chadnycity

Hello, i've written other questions and you guys have never failed me. Can you please tell me what your recommendations would be to the above question? I really would like to go to Oia but can't afford most of the hotels/villas that were recommended on this forum. Can anyone assist?

brotherleelove2004

Both hotels are good bargains, but you may not be aware of their main differences. The Scirocco appears to be set well up the cliff with a great view of the caldera, and the access to the rest of the village seems to be fairly convenient, although perhaps a bit outside the village proper. The Amoudi Villas are down the steps below Oia. Unless you want the exercise of walking up and down the many steps to and from Amoudi you'll need a rental car to drive down to Amoudi to get there and back up the cliff. Amoudi is very charming and the Villas overlook the wharf area in a very pleasant way, but you won't have much of a view of the caldera from there because of it's position.

Here's a link to the Loucas Hotel in Fira that is in the same price range and is also quiet.

http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/s...lucas/home.htm

Here's a link to another hotel in Oia that might work for you:

http://www.delfinivillas.com/

Eloise

Chad - Click on your screen name to find your earlier question. There is a reply from Brotherleelove, who knows Santorini better than anyone else in this forum.

Eloise

Sorry - I obviously posted this to the wrong message...

chadnycity

Thanks again brotherleelove. I hope that you're planning to write a travel guide soon because the ones out there are not all that useful when it comes to where to stay and places to go. You recommended Delfini Villas and the price is affordable for me, but does that one, unlike Amoudi, have as nice a view of the caldera as Scirroco or Loucas in Fira? By the way I am making reservations at Ambrosia for a terrace table, thanks. ;-)

brotherleelove2004

Yes, the view is wonderful, just be sure to request a room with a view if the extra $$ is within your budget.

chadnycity

Thanks a lot Brotherleelove, I checked with Delfini quite beautiful, but they raised their rates quite a bit and wouldn't give me the posted rates. I'm going to stick with Scirocco.

brotherleelove2004

Too bad about Delfini. I always wondered why their rates were so low considering the quality and location. I guess they finally got wise.

chadnycity

I was really excited too. I had asked for the cavehouse. Would one of the lesser rooms be just as good you think, because those would probably also be more expensive than they were but perhaps about 90E, the rate that the cavehouse was listed at for low season?

Also, a Greek friend of mine told me that only really strong swimmers can get to the hot springs and swim in the caldera. But she also seemed to think that the ferry ride from Crete to Santorini was longer than the ride from Athens to Santorini, so I'm skeptical. Can you tell me how what level of swimming ability is required?

brotherleelove2004

My only trip out to the hotsprings was in a private cabin cruiser and we just pulled right up to it. The water is calm, so if you can swim comfortably for about 50 meters or so I'm sure you'll be fine. And there are rocks all around you can rest on.

I really don't think it matters if you get a cave house room or not, they're interesting but after 5 minutes you'll be thinking, 'been there-done that'. Go with a cheaper room and spend your time outside on the deck enjoying the views.

Is this the website you found for the current prices? This one says 2006:

http://www.delfinihotel.net/hotels-s...partments.html

Before you decide check out the Anemomilos Hotel in Oia:

http://www.greek-hotels.com/santorini/anemomilos/

Also, depending on when you plan to go there, you can walk into the Lauda Traditional Rooms in Oia and get a good price. They have rooms and small studios with kitchenettes. I believe the rooms are 50 Euro/night and up, with A/C. They don't have internet access but you can fax them or phone them (but not until April). Let me know if you want that info. These are cave house style rooms with an excellent caldera view.

Liz2005

Just wanted to butt in here and say I don't think the hot springs are worth it! We took the tour to the volcano and hot springs this past August (volcano was cool), but we nearly died trying to swim to the hot springs! We found them barely luke warm when we arrived. In hindsight we would have just stayed on the ship and admired them from afar. Just my $.02.

brotherleelove2004

Liz-You nearly died? Why? Was it because of the distance you had to swim? How long was the swim?

Liz2005

Well, the honest answer would be that we're not great swimmers. We were also a bit tired from the walk down to Amoudi and the trip up and down the volcano. We also underestimated how choppy the water was when we jumped in.

I can't speak to how far out we were since there were no other ships dropping passengers off at the time. I'll just say that it certaintly felt far at the time!

chadnycity

Thank you so much for all of your help. I decided to stay at the Scirocco hotel and I have reservations at Ambrosia. I'll give a full report of how it was when I get back. Take care.

newport

Brotherlee, we are traveling to Santorini in April, do you think if we wait to book the hotels in Oia would be willing to work with us on low season rates? Or do you think they will stay with the printed internet rates ? Thanks for your help..
The Oia Mare gave us a $142 euro rate for off season room

pbing

Any feedback onthe Athina Suites in Fira?

brotherleelove2004

Usually the only time you can "work" with a hotel for a better rate is if your stay is a week or more. Otherwise don't expect any discount. You can, however, send them an email and ask if they know where you might find a room for, say, 125 Euro/night (or whatever you want to pay) for 2 people. They might just say yes if you pose the question in that way as long as the amount you state isn't rediculously low compared to the published rate. Since April is the very beginning of the season you might get lucky, seeing as how there has been no business for several months.

Ecorama Holidays, the company that manages the Oia Mare, also has some other very nice properties, the VIP Suites, Amoudi Villas and the new Residence.

pbing

If the hotel takes credit cards, if you ask if they have a discount for Cash payment very often they offer a lowqer pricw.