wanderer

My husband and I are looking for a romantic getaway, and this Santorini looks stunning (thanks Bob the Navigator - I had never heard of it).

It seems Oia is more our pace - less touristy than Fira?

We would like to have some shops restaurants that we could walk or cab to easily. We do not want to drive.

We are also looking for hotel recommendations - something VERY romantic, with a spectacular view and terrace to sit out on. Our budget is @ $250/night give or take.

Planning on May (2005) - is May a good time to visit? We don't care about "doing" the beach, and would prefer it a little cool (just not cold and/or rainy) so we can be comfortable walking around without getting hot.

brotherleelove2004

Check the websites for La Perla, Katikies, Perivolas Villas, Atlantis Villas, Oia Mare Villas.

Mivawebb

Oia is pretty quiet and has as good views as does Fira plus the sunsets are better at Oia - should take care of the romantic bit. Get a hotel room right on the edge of the caldera. You can look out over the ocean from 800 ft up.
May will be a bit cool in the evenings.
Note that the beach is 800 ft over the cliff at Oia or Fira but both do good pools cliffside. The beaches are several hours by car at thh other end of the island - black volcanic pebbles.

margarita

I visited Santorini and stayed in different locations on the island. I would avoid a hotel inland and I would avoid hotel in Fira. Fira is fabulous to visit but not stay there. You will find the prices higher and it is crowded. Oia will be perfect for you. Quieter, quaint, equally beautiful, good shops and restuarants. It is at one end of the island and easy to walk around. No need to drive. I rode the bus all over the island. So when you get the itch to venture out and visit other spots, the bus is easy day or night. With your budget you will not have a problem finding a beautiful spot. If I had to do it again and money were no problem, I would get a room at one of the hotels in Oia featuring a swimming pool at the edge of the caldera. Example: Perivolas Hotel. It is amazing. Check out www.magicaljourneys.com/Santorini and then go to Oia hotels. This site has photos and descriptions of the hotels in Oia classified by price category. You will have the best holiday. I enjoyed Santorini and may return one day after I visit everywhere else on the Planet I have not been.

Kate

If you can afford it then follow the previous poster's advice and stay here...

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

Magical.

yipper

Hi,
I agree that you will love Oia. There are a lot of wonderful hotels on the caldera with a pool. I have stayed at the Katikies and the Esperas and both were great. The beaches are not several hours away. My memory is that it took about 30-40 minutes to drive to the beaches. We rented a car, but besides the bus there are cabs. You will have a wonderful time.

wanderer

We are not so worried about time to the beaches, and think the pool will be sufficient. We just want to have a sea view with a terrace.

We are looking at Katikies, Perivolas, Esperas, and like very much also the look of Sun Rocks (and the fact no children are allowed).

We are now thinking that we might want to do 2 weeks - maybe one week on Santorini, and the other week on another island - can anyone recommend something equally nice and atmospheric?

wanderer

To complicate matters, we have found one more hotel we really, really like the looks of (at least on the web site). It is Astra Apartments.

I think Sun Rocks and Astra are our 2 favorites so far, but would rely on others who have been there/know these places for feedback on location, etc.