My question is this: Should I pay extra for a hotel with a swimming pool, or rely on beaches (not so great ones, at that) or other.

If you are going to be there in the middle of summer, I'd pick somewhere with a pool, it can get awfully hot and the beaches are a long way from the main town. Other times of the year, I wouldn't bother. I'd pay extra, if you can afford to, for a view of the caldera. It's breathtaking.<BR>Kay

also, I don't recall that there were any beaches truly accessible -- everything is on a cliff or carved into the side of the wall. we had a pool and it was wonderful (very very hot in july)

Barbara,<BR><BR>where did you stay??

I would stay in the hotels on the cliff of the caldera, that have a pool. It's beautiful, and you can stay there all day. You can also take a car to the beach but you should also have a pool as an option. These hotels all have sites on the Internet. My hotel was called Athina Studios. The view was astounding, you can eat your breakfast on your terrace opposite the sea and islands. Just take into accounts there are many steps to reach it. But it's worth it. This is the link.<BR>http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/s...thina/home.htm

Hey Supergirl, <BR>don't pay extra for swimming pool in Santorini ... I live here and I can tell you the beach at agios Georgios in Perivolos (black sand beach is fantastic) Come an see me ...I have an italian Restaurant right on the beach called SVAGO

The winds are so strong in summer that you will get sandblasted at the beach. Get the pool.

Stayed in Santorini last August and let me tell you the hotel pool was indespendible!! The beaches are beautiful, especially the little unddiscovered nooks you can find with a little exploration, but it's always nice to cool off with a nice bottle of Mythos beer brought to you at poolside.

in response to Supergirl's May 23 message, we stayed at the Villa Chromata. Its now 3 years ago, so my memory is failing as to where exactly it was, but it was within a nice walk to the heart of town where the shops are, but far enough away to be uncrowded, and it was very very nice. I definitely would go for the pool. It is very hot there in the summer, and after a big hike, there's nothing nicer that diving into the pool.

The answer to your question would depend on your situation. Will you have a mode of transportation on the island? Do you prefer adventure or convenience?<BR>I'm 20 yrs old, and I traveled to Greece last summer with my friends. The thought of having a hotel with a pool never crossed our mind. We traveled from beach to beach all day, each being more beautiful than the last (and accessible!) and came home to nice cool showers.

Julia,<BR><BR>I normally don't select hotels in Greece based on whether they have a pool or not, BUT---<BR><BR>I know in Santorini the beaches aren't so hot, so that's why I thought I'd break my own rule this time..