My husband and I are looking to be in Oia in June 2008. We will have 6 nights to spend on the island. We are an active couple in our 40's and looking forward to a restful and relaxing trip. We enjoy experiencing different cultures, good food and wine, some sightseeing, boat rides, and we will most likely rent a car or ATV to get around. We want a hotel that is reasonably private and quiet but within walking distance to markets and restaurants, with a decent sized veranda (not shared and not a narrow little balcony) with nice lounging chairs to kick back on in the sun or enjoy a glass of wine and dinner on at night. A pool and/or jacuzzi would be a plus. We also want something with a small kitchen because we like to cook. I have looked at so many hotels, cave houses, apartments and I am overwhelmed! Our leanings are toward a cave house just because they seem so traditional and unique. However we are open to any ideas that meet all our needs. Are there any in Oia that fit all our desires and have both a terrific caldera AND sunset view within the price range of $200US or less per night?

* good location to markets/restaurants
* large veranda w/lounge chairs
* pool/jacuzzi
* kitchen
* caldera AND sunset view
* $200US or less

Caldera AND sunset view? I would think that would limit your options dramatically.

Other than that, I would check out Strogili houses. I'm staying there in May and it seems to fit most of your requirements.

Delfini Villas, Aris Caves, and Atrina houses were other places we considered, but I don't think they have pools.

Thanks so much for the response.

The pool and jacuzzi are the least required on my list. I will certainly check on those you listed.

Anyone else?

Strogili houses has two separate websites with info:

www.oia-strogili-houses.gr

www.santorini-hotel-apartments.com

Delfini Villas:

www.delfinivillas.com

Atrina houses:

www.atrina.gr

Aris Caves:

www.ariscaves.gr

Some of these places are pushing your budget ($200 is only about 135 euros now), but Oia doesn't come cheap. You will probably be limited to a smallish studio at that budget. Our 1-bedroom cave house at Strogili is 165e/nt.

There are very few hotels that offer both a sunset and caldera view, and most of them are very expensive. Possible exceptions would be Esperas, Golden Sunset Villas, Aspa Villas, Nikos Villas, Olympic Villas, Strogili Houses, Nostos Apartments, Kima Villas and Thea Studios. I say "possible" because of price fluctuations and the position of the sun at the time of year you're there. The only two with "guaranteed" views of both the caldera and sunset are Esperas and the Golden Sunset Villas.

Brotherleelove, I'm so glad to see you on. You obviously have the BEST information on accomodations!

Okay, so if I don't absolutely have to see the sun drop into the water, addressing all my other desires, which places have the larger private verandas with nice lounging chairs to lay out on, not just sitting chairs?

Having done some more research this is what I found: Up to and including $200 your choices are Delfini Hotel, Thea Studios, Kima Villas, Aspa Villas, Aris Caves, Old Oia Houses, Olympic Villas and Stelios Rooms.

Kima, Aspa and Olympic have pools.

I forgot-On the sunset side check Ether Studios.

I don't have a clue about the quality of the lounge chairs.

P.S.-When contacting Olympic Villas be sure to request a room with a caldera view as some don't have it.

I thought of another one with a pool and great view: Volcano's Villas.

Thank you so much! If I can't decide amongst all these, I have no business going, lol.

Guess you're not the BEST cheryllj! And after all that info you provided. love2sing - you probably didn't mean anything by it but it was a little unappreciative. And another vote for Delphini Villas or Strogili.

No, I'm definitely not -- brotherleelove is the man with the plan in Santorini. I started my own lodging search with his recommendations and went from there.

It's so hard to get any sense of location of places in Santorini, and Oia in particular, so thanks for all your info, brotherleelove!

So did I so I guess we can concede he's the best after all.

Oh gosh, so sorry Cheryl, I appreciated all your suggestions as well!

It is very difficult to get a sense of location in Oia! Is there an advantage or disadvantage to having accomodations higher up on the hill? Are the views or ambiance better one way or the other? Does anyone have a map or know of an online map of where all the hotels are in relationship to each other?

I'm not sure what you mean by "higher up on the hill." If you're referring to a hotel's location in terms of being at the top of the cliff as opposed to further down over the 'edge' then I say the only disadvantage for choosing a hotel over the edge would be if walking up and down the steps poses some sort of physical challenge to you since some of these hotels are many steps below the main pathway. As far as the views are concerned, there's not so much difference in that regard. No one is allowed to build or refurbish an existing structure in such a way as to obstruct the view of any adjacent property.

There are no current maps of any quality and accuracy showing the location of hotels, shops, restaurants, etc. But here's one I do have.

http://www.santorini-hotels.info/san...ni-oia-map.htm

Some of the businesses on these maps that still exist that were operating when these maps were drawn are accurately placed, but so much has changed since then that they're really only good for the general village layouts unless you're already familiar with the current businesses.

And here's a good pdf. map of the island's roads:

http://www.santorini-web.com/map.pdf

If you want to know the location of a specific businesses or hotels in Oia (and some in Fira) let me know and I'll help you using the village map website.

Thanks, I guess that's what I meant, "top of the cliff or over the edge". I'm not too worried about the steps, the exercise makes up for all the food we'll eat.

Using the village map, maybe you can tell me which of the hotels shown are nearest to where the main town of shops and restaurants are in Oia. Or maybe they are spread out all along the road through the town?

And how important is air conditioning in mid-June? Is it humid at all?

As I said, don't go by the businesses on the map. If you have a specific list of hotels let me know and I'll tell you where they are on that map. There are hotels along the main pathway from one end of Oia to the other.

It's not too hot in June, but sometimes it can get warm enough that A/C is welcome. Most of the hotels now have A/C in their rooms. Certainly those I've mentioned do.

Are there shops and restaurants also spread out all along the main pathway? Or is there a main village area?