Bellonias Villas

Guests enter the hotel from the pedestrian shopping street onto a beautiful terrace with the pool, bar, and outdoor restaurant. Behind these, the reception area is small but bright and modern with clean lines and a pressed concrete front desk. Outdoor walkways, paved with attractive gray tile, lead back to bright-white buildings housing guest rooms. Tall palm trees, climbing bougainvillea, and flowering bushes help create a romantic and relaxing atmosphere. The grounds are flat and easy to navigate, but upper floors are only accessible by stairs, so those with strollers or mobility issues will need first-floor rooms. Mostly couples frequent this hotel; though younger children are welcome, services and amenities are geared toward adults. Guests consistently find the staff to be friendly and accommodating. 

This hotel is on the black beach of Kamari, a popular tourist town on the southeastern coast of Santorini. The hotel opens onto a pedestrianized street with mostly other hotels nearby, but only a couples minutes' walk to shops and restaurants. A 15-minute walk will bring guests to an outdoor movie theater with a nice atmosphere. It is a four-minute walk to the nearest parking lot and access to the road, for those with a car. It is also a four-minute walk to a public bus stop. From the hotel, it is a four-minute drive to the parking lot at Ancient Thera, a ruin high on the mountain overlooking Kamari and the ocean. It is a 15-minute drive to Fira, the capital city of the island with incredible views over the caldera, particularly at sunset. Santorini Airport is an 11-minute drive from the hotel, and the port is 22 minutes away.  

Apartment-style rooms have a stylish black-and-white design with chic touches. White walls, bed linens, cushions on the sleeper sofa, and wardrobe look pristine, while a black desk, lamps, and A-frame mirror add interest. A couple of modern pieces of artwork in the same color scheme and other simple but elegant touches  -- such as tree-stump stands and geometric-print backsplash -- create a crisp, attractive look. All rooms have furnished balconies or patios, with views of either the beautiful ocean, grounds, or pool; some, however, aren't very private. 

Every room has a decent kitchenette with a stovetop and mini-fridge, as well as a dining table, flat-screen TV, safe, and iPod docking station. Upgraded rooms offer options for separate living spaces or a private whirlpool. Cement bathrooms have showers with partial glass walls and a handheld showerhead. A hairdryer, bathrobe, and slippers, as well as high-quality soap, shower gel, and shampoo are provided. 

The hotel restaurant, Elia Eatery, is highly reviewed and a convenient dining option, though breakfast is not included in room rates. Outdoor seating is just off the pool deck or at a few beachside tables. Additionally, guests can have meals and drinks from the bar delivered to their free sunbeds on the pebbly beach. The pool is a relaxing spot and offers padded daybeds for two -- some under a shading trellis, others in the sun. Tall palm trees and an ocean view give it a lovely, tranquil vibe. The bar offers dishes and drinks, all made from fresh, organic ingredients. A small, windowless fitness room has a few cardio and weight-lifting machines, free weights, and a TV. A steam room and massage treatments are also available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.