Message: Hello all -

My fiance and I are planning our wedding in Santorini in Sept 2005. Since neither of us have ever been, we're working with coordinator over there who has been great. My question for all of you is what hotels would you recommend? We'd like to offer guests 4-5 choices in a variety of price ranges so that those who want to splurge can, and those who don't need a view and don't want to break the bank will still be comfortable. We're likely going to hold the wedding in Imerovigli so I'm assuming that hotels there or in Fira or Firastefani would be best, but I understand that Oia is lovely as well.

I can't tell you how helpful this board has been to me in the past and I know that the same will be true this time! Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

AGF

I stayed in Dana Villas in Fira and absolutely loved it. Every room is unique, and has outdoor space overlooking the water (breathtaking!). However, since it's built into the cliffside there are lots of stairs, which may be difficult for older or less fit guests. I thought it was in a middle price range but looking at the website now...looks like prices have doubled since I was there 8 years ago!

http://www.danavillas.net

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ades.cink_html

Thanks Suzanne!

We stayed at Chromata in Imerovigli and liked it a lot. Friends stayed at Manos Apartments in Firostephani, which was less luxurious, but they had a large room with kitchen and caldera view for much less cost - it was just a simpler place with no pool or breakfast included. Lots and lots of stairs. We could walk between our properties in about 15 minutes.
Oia is just gorgeous, but it's quite a distance from the rest of the populated parts along the caldera. Still, easy to use the bus system there.
Here's a website that has many hotels in a range of prices:
www.travel-to-santorini.com/hotels/
Santorini is so beautiful. Have a lovely time.

Thanks taggie - I espcially appreciate the distance information since I was wondering how far apart things were.

So you enjoyed Chromata? The photos on the website are all realy dark so it's hard to get a good feel for it, though I've read some great reviews.

You might want to consider the Hotel Atlantis in Fira if any of your guests would have trouble walking over uneven cobblestones or up and down steps, since so many of the cliffside hotels require a modicum of physical fitness. It's right on the cliff overlooking the Caldera but a taxi can drive up to it, something not very many hotels there can boast.

We stayed at Santorini's Balcony in Imerovigli (or just on the outskirts of it). It's likely on the less luxurious side, but we really liked it. Nice pool and a great caldera view. The rooms are 2 storey "houses", there is one "room" on each story, with totally separate entrances. We had a main floor room/apartment; sitting room, galley kitchen, bathroom and bedroom in the back. I loved it and always refer to it as "our little greek house". Owner/manager is Socrates, who is hysterical. Homemade breakfast buffet was included. We paid roughly $175 Canadian per night. I think they have a website but am not 100% sure. Let me know if you'd like more info than that!

Hi AGF - yes we did like the Chromata - great breakfast and service - but the rroms are quite tiny unless you go the really deluxe route... just an FYI. We were there a week and loved it but there are many hotels that are just as nice (ie Volcano View etc) if not nicer. It's all generally not as luxurious as what we've come to expect in North America but it's Santorini and what could be better than that?
I think Oia is about 10-12 km from Fira. My husband walked most of the way one day as he was exploring but when I went we took the bus.
There are hotels on the beach side of the island that would likely be less costly than the caldera side, but it's really not that nice IMO. I do think there's enough price range on the caldera side that all of your party could be accomodated.
Try checking for Santorini hotels on tripadvisor.com too.
You'll love it no matter where you stay. Santorini is so beyond anything a person can describe.

AGF-

Congratulations! My husband and I were married in Santorini in October, and we had our parents there with us. We stayed at Astra and had the cermony there. The manager arranged everything for us, which was great and easy to deal with just one person.

All of our parents stayed at the same hotel in Firastefani, the Blue Dolphin. Their rate was 50 euros a night, or 75 with a car. This may have been a special for the end of the season, but they were all quite pleased with their simple rooms. The drawback was no pool, but if that isn't a priority, it's a great low-price option with a fantastic view from the balconies and patio, where breakfast is served.

Brotherleelove is correct about the walking. My mother-in-law has severe knee problems, and she couldn't walk from Firastefani to either Imerovigli or Fira, and the up and down stairs was also a challenge. Blue Dolphin was a much easier walk than accessing Astra and the adjacent hotels.

We had amazing meals at 1800 House in Oia and Selene in Fira - both places had great ambience, excellent service and wonderful food. I highly recommend for any special dinner you want to have while you are over there.

Geographer

Thank you all so much for the continued information - this has been incredibly helpful!

Brotherleeluv: Ease of access will definitely be an issue for a few elderly individuals in our fmaily so I greatly appreciate the information on Atlantis.

PurpleNeon: Hadn't head about Santorini's Balcony, but I'll check it out - thanks for the suggestion!

Taggie: You're a dream! You have me so excited already! Thanks again -

Try heading to the church that's by the Blue Note Cafe in Imerovigli (kind of by the old fortress) for a great spot to watch the sunset!
I am so jealous. I just finished watching the photo CD we made (over 200 pics accompanied by music from a Michalis Hatziyannis CD we bought there). So gorgeous. September was a wonderful time to be there.
I could email you pics if you want. We have some of the Chromata and environs.

Geographer: Just saw your info as well - thank you! The Blue Dolphin sounds like a great lower cost hotel option. We definitely want to be able to provide people with a range of options so that's very helpful.

Taggie: I'd love to see photos! My e-mail address is [email protected]

Thanks!

Congratulations!! We were married in Santorini in Sept. 2003. Our ceremony was at Selene in Fira. Santorini is amazing - you're going to love it! We also stayed at Chromata and liked it very much. Another one in Imerovigli that caught our eye was Honeymoon Villas (I think that's the name at least) -it looked like a nice place, but we didn't actually go inside. We really liked being in Imerovigli because it is so central and quiet. And the bus stops right near Chromata, so you can get around very easily (and cheaply). My in-laws stayed at Volcano View Villas, which they liked also. It is a bit far removed from the action in Fira, but I believe they have a free shuttle for guests.

MAS16 - Congratualtions on your wedding as well! Actually, we're looking at Selene for the wedding and reception as well. Could I impose terribly and ask for your e-mail address? I'd love to ask you a few questions about Selene and how everything went for you. You can reach me at [email protected].

Thank you!!

Congratulations, you will have a fabulous time. I got married in Santorini in September 2004 and it was everything we had dreamed of. There are not that many budget hotels on Santorini, especially if you want to stay in Fira, but many of our guests stayed in Nissos Thira - we also stayed there for a few nights. It is very cheap for Santorini, EUR40-50 per night (they may have new rates this season, check www.nissosthira.com I think). Unusually for this price range it has a good pool and is located centrally in Fira. The rooms are nice, all with balcony (I think) and the staff are friendly. For that price I don't think you will do any better.

Hi
What a fantastic place to get married. Congrats to you both - I hope it goes well. In 2002 we stayed at the Grotto Villas at Firostefani - http://www.santorini.gr-santorini.com/hotels/grotto/. Excellent value. Directly in front of the windmill. Fantastic caldera and sunset views. Very spacious with kitchenette and a huge private balcony. We died and went to heaven for 3 days!!
Please be warned though - several steps involved for those who are physically challenged.
Hope this helps.
Have fun you lucky so and sos

Many thanks to all of you for the continued great advice!

We took our two teenaged kids to Santorini a couple of years ago and stayed at the Blue Dolphin. It's quite economical, had a kitchen which helped keep costs down and has fantastic caldera views.

It has a lot of stairs though.

It's an easy walk into Fira for dinner however I'd suggest you consider taking a taxi home after dinner, the walk into town is easier than the walk back up.

Hi! Wow! I never knew how many people got married on Santorini! I'm getting married in Santorini next month and would love to converse with you about the process. I've been using a fabulous wedding planner named Tania Repic of Weddings Santorini. My ceremony is at Antoniou Winery and the reception will be at Selene. We're also renting a boat/clipper for a sunset sail and dinner the evening before. There will be about 50 guests or so at our wedding... I would love to hear details of Santorini brides from years past and ones like me who will soon become a Santorini bride....

After months of research - fueled by tons of help from all of you! - we are off to be married on Santorini next week! We will be away for a little over 3 weeks and will hit Kavala on the northern mainland (my fiance's hometown), Santorini, the Eastern Peloponnese and finally Crete for a few days of R&R before coming home.

I'll write a full trip report when we return - thanks so much again for all the advice and help!