I would say the best time is from 10th May. I recommend the resort of Perissa but I have not stayed in a hotel. Have a look at http://delboy85.tripod.com/santorini/index.html

I would suggest May/Early June or September as your best bets for weather is not too hot and the island is not invaded by hoardes of backpackers! In September the sea will still be warm but the heat is mainly gone from the air.
Would second the recommendation about Perissa - it's much more laid back and traditional with lots of local eateries to choose from. We have been 4times and always stay at Perivolos (just along the beach from Perissa) at Smaragdi Hotel / Apartment complex find it is clean , comfortable and family run .
There is lots to see and do on the island , driving around is not a problem as the roads are well maintained and not too busy - except this time we did note a problem occasionally with quad bikes holding up the traffic and messing about sometimes. Local buses are plentiful and taxis are inexpensive too. Must sees/dos are the Volcano Boat trip - Akrotiri for the ruins - Oia / Fira for the sunset - and hill top villages of Pyrgos and Emborio for exploring the traditional homes (great views and nice & cool on hot days!)

I went to Santorini in 2002 and 2003 in the resort of Kamari. Would thoroughly recommend it and quite frankly thought that sitting in a restaurant in Thira watching the sun go down was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Mind you eating the sickly sticky bun that we bought from a bakery that we bought and carted back to appartment on the bus came a close 2nd! Kamari is more commercialised but that being said it is mostly restaurants rather than bars. We went the last week in August, first in September. It noticeably became quieter the 2nd week.

Roger - have heard back from my friend at work who says
Quote
We stayed at the VEGGERA in Perissa, which was very good with two nice pools and only 50 yards from the sea. Perissa is full of tavernas but there is not much night life. The whole island is only about 15 miles long and 3 miles wide, and there is a good bus service in and out of Fira (the Capital), about 8 miles away. The beaches are black shingle but loungers/umbrellas are available.
We can recommend it - Colin

Roger - hope this helps your decision
Yammas
Heather

Thanks to everyone who has replied, much appreciated, and will help

Roger

We are in our 50s & went Sept 14th, 2004. We stayed in Perissa at Robertos Studios & Apartments but through talking to other people can recommend Hotel Smaragdi Village through Kosmar. The Hosts make you feel most welcome & put on an excellent Greek Night. We were invited by the Hosts when we stopped by for a drink.
We went everywhere by bus, the Service is really good. All buses gop to Thira but they will drop you at the end of the road that leads down to Akrotiri then you can walk down. You can catch a bus to Thira from the village or the Archeological Site.
Temperature wise it was just right for us, as we don't like too much heat either.

I would recommend Kamari or Fira the capital. We went in the last week of the season in October last year, the temperature was in the mid 20's.Bits of Kamari were shutting down by that time so probably best going a bit earlier but there was a good choice of restaurants there and chilling out bars not rowdy places at all. As someone said the island is small and the bus service excellent and cheap.

anybody been to Santorini? Looking at Iliada Studios for July 2006 - any comments good or bad much appreciated! thanks

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/greece/santorini/perissa/iliada-studios/

Thinking of booking for next year to stay at the Aegean Plaza in Kamari but a bit worried about aircraft noise as proximity to the airport.

Can you anyone tell me whether there is a lot of aircraft noise especially at night.

Thanks

There is a lot of aircraft noise in Kamari but you do get used to it after a couple of days.It's not a problem at night because there are no night flights to Samos.

Hi

I'm off to Imerovigli on the 19th July for our honeymoon staying in the Santorini Princess.

Just wondered if anyone has been and what they think and also if there are lots of nice places to eat.

Thanks

Hello

Has anyone stayed at the santorini princess in imergolivi (sp) i'm going there on honeymoon next tuesday and just want peace of mind that it's a lovely place and also wondered if there are plenty of nice restaurants in the area.

Thank you!

Hi Smokeycat
Not stayed in the mentioned place but 'vicor of dibley' is a wonderful place to go to.
Lots of places to eat with great views. You'll have a great time i'm sure!

thanks intervoice but whats vicar of dibley??? does that mean it's boring or religeous??

No, It's just a nickname for imoravigili.

thank god for that, i had visions of eating out in nunneries every night

I am struggling to book a holiday in Santorini for 2 weeks time and have left it a little late. One of the hotels available is the Levante Hotel in Kamari, has anybody stayed there or know anyone who has? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am struggling to book a holiday leaving in under 2 weeks and have left it a bit late! Can anyone advise what the Levante Hotel is like, can find no reviews anywhere for it!