Can you suggest a nice affordable place in Oia with a great view from the pool? I was certain someone wrote on this website about a place with 4 pools, and my hubby and I can't comprehend how they could how they could do that either, but it sounds neat!

Oia is lovely, but I'll throw out another option -- Firostephani. It is between Fira and Imerovigli. As someone else mentioned, Imerovigli is an uphill climb and is a bit of a hike from town. Firostephani is an easy walk from Fira but is quiet and away from the crowds. We stayed at the Sun Rocks Villas and loved it. We were in room 31. My friend was so overwhelmed with the beauty of the view and our hotel, she rarely left it. www.sunrocks.gr

Krissykris-

In Oia check out Volcano's Villas, La Perla, Oia Mare, Ether Studios, Strogili Houses and the Museum Spa Hotel.

Brotherleelove, thank you.
Do you think Fira would be too noisy?
We don't really party.
I'm now considering Volcano Villas, but since this is our splurge and we want a nice pool, will this one be ok?
Anastasis was booked, it looked great! DRAT! Did you see my question about the beaches and hiking? Where should we stay to be close to those choices? We are hikers, I walked Fira to Immovigli and back no problem, two years ago sick. We also walked up from the Sea to Fira, we didn't ride on the donkeys. We don't mind stairs either. Oia sounds great, but are taxis expensive at night when we can't/don't want to walk or is there a bus? These are things I can't find out with my books.

Thank you everyone. This is so very helpful. I'll go check out sunrocks also.

There's a hiking trail between Oia and Fira and another at the beach between Perissa and Kamari. The latter passes by the archaeological site of Ancient Thera at the top of the trail.

Taxis from Oia>Fira are 10 Euro. They get scarce after midnight.

The pool at Volcano's Villas looks perfectly good to me. It might not be as large as some, but it's larger than most I've seen in the village.

Fira can be noisy if your hotel is too close to the nightlife 'hotspots', but there are plenty of hotels within easy walking distance to central Fira that are quiet. Check out Villa Ilias and Nomikos Villas.

www.villailias.gr

http://www.vacation-greece.com/hotel...nomikosvillas/

I will write a full review later, but thought this would be topical to post here. We initially tried to book with Anastasis Apartments but they were totally booked! I was determined though and emailed periodically to "re-check" in case of any cancellations and it worked --we just got back from the most amazing trip to Santorini and Anastasis Apartments was like paradise on earth.... Of course, this won't always work, but it doesn't hurt to try.... Also, if you book online they give you a 10% discount.

I have a question about the Anastasis apartments. I saw that they were listed in TripAdvisor's "Readers' Choice" survey as one of the best values in all of Europe. They sound great, but I have read some comments that they are difficult to get to from the main town of Fira and it's kind of a difficult hike. I am planning a solo trip to Greece and I'm worried about having to walk very far back to the hotel at night after dinner. I'm not that interested in "nightlife" but I don't want to stay really far from all the restaurants either.

Should I be worried about the location? Is this place mainly designed for couples and honeymooners, and will I feel out of place if I stay there by myself? Is there a better location for a single female to stay?

cheryllj-

Anastasis is about a mile uphill from Fira. This is what most people are referring to when mentioning "difficulty." There are two routes: along the main road and along a cliffside pedestrian pathway. Neither route is particularly dangerous for a solo woman. Greece is not a dangerous country for women travelling alone.

Imerovigli is nice and quiet but there aren't many restaurants there at all.

If you want easy access focus your search on Fira and Firostefani. Check Scirocco Apartments, Aigialos Hotel, Porto Fira Suites, Tzekos Villas, Villa Ilias and Blue Dolphins Apartments to start with.

Thanks, brotherleelove! Some of those look fantastic, but it's so hard to choose when I've never been there.

Question: If you had 150 euros to spend per night, where would you stay in Santorini (or recommend for a first-timer)? I don't plan to rent a car and would prefer to use public transport, although I'll consider getting a car if it's a "must" to get around. Location and view are more important than "luxury."

The Anastasis apartments are right at 150 euros a night, and I'm thinking that might be the best choice (if they're available), but not if I can get something comparable in Fira or Firostefani.

I prefer Oia over Fira and Firostefani. There are plenty of shops, some excellent restaurants, art galleries and hotels there. If you'd be satisfied with a few mellow bars for nightlife, Oia's the most beautiful and timeless village on the island. It's on the northern end, 7 miles away from everything else, a 20 minute bus ride to Fira where you'd have to go to catch buses to the rest of the island but it's by far the best place to stay, safe and wonderful.

Check Volcano's Villas, Strogili Houses, Nikos Villas, Olympic Villas, Studios Margarita, Chelidonia Villas, Nostos Apartments, Caldera Villas, Old Oia Houses, Aris Caves and the Museum Spa Hotel.

If you are a single and want to be closer to restaurants, shops ect, I would stay in Oia (or Fira, although I prefer Oia too). As we walked to Oia, we were struck by how many adorable little places there were with nice balconies and just GORGEOUS! (although they were very close together unlike AA). Anastastasis is between Fira and Oia and within walking distance to both (45 min to Fira and 2 hrs to Oia (we walked to both), but its pretty secluded (which is what I loved most about it --it was SO QUIET!!!) Mostly it was couples, I think. We rented a car one day so had no transportation issues. Also, the rooms have fridges and you can do light cooking if you don't want to go out every time you just want a snack or drink.

correction: 2-3 hours from AA to Oia... :-) depends on how fast you walk...

Just wanted to add onto this string...that I believe I started a while back! :-) We ended up staying in Esperas Traditional houses in Oia and had a the BEST time. I think its hard not to have a fabulous time on this island, but I would still recommend Esperas. The accomodations weren't that nice, but the view and the location is incredible. We would go to the little bakery in Oia in the morning and grab breakfast to bring back to our balcony (which was on a cliff that overlooked the little alcove where the ships were docked) and it was absolutely breathtaking. There is a restaurant and bar onsite at Esperas, but we never ate there and we really only drank the wine that we brought with us, which they allowed us to lay by the pool and drink. We rented a quad each day and it was a great way to get around and see the rest of the island and have fun doing it. We also ate at some of the fabulous restaurants in Oia (loved 1800) and the walk there is short and very scenic as you pass a lot of shops and a few bars. Would highly recommend staying there especially because of the service of the staff which was fantastic! They had great recommendations and made all of our reservations and rentals for us.

Hi,
We stayed at Katikie's Suites 2 years ago and it was just magnificant. Be prepared to do a bit of up and down stair walking and not for the old. Near Oia which to me is the place to stay. And so romantic!!!