Which hotel in Santorini ? Please help
 

Hi,
We are a couple travelling with our 14-year old son to Santorini from 20th to 23rd May 2013. We would like a room with a good sunset view (preferably with a balcony) with easy access to the sights. Our budget is about 100 Euros with breakfast. I believe Oia is the preferred place to stay. We are not really into nightlife but we are foodies. I would also like to avoid too much climbing if possible. Can anyone please suggest appropriate hotels / B&Bs. We have short-listed Aspa Villas, Aethrio and Anemoessa but are open to other suggestions. Please help urgently !

we stayed at the Sanorini Palace about ten years ago and found it to be comfortable and very well located...large swimming pool and views over the caldera from the front..back terrace views are of the inland valleys. Rates now must be in excess of €100..but maybe not that much more. Easy, short walk to town.

http://www.santorinipalacehotel.com/

checked today's rates for May..looks like 110-euros, with 25 extra for third person. Breakfasts are excellent. Service more than acceptable.

I'm sorry, but of the 3 you've listed I believe Aspa Villas' superior studio is your only possibility in May for €100, and I think you'll pay extra for breakfast.

I'm not sure where the sun will be in May in relation to Aspa's view but it's possible the sunset will be blocked by another island or the curved end of Santorini itself. The good news is that the overall view from that room's balcony is surprisingly good, sunset or not, but you should know that that particular room is in a building set right on the main road heading into Oia so all traffic in and out of the village passes right by from early morning until late at night, including trucks, motorcycles, tour buses and cars.

Aethrio's rooms for 3 people are €120, €135 and €165 and there's really no unobstructed view to speak of, especially towards the sunset.

Anemoessa's room for 3 is €120 and €130 and it's in Finikia, about 1/2 mile from Oia. In May I think you'll have even less of a chance to see the sunset there than at Aspa.

I know of another, Thea Studios, that is inexpensive and comes with a great view of the caldera but not the sunset. Breakfast is not included but they have fully-equipped kitchenettes and there's a mini-market/bakery very close by. This is the one I would recommend, not just for the location and price, but also for its traditional "feel". http://tinyurl.com/cugel5d

With a sea view eastward instead of into the caldera check the websites for Maria's Place. http://www.mariasantorini.com

With a choice between sunset or caldera views I'd go for a caldera view every time. The sunset lasts for only a few minutes, while you have the caldera view all day. The sun sets all over the world, but there is only one Santorini caldera. :-)

Thank you so much for your help ! Looking forward to my visit.

Not in Oia but you could try the Blue Dolphins - http://www.bluedolphins.gr/. According to their website "You enjoy a 10% discount if you pre-pay the accommodation in Paypal". Breakfast is included. I would email them to check if a room is available, whether an extra bed is possible and if the Paypal discount applies. All this will get you near your budget.

Ditto what Heimdall said. The caldera view is spectacular and wins hand down!

If you're in Oia, it's fun to go to the tip of the island with all the other tourists and experience the carnival of watching the sunset together. Frankly, I've seen more beautiful sunsets elsewhere, but the phenomenon of viewing it as an "experience" made it the entertainment that it was!