Greek Islands
 

Any suggestions on 4 star hotels in the Greek Islands? We've never been and have no idea where to stay.

The Elounda Mare on Crete.

thanks....do you know a lot about the islands? We are thinking Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, Kythira, Kos, and any others that are great.

Here's a list of hotels for Santorini. I strongly recommend those Class A hotels in the most beautiful village of Oia.

http://www.santorinihotels.com/hotels.php

I don't know "a lot" about the islands, but did visit Mykonos and Santorini one trip and Crete the next. Santorini, as you probably know, has breaktakingly beautiful scenery, and Crete is large and wonderful with lots to do and see. although the Elounda Mare is a luxury resort (I have not stayed there), I think the western part of Crete is more interesting and more "pure Crete."

Others will probably respond with further info to help you with your decisions. Greece is a lot of fun; I can't imagine anyone not having a good time there.

Thanks a lot.....I just noticed that you also helped out someone looking for a vacation next Aug.....and they're responses were all pointing to Crete. Now that I've poked around on some sites, it looks like we don't need to spend a lot and stay at a class A hotel....so many of them look great....and I don't want to spend so much if it can be avoided. We love cozy, romantic places with views and easy access to things....but isn't that pretty much what you'll get anywhere on these islands? We, too, are into photography, good wine, etc...and we're also very active. If you have any other suggestions, they are greatly appreciated! Thanks again.

whoops; typo or whatever: meant to say "breathtakingly beautiful."

I highly recommend Sun Rocks Villas in Firostephani on Santorini. We stayed in room #31. Lovely experience. www.sunrocks.gr

hi mehart - it you want romantic i think that maybe four star and more in crete may not be what you have in mind. elounda is a great place to find expensive hotels but i have to say that we have been travelling to crete for many years now and our experience of some 5 star places are not what we in ireland would expect of five star accommodations. in particular kalimera kreti, which is supposedly a high rating but we ate there and found it appalling. dire service and awful food. so don't just book because of a rating in a book - ask others on forums such as this. one place we visited however, elounda palace, crete, was very lovely. private pool to your apartment etc. but horrendously expensive (i think about 600 euro per night last year) and while lovely definately not worth that. so if you are into romantic and comfort i would suggest just landing in crete and travelling around till you find a place you like and then checking out their best hotel. there are thousand of places so you will have no problem. maybe just stay in an hotel in the city (iraklio/heraklion) for the first night to get your bearings and then go from there. ask local opinion also - it's usually invaluable. another thing: on your night in iraklio, eat in a restaurant called loukoulos (spelling may be slightly out). it is easily the best restaurant on crete and is set in the very centre of the city.

enjoy your trip to crete!

We didn't go to Crete but I wish we had. I would skip Santorini in favour of Folegandros. Staying at the wonderful Anemomilos Apartments was the highlight of our trip to Greece.

I second SunRocks in the village of firostaphani on Santorini. They still send us calanders each year. SO romantic and special. Made our trip.

Also, we loved the island of Naxos...we stayed at Villa Marandi, a wonderful quiet place to stay jsut outside of town. You get a huge suite/room with private terraces and amazing service. We rented a car and drove the island...breathtaking moutian views, super local cheeses for your wine and quaint fishing village to eat, town also has a few clubs for night life.

Ahhh, this is making me so want to return! The islands are wonderful...you'll have a great time!

Sun Rocks sounds good but I have my heart set on an "infinity" pool. The prices, to me, are astronomical! What is the pool like at Sun Rocks?

Unlike April I would never recommend that someone going to Greece skip Santorini!! It is too beautiful to miss. You MUST stay in a hotel with a caldera view, IMO.
We stayed at the Chromata in Imerovigli and liked it very much... it does have an infinity pool - smaller than one might think from the photos, but still very nice.

Basing your hotel choice on the presence of an infinity pool seems a bit short-sighted considering the infinite beauty of the cliffside villages and the vast sea views available from all the hotels therein. The word "overkill" comes to mind.

Katikies is worth a look.