Hello, I plan to be travelling to Mykonos and Santorini in about six weeks from now, but haven't as yet booked any Hotels. Will be there around May 16th for about 8-10 days. This trip will be my first to Europe and to these Greek Islands and I CAN'T WAIT!!! Have been browsing the Internet since January and still can't decide where to stay.Picky, picky, picky!!! On Mykonos there is a new Deluxe Hotel opening in April, 2000 called the Royal Myconian. Sounds great but a little 'iffy' since it hasn't yet opened (nice if water would be in pool). On Santorini, I'd like to stay outside Fira and at a place with a private terrace with 'a view to die for' would be a priority. Also a warm pool since the beaches aren't the drawing point.On Mykonos, would like to stay in a beach Hotel - anyone stayed at the Mykonos Blue? Also, what Island would be best to go to first- Mykonos or Santorini? Plan to stay on Mykonos 6 nights and Santorini 3 nights. Any ideas???

I would go to Santorini first, then Mykonos if you are leaving from Athens. Santorini is about a 9 hour ferry ride from Pireaus. Mykonos is about 5 1/2 hour ferry ride. I would prefer to get all my long travel done at the beginning of the trip. <BR>Enjoy!

Margo, I stayed at the SunRock Hotel in Santorini. It has an incredible view from every room, as well as a terrace. The pool is small, but from our conversations with other travelers staying at different hotels, they didn't have have a pool. A couple of them came with us to ours!

Don't rule out flying between the islands. Just got my tickets from Olympic Airlines. Spending about 4 weeks in the Greek Isles, mostly traveling by ferry. But Olympic put together a fare flying from Rhodes to Athens, Athens to Chania, Crete, and Mykonos to Athens. Total cost of about $160. Airfare from Mykonos to Athens is about $50 and sure saves time. Maybe they will do a fare flying to Santorini, then take ferry to Mykonos and fly back to Athens?

I second the motion on flying. It will save you much precious time over ferries. On Santorini I recommend Sun Rocks. You can see photos of the hotel on my web site (which seems to be indefinitely under construction). I've completed the section on Santorini. On Mykonos we enjoyed the Petasos Beach Hotel. Not directly on the beach, but you can walk to one in under three minutes. It's also at the end of the line for the bus into town.

Okay, I'm dreaming so much of your destinations I forgot to add my website: <BR>http://sites.netscape.net/dmykonos <BR> <BR>You're picking two of the most wonderful spots I've ever been to. Have a great time.