Mediterranean White

The Mediterranean Royal is an all-inclusive property with low-lying whitewashed buildings and patchy tropical landscaping near the Aegean Sea. It shares some features with its sister resort down the road, the Mediterranean Beach, including a black-sand beach. This private stretch of beach is scenic and peaceful, with curtained massage pavilions and cushioned sunbeds shaded by straw umbrellas. A beach bar and cafe serves cocktails and sandwiches to sunbathers, but the rocky sand is not for everybody. Many guests prefer the resort's large outdoor pool, which has a friendly vibe with loud music playing throughout the day. The swim-up bar and attached hot tub are geared toward adults, but there's also a separate kiddy pool. 

Guests are both vacationing couples and families with children. The resort doesn't offer the programmed activities some might expect from an all-inclusive, but on an island filled with small, boutique properties geared to couples, this is a viable choice for a family vacation. The nearby Imperial Med Hotel, Resort & Spa, which is comparably priced, offers a Turkish bath and poolside entertainment for families, though it's often in Italian. 

The Mediterranean Royal is located in a remote seaside area within six minutes’ drive of Santorini’s international airport. There's not much in the immediate vicinity except for the Royal’s sister resort, the Mediterranean Beach Palace, a six-minute walk down the road. However, guests speak highly of the fish restaurant down the beach for fresh meals away from the resort. Kamari village has plenty of cafes and bars, and is around a 35-minute walk or eight-minute drive from the resort. Santorini's capital, Fira, is about 20 minutes away by car, while picturesque Oia is about a half hour’s drive. A rental car is recommended to tour the island’s sights, but there's also a bus stop within a few minutes' walk of the hotel. Free parking is available at the resort, but spaces are limited and first-come, first-served. The Old Port is a 20-minute drive from the Mediterranean Royal. The resort operates a shuttle to the airport and ferry for a fee.

The 65 rooms are spacious but plain, with decor that's not very sophisticated, modern, or Greek in feel. Terra-cotta tile floors and scallop-edged white furnishings in Standard Rooms are accented with dated ocean-themed wallpaper and bright-red cushioned headboards. The white sofas are a welcome touch, and pastel paintings of Santorini scenery lend some charm. Bathrooms are tight but have marble floors and walls, with showers or shower/tub combos. Free toiletries, slippers, and bathrobes are provided. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-fridges or minibars, and air-conditioning. Airplane noise can be an issue. 

Along with Standard Rooms there are Family Rooms, Junior Suites, and two-bedroom Executive Suites, some with panoramic mountain and sea views from balconies. Many of these have dated wooden furnishings and old-fashioned bedding that are in need of an update. Some ground-floor options have tiny private pools or private spa tubs; others share a small pool with several other rooms. All rooms have private balconies or terraces, with sea views or side-sea views, garden views, or pool views. 

At the private black-sand beach there's a beach volleyball court, and a ladder into the water for guests who want to avoid the rocky shoreline -- bring water shoes. The small children’s pool shares deck space with the main pool.

The Dionysos pool tavern serves light local fare for lunch and dinner in a shaded area with tables and umbrellas. Inside the lobby, the hotel bar is simple, with a black-and-white color scheme and rows of small tables side by side. The breakfast area is outdoors on the well-shaded terrace. The included breakfast consists of hot and cold options such as pastries and breads, meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, cereal, and cooked items. The resort’s main restaurant is located at the sister property and serves a buffet-style dinner, with themed dinners several times a week. The separate children’s restaurant has a kids' menu and staff supervision. All-inclusive and half-board options are available. 

Guests may use the fitness center at the neighboring Mediterranean Beach Palace for a fee. There are two tennis courts with lights for nighttime play, and tennis lessons are available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property once guests like the hotel's Facebook page, though it can be spotty.