Desperately Seeking Santorini recommendations
May 8th, 2011 | 12:10 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,821
Likes: 0
If you want easy access to youth-oriented nightlife focus your search on Fira and Firostefani. If you want maximum peace and quiet plus the best overall caldera/sunset views look in Imerovigli. If you want the most beautiful village look in Oia.
http://www.santorini.com/hotels
http://www.santorini.com/hotels
May 8th, 2011 | 03:29 PM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
We are a family of 7, 2 parents and 5 adult children and will be arriving May 27-30 from Athens. We are open to renting a villa or staying at a resort, hotel or apartment. It can get tricky making arrangements for 7 adults. For example, in Athens we are staying at the AVA Hotel Apartments. Right now I have inquired about the Santorini Princess and the Canaves Oia Hotel....Our budget is flexible. Our adult children don't need the youth-oriented nightlife, particularly since it is a family vacation. (They don't see each other too often and they enjoy each other's company). I guess I am looking for the most scenic location, yet close enough to walk to some restaurants and activity. Thus, I am leaning toward Oia, although the sunset views of Imerovigli are tempting me too!). Thanks for any advice you can send my way 
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May 8th, 2011 | 06:49 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,258
Likes: 0
There are beautiful sunset views you can see on the internet from Oia, Imervogli, Firostephani and Fira Town. Imervogli has some lovely views at better prices than Oia ... but it really isn't "easy" walking distance to elsewhere, and much going on... few cafes, restaurants etc.
"Most Scenic" IMHO depends more on the accommodation chosen than the exact locale .... in each of these communities there are places with no caldera view, places with noise, traffic etc... and conversely, each has places with peace & quiet AND good view; yes, even in Busy Fira Town. In the latter case, that's because there are hotels that are "cliff" hotels going down the cliff right in front of the Cathedral, thus, their balconies & terraces are BELOW the rim, and peaceful. It all depends on how many steps you can deal with.
What you really need to specify is how many bedrooms do you need? 4? Is a pool a must? And you really need to give a budget range per night/per double room in Euros ... because "flexible" means so many different things. Brotherleelov, who is our resident expert on Oia & Imervogli, is always repeating... rooms there can range from €80 per night to €1600 -- so you really need to say what your limits are. Otherwise people will spend time suggesting a lot of properties that are not appropriate for you.
My own particular favorite area right now is Firostephani, mainly because it has a great many properties with wonderful views at prices that don't go up as high as Oia's ... and while it is quiet by night AND day (because no cruise crowds go there), it has the plus of being an easy 10-15 minute walk to the attractions of Fira TOwn, eithre along the parapet pathway, or a little known paved "alley" parallel to the to main road. Some of the accommodations have full service, others have breakfast, and others may offer kitchenette niches as well. Some have private balconies, others have large rooftop terraces (with or without a pool) where a family may gather --I think that may be of interest to you rather your group being split up on 4 small balconies. Possibilities: Dana Villas, Villa Ilias, Mill HOuses, NOmikos Villas, agnadema Apartment, Belvedere hotel/Apartments, Ira Hotel, Blue Dolphins and more ... but I have no way of knowing whether these are above your limit or below your expectations.
Whatever choices you explore, I would urge you (1) to send out a blizzard of e-mail inquiries, and follow up to any replies, sometimes by PHONE -- because you are getting into BRide Season, and desirable accommodations may be filling up despite the economy ... or (2) make a list of things you like and e-mail an agency such as Dolphin-Hellas in Athens, and give them the task of finding you the right place. Time is VERY short for you, so perhaps the 2nd strategy would save you endless hours and frustration. Good luck for a family gathering!
"Most Scenic" IMHO depends more on the accommodation chosen than the exact locale .... in each of these communities there are places with no caldera view, places with noise, traffic etc... and conversely, each has places with peace & quiet AND good view; yes, even in Busy Fira Town. In the latter case, that's because there are hotels that are "cliff" hotels going down the cliff right in front of the Cathedral, thus, their balconies & terraces are BELOW the rim, and peaceful. It all depends on how many steps you can deal with.
What you really need to specify is how many bedrooms do you need? 4? Is a pool a must? And you really need to give a budget range per night/per double room in Euros ... because "flexible" means so many different things. Brotherleelov, who is our resident expert on Oia & Imervogli, is always repeating... rooms there can range from €80 per night to €1600 -- so you really need to say what your limits are. Otherwise people will spend time suggesting a lot of properties that are not appropriate for you.
My own particular favorite area right now is Firostephani, mainly because it has a great many properties with wonderful views at prices that don't go up as high as Oia's ... and while it is quiet by night AND day (because no cruise crowds go there), it has the plus of being an easy 10-15 minute walk to the attractions of Fira TOwn, eithre along the parapet pathway, or a little known paved "alley" parallel to the to main road. Some of the accommodations have full service, others have breakfast, and others may offer kitchenette niches as well. Some have private balconies, others have large rooftop terraces (with or without a pool) where a family may gather --I think that may be of interest to you rather your group being split up on 4 small balconies. Possibilities: Dana Villas, Villa Ilias, Mill HOuses, NOmikos Villas, agnadema Apartment, Belvedere hotel/Apartments, Ira Hotel, Blue Dolphins and more ... but I have no way of knowing whether these are above your limit or below your expectations.
Whatever choices you explore, I would urge you (1) to send out a blizzard of e-mail inquiries, and follow up to any replies, sometimes by PHONE -- because you are getting into BRide Season, and desirable accommodations may be filling up despite the economy ... or (2) make a list of things you like and e-mail an agency such as Dolphin-Hellas in Athens, and give them the task of finding you the right place. Time is VERY short for you, so perhaps the 2nd strategy would save you endless hours and frustration. Good luck for a family gathering!
