Hi there,
we will be going to Santorini for 5 nights in September. We went there for a day on a cruise a couple of years ago and loved it and are looking forward to an extended stay this time.
We want to have great views, a decent pool,good location, nice rooms, balcony and aircon.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance
Donna

The Astra is wonderful. Right on the edge facing the caldera. Service all you could ask for and gracious personnel. Breakfast brought to your balcony in the morning. A quiet pool area. We would go back in a heartbeat except for a bad knee. Steps, steps, steps, and more steps. We are going again this May, but staying in Fira where there are less steps. Check the Astra out. I loved it!!

My first question: What do you consider a 'good location?' If you arrived by cruise ship last time your first exposure to island life was in the main village of Fira, the social/commerical center of the island. Is this where you'd prefer to stay? You'll be close to the nightlife so you can walk back to your hotel if you stay in Fira, Firostefani or Imerovigli, although Imerovigli is a 1-mile uphill hike. Or do you think you'd rather be somewhere away from Fira at the beach (no caldera view at the beach)? My favorite village is Oia, on the north end of the island, another village that looks out into the caldera. Have you considered staying there? Oia's nightlife is limited to the shops, restaurants and a few quiet bars but it's a beautiful village, timeless and romantic. What is your daily room budget? That's an important piece of information. Do you want hotel-style services or a self-catering apartment/studio?

Dear brotherleelove and others,
we would like a view with a balcony and good pool. We don't mind where we stay. The village of Oia sounds fine. We like to have a few drinks, enjoy the view, good food and of course, I like to look at the shops.
We won't be doing any cooking, so hotel style accommodation is ok.
We would like the hotel to be very clean and comfortable with aircon.
As a result of the low aussie dollar against the euro, we can't go too expensive. We can afford approx 150 euro.
Look forward to your reply
Thanks
Donna

In that price range in Oia take a look at Volcano's Villas, Delfini Hotel, Chelidonia Villas, Museum Spa Hotel, Strogili Houses, Nostos Apartments, Lena's House, Filotera Villas, Thea Studios, Olympic Villas, Studios Margarita, Fragkiskos Traditional Houses,Ether Studios, VIP Suites and Aris Caves. Most of the hotel-style accomodations with a caldera view are actually more expensive than those with kitchen facilities.

I stayed at Imerovigli Palace last summer and it was amazing : friendliest staff on earth, breathtaking view, one of the largest pool on the island...Perfect.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will have a look at them.
Brotherleelove, which ones are your favourites???? With a great view, pool etc.
Thanks again for your help.
This will keep us busy.
Donna

Of those mentioned I like Volcano's Villas for the caldera view and Ether Studios for the unobstructed sunset view.

Thanks again.
Will check it out soon.
Donna

I second the Volcano's Villas recommendation for great views, pool and reasonable price. Plus it's walking distance to Oia. We stayed there last summer and really enjoyed it.

I am having trouble figuring out where to stay when we visit Santorini the first week of May.

At first, after reading all the raves about Oia, I was set on staying there, but now am realizing that we may be better suited to staying in a more central loaction. We want to be able to explore both Oia and Fira. The walk from one to other sounds like an amazing way to spend a day!

We will probaly rent a car, or scooters to see the island. So maybe being centrally located isn't that important????

After too many hours to count researching hotels, it looked like Anastasis was the right place for us...alas, they are fully booked.

We are looking in the price range up to 200Euros. Im am hoping to find a hotel with a nicely decorated room, comfy beds, nice bathroom with shower, a private balcony. We want the hotel to have, preferably, a hot tub, or a pool. Oh, and a VIEW!!!!! That's most important!
Not asking too much, am I?

This might sound trivial, but I am looking for place that doesn't have a lot of power lines outside your room looking out to the view.
I have noticed on tripadvisor, this is the case with some hotels.

We would love to be able to enjoy the sunset from the property (or our private balcony).

I really love the views out to Skaros, which is from Imerovigli, is this correct??

I have enquired to Astra, Iliovasilema and a few others that I'm waiting to hear back from.

As for Oia, I have also enquired to a few places (Aspaki for one, but I'm afraid they may be too expensive), but it is so hard to decide where to stay.

We would like to be able to venture out to a store easily to pick up some olives, cheeses, etc to have on our balcony, so we don't want to be in the middle of nowhere.

We do NOT need to be near a beach, we'll gladly drive to see the beaches. We wouldn't want to be more than 20 minutes (by foot) away from restaurants.
But we are not nightlife people, so that's not terribly important.
We just want a nice dinner and back to the hotel.

I know this has been addressed a million times, but I swear I've spent hours on this forum and am still confused.
I tried to be as specific as possible, so can anyone offer up more advice, please?

My biggest concern is forking out $250 a night and then getting there and being disappointed.
Please help

In Oia check the Volcano's Villas, Strogili Houses and Olympic Villas. Unfortunately there's no pool at Aspaki.

In Firostefani check the Ilias Villas.

In Fira check the Scirocco Hotel.

Thanks Brother...
I've checked out all your suggestions.
I did e-mail Volcano's Villas for availabilty and am awaiting a response.
But I think it may be a little too far out. From what I read on tripadvisor, it's a 10-15 walk to the town center of Oia.
The others just didn't seem to grab me when I read the reviews.

I'm very interested in Scirocco and e-mailed them, too and am awaiting response.

Thanks. Guess I'll get back to my research

bookmarking

What's wrong with 10-15 minutes?? Most of that walk is along the cliff with spectacular views. A leisurely stroll into the heart of the village will be a pleasant experience, not a grueling hike through broken glass.

I will be in Santorini for 3 days the end of September. Is the Vedema Resort a great place? It has great pictures and got great reviews from everywhere I have seen. But, I am planning this for 4-6 others, so I am always a bit afraid. Anyone stayed there before...any suggestions to restaurants we HAVE to try?
Thanks...

i am Kathi

Vedema has an excellent reputation for being an exclusive luxury hotel, but the one thing it doesn't have is what most people want when they pay that kind of money.....there's no view of the caldera from this hotel. It's in the middle of the vineyards of Megalochori, very private, very isolated. They have a "sister" hotel in Oia, the most beautiful village on the island, called "Mystique." Also check out the Oia Castle, Aspaki Suites, Andronis Suites, Perivolas Villas, Kirini and Esperas.

For a good meal while watching the sunset try the Kastro Restaurant in Oia or Koukoumavlos in Fira. For some fun try Santorini Mou in Oia. The owner is a musician and will entertain you while you dine. Sometimes other musicians and Greek dancers will join in.

Thank you Brother...
I am traveling with some people that are used to exclusive accommodations and they want their privacy...at any cost. Santorini is only one stop in a 3 week adventure. I will definitely check out the restaurants you mentioned.

bookmarking

I understand about the desire for privacy, but you can have it and the view too if you check the hotels I've mentioned as well as the Tsitouras Collection, Canaves Oia and Katikies.