I stayed at Astra in July of 2008 and can say only wonderful things about my experience. I was there with my wife for our 2 year wedding anniversary. The hotel had been reccomended by a friend who had stayed there a few months ago. Admittedly, I was a little nervous about the location. All I hear about from most of my NYC friends is how "you have to stay in Oia". Honestly, they counldnt be more wrong. Astra's location was perfect, close to all of the best parts of the island. So, here are my pros and cons...

PROS
- Location is wonderful. Imerovigli is a cute part of the island, just outside of Fira. It is an amazing 20 minute walk to Fira, probably one of the most beautiful walks in the world. Also, we walked the 5 mile hike to Oia, which was awesome. Imerovigli itself is super cute, and has a ton of awesome restaurants.

- Staff is unreal. George, the General Manager is the nicest guy around, and all of the staff is 100% willing to help you out. Any wish you have is their command, and they do everything with a smile on their face. This includes booking rental cars, booking dining, special breakfast requests, etc.

- Amenities are great. Most things were free and included. We didnt have a laptop, but the hotel has 5 of them that they lend out to the hotel guests for free. Also breakfast is included and delivered to your balcony every day.

- Views are amazing. I dont need to add much to this, just look at pictures!

- Deals are great. Many of the best hotels are 450 euros and up per night. Astra is only 300 euros, which is huge considering the poor exchange rates. Also there is a great deal they run for what they call "studio rooms". This is not shown on the website. These rooms are regular hotel rooms (just a bed, balcony, bathroom) but do not have a seperate living room and sitting area. These rooms are only 180 euros. We stayed in one at it was perfect.

- Pool is perfect. The pool is amazing, and the views are stunning. There are 3 big beds around the pool for maximum relaxation.

CONS

- If you dont love to walk up and down stairs, santorini is probably not for you. Astra specifically has a lot of walking, because there are so many steps all over the place. My wife and I are a 27 year old couple, and we loved the walks, but if you're not prepared to walk a lot, Astra might not be for you.

- The pool area is small and only has spots for about 12 people to sit comfortably. You do have to get there early to get the best spots, like the great outdoor beds!

Overall, I'm looking forward to coming back to astra one day. I loved every minute of my stay, and think the place is amazing. I'd encourage every discerning american vacationer to consider it when visiting santorini.

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Astra Apartments for 4 nights after staying in Athens. It was simply wonderful! The minute you get out of the car and start walking down the steps to get to the hotel you realize how extraordinary the place is.

Our room was great with an impressive view of the caldera and the crater... the pool area was spotless and our balcony was fairly big. Breakfast was served every morning in the balcony or the room (depending on the weather).... really good.... but if you like more than 1 cup of coffee you should order 2 pots.

The service was excellent, we even had the chance to enjoy a delicious lunch with all the other guests due to the Easter festivities. Lamb and wine were just excellent and we also enjoyed some Greek dances with the hosts!!

You get towels for the beach, umbrellas if it's raining and they arrange a car for you if you want to tour the island.

We had a fantastic time..... We would definitively go back.

Viviana
Ottawa, ON, Canada

Service is excellent, view is fantastic, rooms are divine. I would gladly go back. The only downside is that if you have any physical problems with steps (and there are lots of them both in the town and the hotel) this is not the place for you. You must be able to walk and negotiate steep stairs. But if you can, the view will reward you as the hotel is built into the side of a cliff. The service is some of the best we have ever had anywhere in the world. If you want to be pampered beside your own private pool with one of the most beautiful views ever, then go to the Astra. Local food at nearby restaurants (but again steep walking to and from) is good.

My wife and I recently spent our honeymoon at Astra Apts in Santorini and just loved it. As far as the rooms/suites, they were large and well appointed each with terraces of the expansive, beautiful caldera. The staff were extremely hospitable and attentive to our every needs from dinner reservations to rental car hiring. The size of the entire resort was nice as it lent a smaller, more welcoming pool crowd. Very casual and everyone very friendly including the bartender, Chris. As far as its location, after spending time in both Fira and Ia, i would look no further than Imeroviglia. It is far enough from Fira to avoid crowds yet close enough to hike it into town for dinner. If for no other reason to stay here, the sunset views here were unforgettable and i think truly the best on the island. We will continue to visit for years to come.