I am planning - well in advance a two week trip for two to Greece in Sept 2009 (the first two weeks).First 2-3 days in Athens, then planning to see Naxos, Rhodes, and Santorini (not necessarily in this order, depending on flights or ferries between islands). Would like to spend 4 nights on each island...The logistics of when, in what order, ferry vs flight I'll deal with later. As the airfare from Halifax (Canada) to Athens will be very steep, we are hoping to get some recommendations for quality, budget-friendly accomodations for each of Naxos, Santorini, and Rhodes. I understand that Santorini is popular to say the least and if our accomodations there are going to be significant in price we may consider another island instead. It may sound crazy, but I'm looking at spending no more than 100 euro a night. We're not fussy with our accomodations and prefer to experience the location than our hotel room. That said, I've seen some of the pictures of the balconies and their views of some hotels and it is very inticing... I have had some wonderful responses from previous posts (trips to Italy and also to France) so I look forward to any suggestions!

There are several hotels with "the view" that charge 100 euro/night or less on Santorini.

Check Hotel Mylos, Hotel Keti, Mama Thira B&B, Blue Dolphins Apartments, Villa Maria Damigou, Delfini Hotel, Stelios Rooms, Thea Studios (Oia), Aspa Villas, Old Oia Houses. Be advised that prices may increase for 2009.

The trick would probably be to fly via a "bargain" Aegean Air flight to the farthest point, Rhodes. Then get to Santorini -- the 2x a week ferry take 20 hours (!!!), so u might consider Sky Express, a small airline (planes carry 18 pass), takes just 50 minutes! BrotherleeLove is the top experts on affordable places there.

Then ferry to Naxos, ferry or fly (1 flight per day) back to athens.

In Sept. in Naxos & Rhodes Old TOwn, u can get lodgings in small family-run hotels for 30-50E.

At Rhodes, look at Pink Elephant B & B, we loved it. RIght inside a gate, and along the medieval walls. In May 2006, 34E including yummy breakfast.

In Naxos, too many budget choices to count! Best idea that time of year, stay at St. George beach adjacent to Naxos town, and then take bus or scooter to farther-out beaches. Many with balconies facing beach, and either include breakfast, or have mini-kitchenettes so u fix yr own. What is your budget?? 30? 40? 50?

Those places will help for Santorini for sure, Brotherleelove, thanks!
Travlerjan, the max we'd like to spend is 100, but 40-75 is better. I'll check into the flight direct to Rhodes - thanks for the tips!

There was no great view, but I stayed at the Lydia Hotel in Rhodes. As for a room that's not near the street to avoid noise.

http://www.lydiahotel.com/home.htm

The Pink Elephant B&B mentioned above sounds nicer, please check that one first.

We did manage to keep a low budget this August for Naxos and Santorini, 75 euros per night.

In Santorini we didn´t stay at the caldera, but the hotel was less than 5 minutes away. Very, very simple, but it was nice. We stayed in Firostefani, btw.

In Naxos we stayed at an apartment right by the beach in Agios Giorgios and it was lovely to be able to walk down the stairs every morning and simply going for a swim.

I am planning to write a small report during this week, so I will give you addresses and so on.

Bye, Cova

In Naxos as travelerjan has said, there are lots to choose from all in the same area. You can just walk around and look at the small hotels. I have stayed several times in Hotel Argos http://www.argo-hotel.com
In Santorini, Thira I have stayed a couple of times at Hotel Haroula, close to town but not with view of caldera. http://www.haroulahotel.gr/index.htm
Across the street is Pension Summertime which is cheaper but without the gardens and pool. This street is lined with small hotels.
In Rhodes I stayed in the new part of town in a hotel that was full of groups from the Scandanavian countries but they if they have
extra rooms they will rent them out at a good rate. But I am noting the Pink Elephant because that is a better location.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...-Africa_Hotel-
Rhodes_Rhodes_Dodecanese.html

Just got back (late) last night from Istanbul, Naxos and Santorini. Also on a very tight budget and considered skipping Santorini due to high cost. Don't! It is a must see and incredibly beautiful. I would suggest budgeting in your other locations and save some funds for Santorini. Took Blue Star Ferries (18 Euro each) from Naxos. We stayed in Oia at Strogili Houses. Amazing view, great room, lovely owners. A little pricy (200 Euro), but we had a two bedroom apartment, and well worth every penny.

Jenn Mitch, I'm from Halifax too! Although I'm living in the US right now. I always get so excited when I run into someone from home, I just got back from Croatia yesterday and ran into someone there that was from Halifax who noticed my Roots backpack.

I will also be in Greece at that time next year although I'm not sure what islands I will hit this time. In Rhodes I love hotel Niki it's in the old town and the owner used to live in Boston so spoke good English http://www.nikishotel.gr/generalview.htm
In Naxos I've stayed at Glaros which is very popular here and was very happy with the stay and the first time I was there I stayed at Lianos which I enjoyed but it's not in town.
In Santorini I've stayed in Oia, Fira and Perissia on various price points. In Oia I stayed at Esperas which is more than you wanted to pay but what we did was spend two nights in Perissia at Stelios Place which was 25 euros a night and two nights at Esperas so I figured that it averaged out ok. I loved Esperas by the way and I also had a friend who stayed at La Perla and was very pleased.
Happy Travels

cova - have you done a trip report yet? I would love to read it. Did you find the islands too crowded in August. I'm seriously planning for next summer but people keep telling me I'm crazy to go to the Greek islands in July/August. I hope they are wrong.

ml15 - have you written a trip report. I'd be really interested in reading it. Not only am I considering Greece for next summer, but have already booked Istanbul for March. Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Isabel, I have been slugging through my first week at work. Horrendous, my brain was too slow. I hope to be able to begin this weekend.

Having said that, I didn´t find it so bad as I was expecting. Santorini was crowded, but it was also crowded my first time in May. Naxos was lovely, and we were always able to find sunbeds and umbrellas on the first row (and free of charge, we simply ordered frappés or beers at the bar) of the beach. The heat wasn´t so unbearable, probably because we were coming from a bad heatwave in Madrid.

Bye now, Cova

Hi Jenn,

I'm doing the EXACT itinerary you describe (except Santorini and then Rhodes) and the rates I'm paying are in line with what you're looking for.

Hang on until I get back (I leave on Friday) - in the meantime it looks like you'll have two reports from Cova and Mll.

Oh, the cost of my flights - Santorini to Rhodes on Sky Express -$122E; then Rhodea to Athens on Aegean - $136E.

Regards,

Melodie

Bookmarking

Wizmatilda, you use both the dollar symbol and the E (euro) -- which is it, $122 or €122?? and $136 or €136? I'm hoping the former.

Sorry for confusion (and disappointment) to follow, Jan, but that was in EURO

Regards

Melodie

we stayed at aspa villas in santorini and loved it. we were in the in cave studio which had a kitchen. I think there is also an incave room that was cheaper. there are also rooms in more of a guest house (not in cave) but only some have the views of the caldera.

Nikoleta was wonderful and I would highly recommend.

Hang on Jenn! As mentioned, that was my itinerary too - am now back and working on getting pictures organized as well as doing a trip report.

Ml15 - we also stayed @ Strogili in Santorini! Small world!

Melodie

Hey Jenn,

Just stumbled upon this thread (it's Mel). I don't know when you plan to do your 2-3 nights in Athens, but if not at the end of the trip, I'd suggest heading back to Athens from your last island the night before your flight home. It's much less stressful that way! If you decide to do that, I have a recommendation on where to stay that night: www.stay-in-athens.com

We stayed there twice on our trip, bookending our Rome excursion. Great people - very friendly and accommodating. It's close to the airport and they'll pick you up from the airport and drive you to the airport the next day for no extra charge (within reasonable hours). The rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, and they have a backyard and pool that is open to guests. There isn't airconditioning though - just a ceiling fan, and we kept the patio doors open. There's a nice taverna just a 3 minute walk away. And if you have enough time to head into Athens to explore, they'll drive you to the metro and pick you up there on your way back. All for 100 Euro/night.

I'm so jealous Jenn - I still haven't made it to Naxos and I'm dying to go!

Hi
The cheapest hotels in Santorini are located in the Perisa area in the south part of the island. There are quite a few hotels from 35- 50 euros a day and they are very clean and comfortable and end the myth about Santorinis expensive hotels One i know defiantly is called Filoxenia I dont have the phone no but i found this review. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUse..._Cyclades.html You can also get in touch with http://www.ankor.gr/
they are just opposite so they would know them.

Best of luck

We stayed at Hotel Keti late 09/08, then Aspaki, and in Naxos for almost a week, we stayed at Hotel Glaros. Rooms there were really clean, very simple, yet check out the marble floors! Alexander rocks! He mapped a route with an itinerary, then dinner plans almost every day we were in Naxos!

Lesha-