Lilium Hotel

The hotel is located on the road leading to the port which has quite a bit of traffic and in my opinion it is probably more than a 20 minute walk to the center of Fira. We were, during 2 differents stays in Santorini, in Karterados which is about halfway between this hotel and Fira and it took about 15 minutes to reach Fira from our hotel. The hotel↔Fira walk is one of the many unpleasant things we experienced in Santorini (but not the worst)

What may be most unpleasant is that you will be there in July when temperatures can reach or exceed 30°C (mid 80F), if the free shuttle is not available the journey, with the heat and traffic, will be particularly painful.

The good thing is that the hotel itself looks good with nice staff and a nice view if you don't have a room on the road side, and the reviews are indeed very good.

On the other hand, I looked at the prices and fell off my chair when I saw the price of the rooms at around €500 per night.

5 nights in this hotel is roughly my budget for two weeks on another Greek island, meals, drinks and plane tickets included :-))

The road is walkable (there's a sidewalk) but it's more like a 30-35 minute walk from Fira Town. Not bad normally but in the summer heat it might be unpleasant. You could always walk one way and then take the shuttle back.

Uber is on Santorini now so that is also an option (if somewhat expensive)

Thanks for the replies! They were helpful.

After thinking more about it and looking a bit closer at the road on google maps, we cancelled and are now looking into Fira or even Imerovigli.

Have you considered FIrostephani?? It's the overlooked "sweet spot" which combines convenience, lack of crowds (mobs), short walk to Fira (15 min stroll down the rimside path, or a level flagstone "hidden lane" that parallels the main N-S Road) -- many hotels with caldera-view balconies and/or terraces.. all at lower room-rates than OIA, certainly, and most of Imervogli. I have sent many families to hotels like Hotel Mylos, Sunset Hotel, Villa Remvi right ON caldera view ... My Budget Gem, Villa Fotini is just 30 feet away from rimside path .. has one family apt, and about 12 other rooms ..many side-by-side doubles. For rimside place with Pool, the best budget choice in Firosephani is Agnadema Apts.

Right now a lot of places don't show 2024 vacancy availability but not b ecause they're fully booked ... they just don't want to publish their 2024 room rates yet. I suggest you browse at this llnk - https://www.booking.com/city/gr/firostefani.html - if you put in a "dummy date" of Oct 16-17 for example, you'll see a lot of availabilities that show EXACT locations (unlike your Lilium). IF you see any you like, I suggest you find their actual website, send them a DIRECT e-mail asking for info. Be SPECIFIC - say how many people, how many rooms... whether you want an apt or sep, and exact dates... and what their "estimated" rate will be. You may find some very useful options. BTW, I've always found that a very polite Email -- with praise for the island AND saying you've heard such nice things about their hotel - gets productive results. Even in Santorini, many places are family-owned, and for them the hospitality business is also personal. Courtesy and praise works welll.

In May 2022 we stayed at Blue Dolphins Apartments/Suites in Firastefani, recommended by Janet. We loved our stay here. Firastefani is quieter than Oia and Fira. There are many restaurants nearby. In May 2022 we paid about $230 per night for a room (with balcony) overlooking the caldera. For an extra 25 euros for 2 people, you can have a huge, delicious breakfast delivered to your room and eat on your balcony. It was heaven!

https://www.bluedolphins.gr/?sfw=pass1696114459

Blue Dophins Apartments looks beautiful and it is right in our price range. Definite consideration. Thank you!