Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Sophia Luxury Suites Review
by Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: In quiet Imerovigli village, with spectacular caldera views.
• Hotel website: sophiasuites-santorini.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 21181
• Check prices for Sophia Luxury Suites
Private plunge pools overlooking the caldera at Sophia Luxury Suites in Imerovigli, Santorini.
Hotel Review
Sophia Luxury Suites – Luxurious collection of cave-style suites with indoor or outdoor private pools, romantic ambiance, and spectacular sunset views over the caldera.
Sophia Luxury Suites is a posh boutique hotel with unique rooms and suites spread out over the cliffside in Imerovigli, the highest village in the caldera. Though every suite is completely unique, built to incorporate the natural shape of the caldera, all feature private plunge pools, traditional architecture, and contemporary luxury furnishings and amenities. The layout is decentralized, with no shared facilities; rather, each suite is treated as a private unit with in-suite spa services and meals served directly to their private terraces. The only common area is the reception office, which is staffed twenty-four hours a day with a helpful, polished, friendly staff ready to assist in every way.
See Also
Sophia Luxury Suites – Location
Absolutely gorgeous location in the heart of Imerovigli village, with amazing dining and attractions all within a couple of minutes from the hotel. Imerovigli sits at the highest elevation on the caldera, and the views are stellar from all of Sophia’s suites and from most of the restaurants here.
• How to Get There:
The hotel sits above the caldera in the center of Imerovigli village, on a footpath not far off the main road through town, making it easy to reach by bus, taxi, or driving yourself. It is approximately 8km from the Santorini Airport to Sophia Luxury Suites, and 12km from the ferry port.There are always buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing hourly from Santorini Airport. There are no direct buses from the port or airport to Imerovigli, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board a different bus to Imerovigli – the entire trip from the port or airport to Imerovigli will take around an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. The bus stop is just 8 minutes away on foot, and the walk from there to the hotel is mostly flat or downhill.
Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 25 taxis in total serving the whole island, so there can be a long wait; schedule a ride through a private car service in advance to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out. A taxi from the airport to Sophia Luxury Suites should be about €25 to €30, and a taxi from the ferry port to the hotel around €30. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $45 (or €37), but is worth it to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival, or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with many tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave that for the locals to navigate. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. In Imerovigli, there are small, free parking lots near the Imerovigli Basketball Court, near Buddha Bar Beach, and near Sunbird Rent-A-Car. Imerovigli has the hardest-to-find parking in Santorini, so you may have to circle around a couple times to find a spot.
• Handy to: Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, Anastasi Church, Skaros Rock
Sophia Luxury Suites – The Basics
- Ages: Sophia Luxury Suites is an adults-only hotel, which in this case means anyone over 12 years. The policy is flexible though. They also allow pets. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a romantic occasion, usually a honeymoon or anniversary.
- Beach: The nearest beach is Exo Gialos, a quiet, black sand beach with intriguing wind-sculpted cliffs at its southern end. The best beach bar and restaurant is East Breeze, just a few meters from the cliffs. The north end has a small harbor, and another great beach bar and restaurant called Yalos. From the hotel, it’s a short 5 km drive to the north end, or 7 km to the south end, where the cliffs are.
- View: All rooms and suites offer panoramic, direct caldera and sunset views over Skaros Rock toward Thirassia, from the tip of Akrotiri to the tip of Oia.
- Private Pools: All rooms and suites have indoor or outdoor private plunge pools. The Character Cave Room features an indoor cave pool; the Aroma Cave Rooms, Enigma Cave Suites, and Efhari Exclusive Suites offer open-air, outdoor plunge pools; the Aurora Cave Suites feature cave-style, outdoor plunge pools; and the Crypt Exclusive Suites, Utopia Exclusive Suites, Sophia Honeymoon Suites, and Superior Honeymoon Suites boast both indoor cave pools and outdoor plunge pools.
- Parking: There are a few free parking areas near Sophia Luxury Suites, but they are small and often full. Check near the Imerovigli Basketball Court, near Buddha Bar Beach, and near Sunbird Rent-A-Car. Imerovigli has the hardest-to-find parking in Santorini, so you may have to circle around a couple times to find a spot.
- Extras: 24-hour reception, twice daily maid service, concierge service, turndown service, pet-friendly, welcome drinks, complimentary gift box, airport/port shuttle (additional fee), complimentary fruit basket (except Character Room), honeymoon packages, proposals, weddings, private dining; records and record player in Aurora Cave Suites, Enigma Cave Suites, Crypt Exclusive Suites, Sophia Honeymoon Suites, and Superior Honeymoon Suites.
- When to Book: The hotel is open from the beginning of April to early or mid-November. Reserve at least 4 months in advance (6 months is better) for stays during high season from June through September, and about 2 months in advance for the low and shoulder seasons.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +30 22860 21181, +30 69432 18923
- Email: info@sophiasuites-santorini.com, reservations@sophiasuites-santorini.com
- Website: sophiasuites-santorini.com
Sophia Luxury Suites – Amenities
- Pool: No shared pool. All rooms and suites have their own private pools.
- Spa: No central spa. All spa treatments, salon services, and private yoga sessions are done in-suite or on the private terraces. For groups, there is a group of 3 rooms that all have adjacent pools.
- Fitness Center: No gym, but private yoga and personal training can be arranged.
- For Disabled Guests: This is a caldera hotel with lots of steps and no elevator, and many split-level rooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
- For Families: Sophia Luxury Suites is an adults-only hotel, which in this case means anyone over 12 years, though this policy is flexible. They also allow pets on request.
- Activities: The 24-hour concierge team is happy to arrange activities on-site (private candlelit dinners or spa services), or off-site (photography and wine tours, caldera cruises, pottery lessons, and tailor-made excursions).
Sophia Luxury Suites – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: There is no restaurant onsite, but there is a full kitchen open from 8 am until 10:30 pm serving meals, drinks, and snacks directly to each room and suite. The menu features flavorful, modern Greek dishes, a fantastic wine menu, and excellent cocktails. Private dining can also be arranged on their exclusive rooftop terrace, popular at sunset and for proposals.
- Breakfast: A complimentary, a la carte breakfast is served every morning directly to each suite or its private terrace, usually from 8 am to 11:30 am, though the hours are flexible.
- Room Service: Room service is available for all meals, drinks, and snacks from 8 am until 10:30 pm.
Sophia Luxury Suites – Rooms
- Room Types: Character Room • Aroma Room • Aurora Cave Suite • Enigma Cave Suite • Crypt Exclusive Suite • Efhari Exlcusive Suite • Utopia Exclusive Suite • Sophia Honeymoon Suite • Superior Honeymoon Suite
- Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their room categories. It is allowed on the private outdoor terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
- Best Room: The best suites for couples are the Sophia and Superior Honeymoon Suites. These 1-bedroom suites are the largest on site and feature king-sized beds, separate living rooms, record players, large terraces, rain showers, indoor cave pools, and outdoor plunge pools with caldera views. The Superior Honeymoon Suite is slightly larger than the Sophia Honeymoon Suites and has a larger cave pool.
- For Families: Sophia Luxury Suites is an adults-only hotel, which in this case means anyone over 12 years. They also allow pets. For families with older kids, the Enigma Cave Suites are the best options. These are the only suites that sleep up to 4 guests, with 1 bedroom with a king-sized bed and 2 single-sized sofa beds, record players, rain showers, and outdoor private plunge pools.
Sophia Luxury Suites – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located in the center of Imerovigli above the caldera and on the Oia-Fira hiking trail, with the village’s best restaurants, shops, and attractions just a few meters away. Easy access to all dining and attractions in Imerovigli as well as the nightlife and shopping in Fira, just a 30-minute walk south.
- Bus: The nearest bus stop is in Imerovigli village, near Sunbird car rental and Posidonia Tavern, an 8-minute walk from the hotel. Buses here serve all of the major villages and beaches on the island. Buses to Oia, Firostefani, and Fira are direct, while routes to the airport, port, ruins, or beaches require a change of bus in Fira. Tickets are bought on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per person in the daytime, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 am to 5 am) run less frequently and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can get very crowded, especially during the high season, so much so that they often fill to capacity and are unable to take on more passengers. There are only 23 public buses serving the island.
- Taxis: The nearest taxi stand is at Stathmos Taxi, all the way down in Fira, so it is not very practical to walk or bus to. Plus, there is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island (with guests from about 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Book ahead to avoid the wait, and have them meet you directly at the hotel. There will be a small surcharge for advanced reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Imerovigli to Fira is roughly €15, and from Imerovigli to the airport or port is around €25 to €30.
- Scooters/Motorcycles: Scooters are the main mode of transportation for the locals, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it can be very dangerous. The roads here are zigzagging, hilly, narrow, and have sheer drop-offs with no guardrails and no street lights in most areas. Lots of dirt roads and potholes.
- ATVs/Quads: ATVs are a fun and popular mode of transportation with tourists, but for the locals stuck driving behind them, they move too slowly and hold up traffic in an area where getting around is already a hassle. For those who don’t ride quads regularly (i.e. most people), they can be dangerous at high speeds and on turns. Crashing your ATV is a sure-fire way to ruin your vacation.
Sophia Luxury Suites – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- The Athenian House: Elegant fine dining with spectacular sunset views. Contemporary and imaginative Greek dishes incorporate modern gastronomic techniques and locally-sourced ingredients. Most of all, they’re delicious.
- Avocado: Traditional Greek menu, charming space, super friendly staff. Cycladic recipes and a fantastic selection of Santorinian wines.
- Le Moustache: Elevated Greek and Mediterranean dining and excellent cocktails with panoramic sunset views over the caldera.
- La Maison: Contemporary, Greek fine dining with sweeping caldera views. Food, wine, and service are all phenomenal.
- Anogi: Al fresco dining with local specialties and classic Greek dishes. Rich flavors and large portions, so come hungry.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Buddha Bar Beach: Upscale cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Pricey but on point.
- Volkan on the Rocks: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.
Best Nearby Cafes
- Hlios Bakery: Good coffee, basic pastries, and deli sandwiches. Not exceptional, but they’re cheap and they deliver (cash only for deliveries).
- To Briki: Fantastic café, the best place to try traditional Greek coffee. Breakfasts are superb and the sunset views are gorgeous.
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Pegasus Boutique: Next to the hotel of the same name, this little boutique offers clothing, shoes, swimwear, and accessories by Greek designers.
- Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique featuring Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear right on the Oia-Fira trail.
Nearby Attractions
- Oia-Fira Hiking Trail: One of the top attractions on the island is this scenic 10.5 km hiking trail connecting Oia and Fira. A mix of sidewalk, cobblestones, and dirt trail, this route boasts gorgeous vistas the entire way. Hiking northwest, the full length of the path from the hotel to Oia Castle takes from 2 to 4 hours; heading south to the trail’s end in Fira, near Keti Hotel, takes about 30-40 minutes. Add about an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock either way. 1-minute walk from the hotel.
- Agios Georgios Church: Small white church on a platform over the caldera, marking the start of the trail to Skaros Rock. Gorgeous, panoramic views from here.
- Anastasi Church: The most picturesque, blue-domed church in Imerovigli offers gorgeous caldera views overlooking Skaros Rock. Popular for weddings and photo shoots.
- Imerovigli Basketball Court: Not an attraction, but good to know. This is the main parking area in Imerovigli.
- Skaros Rock: Impressive volcanic rock formation housing the ruins of a medieval castle and town, dating to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, is the only part of Skaros that is still active.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Jimmy’s Market Cava: Market and deli with a great selection (especially the wines) plus great coffee and breakfast sandwiches (more consistent and better quality breakfasts than Hlios, but they don’t deliver).
- Supermarket Nissi: The friendliest market in the area, and usually the best prices in Imerovigli.
Sophia Luxury Suites – The Hotel
This is the exterior of Sophia Luxury Suites’ reception office, where all guests will check in. The office and the picturesque stairway are the only common areas in the hotel. Everything else is found in the individual rooms and suites.
Opposite view. The stairs serve as an excellent landmark when walking through Imerovigli’s maze-like footpaths.
A peek inside the reception office, a tiny but functional space, staffed 24/7.
A typical view from Sophia Luxury Suites faces the caldera over Skaros Rock and toward Thirassia Island. Seen on the left are the volcanoes and little Aspronisi Island. This is a cloudy day. The view is even more spectacular on a sunny day or during a sunset.
A closer view of Skaros Rock from a lower level of the hotel. Skaros Rock is the former site of Santorini’s oldest castle fortress, and hiking to the top is one of the major attractions in Imerovigli village.
All rooms and suites have private plunge pools, some indoor, some open-air outdoor, and some cave-style outdoor. Seen here is an example of an open-air plunge pool on the top level and 2 cave-style, covered plunge pools on the bottom level.
No 2 suites and no 2 pools are alike. All are built according to the unique geography of the caldera. Here is a slightly different angle, showing the volcanoes in the center-right and the Akrotiri peninsula in the background.
This is the terrace of an Aurora Cave Suite with a cave-style outdoor plunge pool. This is the entry-level suite.
View from inside the cave pool.
And another part of the Aurora Cave Suite’s terrace.
Inside the suite, the architecture is very traditional, with hand-sculpted walls and ceilings cut straight into the cliffside.
The entrance has one small step to reach the floor level and the queen-sized bed.
A closer look at the bed and hand-carved niches.
The Aurora Cave Suite is one of a handful of rooms that include a record player and small LP collection.
The bathroom features a cave-style open shower and a natural rock sink.
View from inside the cave shower.
This is another example of an Aurora Cave Suite, the same one from the previous picture of the 3 private pools.
Inside this Aurora Cave Suite. Amenities are the same, but the layout, décor, and color scheme are all different.
Another view of the bedroom with a queen-sized bed.
The bathroom in this Aurora Cave Suite is down a few steps and slightly larger but still with an open cave-style shower and natural rock sink.
One of the top tier suites is the Sophia Honeymoon Suite with a spacious terrace as seen here.
The Sophia Honeymoon Suite’s private, outdoor plunge pool is on a second terrace right above the sitting area.
Closer to the edge with a clear view of the caldera and Oia village, and a partial view of the lower terrace.
Inside the Sophia Honeymoon Suite, one of the largest suites onsite. It features a classic Cycladic architecture, an open-plan living and sleeping area, and a full sized refrigerator.
Another view of the sleeping and living room.
The huge bathroom is directly behind the bed and features lots of windows to allow natural light into the back of the cave suite.
The bathroom offers dual stone vanities, a Greek-style open shower, and a cave plunge pool.
A closer look at the cave pool. Check rates and availability: Sophia Luxury Suites
I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on 
Hi Dave,
Do you still respond to this? Going for it now.
We definitely waited too long to book our Santorini Hotel (i’ve had a mild panic about it all day). We booked the Honeymoon Suite at Sophia Luxury Suites, however is there one room that has a better/more private area than the other? It’s so confusing online, but there seems to be one with lounge furniture and a hammock without another “shared” space. The shared space area is confusing me.
Thank you!
The “Efhari” – Suite with Outdoor Plunge Pool & Panoramic Caldera View has the most privacy of any suite. It’s on a higher level than other suites and has no neighboring suites.
Hi Dave,
I recently booked a room at Sophia Luxury Suites in September. I was wondering if you had any restaurant recommendations within walking distance? Also, is there a local market/grocery store nearby to pickup snacks and drinks? I appreciate all the insight!
Stephen
Mezzo and Athenian House are two great restaurants about a 2 minute walk from Sophia Suites (along the footpath). There are 2 markets up in the town – about a 5 minute walk from the hotel.
Dave, Love all the info on your site!! We booked the enigma suite for 4 nights based off it being your favorite new hotel in Santorini. It is our understanding the patio is shared amongst a few suites. Does it become problematic being that there are only two loungers on a shared patio, I mean who doesnt want a lounger. Also Naxos or Paros? We will be travelling to Mykanos for a few night but dont know which island to stay at on the way. Jaidyn Downes
I’m almost positive that each suite has its own 2 loungers – it’s a fairly large patio area. Paros is more like Mykonos (trendy with nightlife). Naxos is more of a beach, low-key vacation destination.
We are traveling to Santorini for our honeymoon in June. Do you know if the Enigma Suite at the Sophia Suites have loungers on the private patio? The pictures don’t make it very clear. We’re also considering the Astra Suites, but I’m worried Skaros Rock may block some of the view.
Yes, the Enigma suite has 2 loungers on its Terrace. But don’t worry about the Astra view – it’s remarkable.
Hi Dave, We are a family of 4 going to Santorini for the first time. Where would you recommend to stay for the best hotel in the best location. We will only be in Santorini for 2 days before our cruise, so we need somewhere convenient. We were looking at the Enigma suite, but it only has one bathroom which can be difficult with 4 adults. Also, can you tell me if the outdoor area of the Enigma suite is a shared location? There are 3 separated pools in the area. We are also looking at the other hotels you recommended like the Canaves and Katikies, and Grace, but we need to know that the price of these hotels is absolutely worth the stay there. We appreciate anything you can tell us. In addition, what beach do you recommend. Thank you.
Steve
Yes, the best of the best hotels are Grace and Katikies. Whether they’re worth it depends on a number of factors but I’d be shocked if you looked back after your visit and regretted staying at either. Perissa is the best beach on Santorini. Kamari is a little closer to the caldera towns and the swimming just as good (though rockier than Perissa).
Hi Dave – first of all – your website is amazing. Thank you for all your work on this great resource!
My (future) wife and I are coming to Santorini in May and are looking at different hotels and have taken a liking to Imerovigli, specifically Sophia Luxury Suites, but we just have a few questions for you:
1. We’re curious as to why it was left off of your Best Honeymoon Hotels list… is there something we should be weary of? Or is it just because it is just a newer hotel (and how new is it btw)?
2. We will have 5 nights in Greece – and want to primarily relax – does it make sense to just stick with Santorini or try to get another island in?
3. Why do you like Grace Hotel so much – ie what sets it apart from the others? It’s a big decision and a lot of money so we appreciate the input!
4. Any other pieces of advice in general?
Thank you!
David Robinson
Sophia Suites is great but the two drawbacks are that it doesn’t have a pool and doesn’t have a restaurant. At Grace the service is true 5-star pampering and it (along with Katikies, Canaves, Vedema) have a different luxury vibe. The good news with how to spend your time is that whatever you decide will feel like the right decision. If you stay all your nights in Santorini, you’ll think I’m so glad we got a full 5 days on that incredible island. If you go somewhere else for a few nights, you’ll think I’m so glad we got to see another island – they’re so different. So, there’s no right answer but I guess if relaxation is your priority then I’d lean towards staying in one spot.
Hey Dave,
I just booked thanks to your site and in particular your video showing the Honeymoon Suite with the indoor cave pool. It looked incredibly romantic.
Is that Indoor pool shared? In other words does it also connect to another suite?
It looks like the patio of the Honeymoon Suite (the one you videoed and on their site they call the “Superior” Honeymoon Suite ) might be shared with another suite? If not that seems like a lot of outdoor hottubs for one suite (though at that price it might be justified – haha).
I’m definitely looking for the wow factor and that pool seems to have it but I’m also looking for privacy, I mean after all it is our honeymoon.
Thanks in advance!
Brian Iskric
The indoor pool is definitely not shared – that would be weird, kinky, or lots of fun (depending on your tastes). The outdoor patio has multiple pools for the multiple suites – the space is shared but each suite has its own private plunge pool/jacuzzi.
Do you know much about the aroma suite?
1. Does it share a pool with 2 other suites?
2. Is there several loungers for each suite?
3. Does it get sun all day?
4. Is there a community pool?
Hard to tell from the photos.
Thanks,
Ben K
1. The Aroma Cave Suite has a private plunge pool on a semi-private balcony. There are 3 pools on that terrace, one for each suite.
2. There are sun loungers for each suite.
3. There is sun all day on this section of Imerovigli.
4. The hotel has private plunge pools for each room but not a common pool area (it’s the only small drawback of Sophia).
Hi Dave, just discovered your website, very informative! My husband & I are planning a trip to Santorini next May. We’re after a b&b hotel (pretty luxurious with great views) but close enough to tavernas, any suggestions please? Also, is May a good time to go, will the weather be good please?
I’m not sure exactly what you mean by B&B hotel (it means different things to different people) but most hotels on Santorini include breakfast. Sophia is certainly a top notch hotel, a short walk/climb from many good restaurants, and they serve a wonderful breakfast (you order the night before by choosing items from their menu and it’s delivered to your room at a pre-arranged time the next morning).
Hi Dave we are coming to Santorini to elope with a couple of close family to and stay for part of our honeymoon what places would be best to have the wedding for great pics and also stay, would love a suite with a private plunge pool or jacuzzi on patio. If we can’t get one of them which place has the best pool? Coming in August.
Thanks,
Scotty Pfeffer
Santorini Grace has the largest and best pool along the caldera.
Hi! Love youur posts, they are so informative. My husband and I are traveling with a 4 month old baby in mid September and we have only managed to find availability at Olea cave house in Imerovigli. I have yet to find any reviews of this place and was wondering if you have heard of it? Also we will only be there for 4 days do you have a rating of the must sees – we want to try to get in as much as possible but at the same time have to be picky since we are traveling with a baby. Any tips and or recommendations would be great.
Rashaim
Olea is beautiful and has a great location in Imerovigli – lots of restaurants within a short walk. No direct sunset view though – but that’s not a huge deal, it’s an easy walk somewhere to see it set into the sea.
Hi Dave,
We are planning on a trip to Santorini in August. I see that many of the hotels in Oia do not allow children. Could you make some hotel suggestions. My children are age 9 and 15.
Thank you
Doria
Take a look at Best Hotels for Families on Santorini.
Hi Dave,
My husband and I are going to Santorini in 3 weeks and are still picking a place to book. I thought I wanted to stay in Oia, in your opinion is that the best place to stay? Or should I switch to Imerovigli? The Sophia Suites look great, I’m just torn between the two towns. Thanks!
Amanda
Oia is busier with more shops and restaurants. However, Imerovigli has better (though fewer) restaurants and is a beautiful 20 minute walk to Fira (where there is lots of shopping and nightlife).
Hi Dave! I have a couple of questions, I see there are two hot tubs / Jacuzzis at the Honeymoon Suite’s ‘private patio’.
1. Are these shared with another suite?
2. Is the patio shown in pictures only for the Honeymoon Suites?
3. If you where going to Santorini for your honeymoon, what would be the top 5 rooms you would chose (Including all of the hotels Oia and Imerovigli)?
Thank you very much for your time.
Regards,
Luis
1) One belongs to the Honeymoon Suite. The other to the neighboring suite. But they aren’t “shared”.
2) The space is split between the two suites.
3) Honeymoon Suite at Astra, the Santorini Suites at Grace (or the Villa), Up & High at Kapari, and the Honeymoon Suite at Sophia are among my favorites.
Hi I’m thinking of booking my wedding in santorini and struggling to decide on a venue I like Le Ceil and the Princess Hotel. Do you have any recommendations?
Also I was thinking of booking the wedding end of May or the beginning of June and wondered what the weather would be like?
Le Ceil and Princess Hotel have the same owners and are very close to each other. Great venues for a wedding. What is especially good is their location – walking distance to other hotels. Some venues are set off in the countryside or far from the main towns so you have to worry about getting everyone back to their hotel after an afternoon or night of drinking. As long as you recommend Imerovigli (preferably the north side of town) then everyone can walk back to their hotels. End of May or early June should be good for a wedding though the later the better for having great weather.
Hi there,
Quick question for you, hope you can help. My mom is 70 with arthritis in her knees, I’m trying to find a nice hotel in Oia with either no stairs or few stairs but due to the time of year we are travelling, I’m finding it to be a bit of a challenge…any suggestions? Open to staying in Fira or Imerovigli.
Salma Jiwa
Two places in Oia worth a look are Canaves and Katikies as they both have elevators.
Hi,
Unfortunately, Sophia Suites isn’t available for the dates that we are hoping to travel to Santorini for our honeymoon. We have shortlisted a couple other hotels, could you give us your opinion of them?
They are Canaves Suites in Oia and Andronis Suites. We really want a private suite with its own outdoor hot tub.
What would you recommend?
Thanks!
Sacha
Both are great hotels but I slightly prefer Canaves. Also, in a quieter area of Oia but still on the main walking path.
Hi, We are trying to book Sophia Suites but choosing the rooms seems to be confusing. We do not want to end up booking one of the rooms which have a shared patio shared with 2 other suites as we are going to be on our honeymoon and are looking for something private.
1. Are the double room with hot tub sugar and junior suite with hot tub (listed on booking.com) semi-private having a shared patio or on the road side? or are they private?
2. Also, we are confused and as per you which is the best choice out of Aliko Luxury Suite (Deluxe Suite with an heated outdoor tub), Gizis hotel (Junior Suite Caldera View with outdoor Hot Tub or the superior Suite with caldera view and outdoor hot tub), Avianto Suites (Marvelous or Spectacular Suite), Sophia Suites and Pegagus (though a bit over our budget)?. We are looking to spend 3 nights of our honeymoon at a hotel over looking the caldera having an private outdoor hot tub. This is going to be the expensive leg of our trip and we are really looking forward to it. Any help would be recommended.
Anuja Shah
At Sophia Suites only the senior share a patio. Yes, there are foot paths (not a road) leading in and around Sophia Suites but they’re pretty quiet most of the time. Not a big issue. The Junior Suites at Sophia Suites have the most privacy. All the hotels you listed are nice but I would go with Sophia Suites – if you’re going to splurge anywhere then do it on Santorini as it’s one place where you don’t mind spending a good share of time relaxing at your hotel.
Hey thanks a ton for your prompt reply. Unfortunately for our dates only Aqua and Efhari suites are available at Sophia Suites – and both are priced above what we are looking to spend.
1. So with Sophia not being in the picture which of the above mentioned hotels would you go for?
2. We have planned 2 nights in Imerovigli, 2 in Oia, 2 in Fira, 3 in Mykonos, 2 in Athens followed by 4 nights in Istanbul. Is this fine for our 15 -17 day honeymoon? We are gonna fly from India and the flight to Athens would be via Istanbul and hence have incorporated it as well.
3. We have shortlisted Hotel Thireas in Fira, Argo Suites in Oia (Orpheus Suite), Mykonos View Hotel in Mykonos, and Electra Palace in Athens – and are thinking of one of the above mentioned hotels in Imerovigli. How are these hotels in terms of location? Privacy? overall? Any you think we should change?
1. Except for Gizis (which is north of Imerovigli on the foot path with very little directly around it, besides other hotels) the other hotels are all south of Imerovigli towards Fira (and about 10 or 15 minutes closer by foot ot Fira than Gizis). So those hotels have a different view. Gizis has a sunset view while the others look more into the main part of the caldera (which I think is a more impressive view). All are very good hotels but not quite 5 star luxury like Sophia. I would go with Avianto of the 4 but you can’t go wrong with any.
2. Sounds great. Istanbul is wonderful.
3. Good choices. Mykonos View has a nice pool and deck (larger than most in Mykonos). The only caveat is that it’s not in town and is a steep walk up hill about 10 minutes from the clubs and restaurants. It’s on the opposite side of town from the bus station for the beaches – not a big deal but you might wish you were more in town or closer to the bus station. Nice view though.
Thanks again.
We have gone ahead with Aliko Suites (deluxe suite) since Avianto is also fully booked on our dates – June 08 to 10th. Do the rooms really get booked so soon for Santorini or is there a possibility of booking.com showing opening up more availability a few months down the line since june is so far away? Our booking is a free cancellation one so will change to Sophia or Avianto if they become available later.
In Mykonos we are planning on renting a car – Will navigating still be a problem from Mykonos View Hotel? In that case we could probably change the hotel since currently we are also pretty much stuck up with the view at this hotel.
Also, I just got to know that it wont be possible to see the sunset from our hotel in Oia – Agro suites – but the hotel mentioned the best sunset view in Oia is just minutes from the hotel. Do you think not being able to see the sunset from our room should be reason enough for us to change the hotel? We will be able to see the sunset from our hotel in Imerovigli and Fira…. and walking is not much of a concern for us, but since the Oia sunset is so famed, we thought its best to take a second opinion of a person in the know.
Yes, individual rooms and suites can become available. And yes, sometimes this far in advance, a hotel might not have all its inventory available online. But, in general rooms become less available over time, not more available – so I wouldn’t get caught in the trap of thinking you’ll wait it out and suddenly there will be more choice. No, there will be less choice.
There is lots of free parking at Mykonos View Hotel and you’ll have no problem finding your way from there to the beach, so no need to change the hotel based on car/parking.
There are very few hotels that have a sunset view in Oia – the vast majority, like 95%, do not have a sunset view and you either need to walk into town (what most people do) or walk out of town (towards Imerovigli and you’ll be all by yourself) to get a sunset view of the sun going into the water. It’s fun to experience it with other people so I think the mix of watching it from your hotel and watching it with others is good.
Hi Dave,
I am in doubt between Sophia, Chromata and Katikies. Which do you recommend?
Rodrigo
Sophia for the suite. Katikies for the pool. But all are wonderful.
Wow. This place looks awesome. We stayed at Kapari in June and walked by Sophia every day but never looked inside. So, can I ask, which suites have an indoor pool and which suites have private jacuzzis on the patio?
Thanks,
Charles.
All suites have an outdoor private jacuzzi. Two suites have indoor pools. They’re listed on Booking.com as Suite with Private Indoor Pool (Aqua Suite) and Honeymoon Suite with Private Indoor Pool (Sophia Suite).