El Greco Resort & Spa

El Greco is a large hotel by Santorini standards and has an elegant style that's obvious from the minute you enter the well-maintained front courtyard. The traditional mosaic patterns and arched entrance lead into a surprisingly modern lobby scattered with contemporary armchairs and designer lighting. Decor is white with light wood alongside gold and silver tones lending an Ancient Grecian feel to the space. An outside terrace looks over the pretty pool area below and wide paths edged with natural stone walls and palm trees meander through low-rise buildings. It's a busy hotel, full of people, but the scale is large so it doesn't feel crowded. A poolside snack bar and a restaurant at either end of the spacious pool area provide food options and the beautiful spa area is a peaceful sanctuary. Due to the conference and leisure facilities, the hotel is popular with business travelers, families of all ages, and couples.

Located on the main road that runs along the west coast of Santorini, just south of Fira, El Greco is a 10-minute walk into the center of the island's capital for shopping, dining and nightlife. Buses from town connect to all the main villages on Santorini, including Oia -- popular for its spectacular views and sunsets over the caldera -- which takes about 20 minutes to reach. There's also a popular coastal hiking trail that runs along the mountain to Oia in about three hours. Santorini's beaches are unusual for their dark volcanic sand and Kamari -- one of the most popular -- is 15-minutes away by car. Red Beach, with its distinctive red and back pebbles, is 20-minutes south of the hotel. The car journey to the airport takes about 10 minutes, and about the same by bus, while the ferry port is a 15-minute drive away.

The large air-conditioned rooms are bright and airy ,with antique-style whitewashed furniture, tiled floors, and white decor with pops of sea blue and green in the soft furnishings and woodwork. While the hotel claims luxury status, we have to say that the rooms -- while pleasant -- don't live up to expectations. Dated details like old phones, wicker-panel furniture, and quilted bedspreads are all a let down when compared to the more chic common areas. Loft Suites are split over two floors with a mezzanine bedroom upstairs. All rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, safes, free Wi-Fi and either balconies or terraces, while Superior Rooms and Suites add a living area. There's a variety of configurations, from Single Rooms to Quad Rooms, suiting a good range of visitors. Rooms are spread throughout the large resort and some have views of the sea, others of the pool or gardens. Some bathrooms are a bit dated, while others are more modern. All are compact, with a shower/tub combo and just a bit of counter space plus a hairdryer and toiletries. 

The El Greco has almost all of the features one would expect of a hotel that claims luxury status (even if its rooms don't merit that rating). There are several swimming pools spread throughout the grounds, including the main pool, kids' pool, and whirlpool. This area is bordered by a snack bar serving fresh fruit juices and snacks throughout the day and night. Two other quieter pools are surrounded by loungers and seating, and there are shaded areas with comfy places to relax dotted around. The serene adult-only Lotus Spa has an indoor pool, treatment rooms, and a juice bar, plus a fitness center. There's even a chapel on-site. A restaurant serves an American buffet breakfast and an all-day menu of both local and international dishes.The conference room seats up to 80 and the 24-hour reception desk can arrange services like laundry, baby-sitting, and excursion-booking. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout and there's internet access in the lobby.