Kamari Beach Hotel

For guests concerned with proximity to one of Santorini's black sand beaches, and the lively streets of Kamari, this simple and straightforward hotel fits the bill. Expectations must be kept to a minimum, however, as the frills and style here are basic. The hotel looks typically Cycladian from the outside, with white walls accented by bright blue balconies. Inside, there's a funky mix of modern and antique-style furniture, including an old typewriter and a cash register on display as well as a marble-topped wooden front desk. The lobby has cushioned chairs and benches, and a small library area with desktop computers. There are beautiful views of the sea throughout, and a casual atmosphere that suits all kinds of vacationers who don't want to spend a small fortune for their Greek island escape. Guests should know that there are no elevators, which may be difficult for those with mobility issues.

The Kamari Beach Hotel sits on a busy pedestrian street surrounded by other hotels, shops, and restaurants -- all of Kamari's features are right at the hotel's doorstep. The town's pebbly black sand beach is right across the street as well. There’s a public bus that stops a four-minute walk from the hotel, providing access to the island's other towns for those without cars. It’s a 15- to 20-minute drive to Fira, which has stunning views of Santorini's caldera, while the northern town of Oia -- known for its spectacular sunsets -- is a 40-minute drive from the hotel. The hotel is located close to the Santorini Airport, which is only a 10-minute drive from the property.

The Kamari's 106 rooms have either sea, garden, or pool views and come in single, double, and triple configurations. Decor in almost all rooms is simple and austere, with drab gray bedspreads, cheap black furniture, linoleum floors, and bare white walls. All rooms have terraces with metal seating, along with air-conditioning and mini-fridges. The Sea View Rooms aren’t as up to date, and have tiny tube TVs instead of the flat-screen TVs found in other units. Some units have been given a little more love than others, and the Twin Bedroom Pool View Room that we visited had bright turquoise accents along with colorful wall art and banquette seating. Bathrooms are on the small side, with mosaic tiling throughout, and while some have flimsy curtains around stand-up showers, other showers are wet-room style spaces that would get the rest of the bathroom wet when used.

The main attractions at this hotel are the large pool -- which has plenty of lounge chairs and sea views -- and the beach, where there are sun beds and umbrellas reserved for hotel guests. The bar serves guests drinks and snacks poolside and on a shaded patio. There’s also a small fitness room with some cardio and weight machines, as well as a couple of mats and a few sets of free weights. Other recreational features include a game room with a pool table and a small children’s playroom with a slide that leads into a small, colorful ball room. The hotel lets guests use showers if they have checked out and have an evening flight. A basic buffet breakfast is included in room rates and is served in a bright breakfast room with an outdoor area, though reviews are not enthusiastic, and other meals are unfortunately as underwhelming. Wi-Fi is free, but is spotty in the rooms.