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This is a not-sponsored hotel review. I was very thankful for the services the resort personnel provided and decided to publish this photo post.

This year, my plan for the EuroTrip to Santorini, Greece was to settle down in an all-inclusive resort close to the sea and spend most of the time meditating on a beach.

Santo Miramare Luxury Resort has totally fulfilled my expectations! It is located in the famous cosmopolitan beach of Perivolos with the black sand and stylish beach bars, restaurants, and mini-markets. It is the largest resort located on the beach in Santorini. Its own private beach strip is equipped with always-available, and complimentary to resort quests, beach beds and umbrellas, plus guests receive a fresh beach towel every day. The resort offers three swimming pools of different sizes (one specially designed for children) and a full poolside bar that also serves lunch menu in the middle of the day. A buffet-style breakfast is included and offers a variety of food options. The dinner buffet is 20 Euros per person and is awesome!

About my room: a very spacious room with a balcony, high ceiling and greek-traditional white-painted walls with rounded corners, air-conditioner, modern furniture with plenty shelves and available space, mini-fridge, electronic safe deposit box, telephone, hairdryer, satellite TV, and… each room in the resort has its own Wi-Fi router (!) The rooms are being cleaned every day, and the Maids are providing amazing services.

About the Beach: Santorini beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles. There is a black beach on the Santo Miramare backyard, and it’s getting hot quickly. You will need slippers or slides for walking from your umbrella to the sea. Note, the water is cold (I mean C.O.L.D.!) everywhere in Santorini. The volcanic island is located in the middle of Aegean Sea and waters are very deep. There’s a famous local saying that says “Summer swimming, healthy winter!”

When you’re out to explore the bars and restaurants on the beach promenade road, take left from the resort’s beach gates, and in about 50 meters (150 feet) you‘ll find the Kelly’s Beach Bar, a lovely place for a lunch bite and drink (must try Kopparberg cider cocktail!). The bar has ESPN, SkySports and other sport channels on the wall TVs and free Wi-Fi. If you take right from the resort’s beach gates, the first restaurant on your right Cayo has the best fresh fruit juices on the beach. Also, for dinner, I would recommend the Forty One and Savva’s restaurants (keep walking to the right side of the beach gates).

I can’t thank enough the Santo Miramare personnel for their outstanding services! Yanis, Yota, Julia, Elena, Babis… thank you for all you do and how you do it! It was such a pleasure to stay at the Santa Miramare and meet all of you! And, Babis, thanks again for saving my day with the ‘Taxi № 33’ business card you gave me before my trip to Fira! Future travelers, make a note, the local buses are very very slow, and at one point you will need to call a private taxi… Here is the number (you’ll thank me later) +30 694 454 1253. Also, if you are interested in tours/excursions, car/quadbike/scooter rentals, need a bus schedule, additional service or advice, simply ask Babis (concierge).

Thank you, Santo Miramare!

***Just FYI,
The caldera (volcanic crater) is located on the west coast of Santorini. The beaches are on the east and southeast side of the island. So when deciding where to stay, it’s either in the cities along the caldera with incredible bird-eye views (but without beaches) or at the beaches with still beautiful views.
If you’re looking for nightlife you’re best to stay in Fira. That’s where the nightclubs are. The beach life is in Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos. The beach restaurants and bars stay open late into the night (mostly for eating, not clubbing).

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