travelaw

Just found out I can take a short break in late October and would like to go to Santorini and maybe one other island for a few days. Three questions: 1) Which village on Santorini is the best to stay in for walkability, views and places to eat? 2) Which hotels in Santorini can you recommend? I would like something private (need some quiet time!), with a terrace, private jacuzzi or hot tub or pool if possible. Someone had recommended Anastasis Apartments, but they are full the week I can go. 3) If I go to another island for a couple of days, can you recommend one with good restaurants and maybe a little nightlife? I have extremely limited resources to do research from where I am (deployed), so any and all help and advice is truly welcome!!! Thanks all! Trav

michale12

Hello,
Santorini island lies at the south end of the prefecture of Cyclades in a distance of 128 miles from the port of Piraues. Santorini is an unusual island with intense character and unique fascination. For your accommodation in Santorini Greece you may choose from a vast range of hotels, apartments, studios and villas of all possible categories, distributed all over the island.

Thanks!!
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travelaw

Thanks -- I am aware of where Santorini is situated -- I was looking for recommendations from people on the forum, since I don't have access to book stores or libraries -- or even much internet time -- while I am deployed in a war zone. Still looking for advice from the seasoned Greece people if anyone has suggestions. Thanks so much!!!!

travelerjan

Hi there travelaw!

I just recently helped someone meeting her husband in Crete after a year apart, and also a UN rep getting a quick reprieve from her taxing Kosovo duty, so I thought I'd do some digging on your behalf.

SANTORINI --If you are going in Late October, most islands alas will be shut down for the season... Santorini is one of the few still in business, due to cruise ships & tour activity. Because of timing, do NOT recommend staying in northernvillage Oia (too closed down), tho you can bus there for wonderful fotos. Suggest staying right in Fira Town, to find most cafes, restaurants & a bit of nightlife. Here's a scroll-around map of Santorini to find hotels http://www.santorini-hotels.info/san...i-fira-map.htm

Finding something in Fira town with a private OUTDOOR hot tub is challenging! In fact (try googling) there is only one, Volcano Villas BUT strictly speaking it IS in Fira Town, but in actual fact (as Trip Advisor REviews reveal) is 1.8 km outside of town, and is a large impersonal hotel ... Not what you want off-season. The only other one, Porto FIro, when I read it carefully, really has indoor jacuzzis, not outdoor hot tub http://www.portofira.gr/

So I googled just Santorini Hotels hot tubs and came up with THEOXENIA. It may be right for you. http://www.theoxenia-hotel.com/

It's a boutique hotel (only 9 rooms) it's on the caldera (rim) with good views of sunset has hot tub on shared roof terrace (but you may very well be all alone in October). Also can use (for a small fee) the amenities of "sister hotel" Aressana Suites only a few yards away (listed as jacuzzi, Massage, outdoor pool sauna, spa). Hotel entry is right off the "rim path" and hotel is on the face of the cliff,so top-level rooms have best views, fewest steps to access.

Here are some Trip Advisor reviews: http://tinyurl.com/2anwy9k and reviews from Bookings.com http://tinyurl.com/2cd5vs6 the TA reviews vary widely, so I suggest you do not book through an online form but instead on website click "contact us", write an e-mail to the hotel and get VERY specific in room request, i.e., no obstructed view, ask for a "top-level room with private balcony." ... And this gives you an opportunity to say a little something personal, such as, coming from a combat zone, deeply need rest, peace etc. (Greeks really do respond to the personal touch I can tell u from experience). I think off season the rates are about 100€ per night but one source says "deeply discounted" so you might feel them out for your dates.

OTHER ISLAND? -- Almost everything close to Santorini is closed up tight, but NAXOS has a large year-round population, so staying around Naxos Town you'd have choices of tavernas (restaurants), cafes, some low-key nightlife. Here's a useful mapof Naxos Town & adjacent Ag. Giorgios beach area showing many of its hotels & key places. http://www.naxos-greece.net/site/gfx...hotels_map.jpg

The best hotel with amenities that you want would be Nissaki Beach (#27 on map) -- easy walk to harborside restaurants, cafes etc, and hydromassage in room outdoor jacuzzi & pool (unheated) etc etc http://www.nissaki-beach.com/ -- only thing I don't like is taht the standard room balcony only has view of the pool, which is dumb; maybe they'd give you an upgrade in October (when they'll be half-full at best). Naxos has a lot to see & do even past the swimming season-- you'd enjoy it. You might even enjoy renting a little car for one day and zooming around the mountan villages.. Here's a little slide=show by a Fodorite of some Naxian highlights: http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/552001505EYxVYT

TRANSPORT -- I assume you'll fly into Athens; several domestic flights to Santorini daily via Aegean or Olympic here's a "combo site" http://www.airtickets.gr/registration_en.asp where you can see prices/availability/timetable for both... Best ferry is daily 3 pm BLUE STAR from Santorini to Naxos, BIG vessel you can enjoy on-deck sail if its sunny. With your limited time best to fly back to Athens -- just 1 flight daily from Naxos so book way ahead. Good luck in your search for some R & R... thanx for your service to our country.. TJ

Bettina222

Hi Trav,
I'm not one of the more seasoned travelers but I've been to Santorini twice and both times stayed at Delfini Villas in the village of Oia.
We loved the location!

HappyTrvlr

We preferred Oia to Fira. You must visit Oia even if you don't stay there.

brotherleelove2004

Oia is the most beautiful village and is a more restful village than Fira but by the end of October your choices of restaurants there will be limited, as many will have closed. It would have been good to know what your maximum daily room budget will be to narrow down the room search to those that are in your price range, so here's a list you can explore for yourself:

http://www.santorini.com/hotels-in-santorini/oia.htm

travelerjan

Bettina and Happy Trvlr, of course this person will visit Oia, but as to "preferring it," as you did --in LATE October, BrotherleeLove our biggest Oia expert has said repeatedly that choices in dining at that time will be very limited and there would be no nightlife, 2 things the OP expressed interest in. Don't go only on your own experience, which probably was not in late October. If you WERE there in late October, say so, and detail your experiences.

travelerjan

I hate to be suspicious, but this "Uturt" person just joined Fodor 1 hour ago, and already has posted twice, only to plug the same link on Amorgos. If we see another such posting, putting an Amorgos plug on an unrelated thread, I'm afraid my suspicions will be confirmed. Everyone, keep an eye out.

travelaw

Travelerjan and all, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your help and advice!!! I am checking out hotels and I think I will just do Santorini this time and wait till the warmer months to do some of the other islands. I am looking forward to a break!!! My Fodorite friends are the best as always!

nataliafromgreece

i prefer Kamarii in Santorini more than Oia. Oia is too crowded same periods