Santorini Med Homes

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Business Traveler

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : We expected Santorini to be the most difficult stage in our journey through the Greek islands, and indeed it was. A rescheduled ferry from Crete (notified to us by text at midnight before its Sunday departure; then no phones that would answer, and travel agents all closed) was just the beginning. Many places were ostentatiously closed (don't believe the Archaeological Museum's own website). And the buses are famously hard to comprehend let alone catch. Zero information: some sort of competition to keep us deepest in the dark about bus stops and scheduling. Given that background scenario, we were very pleased with our host's helpful attitude and efforts. Yiannis made things much easier. This apartment is fine for a couple, like us. Very clean, well presented and secure, which it needs to be in this seedy mid-island location (Mesaria means something like "middle"). Here the coffee vendors routinely short-change you, and things can get ugly if you take them to task. For safety, we strongly recommend coffee from Marta and her sister Nicki's friendly bakery, which is the nearest in any case. Facilities in the room are as one should expect. Perhaps our own expectations were too high, since at earlier stays we found everything we needed: salt, pepper, ground coffee, tea, raki, and even perhaps olive oil, vinegar, and fresh milk. Not here though. It does get tiresome, having to scramble at a supermarket in each location for life's necessities when we pay good money for our stay. We recommend this place! But only if you have a car (or are ready to walk a lot as I did to Fira, and onward to the northern end of the island at Oia; not a bad idea, but you'd better be fit!). For convenience, prefer the centrality of Fira. All buses (one eventually learns) lead to Fira. A special commendation to the wonderful cleaning woman, who with zero English was among the most resolutely helpful people we encountered.
  : It's complicated. See above!

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : Great location in a quiet local town, easy walking distance to restaurants and supermarkets. Apartment was small but cozy and comfortable. We were there during the winter, and I think we were the only foreigners in town! Messaria is a great choice for off-season travel in Santorini because it is a local town so restaurants etc are all open, unlike other parts of the island that shut down in the off-season.
  : We were told that somebody would come every day to clean, but they just wanted to change the towels and sheets (no actual cleaning was offered). Since Santorini has a big water problem (no fresh water sources), I think it's unnecessary to wash linens every day. A nice gesture though.