mc10

Hi everyone - I'm having a really difficult time in deciding where to stay in Oia. Based on several posts, I've looked into the Golden Sunset Villas and the Delfini Villas. Both properties have availability for our travel dates at about the same price (one will charge a bit more for breakfast if we want it). We don't need a fancy hotel, but want to make sure that the hotel is clean, has good service, and has a view. Is one hotel better than the other or if comparable, is one more centrally located than the other? I read somewhere that the Golden Sunset Villa was a bit outside of Oia, but still within walking distance to town. Can someone confirm this? Also, my husband and I thought about renting a car for a couple of days to explore other parts of the island and was wondering if anyone knows whether either of these hotels have a parking lot. I have a feeling that we will be happy at either location, but we just can't decide! Any help would be greatly appreciated it!

brotherleelove2004

Golden Sunset is at the very northern tip of the village and the island. If you find photos of the sunset as taken from the vista point at the old castle you will probably see a windmill. This is part of the Golden Sunset Villas. Here's what I'm talking about: http://tinyurl.com/2464hp

Delfini is at the other end of the pedestrian footpath and well inside the the village. Golden Sunset is about 5-10 minutes or so from where you can park a car. There are parking areas much closer to Delfini. If you're lucky you can park on the street just a minute or so from Delfini's rooms. Otherwise it's less than 5 minutes' walk.

The main difference is the view. Golden Sunset has a view of the sunset and much of the caldera while Delfini only has a caldera view.

brotherleelove2004

If that link doesn't work try this one:

http://image06.webshots.com/6/0/19/6...9mYNbBJ_fs.jpg

mc10

Thanks Brotherleelove! Have you stayed at either location? Do you have a preference one over the other? Since you are the local expert, I value your opinion! I've been extremely busy at work and am likely to continue to be busy until we head out to Santorini. Thus, I am not planning this trip to the great lengths that I usually do. Is it possible to rent a car at the last minute if we decide to when we're out there or do you suggest that we reserve a car before we arrive? I just don't know what we're going to do yet, and thought that we'd play it be ear when we get there. We will be out there for about 5 days in mid-September. I've read that this should be towards the end of the busy tourist season, yet at the same time, when I was looking for accomodations, it appeared that quite a few places were already booked up. So, I'm not sure if I should plan ahead and make the car reservations and possibly dinner reservations soon. Thanks! Oh, by the way, I tried clicking on your links and got a message saying I didn't have access. Is there another way I can view the photos? Thanks again!

brotherleelove2004

I had trouble with those two links myself. I don't know why they're not working. Try these:

http://tinyurl.com/2qoc2o

http://www.csd.uoc.gr/~chasap/photog...torini/oia.JPG

Renting a car at the last minute is no problem, the island is swarming with them. Each village has several independent rental agencies.

I like both Golden Sunset and Delfini, but if I had to choose I think I'd pick Golden Sunset as long as I made sure my room looked west and the balcony was private and couldn't be blocked by people trying to find a spot to watch the perfect sunset. That's something you'd have to make sure of by email.

brotherleelove2004

Sorry, that 2nd new link is dead too. Hopefully the first one works........

mc10

Thank you again Brotherleelove. I will send an email to the Golden Sunset regarding the private balcony. The first link worked and the property looks charming! Another question . . . is the walk to the main part of town fairly easy (easy enough to wear flip flops)? Just starting to think of what to pack even though I still have 2 full months before we leave I can't wait!

brotherleelove2004

Yes, it's easy enough for flip-flops, although it does require some navigation over uneven ground and a few steps both up and down, but not very many.