Hello,We'll be going on our honeymoon in the beginning of September and I've just received a quote from a travel agent in Greece. The cheapest option they've given us is Volcano View Villas in Santorini at $150 a night and Villa Marandi in Naxos at $170 a night. I know both of those hotels are beautiful but we'll be there for 11 nights and that's not affordable for us. Has anyone stayed in a nice but less expensive hotel in Santorini or Naxos? Thanks!!
Meghan

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34427420

This thread was posing nearly the same question, and has several replies.

Last year I stayed at Lianos Village in Naxos and really enjoyed it but you would probably want transportation it cost 75 euros a night. For Santorini I have stayed at some really cheap places and then at Esperas which is wonderful but is 150 euros. I would go to http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/home.htm and compare some prices and try to decide which area on each island you want to stay in. Whether you want a lot of peace and quiet or a little more activity.

I stayed at Chateau Zevgoli two years ago. It is a small quaint hotel, only about eight rooms.It was much cheaper than what you were quoted It has a small terrace that overlooks the harbor. They also have a honeymoon suite in the old castle next door that was being renovated when we were there. Go to Frommers+naxos hotels for more info.

We just returned from Greece beginning of June. I would recommend going on-line and booking directly with a hotel vs. using a travel agency. We used one in Naxos and some of the group we were with were very disappointed with the hotel that was recommended. We did get out of the deal but it cost us 9 euros each and alot of grief from the agent.

I guess in terms of recommendations, it depends on what you are looking for. These hotels that you have listed are "A" class. In Santorini, where do you want to stay? Thira or Oia? In Thira, if you don't mind walking down a fair ways, I can highly recommend Hotel Keti - it is simple but incredible view of the caldera (no pool) - it cost us 45 Euros/night. The owner, Yiannis was GREAT!

In Naxos, I highly recommend staying on Agios Georgios Beach which is walking distance to the town. We stayed in Hotel Asteria. A couple others that we were checking out was Hotel Glaros and Hotel Nissaki. Only Nissaki had a pool. They were all right on the beach. They ranged from about 40 Euro to 45 Euro/night. Glaros was really "greekish" inside but friends were staying at Asteria so we chose this one. We had a beautiful big corner balcony with an awesome ocean view! Another hotel I stayed at years ago that was very nice was Hotel Panorma which is on the street right behind Glaros - but there is no view. Next time, I will try Glaros.

You will love Greece!!!! The people and the country are amazing! All I can say is stay away from travel agencies - you can do much better booking directly. The hotels - Keti, Glaros, Nissaki and Asteria are all online so you can check them out.

I took my family to Blue Dolphins on Santorini in May 2002. It is in Fostithira (? Sp) about a KM from Thira and was very economically priced with two ajoining apartments for a family of four.
It has the same view of the Caldera as the more expensive hotels in Thira and the walk to town is essentially downhill.
The drawbacks are: walking home late at night, it's is all uphill. Take a taxi.
Tavernas and grocery stores are a bit infrequent,.
The breakfast was particularly good, probably the best we have experienced in three hotels in Santorini, with fresh squeezed orange juice from the grove just beside the hotel. That and the view of the caldera make this a very good choice.
I note someone in another Inquiry below mentioned Blue Dolphins and asked if the lack of a swimming pool was a problem. You can drive or take the local bus to the Black or Red beaches on Santorini. The lack of a pool is in my view not a factor. It is air confitioned so you can easily cool down.

On Naxos we have stayed 5 times at Hotel Glaros. It's right on St. George beach which is part of Naxos Town. This gives you the best of both worlds, easy access to the town and it's activities, but is far enough removed from the action to provide a quiet atmosophere for sleep and relaxation. Essential on a honeymoon!

It is about 13 rooms. all with a sea view and private balconies. The rooms are small clean and quite economically priced. Less than a third of what you quoted. Keep in mind it is a C class hotel. A glance at their guest comment book is solid testimony as to the positive experience people have had there. We have sent 4 couples (who contacted us over the internet) to Glaros over the years and all reports to date mirror our enjoyable experience.

Overall you will find Naxos to be much lower priced than Santorini. Hotels, antiquities and meals.