Thera Mare

The staff were amazing, and the place was very clean, but the room we eventually got felt like two stars at an absolute push. We'd booked a premium room in a so-called 4-star boutique hotel, yet our names weren't even on the booking list when we arrived. The room was as basic as it gets, several advertised features were missing, and the shower was just a hose and head hanging from the wall with a flimsy curtain that stuck to you. The pool was pretty good, but the bar was pointless and we used it once all week. The sunbeds were old and tatty, and the jacuzzi and sauna were derelict and out of use. From the terrace, all three sides looked onto half-built, forgotten houses and rusty cement mixers. The beach was advertised as a 400m walk, but add another 800m and you'll be closer to the mark. Whoever took the photos and wrote the description deserves a Nobel prize for fiction!

The hotel looks nothing like the photos in real life. The bathrooms are a joke, and the food was worse than at a 2-star hotel in Kraków. They also delete comments on travel agencies like rainbow or booking. I don't recommend it. I'd love a refund. Wasted holiday.

The pool was usually quiet, with sunbeds free every time we went, and sometimes we were the only ones there. The rooms are small but have what you need: air conditioning, storage, fridge, TV, and so on. The wall-mounted hair dryer took forever, so I was glad I'd brought my own. The shower was small and could flood the bathroom, but we cleaned up with the towels provided, which were changed daily. The water pressure was good and the temperature stayed where we set it. The breakfast was nice but had no variety, so after a few days we ate elsewhere. We stayed a week at Thera Mare, a lovely, quiet hotel that suited our plan to rest. Shops, restaurants, bars, the beach, and car and bike hire were all within a 10-15 minute walk. The bus to Oia and Fira is less than five minutes away on foot, though we didn't use it. Staff weren't at the desk when we arrived, but left very clear instructions for getting into the room. The next morning Thasos welcomed us, gave us lots of tips on places to explore and eat, and helped arrange transport. We really enjoyed the stay. It's ideal for couples or adults wanting somewhere peaceful outside Santorini's main tourist areas, while still being able to reach them easily. I wouldn't recommend it for kids.

We had a great stay. It's away from the tourist crowds, so the place was quiet and calm, with a beautiful mountain view. The small staff team worked hard and were friendly and helpful, making us very comfortable.