Thalassa Sea Side Resort & Suites

This hotel is popular with travelers -- mostly couples -- seeking simple lodgings for a budget vacation. Though the hotel is old, it has lovely grounds. The typical Cycladic architecture -- short, whitewashed buildings featuring square tops and arched doorways -- is enhanced with beautiful flowering bushes and tall shade trees. Interiors show their age, but are spacious and generally clean. The lobby’s light-blue shade covers walls, simple tables and sofas, and the faux-brick of the front desk. Gray accents break up the monotony, but the look is bland overall. Guests looking for simple accommodations on a budget are generally satisfied with the value for their money, but others find it is not worth the price, particularly due to maintenance issues and noise from overhead planes. However, most agree that the staff is kind and helpful with issues brought to their attention. 

Thalassa Sea Side Resort & Suites is far north in Kamari, on the eastern coat of Santorini. It is in a residential area with some hotels nearby. A four-minute walk from the hotel will bring guests to a restaurant with a public bus stop out front. A 10-minute walk down the beach leads to a more populated, touristy area with several restaurants. From the hotel, it is an eight-minute walk to a supermarket. A 15-minute walk or a four-minute drive, will bring guests to a nice outdoor movie theater. The town of Fira, with its museums and famous caldera views, is a 22-minute drive from the hotel. Santorini Airport is a nine-minute drive from the hotel, and the port is 20 minutes away. 

Standard rooms are simple and underwhelming with terra-cotta tile floors and ivory stucco walls and ceilings. Some rooms are done in blue instead of ivory, but are just as monochromatic. Furnishings are sparse, with one or two twin beds (pushed together for a double), nightstands, and a TV stand housing a mini-fridge and tiny tube-style TV. Upgraded room options include one or two sofa beds in a sitting area, a separate bedroom, and a queen-size bed. All rooms have a balcony or terrace -- some with sea views -- and a free safe. Bathrooms are tired and dated, with small showers and curtains (sometimes clingy). Free shampoo, shower gel, and soap are provided, as is a hairdryer. Guests note that some rooms have problems with a musty smell, lack of hot water, and general disrepair, while others are in better shape. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms, but guests find those closer to the pool get better reception. 

The large pool with a nice wading section is the highlight of the hotel. Palm trees, colorful flowers, and a sea view make it a lovely, peaceful setting. The rocky beach is quiet and set apart from the popular public beaches to the south. There are free loungers with umbrellas for guests at both the pool and beach, and a bar with drinks and snacks. 

The restaurant serves three meals a day in a pleasant dining area, or on the beachfront terrace with a beautiful view of the sea. A free breakfast buffet offers an American-style spread with local dishes. Guests find it repetitive, but generally satisfactory. Dinner is a la carte, but those with a meal plan must choose from a limited menu. Massages are available, and a sauna and steam room offer a place to unwind. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.