Hi, looking for help finding a hotel within a 10-12 minute walk of Fira with great caldera/sea views and not too many stairs. Would like a spacious room, budget is around a thousand dollars for 3 nights. We will be there mid June. We had stayed at Villa Ilias in Firostefani during our last visit in 2011 but would like something closer to the main town. We usually now stay in 4+ star hotels, so a little spoilt!
Also thinking of renting a car, is this advisable? If so, would need the hotel to have parking.
Thanks in advance, I know it's a late start!

Check out Blue Dolphins Suites in Firostefani, they offer rooms and suites at different price points. Most rooms have a terrace where you have your breakfast, with stunning caldera views. You can ask for a room without steps.

We were supposed to stay there in May 2022, but our dates changed and they weren’t able to accommodate our group of seven. But the place comes highly recommended and doesn’t quite break the bank.

Not sure how far it is from Fira, but it can’t be too long a walk.

bluedolphins.gr

We stayed at the Blue Dolphins Suites in Firostefani in May 2022, and we loved our stay here. I think the walk into Fira is only about 10 minutes. We had a lovely room with a balcony overlooking the caldera. For an extra fee, we ordered breakfast from them and they delivered to our room. Breakfast on the balcony was heavenly. We did not have a lot of steps, either. That's one reason I chose blue Dolphins Suites.

The 4* Hotel Atlantis is in Fira. We spent one night there many years ago and loved the central location and the great views from our balcony. It appears to be nicely upgraded since then, getting a 9.1 rating on booking.com. I've never seen it mentioned here on the forum, but it could be a good choice for Fira.

https://www.atlantishotel.gr/

MaineGG, thanks, no availability for our dates undortunately!

Has anyone stayed at Hotel Lilium? A friend stayed there & was happy with it. It looks lovely but not too sure about the location. They had a car but we are not planning to rent one, is that necessary?

Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

excited confused -- when you look for Santorini hotels it is ALL About location... in your browser put HOtel Lilium Santorini Location... and click "show on map" it showed EXACTLY Where it was... and it's an awful location..... waay out on the road from Fira toward the port ... near nothing at all, totally isolated. Did you check Blule DOlphins? How about Hotel Mylos?
You don't say what month if going between late May & early September, many of the best located places will be booked. Use this link https://www.booking.com/city/gr/firostefani.html and put in dates - when a list pops up, do not start scrolling - instead click "show on map" and it will show you all the hotels that still have roooms for your dates -- AND Exactly whre they are.

Third vote for Blue Dolphin

Travelerjan Hi, yes I had seen your post to another poster & checked the hotels you had recommended . Mylos only has small rooms available, (DH gets claustrophobic) Blue Dolphin had the Honeymoon suite which was not within budget, the other rooms they said have lots of stairs. Checked a bunch of other hotels in Firostefani but nothing was ideal, it's late to be booking for mid June!

I had my doubts about the location of the Lilium but they have a free shuttle to the town & it had great reviews! Also has a bit more of a luxury feel according to my friend, with spacious rooms & good views. But so glad to get your input, right before I made a non refundable booking!!

Any opinions of the Santorini Palace anyone?
Also liked the Last Sunbeam, but definitely not as luxurious.
Thanks!

A bit frustrating to try to meet all your wish-list -- Close to FIrra, not many stairs, great view, spacious rooms, luxury feel... Plus late start, plus "budget." Whew. As for Santorini Palace, walked by it many a time, looks big, apparently has suites... but from what I remember no caldera or sea views. You may have to trim wish-list.

Hi, it does have a sea view, just not a caldera view, being on the opposite side of the road. Is that very important?

IMO, there are two reasons to go to Santorini: One is to see the remarkable archeological site of Akrotiri and the frescoes from that site that can be viewed in a museum in Fira. The other is to see the caldera view, preferably at sunset. YMMV. And BTW, I wasn't that impressed with the caldera views, though many people seem to think them impressive.

Funny you should say that kja! Many year ago when I last visited Santorini, I remember thinking that I would like the view better without the caldera!

travelerjan & uppsala30, did Blue Dolphin have a lot of steps? I had a slight change of dates & they emailed me back saying the could offer a lower rate for that period which might fit in my budget. Have emailed to ask them about how many steps the Honeymoon Suite has, since their email said that had the least amount.
Thanks!

WHyy not email the hotel & ask??

excited, I would email the hotel as travelerjan suggests and request a room with lesser steps. The location is such that not all rooms are on the same level, but you can specify your requirements and see what’s available.

We are booked into Santorini View Studios in Firostefani.

It is supposed to be an easy 15 minute walk to the main square of Fira, but I've never been so don't know for sure.

We have booked a Cave Studio, which is on the top floor with apparently very few steps. I struggle with steps so did lots of research before booking.

We stayed at Blue Dolphins, and I chose this place, at travelerjan's recommendation, because it had fewer steps than most other places. IIRC, there are about 30 steps from the road down to the reception office. Then we had 2 flights of stairs up to our room. Very easy. We are in your 70's; I have arthritis, and I had hip replacement surgery 3 years before we went to Greece. And we didn't have any problems with the number of steps at the Blue Dolphin. We stayed in Room #7, the Mykonos Room. For an extra 25 euros for 2 people, you can have a delicious, huge breakfast on your balcony overlooking the caldera. They deliver breakfast to your room.