On the Caldera in Oia, Santorini and affordable "ahh"
 

We've decided to book the Santorini leg of our trip in the first week of June, so that we can secure a stay on the cliff in Oia, but our first choice (Volcano View Villas, that we heard so much praise for) is full. Now we are at a loss of where to stay (considering VIP suits?). It's our second honeymoon and we are looking for somewhere definately romantic with a private terrace and great window views on the caldera. I'm hoping for an "ahhh" when we walk in. Our budget is no higher than $150 USD a night. Does this exhist? I have found in the past that websites can be misleading and have found great advice from all of you in the past so, appreciate your help.

Can you recommend a place where you loved(besides VVV) and why you loved it?

Esperas Traditional Houses !
Superb views--great pool.

yes, they do look great but a little above our budget...anything else?

A few years ago we stayed at Nimekos villas and had a great private room with a private balcony.

We stayed at Andromeda Villas in Imerovgli. It was about a 15 minute walk into the main town of Santorini. The place was beautiful, clean, and a great view of the Caldera. You can check out Andromeda at - http://www.andromeda-santorini.com/
Oia is far from the center of Santorini. It's a beautiful town to visit during the day, but not much nightlife. In Oia, they have a small village of outside cafes at the foot of the cliff. You have to go there and have lunch. At the end of the resturant row, you walk up some rocks and you can watch people diving off cliffs. To find other hotels in Santorini go to to http://www.greekhotel.com - becareful, because a lot of the villas are not airconditioned (and I think Volcano View Villas was one of them)
There are tons of hotels listed.

Nimekos Villas is in Firostefani, by the way.

Thanks so much. Everything looks so beautiful it is difficult to decide. Do you need reservartions for dinner or can you just walk in? Average meal costs?

For your moderate restuarants, you can just walk in. There are tons of places to it in the center of Santorini. The "Public Relations" man at Andromedas took us to a local restaurant for broiled lamb - delicious! Can't remember the name though. Plus, Andromedas has a great pool side restaurant. Average cost (we drink a lot : ) was about $30 a person for dinner.

We are fans of coctails as well....good to hear. Sounds pretty afforable for dinner. We will just be looking for the moderate, local casual place to eat....nothing very upscale. Can you walk into places to eat on the cliffs? I assume it's pricier to eat there....

We didn't get the chance to go to any real fancy restaurants, but then again, didn't really see any. Our experience was, yes, you could walk into any restaurant on the cliffs (and the view is spectacular).

thanks donnabee. I am just so excited. We're thinking about staying at the VIP Suites. The only drawback is no pool, so I'm still looking.

Here's another website for you -

http://www.travel-to-santorini.com/hotels/

Are you set on staying in Oia??

The other thing you have to remember is - staying on the top of a cliff is going to required walking up and down a ton of stairs. When we got to our hotel, we found out that we had 250 steps to walk up every time we left our room!

thanks...haven't seen this one yet.

Yes, we'd like to stay in Oia but, not married to it. when did you go?

Andromeda looks great! was it easy to walk into town? lots of places to eat nearby? you may of convinced me...I just emailed them for availability.

We went in the end of July, early August timeframe. Yes, it was easy to walk to Fira (the main town), and it was a beautiful walk - all along the cliff - and through the narrow streets loaded with shops and restaurants. At night, when you are walking into Fira, all the lights from all the hotels, restaurants, etc. is just beautiful. There are tons of places to eat all over. There is also a bus stop close to the hotel to catch into Fira if you don't want to walk, plus the hotel has a mini van that you can take (it's not free though). We went 3 years ago, but if their "PR" man, Tahos, is still there, makes friends with him quickly, because he was wonderful! He took us all over the island, took us to an authentic Greek night club, arranged for our lamb feast at a local restaurant, etc. He really made our trip.

Another suggestion for an accomodation is the Loucas Hotel in Fira, definitely had the ahhh quality, on the cladera with spectacular views. We were there in mid-June and it was near the action but far enough away, very peaceful. check out their website (Loucashotel.com) I think we paid about $90 a night

The Volcano View Villas that we stayed in were outside of Fira, not Oia.

Selene, on the cliffs in Fira, is a very nice upscale place to have dinner.

grandmere...I was hoping to hear from you today! Do you have a website for the VVV you recommend?? Did you like Fira over Oia? We're looking for a little peice but don't want to be too far out to walk to dinner or taverns.

Here's another vote for Loucas in Fira. Don't be put off by the price. It was half the price of most hotels we stay in, so we were very worried about it, but loved it -- and yes it has lots of wow factor -- more for the views and balconies rather than for the clean, but rather simple cave type rooms, which were full of character rather than "upscale resort" quality. And don't be put off by the "business" of Fira. At the Loucas you are facing out from the cliffs to the caldera and totally escape the noise if you want to, but it is just a few steps away if you are looking for action.

I was wondering when I saw the price of Loucas. I love the cave like rooms....and would prefer that than the more "modern" decor. But is it not very clean....that I am a must with.

Our room was spotless!

http://www.greecetravel.com/hotels/volcanoviewvillas/

The website says VVV are 1800 meters from Fira; walkable? We either took the shuttle or taxi.

The "ahhh" experience happens when you walk out of your villa onto your private patio overlooking the caldera. Going into the villa, you head into the cliff!

I liked where we stayed, close to, but not in town, even tho it was not within walking distance of tavernas, etc.
Choosing between Oia and Fira, I think I would rather stay in Fira but definitely spend a day/evening in Oia.

Don't know about VVV and A/C; we were there in mid-May and didn't need it, but since there would be no cross ventilation (built into cliff) that could be a problem in hot weather, I would think.

Hope it all works out for you; I'm sure it will; there are so many places with wonderful views.

I just checked the website again and see that there is a/c. Fantasy Travel is mentioned at the end of the site; that is whom we booked thru. Perhaps they buy up blocks of room and would have some available if you'd contact them? We had never heard of Fantasy Travel but at recommendation of concierge at Athens hotel (sight unseen, over phone from here in US) we booked thru them for our island leg of trip. Looking back, I can't believe I gave our credit card # to an unknown travel agency in Greece, but it worked out very well, and I've heard lots of good things about Fantasy Travel since then!

I digress, but that year I did try to call Fantasy Travel a few weeks before our trip to confirm and got no response for what seemed like several. I kind of panicked, but discovered that it was the Greek Easter, and they were closed for a long holiday!

Thank you for the info.

My priorities are great view, clean, private terrace & pool. There are so many options I just am perplexed at what to book. In general, if I book ahead and get there and wish we were somewehere else, will they let us back out or is it a done deal?? Has anyone done that?

In other booking adventures...In my urgency to book our room in Athens in which I found there were few left, I called them....not being conscience of the time difference....I accidently woke someone up at 3am! Oops.

Patrick, I think you're the one who turned us on to Loucas in 2000 and want to thank you, it was in a travel magazine as i recall....anyway, it was spotlessly clean and our room had a good size living room with cable tv and a large loft bedroom from which you could lie in bed and see the ocean, magnificent! I also appreciated that they pciked us up at the airport and transported our bags to our room. The breakfast had a varied selection and of course the wow view! And another vote for Selena, very good food and very relaxing. there was also a another favorite restaurant of ours that was more informal, seafood without a menu but a blackboard with the numerous selections but the name excapes me right now....

How many nights will you be in Santorini? Since you pay ahead of time with these hotels, not sure if they will refund your money. Check their cancellation policy. If you pick Andromeda - you will not be disappointed.

We will be in Santorini for 4 nights actually debating to just book 2 nights and then leave 2 nights open to chose when we're there. I am only a little worried things may not be as open.

therealbobbie: let me know if you remember the name of the resturant....always up for recommendations. Expecially good seafood and relaxed atmosphere.

Thanks!

Do you mean spend 2 nights near Fira and then 2 nights someplace else on the island? If so, you don't really need to do that, cause the island is small enough to go all around in one day (if you rent a car). I like staying in one place so I am not living out of a suitcase, but everyone is different ; )

that's a good point. guess I just have to make a decision and book one...

There's a place in Oia that you may want to consider... Lampetia Villas. It is located in the center of Oia, walking distance from restaurants, shops, etc. The villas are on the cliff with an amazing (Ahhh) view of the caldera. There's a swimming pool and it is within your budget. We stayed there last June and loved the place! Check it out!

www.lampetia.gr

I can highly recommend Scirocco Apartments on the caldera in Fira.
http://www.santonet.gr/hotels/scirocco/form-eng.html
We have stayed there twice bc of the stunning view, simple but good quality rooms with a balcony, and the pool. The prices are very moderate - 98eu for a studio - 128 for a caveroom 2 people. We have stayed in both on different visits.
A fantastic restaurant in Fira(not on the caldera) is Naoussa (make sure to eat upstairs). Excellent traditional Greek meals, good house wine - served to you while you wait (always a wait but it is worth it!) and excellent service. You are not on the caldera - hence the moderate prices - but it is a great atmosphere.
Enjoy Santorin - one of the most magical places on earth!

Thanks for more great info. We are adding Naxos to our travels as well. 1 night in Myknonos, 3 in Naxos, 3 in Santorini. We decided to get a littl emor efor our money and wanted to see a little more true Greece. Has anyone been to a place in Naxos to recommend?

In Oia, Markos Karvounis operates Karvounis Tours in the middle of the village just off the main square by the big church. His telephone number is 30-02860-71290 (and 71209). He owns a 4-plex apartment building, 2 studios and 2 large apartments, fully equipped, all with spectacular views. The larger ones have small private terraces, the studios have balconies. These are away from all the foot traffic so you will not be bothered by a lot of tourists there. He can also help you find something else if his are already booked for when you'll be there. Tell him Lee Marks referred you.

Try the Chromata.
If you are lucky ,you could still book (call them...)the double studio wich is more than comfortable and ...enjoy one of the best pools in the island and of course THE View.

Ah yes, I tried the Chromata...booked :( No much is booked but the few things we were interested in seem to be. I contacted Fantasy Travel and am hoping to hear from them soon. I am anxious to book something being that we're leaving in less than 3 weeks!! We have narrowed down to Princess of Mykonos or Kouros on Mykonos and VVV or Sunny Villas on Santorini. Haven't figured out the Naxos stop yet. Anyone have suggestions? Info on Naxos nightlife?

have to agree with Stilli. Scirocco apartments was great. We stayed there this past April -- the island had terrible weather, that's another story. The views and staff are very nice and it is centrally located. The only faults were that the shower ran out of hot water quickly in the morning, and the rooms can be somewhat damp, however, they are cut into the rock, and this may prove beneficial in hot weather!

I love Naoussa in Fira. Cheap, cheerful, and the best Moussaka around. We ate their three times when we were on Santorini.

Any questions -- aks.

msjenny...tell me more. sorry to hear your weather was poor...I am debating on how to pack are the night very cool? Will long sleeves and skirt be enough?

I love to hear rescent trip reports....how long were you on Santorini? Where else did you go? other islands? How were the ferries?

I've been to Santorini twice but have only spent 2 nights in Oia and stayed at Esperas which I loved we got it for 150 euros last September. In Naxos we stayed at Lianos Village, we thought that the hotel is great but it is slightly out of the way, if you want low key and have your own transportation this is your place otherwise check out the hotels in St. Georges and take the bus to Prokopios beach which is really beautiful.

We stayed at Princess of Mykonos, thru Fantasy Travel; it was a wonderful hotel! The staff were very friendly and helpful, the rooms were large and well- appointed. The restaurant on site was so good it was tempting to just stay there every night.
They claim to have Jane Fonda and G. Bush, Sr. among their clientele!

Comparing it with VVV on Santorini, I would say that the real draw with VVV is the spectacular view (and hotel is just fine), but the P of M is a lovely hotel in and of itself, IMO. It was Very Windy (breezy does not cover it!) while we were on Myk., and it was good to have a nice hotel since we probably spent more time in the room than we would have otherwise.
Good luck with your plans; I know you will love Greece!