will be people there that will show me pictures.
I want to stay in Oia and I want a view of the Caldera & all the whitewashed houses. Is it a cave house that I should be looking for?
Has anybody done this?
Also, we are flying in. Also, I am flying in TOMORROW. So I either get a reservation in bookings.com tonight or I am brave enough to just SHOW UP.
I got lots of names that were recommended by this forum.
Thank you in advance
Maria
MariaLAX is offline  
Old May 24th, 2012, 09:00 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you might mean booking.com, not bookings.com.

If you're arriving at Santorini by ferry there will be locals who meet the boats with offers for rooms, but never for Oia. At the ferry port are a couple of room-finder businesses that do have rooms in Oia for rent. If you arrive by plane there are no locals who meet the planes and no room-finder business at the airport. If you have some daylight hours left after your arrival you can just go to Oia to look for a room. Right in the bus square you'll find the "Ecorama Holidays" office, and they have some of the least-expensive rooms in Oia. Among others they represent VIP Suites, which is a collection of cavehouses. But there's no guarantee that there will be a vacancy. Of course you can just walk around the village to ask in the various hotels, but that takes time and you'll have to schlepp your luggage with you up and down a lot of steps if you do it that way.

Yes, if you want the whole experience you need to find a cavehouse. Check back with your choices before you book and I'll help you decide.

The cheapest rooms in Oia with a view are Stelios Rooms and Thea Studios. Only Thea Studios are cavehouses. Aspa Villas has a cavehouse or two, as does Olympic Villas.
brotherleelove2004 is offline  
Old May 24th, 2012, 12:57 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you brotherleelove

I will have to call Thea Studios and Ecorama Holidays in the morning. It seems that the VIP Suites they represent are quite reasonable in price.

I've been communicating with Maria Economou who manages some cave houses. These two are listed on Homeaway.com. We wanted to stay for 5 nights starting tomorrow & she quoted 900 euro or 180/night.
Are you familiar with these rentals or their location? Homeaway are listings by the homeowners, but I know Maria has a few listed there.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p268105
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p388766

Thank you for explaining that there would NOBODY at airport with offers.
Maria
MariaLAX is offline  
Old May 24th, 2012, 01:01 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Brotherleelove

Are you familiar with the VIPSuites? Are they in good location?
I want to stay in a whitewashed house like I see in the movies!!

I am thinking my best bet is to deal with Ecorama Holidays unless you tell me that the houses Maria Economou manages are great.
Maria
MariaLAX is offline  
Old May 24th, 2012, 01:20 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Maria
Why don't you try to book something through booking.com, there are lots of choices for tomorrow... and you can also call the hotels, as you might get a better price ( booking.com has a commission of 15-20% on that rates)
Do not book anything else through Ecorama, except the VIP Suites, as you will be charged with the highest rate the hotel is selling.....
clausar is offline  
Old May 24th, 2012, 01:23 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, VIP has an excellent vantage point. Two of the blue-domed chapels are very close.

I don't know Maria's houses, only her good reputation.

Here's another group-not Maria's-for you to consider.

http://www.santorini.com/hotels/oiavillas

Also check "Old Oia Houses".
brotherleelove2004 is offline  
Old May 24th, 2012, 02:55 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank clausar, brotherleelove
We don't leave for Santorini until the afternoon, so I have time in the morning. I have checked the places you mentioned and I should be able to get something.
Maria
MariaLAX is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
reddy2go2
Europe
13
Jan 14th, 2018 08:33 AM
evvlabs
Europe
8
Aug 18th, 2014 10:02 AM
EricM
Europe
4
Apr 21st, 2012 01:56 PM
Fredah
Europe
8
Mar 6th, 2011 03:04 PM
moonlion
Europe
18
Jan 13th, 2010 04:55 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -