crete/santorini
 

can anyone make a suggestion for a hotel in Iraklio/Heraklion and santorini? also I am thinking of taking the ferry from crete to santorini then onto athens is there a good website for ferry schedules?
thanks in advance
sonoma don

SonomaDon,

We stayed at GDM MEGARON in Heraklion a few weeks ago. It's a new luxury hotel right across from the port, and only about a five minute walk from the archaeological museum. We thought the rooms and facilities were very nice.

In Santorini, we stayed at Perivolas, also a luxury hotel with gorgeous views of the Caldera, but I can't recommend it. I think it's way too much money for very rustic accomodations with poor beds and service.

I'd try instead KATIKIES ( I'm probably spelling it wrong!) whch is in the same area ( OIA) or maybe the Astra Apartments, which were recommended by Greek friends who live in Athens.

As for ferry schedules, try HELLENIC SEAWAYS. And if that isn't helpful or doesn't work, look for posts written by BROTHERLEELOVE2004, who is very knowledgeable about Greece.

Good luck!

This web site has a summary of all ferries from Crete:
http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_fr..._Santorini.htm

This is so not relevant- but when I was in Crete in June waiting in the area of Heraklion for a ferry, my friend & I really needed to use a bathroom. We made the mistake of wandering in to Megaron- the front desk lady looked at us like we were dirt, and said "only one of you can go." She was so snotty! It looked very lux.

In Santorini we stayed at Esperas, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Sorry to hear about your experience with the front desk at The Megaron. Unfortunately, I've had that happen to me all over Europe when I'm not a paying customer or guest. Of course it's wrong, but very common- so common that the city of Florence recently passed a law requiring all establishments to let people in without charge or complaint to use bathrooms!

We also stayed at Esperas in Oia, it is a very good deal for the money and we have no complaints, it was lovely.

In Santorini - we stayed at the Andromeda Villas. It was very nice and had great views of the Caldera. It's in Imerovigli, about a 10 minute beautiful walk along the sea with a lot of shops and restaurants along the way to Fira. One thing you must remember - most of the hotels on the cliff have a lot of stairs to climb. This one had 205 steps! but it's a good workout!! Here is their website: http://www.andromeda-santorini.com/

We stayed at the Hotel Atlantis in May on Santorini and just loved it. www.atlantishotel.gr

It's a small boutique-type hotel and the view of the caldera can't be beaten. Spend the extra for volcano view with balcony. When we checked in we asked when breakfast was served and were told "any time you want" and they fixed a special breakfast for us at 5:30am so we could catch an early flight. It is in downtown Thira so it's a busy area, but we enjoyed the activity. Staff was great.