Oia or Fira??
 

I am torn between these two places to stay in Santorini. We hope to go next May. I was concerned that Oia might be a bit cut off but also worried that I might kick myself for not staying in a location with such spectacular views. To those who have been there what do you think? Is Oia worth the extra money and being away from things or did you find it better to be in or near Fira? Thanks.

ferryann, it is hard to advise you without knowing what your mental budget limits are ... Oia is of course more expensive, but brotherleelove can steer you to places under 100€ in May. If u need places in the 40-70€ range with a view it is probably not possible.

Have u considered Firostephani?? Rates are more moderate there, the views can be very good, and you CAN walk to the FIra nightlife or shopping, unless you have mobility problems. However, the best rooms there for MAY apparently are going FAST; stanbr reports getting the LASt room at Hotel Mylos for the 2 nites he wanted. So investigate ASAP.

As usual, travelerjan gave you excellent advice. I can only add that for me there's no comparison between Oia and Fira. Oia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. Fira is not. Also, just below Oia, is the wonderful Amoudi Bay, which has some amazing seafood restaurants, so it's not "so away from things" unless you are looking for extensive nightlife. Plus, there's a pretty good bus system that runs the length of the island, so you can get to Fira in about 30 minutes.

HOWEVER, no doubt accomodations can be much more money in Oia. But in May prices are typically much more reasonable. Also you'll avoid a lot of the later summer crowds by visiting then.

Just MHO, if you are looking for views just go to Oia. You will not feel cut off... Lots of restaurants and shopping there and active bar scene.

We took the time to cruise through Fira one afternoon and were really glad we were staying in Oia.

gruezi

"As usual, travelerjan gave you excellent advice."

Not quite.

In Oia in May you can get a room for two for under 60 euro on the caldera at Aspa Villas, Stelios Rooms or the Delfini Hotel. For even less money you can get a sea view, just not into the caldera, at Musses Studios (top floor only) and the Anemomilos Hotel.

Oia is 7 miles north of Fira, the island's social/commercial hub. There are lots of excellent restaurants, shops and galleries to choose from in Oia so you won't feel cut off from anything unless you want easy access to Fira's lively, youth-oriented nightlife. Oia's nightlife is limited to a few mellow bars. If you do want walking-distance access to Fira's nightlife then Firostefani is a good choice. You'll be close to it, a 15-minute walk, but not surrounded by people and shops.

If your budget is more than the minimum, let me know what it is and I'll come up with more recommendations.

Thank you for posting this and the info about some places being full. We are going to Santorini in May and started looking at accomodation as a result of this.Aspa villa is already full ay the beginning of May!

Thanks very much for all your input. I think Oia will be the choice. My husband and I are both in our late 40's and not into noise and clubs. We are looking at cheaper accomodation. It's a shame that most of it does not come with a pool but obviously that would be expecting too much in such a location. I really hope to come in at under 60 Euros a night if possible. As most of the cheaper end accomodation comes without a pool where would be the best place to go for a swim? Is there an accesible beach or a public pool at all?

Aspa Villas and the Anemomilos Hotel both have a pool, but be advised that the pools aren't heated so they might not be warm enough for a comfortable swim in May. The best swimming on the island is below Oia at the end of the seawall that begins on Amoudi Wharf. No beach, but a platform and large rocks for sunbathing. There are no public pools, but the sea is large! ;-)

Thanks brotherleelove(what a lovely name) Currently awaiting a reply from Steliosrooms and hoping that they are not all gone. There are some beautiful hotels to die for in Oia but if I went there I'd have to do nothing for the rest of the year to pay for it.

Some of these smaller budget hotels are mom'n'pop operations and aren't set up to take reservations so far in advance. If you don't hear back from Stelios right away just keep trying. You might have to wait until after the first of the year. I just wanted to let you know there might be a delay.

I just remembered another in that low price category, Thea Studios in Oia.

http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/s...dios/home2.htm

<i>There are some beautiful hotels to die for in Oia but if I went there I'd have to do nothing for the rest of the year to pay for it. </i>

But what memories you'd have while you were paying for it!

Seriously, as long as it's clean you don't need a fancy hotel there. It's just such a pretty view you'll not want to be in your room much.

Make sure you eat plenty of fried greek cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.

gruezi

ferryann

Keep in mind, to me the beauty to die for in Oia is the view. The view can be the same if you're paying 60 Euros vs. 600 Euros. We've always stayed in smaller places owned by locals. We can always see people in a terrace near us who paid way more than we did but, have the same view.

I'm not saying those places don't look really nice, I'm just saying, we aren't made of money, can't afford those types of place, but yet, we still have the same beauty!

We stayed in Imerovigli on our first trip to Santorini because (i) it had a fine view of the Caldera, (ii) although it was within walking distance of Fira (i.e. 15-20 minutes), it wasn't in somewhat hectic Fira itself, and (iii) it was cheaper and at the time we booked it had more plentiful accommodation than Fira or Oia.

Of course, duly seized of the importance of seeing an Oia sunset, we drove to Oia one evening, parked the car (well up the road) and stampeded South with the other hordes thinking the same thing.

Quite honestly, the sunsets viewed from our terrace in Imerovigli were more spectacular, framed and reflected, as they were, by the surrounding islands and the water within.

No beach option in Imerovigli, however.

It is true it is more expensive to stay in Oia vs Fira but it is by far the prettiest spot on the Island. I cannot help you with a hotel because in 2002 we spent $400 Canadian a night at Atlantis Villas and just loved it. The view was breathtaking and it was quiet and just a short walk to the town where there are lovely restaurants.

The bus availability to other locations is really great.

You will have a great time.

Brotherleelove I have had a reply from the Hotel Anemomilos in Oia. There are mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. Do you know anything about this hotel, its location in Oia and it's reputation? Thanks

Yes, I do know and do recommend this hotel to you. It is owned by a local family. The hotel is clean and they have one of the most reasonably-priced restaurants for traditional Greek cuisine in Oia.

I read the T/A reviews. One review mentioned a room for 450 euro/day. The Anemomilos' most expensive apartment is 145 euro/day for 5 guests. I think they got the names mixed up. I'm wondering if some of these reviewers didn't make a mistake and wrote about the Anemomilos Hotel when they stayed at the Anemomilos Suites or Anemomilos Villas in Fira.

No hotel is going to please all its guests all the time. Every hotel has problems with something breaking from time to time. This is an excellent hotel for the price.

Thanks Brotherleelove I did find it curious that the reviews swung both ways with some being very good and others being appalling. The one about the smell of chlorine from the pool and the mould stood out. One feature does seem to be the restaurant being on the roadside and people not liking traffic noise while they eat but in most mediteranean countries this is a feature and people will dine al fresco almost anywhere so it's nothing new.

I never thought the noise was that bad, and it's actually set back a ways from the road anyway. There's also an indoors eating area where it would be even less noisy as well as being a good refuge from the wind if it happens to be blowing.

Hi Ferryann - I just returned this week and would highly recommend staying in Firostefani or Fira. I like you wanted the views but was pleasantly surprised with what we had in Firostefani. I had made dinner reservations in Oia but cancelled them and had great dinners in Firostefani as well. Oia is a bit of a drive away from all the fun but a definite stop worth seeing. Be sure to go down to Amoudi while you're there - it's so charming - be hungry for a great fish meal.

to brotherleelove's post above,
we stumbled upon the swimming there and it was just the most amazing thing.

the bus service from oia to fira (where you can also get buses to other places including the beaches) was fairly easy. Fira would have been just too busy for us.