◀
▶
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 1 |
| Sleeps | 4 |
| Villa | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| No Pets |
| Suitable for Children |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 29 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | Villa |
| Minimum Stay | 2 nights |
| Living space | 50 square meters |
| Bedrooms | 2 Total |
| Bathrooms |
1 Total
Show Details ►
|
| Sleeps | 4 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedAsk Suitable for childrenYes Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleNo |
| Theme | Adventure, Romantic, Away from it all, Resort, Waterfront |
Description from the owner
The beautiful Bioclimatic Cave House is a real "Love Nest", unique & idyllic. Every single hour of the day & night is magnificent from the romantic veranda of the little villa! The panoramic views from the patio are breathtaking! Enjoy lying on the mattress on the bench in the evening viewing the lights of the cities on the top edge of the Caldera and gazing at the sparkling stars and moon in the dark sky.
Escape to Greek paradise in this beautiful vacation house, about 50 m2 in size, built into the ancient volcanic rock on the world famous island of Santorini. Situated in the village of Ia (Oia), this house is the ideal accommodatio...Read more
Amenities
Location
SANTORINI PARADISE, outdoors Hot Tub, Caldera view
Oia, Aegean Islands, Greece
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Location Type Away from it all, Resort, Waterfront
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (Rental listed originally in EUR) (change)
Get $40 off per night See Details »
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $132 - $422 | $422 | $0 | $0 | 2 nights |
| Mar. 20 2013 - Apr. 30 2013 | $185 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| Apr. 14 2013 - Apr. 30 2013 | $303 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| May. 10 2013 - May. 31 2013 | $343 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| Jun. 1 2013 - Sep. 30 2013 | $422 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| Oct. 1 2013 - Oct. 31 2013 | $316 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
| Nov. 1 2013 - Dec. 31 2013 | $171 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| Jan. 1 2014 - Feb. 28 2014 | $132 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| Mar. 1 2014 - Mar. 20 2014 | $145 | - | - | - | 2 nights |
| All Other Dates | $422 | $422 | - | - | 2 nights |
| View all 9 Rate Periods | |||||
Rental fees
- Additional guests - $66 / person - Per-Person Adjustment - Fee applies to parties of more than 2 guest(s)
Additional notes from owner
Taxes and cleaning included. Prices exclude exchange rates or bank transfer fees. Pricing is for 2 people.
plus: €50 from April-October / €40 from November-March for every supplementary person.
Balance due: 21 days before arrival.
-Cancellation Policy
- No penalty for cancellations 21 days or more before confirmed arrival.
- 0-20 days prior to arrival, results in 100% of cost of stay.
The rate includes
1) Bottled mineral and sparkling water, wine, juice/sweet upon arrival.
2) Breakfast provisions: honey, butter, marmalade, wheat rusks, cereals, 3 kinds of coffee and tea, cocktail of herbs (in the cupboards).
3) Daily (Apr-Oct), twice a week (Nov-Mar) maid service, change sheet, bath and beach towels every three days.
4) You will be offered a bottle of local wine with your meal at a Wine Bistro (May – October) facing the sunset.
and
You will be offered 15% discount at “Lyogerma” Lounge Cafee Pool Bar where you can swim for free (May – Oct). Open all day long it has the best view to the Sunset! The house is 3 min walk from “Lyogerma”.
5) With our card you have discounts or free deserts to most restaurants in Oia!
Honeymoon welcome:
1) Homemade sweet and homemade liqueur upon arrival.
2) Flower petals on the bed and candles.
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: June 17, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
ExcellentVery Good
Average
Below Average
Poor
-
Hayley
Cape Town, South AfricaThe ultimate getaway!
Left on 03/25/2013 for a stay in October 2012
This Greek cave house has a breath-taking view, unrivaled sunsets and Oia, was the perfect place to experience Greek hospitality and an amazing holiday. My friends and I stayed at 'Santorini Paradise' for approximately one week and would certainly recommend it. Maria is a fabulous host too!
-
Posidonas
Alimos-AtticaVery good
Left on 08/09/2012 for a stay in July 2012
A timeless journey living in a Cave House!
Staying in the over-one-thousand year old cave house, I felt like traveling on the open wings of time, realizing that life has perpetual continuity, no matter what happens. Looking at the horizon you see the endless creation, especially at night with thousands of stars. Maria's Villa, with aesthetic perfection, as she is an artist, offers relief of the soul.
The Greek Paradise Cave has a pretty, neat double bed in the bedroom and two twin beds in the main room. It has an artistic bathroom with beautiful seaviews and a little yard with flowers. There is a comfortable bench to sit on the terrace and enjoy the beautiful views day and night!
The hosting is with courtesy and respect. A rich breakfast is brought to the house every morning. A Sunday night party with drinks and traditional Greek food, is held on the roof of Maria's reception, close to the sunset point, just above the road that tourists use to gather to shoot the setting sun.
There is no need to have the luxury of a modern hotel complex in a cave house!
When someone visits a "Prehistoric Pompeii" as is Santorini, he should contemplate that, centuries ago, people had to adjust their life to the rocks. They used stones, mountains, seas and everything else they could, for the continuity of life after the total devastation caused by the eruption of the volcano.
It is remarkable that people made this burnt land live again, full of beauty and creation! The charm of this Greek paradise is at this value, which is over time and place: the power of man to be reborn from his ashes!
My stay in the cave house was a triggering point. I would give it the thoughtful title of "Journey of self-knowledge".
I thank you, Maria, for the culture and aesthetics that you provide to your guests! And that I have had the chance to experience it!
Kostas Synodinos.
-
Cweis
60745Disappointed
Left on 06/08/2012 for a stay in April 2012
This was a tough review to write because our overall experience at â€Greek Paradise in Oia’ was definitely not as good as we expected. We loved Oia, and hope to go back. But next time, we will choose a different cave house.
To be fair, the cave house was exactly as shown in the pictures. It’s in a good location right in the heart of Oia. The patio has a nice view of the caldera, but not 180 degrees as there is a large building to one side.
We chose this particular cave house primarily for the location and the fact that it had a washer/dryer. As it turns out, the washer/dryer is not self-service – which was a big issue for us as we were completely out of clean clothes upon arriving in Santorini. After some difficulty communicating, the maid finally helped us out. There doesn’t seem to be any self-service laundry on Santorini – although I did see laundry services in Fira and Kamari.
Breakfast was simple – a spinach pie or a piece of bread delivered in a Tupperware dish – tasty, but not much. We had trouble coordinating the deliveries with the housekeeper so we were woken up several mornings in order to answer the door when she knocked repeatedly (despite having left a note on the door in Greek and English).
The bathroom has beautiful mosaic tiled walls – but beware that the height of the room would make it difficult for anyone taller than my 5 †11” to shower there (as it was, I had to hold the nozzle above my head). I had to duck down to get into the bathroom. And the canopy bed in the bedroom made the already small back room seem even more claustrophic.
The owner, Maria, was not on Santorini during our stay. We picked up and dropped off the key at a local shop, where the young shopkeeper was pleasant but not especially welcoming. Based upon the other reviews, I’m guessing that we would have had a better experience if she was there to coordinate.
We had done a lot of research before selecting Greek Paradise in Oia, and were disappointed. It was not a comfortable stay, and we did not get the value that we were expecting or received at the other places we visited in Greece.Response from Maria Economou - 06/30/2012
Owner
:Dear Christine, firstly I would like to thank you for having the courtesy to mention that GREEK PARADISE IN OIA is advertised exactly as it is in reality. You can find nowhere in the description that the house has a 180 view. In the posted photos one can see that there is a house at the right side. However that does not bother the visitor to enjoy an unobstructed view of the Caldera. If it was a real obstacle you would have seen it because, as you mention, you had made a detailed research! Nowhere in the site is written that the washed/drier is self-service. On the other hand it is clearly mentioned that the first use is for free as another offer to our guests. Our aim is to help guests having an easy time in our house. Talking about your case, the maid was informed and your matter was solved within 24 hours. There is a basket next to the closet just for that reason, for you to put clothes you would like us to wash for you. Concerning the height of the bathroom. The house is called a cave house because it is in a cave, it was dug in the volcanic ash more than 1000 years ago. People then were shorter and they had constructed their home accordingly. However inside the bathroom is about 2 meters high. We believe that offering a traditional homemade pie and homemade freshly baked bread is the kind of the original food someone would like to taste in Santorini. Breakfast is a courtesy of the house and sorry if it didn’t suit your exact taste. The instructions to the maid were for the breakfast to arrive at your front door between 9:00 and 10:00. We wouldn’t have thought that it would be early for you. This has changed and now it is according to guests’ request. At the time of your arrival I was not able to be in Santorini but let me remind you of our exchange of mails satisfying all your needs, coordinating appropriately the stuff in Santorini. I would like to pinpoint that there is no comparison between staying in a cave house in Santorini to being accommodated in other places in Greece. The cave house is unique and I am sorry that you chose to zoom at trivial details than to be open to all that original, natural beauty that was spreading in front of your eyes! Dear Christine, once again I thank you for choosing “Greek Paradise” as your Oia accommodation and I wish you would come again so as to appreciate its view and the Greek hospitality, two factors which previous guests have emphasized on.
-
babasaurus
los gatos, californiabest house in the best city on one of most beautiful islands in
Left on 05/07/2012 for a stay in April 2012
Our vacation was amazing. everything about the property was excellent. the house is a traditional greek cave house, carved out of the volcanic lava thousands of years ago. the owner, Maria is an artist, and has updated and modernized the house with everything you would need: a full kitchen, cable tv, internet, air conditioning, washer and dryer. the house is decorated and cared for with an artists touch.
the location is excellent, just off the main pedestrian walkway of Oia. close to everything, yet secluded and private. the views are amazing. Maria's house has an unobstructed view of the caldera from her private patio, and even from inside her home.
it's an ancient cave home, not a sprawling mansion. but it comfortably fit our family of five; my wife and myself, and our 3 children, who are 21, 14 and 11 years old.
we can't say enough about the service. home cooked pastries for breakfast and housekeeping every day. we were lucky that Maria was on the island during our visit. she patiently answered all of our tourist questions. she prepared for us a traditonal greek easter welcome, and took us for dinner to an authentic greek restaurant. she even made us greek coffee, and gave us greek wine and sweets. getting to meet Maria introducing her to our family and children was one of the highlights of our trip.
we did not rent a car, and didn't need one. it was easy to use the bus system to visit the other side of the island and see the red beach and the ruins of akrotiri. we walked down to the port of ahmoudi and took a boat to the volcano and Thirasia. we hiked the walking trail from Oia to Thira. no car...no problem.
the pictures of her home are accurate, but we would only add that the pictures fall short.
you have to be there to fully appreciate the beauty of the house and Oia and Santorini.
thank you Maria for welcoming us into your home and country!
glenn, marie, olivia, warren and trey -
Nancy
Chicago, IL, USAabsolutely wonderful and amazing vacation--felt like local Oians
Left on 01/08/2012 for a stay in August 2011
Our favorite time during our vacation was spent at Maria's cave house in Oia. The view was unbelievable, the house was better than it looked in the photos---comfortable and beautiful. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the caldera is something I will never forget. Maria is one of the most friendly and helpful people we have ever met. She made us feel at home, came to the house to give us suggestions for places to eat and her favorite beaches for swimming. But, even more amazing, she invited our family to share an evening with her and with other friends before we left--even trying to teach us to dance! We were communicating in three different languages, but somehow we all understood each other, and felt like good friends by the end of the evening. We had come (with our children, ages 13 and 20) to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and hope to get back again very soon, while our legs can still handle the winding steep steps in Oia. We felt like locals, rather than tourists, during our stay at Maria's cave house. One of our favorite vacations ever!
-
augustpalmer
154943Charming christmas in Oia
Left on 01/02/2012 for a stay in December 2011
We spent Christmas in Oia at this charming Cave House. Although Oia was pretty much shut for the holidays, we had a great time here. It was quiet, the views were breathtaking, and the few restaurants that were open were excellent.
The Cave itself is extremely comfortable, the bathroom was unique, the bed was great, and the kitchen and living areas were well thought out. Everything we needed was found in the property, the maid service was excellent, Lydia bringing home made treats when she visited, and both Maria, the owner, and Lydia were always reachable in case of any small issue that could have arose.
We enjoyed our stay very much and would hope to stay at this property again. -
Das family
Washington, USAOur stay at the Greek Paradise
Left on 12/13/2011 for a stay in August 2011
My husband, son and I had a great time in this property. It was very clean and well maintained and had an excellent view that you could enjoy from the patio and the windows (if you were inside). It was especially nice at night when you could sit outside and enjoy the twinkling stars in the sky and the lights from Oia and towns across the water.Oia is a nice village, smaller and quieter than Fira. If you are interested in wine, I would reccomend that you visit the local wineries. We tasted some excellent wine there. Maria is an extremely friendly and helpul owner. She visited us the first night to make sure we had everything we needed. She also suggested places and restaurants we could visit. Based on her suggestion we visited some local beaches and restaurants and enjoyed them very much. Maria continued to stay in touch with us, bringing us medicine when our son hurt himself. I would definitely reccomend this place to our friends and family. And we also hope to go there again ourselves.
-
Connie and John
Auburn, New York USAA spectacular dessert after eating our way through Europe!
Left on 12/11/2011 for a stay in September 2011
Oia is a gorgeous, picturesque town, on one of the most postcard perfect islands we have traveled to. "Greek Paradise" is perfectly located to take advantage of the amazing vistas, and the ambiance of the town. This little cave house has amazing views, whether it's watching a colorful sunrise, or enjoying a glass of Greek wine in the afternoon. The on-line photos are good, but just can't do justice to the beauty of actually being there. The home itself is unusual, in respect to being built into the side of the Caldera, but it's comfortable and...just downright cute! Though it's tastefully done, almost nothing can hold a candle to the views from the terrace. The home has all the amenities to cook and eat in...but it would be a sin to miss the great restaurants located along the streets. The views from most were also spectacular and a few of the restaurants featured some of the best meals we have had throughout Europe. The only negatives, which we didn't consider serious, were the lack of much parking in the village (we had a rental car), and the steps to the home. Santorini, and Oia, are definitely not handicapped accessible. However, that's true of many places in Europe, where homes date back thousands of years. "Greek Paradise" and Oia have got to be on your bucket list!
-
Larry B.
San Antonio, Texas, USAThe most beautiful, breathtaking place we have ever visited.
Left on 11/18/2011 for a stay in June 2011
After seeing pictures of Santorini prior to our visit to athens, we decided we had to go there. We found out that Maria, our host in athens, also had a cavehouse in Oia, Santorini so we fit it into our plans. Best move we made. We have never been to a more beautiful place. Spectacular. Maria made sure everything was taken care of before we got there. The cavehouse, the shops, the people, and, most of all, the scenery were right out of a storybook. I do not have one bad thing to say about our visit there. I pray that we have a chance to do it again someday.
-
Nora
Brooklyn, NYBest vacation ever!
Left on 11/05/2011 for a stay in July 2011
We were fortunate enough to stay in Maria's rental homes in athens (10 minutes from the acropolis) and Oia, Santorini. Although they are entirely different, and in fundamentally distinctive settings, the two residences bear common features. The first is that Maria owns both of them. Consequently, the highest level of comfort, convenience, beauty, and taste typify them. Through Maria's neighbors, friends, and contacts, a host of individuals are available to support vacationers in both locations: shopkeepers, guides, cab drivers, business people, restaurateurs, and winemakers. And in both Oia and athens, she has decorated the apartments with her own art. Inexpensive and outstanding restaurants are no further than 10 minutes from the flat. The apartment contains all amenities, and above all a magnificent porch from which one may view the acropolis by day, lit by night. Do not close the curtains. One may calculate the porch as perhaps the flat's most alluring highlight. The house in Oia is chiseled out of the volcanic rock. Oia is by far the island's most well-located village. The nightly pilgrimage to sunset points is mind-boggling: hundreds of people hurrying west in the early evening. Maria's house overlooks the aegean straight down; the hill is steep. You can see Imerovigli and Firastefani as well. The stone path leading to the house begins at a higher point, at "street-level.” The many shops, which are OK but cater to visitors and are easily avoidable, dwell there, as well as some quite solid places to eat. The car rental recommended by Maria is inexpensive and convenient. Ammoudi Beach may well be a highlight of any stay at Maria's cave house here. Oia is an extraordinarily beautiful place and the cave house is lovely, cozy and is equipped with everything you will need. Photos don't do it justice. It is no exaggeration to say that my wife and I enjoyed the best vacation of our lives, which was due in no small part to Maria's personal and creative touches.
-
An tonis Coulinger
ArizonaHoliday in heaven
Left on 09/26/2011 for a stay in August 2011
I have to say that my family, had the best holiday ever. The place is unique, its the paradise in earth. The house is spacious, clean, well decorated and there is everything you may ask. The main bedroom has fabilous drawings, while the bed is very comfortable.
Maria (the owner) thanks for yours hospitality and we look forward to visiting your property soon. -
Scott
Vancouver, WashingtonAmazing House
Left on 09/26/2011 for a stay in September 2011
This place is a great place indeed. Only issue we had, the beds are hard as rock and so uncomfortable we could not get one decent nights sleep. It is truly an amazing place with sights no doubt the greatest on earth. Everything was perfect except those beds. And only because of that we would not go back but if there had been possibly better mattresses or some kind of pillow bed it would have made it much better.
But really it is such a great location and the view is spectacular and the service is second to none. Oia and the surrounding areas on Santorini are just amazing also.Response from Maria Economou - 09/28/2011
Owner
Dear Scott
Thank you for your complimentary words about the house. Regarding the mattress issue, I have on purpose bought medium hardness mattresses trying to please all guests. As you can imagine there is no way to please everybody, especially concerning this matter. You can see for yourself that there are different opinions in the review list from other guests. Anyway you are welcome any time in case you feel like checking it again :-) -
Tom and Lynne
PflugervilleOia and a full moon
Left on 09/24/2011 for a stay in June 2011
We spent a week at the house in June and had a fab time. You must try to come during a full moon, that you can watch all night long from the patio. The pictures here are absolutely what the place looks like. we had an opportunity to look inside some other cave houses for rent and although fine, none compared to the charm of Maria's. We were thrilled she was able to meet us for dinner one night - we talked food, wine and lots of art - she is an amazing artist in addition to a superb host. Shopping in the town was great and renting a car to tour the island daily is so easy and I'd definintely recommend. We hit almost all the beaches and enjoyed the organized ones the best (chairs and umbrellas to rent, along with easy access to food and drink). the pool she recommends is lovely and you should go at least once for sunset. We had a light dinner there (greek salad and wine) and loved every minute. Most sunsets we spent sitting on the cave house patio though with our own bottle of wine. Cannot beat that view! thanks Maria for such a great experience. It was a pleasure to meet you.
-
RiveraceAustin
AustinDream house in Oia
Left on 08/06/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Maria's cave house is a wonderful way to experience Oia and Santorini! The pictures speak for themselves -- but still don't capture the sense of rapture and peace that you experience here.
The house feels like home immediately -- and it's well appointed with everything you need to make a meal, amuse yourself or relax. The bathroom is a work of art -- because it really is a work of art created by Maria herself! You can sense the joy she had for making this ancient cave house an ageless retreat.
The location in Oia is perfect --just far enough below the well-touristed pedestrian walkway that you don't even know the people are there. But not so far down that you're exhausted climbing steps. Its also just a few meters away from the area everyone gathers for the amazing sunsets.
Maria was in Oia during our stay and she was a charming host. Very helpful personally acquainting us with everything in the cave house and making great recommendations for beaches, boat rental and the like. Her rental car recommendation was terrific as well -- we had too much luggage for any Euro-sized car and 4 people -- and they went above and beyond to accommodate us.
One of the true highlights of our two weeks in the Greek islands was the invitation Maria extended for our family to watch the sunset and have dinner with her from the rooftop of one of her other houses on the island. Four hours and full bellies later, we were fast friends. It really was a treasured multicultural experience that was above and beyond any expectations.
Do not hesitate to stay here -- it will be a memory you'll never forget. -
Jim and Janice
New York CityThe Only Place to Stay
Left on 05/18/2011 for a stay in April 2011
The Only Place to Stay !!!
Guest: Jim and Janice(New York, New York USa)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11
First of all let me say that the description and pictures do not do this property justice. I am not sure that any pictures or descriptions could do that. Maria's house is truly a "Greek Paradise". In our minds, there is no other way to enjoy a place than to live there, and so when ever we travel we rent an apartment or home. Maria's cave home is a perfect way to enjoy Santorini. We have been married for almost 40 years and have traveled extensively and lived out of the USa a number of times for work. Consequently, we are have had multiple experiences renting homes. This has been one of the best of those experiences. The cave house is situated such that it has a great deal of privacy from the tourists that come to Santorini. It is off the main streets, but very very close to the center of Santorini. The location is perfect. The view of the caldera is breath taking and the house itself is picture perfect. (In fact we noticed a few people who walked by taking pictures of the house.) Everything you could possibly want is in the home, from a completely equipped kitchen ( small, but more than enough) to wireless and satellite TV. It is spotlessly clean and , very uniquely, there is maid service everyday. What heaven. Lastly, but most importantly, Maria, is a wonderful wonderful host and a delightful person. We happened to be there for Easter and she took us to the church at midnight and then out to dinner at a non-tourist restaurant where we had a phenomenal meal. She provided recommendations for other restaurants, places to visit, etc. All of them were perfect. Thank you Maria !!! If you are looking for a truly "Greek" experience and a place that allows you to enjoy Santorini to its fullest we highly recommend this rental. Jim and Janice New York, New York USa.
-
2_bedroom_suite
Shreveport, LouisianaStunning, Perfect, Unique. Worth every penny.
Left on 03/16/2011 for a stay in March 2011
We arrived in Santorini after having my tethered wallet removed and unclipped from my front pocket in the athens Metro. (Advice: separate your cash and cards. Don't keep it all in your wallet.) Anyway, we arrived at the property in the evening and the keyholder, George was not in his photo shop. Fortunately, Maria, the owner, had provided me with phone numbers and we were able to reach George's son who arrived at the shop less than ten minutes later to let us in. The property is simply stunning. You could not find a nicer view on the island. Be aware that there are quite a few steep and narrow stairs to get to this cave house. The unit is small. Think more like "cave studio apartment" than "house," but more than adequate for our family of four. The photos on Tripadvisor are accurate, but understand that they do make the property appear a little larger than it is, but it is every bit as beautiful. We sat at that triangular table for many meals overlooking the sea. There are even cushions for the benches behind the wardrobe in the bedroom, but we didn't take them out. Maria accommodated us with a brand-new "pack and play" type crib for our 12 month old. The home was beautifully decorated and childproofed adequately prior to our arrival. The kitchenette is fully functional and has everything you might need, with the exception of a microwave, but it does have a kettle, a small oven and a three-burner electric cooktop that we used to prepare most of our meals for the week. It was difficult to keep everything clean, as our kids are pretty messy, but the cleaning lady is a miracle worker! The place was spotless and our laundry was in the washer/dryer combo unit when we returned the day she came. Next time, we'll talk to Maria about arranging a deal for her to come more often, because it was wonderful to find the home so clean when we got back. There is no safe in the home, but our netbook computer, camcorder, passports, portable DVD player etc were left in the home when the cleaning lady came and were still there when we returned. I want to bring Maria's cleaning lady back home with me! We visited in the off-season, so many attractions (Akrotiri ruins) and businesses were closed, but on the upside, there was hardly any traffic, we had the beaches to ourselves to comb for treasures, and we had a wonderful time! We plan to return when the kids are a little older, and we are grateful to Maria for her hospitality and for making this the highlight of our European/North african vacation. (I soon got over the rather substantial sum of money I lost in athens, but I haven't had time to replace my driver's license and scuba card yet.) You really need to rent this cave house! You won't regret it. We also rented a car which made getting around the island much, much easier. There are many rental options on the island, but I advise getting the smallest vehicle you can for two reasons: the roads are very narrow and twisty- there is not room for large vehicles to squeeze past, and also gas/petrol in Greece costs about triple what it does in the us (we noticed the cost was not much cheaper in athens). Still, you need to do this once in your life. It was amazing!
-
Jecca
Kamloops, BC CanadaA must do in Greece!!!
Left on 02/14/2011 for a stay in January 2011
Hi Maria! Sorry for the delay in writing, but our world tour has finally slowed down for a week in France. For guests thinking about using your property, stop thinking and book! My wife and I spent 3 nights in Maria's Santorini cave house and wished we booked for more. The cave can sleep up to 4 people and the kitchen was surprisingly big for the size of the cave. The bathroom was even fun to use!!! The patio out front is where we spent most nights, looking at the stars and enjoying the exceptional view. We rented a car and enjoyed visiting the island. If this isn't enough, Maria herself is fantastic! She called on our arrival to make sure everything was ok and was in touch with her cleaning person to make sure all was in order. Further, my wife and I forgot our Eurail passes back home (what an ordeal it was to finally get them). Maria offered to have them sent to her home address and went out of her way to meet us while we were in athens to hand deliver them to us (and we were 1 1/2 hours late due to some Metro construction!)!!!
The cave is exactly as the pictures show and is a short walk from where we were able to park our car. There are plenty of great places to eat within a 5 minute walk, and a grocery store that we used is equally as close. Wine tastings are a must. Beaches are great and the people were fantastic. Thank you Maria, when we return to Greece we will stay with you again! -
ca
PranginsA superb location with spectacular views
Left on 02/04/2011 for a stay in October 2010
A very cute, traditional place to stay. If you don't like soulless impersonal hotels, this is great!
-
Markos
AthensStay
Left on 01/23/2011 for a stay in October 2010
An unbelievable and majestic show appeared in front of my eyes while looking through the front door of Maria's cave house and down to the Caldera the first morning I woke up! My thoughts travelled in the past, 36 centuries ago, to that terrible explosion of the volcano which created all this wonder! My wife and I enjoyed our stay there! The beds and the mattresses on the benches of the patio are beautiful and perfectly comfortable. The brilliant moonlight in the stary sky, the view of the Caldera and the lights of the villages of the other side of the island are so perfect that offer calm and peace of mind to the lucky visitors. Idylic place for love!
-
ella_johns
Lafayette, LouisianaA dream come true!
Left on 01/14/2011 for a stay in April 2010
I planned this trip to Santorini with 2 of my girlfriends a year in advance and did much research into looking for the right property for us. I was so fortunate to come across this little gem and soon became fast friends with the owner Maria. We stay in Maria's villa for 2 glorious weeks and felt like I had died and gone to heaven. The view of the caldera and the location of this villa was perfect. Close to everything but away from the noise and tourists. It really became our little home. Everything was perfect!!! I could not have asked for more and would certainly recommend this property. You will fall in love with this Villa and Santorini.
Thank you Maria for making our stay one I will never forget.
Ella Johns -
Rao@Tempe
Tempe, AZHeaven in repose
Left on 01/04/2011 for a stay in December 2010
Oia in winter is heaven in repose, and Maria's cave house gave us a
previleged seat in the boudoir. The bustle of summer is
gone, and the main street is a kaleidoscope of locked doors. The
weather alternated between gloriously sunny and hauntingly foggy. The
affectionate local strays provided us with a canine retinue
everywhere. The camera and my heart were filled to the brim with beautiful memories.
Waking up in our cave house and seeing the caldera in twilight over
the supine forms of three solicitous strays that kept a faithful watch
overnight is an experience I will not easily forget.
Practicalities: If you go in winter (and I hope you do), be sure to
stay in Oia. Oia is beautiful with or without the bustle; Fira needs
people and open doors to hide its relatively haphazard architecture.
I also hope you are lucky enough to get Maria's cave house; the house
is so very cozy (a member of our party thought the cave bathroom was
too cutel to shower in!). Maria herself is a very warm
owner (she arranged for another cave house a minute away for the rest
of our party). In the end, our Oia sojourn effortlessly stood out as the highlight of our memorable 10 day trip to Greece this December.
-
Lora
Alexandria, VABeautiful Family Vacation in Paradise!
Left on 08/21/2010 for a stay in August 2009
We stayed here with our children and it was the highlight of their trip! Maria was a wonderful hostess, the apartment was perfectly suited for us and she was very accommodating to our family. She gave us excellent advice on where to take the kids for swimming, shopping, eating, and of course, viewing the beautiful Oia sunset. We've been to Santorini twice, and Oia is a perfect location on the island--just the right amount of activity and privacy. Close to shopping, and great rock-jumping into the beautiful blue sea! I highly recommend Maria's beautiful apartment.
-
Doug Hendricks
Salt Lake City, UT, USAExactly what we had hoped for
Left on 08/01/2010 for a stay in July 2009
Our stay in Maria's property was everything we had hoped for. The view from the patio is awesome. The home and the surrounding town are wonderful. It's like living in a postcard. Maria took great care to make sure that everything was just right. If you're looking for a traditional Greek island experience you'll love Maria's place.
-
Faith
HoustonParadise on Earth
Left on 07/29/2010 for a stay in May 2009
I spent 10 wonderful days in Maria's beautiful traditional cave home. The home is cozy with so many personal artistic touches designed by Maria herself. The home has plenty of space, and wonderful amenities. My favorite part of the day was to wake up and have coffee, toast, and marmalade on the terrace while taking in the tranquil view of the caldera, all of Santorini, and the aegean sea. It is paradise on earth. I can not express enough how beautiful this particular neighborhood of Oia is. It is quiet, the local neighbors and shop owners are friendly and helpful. They knew me by name by the time I left. I felt like I belonged to the island. Maria's home is lower down on the cliff close to the sea so it is serene, but everything you need is so close: fresh market, convenience store, island information center, delicious restaurants for every budget, a bus stop (the public transportation was awesome), and beautiful boutiques and artisan stores. I will be back to Oia soon and having been all over the island, I saw no better place to make my vacation home than Maria's cave house. It really is paradise on earth.
-
Larry
Bradenton, FlDream Come True
Left on 07/29/2010 for a stay in March 2010
I had always said that if I ever remarried, I wanted to have my honeymoon in Santorini. I had heard it had the most romantic sunsets in the world. Well I did remarry and took my new bride to Santorini, and words really can't explain it, but I'll try. First we were lucky enough to find Maria and her villa in Oia. It is the perfect location in Santorini. Maria is so helpful, with suggestions where to go and what to do. She sent brochures and Cd's to read and watch. She was so helpful with the car rental, and anything we needed. Her villa is so beautiful, peaceful, and the most incredible views. You see the pictures and think, it all looks like postcards, well it is just the way it looks, like a postcard in real life. We ate breakfast every morning on our patio, and the picture that Maria has here, is exactly what it looks like. How could you not feel so at peace. The rental car company she recommends, Drossos was great and very affordable. Make sure you deal with Sotos, he turned us on to some great places to eat, and knew the Island very well. If you want to go to Santorini, Maria's villa is the place to stay. Great people, food, history, scenery. Here are the restaurants we loved. Kraganaki, just down the road from Oia in Finakia. Marios Taberna, on the otherside of the airport, on the beach. Pyrgos Tavern, in Pyrgos, a 3 story restaurant with incredible views and food. Places to check out, the black beaches in Perissa, and red beaches in akritori. Ancient Thira, ruins of an ancient city on top of a mountain. Santori winery, they have great views and a great wine tasting, 6 wines, cheese, bread and olives, for 12 Eu. We didn't have time to take a tour of the cauldera, but it is supposed to be very cool, and you can swim in hot springs. If you don't rent a car, there is plenty to do in Oia. Highly recommend you go if you can, and make sure to contact Maria. Sunsets, sunsets, and sunsets!!
-
luojun
china,beijingPerfect honeymoon
Left on 07/14/2010 for a stay in November 2009
We are here to honeymoon,Location of Maria's villa is very good, inexpensive, and Daily necessities is very complete. The most crucial is the scenery of here, During the day to see the sea, the stars at night are all beautiful !!!If you want to Learn Maria's villa,you can go to the blog of sina,my name is “lantianxiadebao”,there have Chinese Introduction. Anyway, the right to choose Maria's villa!! In addition, in the villa where I left a pocket-sized kite decorations on the mini-bar, and put a Chinese knot on the wall , it near the table , there Hanging a calendar,and there have my messages. If your are there next Chinese Tenants, remember to write message :) thank you Maria,You let us have a beautiful honeymoon,We will come again!!
-
Peggy
New York StateStaying at Maria's cave home exceeded all my expectation!!
Left on 07/12/2010 for a stay in October 2009
I had the quintessential Santorini experience when I stayed at Maria's cave home in Oia. My first look at view from the terrace of her home, all I could say was “amazing!” The house is perched on the face of the caldera and the view is beyond description. When you stand on the terrace and look out over the water and sky you will struggle to find new words to describe the color blue and immediately drink in the essence of Oia. Outside, Maria's home borrows the soft natural colors of the island. Inside the dark wood furniture looks perfect against the crisp white walls. The bathroom is a mosaic wonder. The dome shaped room's walls are totally covered with small squares and rectangles of every color and style of tile imaginable. It is truly a work of art. One of Maria's many special touches that personalize her home and make it so comfortable and inviting. I had the house all to myself and enjoyed every minute there. At Maria's suggestion I rented a car which allowed me to explore the island on my own schedule. Driving on the island was fun and exciting. My absolute favorite place was amoudi Bay. I went there several days to swim and have lunch. The people at Taverna Katina, the restaurant with the orange chairs, were wonderful. I also took the boat tour to Volcano Island and swam in the hot springs. In a word the vacation was perfect! My stay a Maria's home offered everything I was looking from the view and location. Her many helpful suggestions for places to see and things to do were spot on. Her assistance and follow up calls were greatly appreciated. She was a wonderful hostess. As I told my friends, “How can I ever explain the feeling, describe the view or share the experience? You'll just have to go see it for yourself. I dare you.” PS. I've booked the house again.
-
Pam
Redding, CASpectacular!
Left on 07/11/2010 for a stay in October 2009
Guest: Pam Hughes(Redding, Ca)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/09/09
My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your lovely "Greek Paradise in Oia." We were able to find Island Photo easily from your photos and phoned instructions and we were escorted to the house by a very courteous young man. The view is probably the most spectacular feature of the house, but the furnishings and supplies with which you have stocked it made us feel very welcome, with all the comforts of home. It was very peaceful and quiet at the house, even though we were very close to the busy shopping streets above and the sunset viewing points. We enjoyed the assortment of Cd's provided, especially the bouzouki music. The most spectacular view we had during our 4-day stay was a glorious sunrise which we enjoyed from the terrace. It did, indeed, seem like Paradise! -
ten
miamimagnificant
Left on 07/11/2010 for a stay in June 2010
unique view,excellent house.
The location is excellent with beautiful scenery, close to shops and restaurants, yet very quiet and peaceful. Being a 'cave house' the accommodation is both enchanting and comfortable.
Here 3 more rentals located nearby.
Also Consider
FlipKey has rentals in over 11 destinations around the world:
-
Megalochori vacation rentals
14 rentals from $418/night -
Elounda villas
13 rentals from $91/night -
Buonconvento villas
8 rentals from $116/night