Tamarix del Mar

The Tamarix del Mar resembles a miniature Santorini village, with lots of whitewash, stucco, and traditional architectural details, including picturesque domes. There are also Aegean blue doors and windows, filmy curtains, and stone walkways. Life at the hotel centers around the luxe pool, with its lovely sundeck and chic but casual poolside bar. There are palm trees and flowering plants everywhere, adding to the romantic island feel. Guests can find plenty of places to enjoy the sun and sea views among the hotel's many terraces and pergolas. 

The restaurant is sophisticated and elegant, with white linen tablecloths, vaulted ceilings, photogenic archways, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. Breakfast -- homemade and delicious -- can be served where guests want, including poolside. There is a kids' pool and play area, but this is not a raucous, noisy party hotel, or a spot where kids take over. Guests seeking low-key but sophisticated luxury with lots of Greek island charm and personal attention will find the Tamarix del Mar to be the ideal vacation (or honeymoon) retreat.

The Tamarix del Mar is a few minutes' walk from Kamari Beach with its gorgeous black sand. The immediate area is busy, cheerful, and upbeat, with tourists passing by along the beach paths. There are a bus stop and grocery store close to the hotel entrance. The hotel is located on the outskirts of the seaside village of Kamari, a major tourist town filled with shops, restaurants, clubs, and bars. The village can be reached on foot in about five to 10 minutes. Unlike many Santorini hotels, the Tamarix del Mar is a good choice for guests with mobility requirements, as there are few hills or steps on the premises. 

The Wine Museum and Art Space Santorini are within 10 minutes' drive of the hotel, and Ancient Thira is 15 to 20 minutes' drive. The Santorini Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive away, and the hotel offers shuttle service to both the port and airport for a fee.

Rooms at the Tamarix del Mar are huge and spotless, individually decorated and furnished with Greek island style. Open and bright, with an airy feel, the rooms are done in whitewash, with touches of native wood and stone; some have Aegean blue accents. Each room has a private veranda, some with hot tubs, and some duplex units have a veranda for each floor. Beds are big and comfortable, some with airy curtains or canopies, and each room has a kitchenette with a small cooktop, mini-fridge, and all the necessary cookware and tableware. Most bathrooms have shower/tub combos, but Junior Suites and maisonettes offer jetted tubs and rainfall showerheads. Toiletries, hairdryers, and pool towels are provided, and guests can cozy up in the provided robes and slippers. Although the serene setting calls for unplugging, there are satellite flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD players, and free Wi-Fi. The rooms are air-conditioned and have safes. 

The Tamarix del Mar serves a free, home-cooked breakfast each morning. Guests can have breakfast in their rooms, on private verandas, poolside, or anywhere else they like. The hotel has a spa with a large menu of services, including aromatherapy, sports massage, and ayurveda, as well as body treatments and facials. Guests are advised to make appointments in advance of their arrival. There's also a hair salon on-site. 

The hotel has both indoor and outdoor pools with decks lined with lounge chairs, as well as a hot tub and a children's pool. The fitness center is tiny, with a couple of cardio machines, however most area hotels don't have gyms at all, so this is a plus. There are a computer station and a guest laundry for visitor convenience. The hotel offers free local transportation, and, for a fee, will pick up and drop off guests at the port or airport.