Mediterranean Beach Resort

On beautifully landscaped grounds, the Mediterranean Beach Palace features classic white-walled Greek architecture with a modern twist. The lobby has black floors, curtains, and chandeliers, contrasted by all-white furniture. The hotel bar and a la carte restaurant look like a trendy taverna, with seating that spills out onto a stone patio, while the buffet restaurant has a simpler style, with beige tablecloths in an expansive room with large windows. The hotel does fine in the style department, and has more charm than its nearby sister property, the Imperial Med. It's a popular choice with many package tours that pass through Santorini, though it's location isn't convenient to much. The hotel's all-inclusive options are an exception in Santorini, and the sophisticated atmosphere suits vacationing families, couples, and solo travelers who don't mind commuting to the island's sights. 

The hotel sits along Santorini’s eastern coast, a five-minute drive from the Santorini Airport. There’s not much within walking distance except for a black sand beach across the road, along with a small supermarket and the Gaia Winery, which is a three-minute walk away. Guests would benefit greatly from having a car, as taxis can be expensive on the island. The hotel runs a shuttle to Kamari, a busy town filled with restaurants, bars, and shops that's a 10-minute drive away, but reservations must be made in advance. It’s a 15- to 20-minute drive to bustling, charming Fira, on Santorini's caldera, while the town of Oia and it's magical sunset views is a 40-minute drive away.

The resort's 73 air-conditioned Standard and Family Rooms, plus Junior and Executive Suites, are all clean and spacious, with bright white walls and pastel accents. There are contemporary design elements throughout, from boldly striped accent walls in some rooms to woven wicker coffee tables, and furniture comes in white tones with classical silhouettes. White marble floors contribute to the gleaming effect, but a few pieces of vibrant art would go a long way to tamping down some of the rooms' spartan vibes. All rooms have balconies, with views of the pool or the surrounding landscape, as well as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and hairdryers in the bathrooms. Bathrooms have stylish gray or neutral tile floors, mosaic tile or marble accents, and modern sinks and fixtures plus walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Light sleepers should beware that planes from the nearby airport can be heard passing over the hotel.

The hotel's best feature is its slice of well-maintained beach, that's a bit quieter than the pool area and less hectic than the beach in Kamari. The beach is equipped with sun beds, some of which sit in white-curtained cabanas, and there are some steps to enter the water from a small jetty. There's a small playground with a colorful slide and other toys, and seaside massages can be booked through the hotel. The spacious pool area is lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas and there's a large rectangular saltwater pool with a swim-up bar and a separate children’s pool. The hotel offers room rates that include breakfast as well as all-inclusive options, with both a la carte and buffet restaurants, plus snacks available at the bar. Other features include concierge services and a small shop selling swimsuits, resort wear, sunscreen, and postcards. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though reception in some areas can be spotty.