Smaragdi Hotel

...island of Santorini staying at Smaragdi as we have done previously. However this time we stayed in the annexe - situated across the road from the main buildings and pool area, a small walled area of 6 dwellings, each of a different size.

Smaragdi is family run the owners living adjacent to the property. As always their friendliness and help was exemplary.
The complex, which is of 'A' class, was built in 1996 in traditional ...
...the hot hours" as the Smaragdi brochure rightly states!
The seawater pool is kept beautifully clean and well maintained; and has ample sunbeds and umbrellas. Alongside the pool is the outdoor bar area where (mainly) English pop music is played, with plenty of tables and parasols. Food, which is good value and appetising, and drinks are served all day, and there is a daily Happy Hour(!) between 6 and 8 when beer is reduced and cocktails ... more

This year saw our 4th visit to the island of Santorini staying at Smaragdi as we have done previously. However this time we stayed in the annexe - situated across the road from the main buildings and pool area, a small walled area of 6 dwellings, each of a different size.

Smaragdi is family run the owners living adjacent to the property. As always their friendliness and help was exemplary.
The complex, which is of 'A' class, was built in 1996 in traditional Cycladic style, whitewashed buildings with thick walls to keep out the fierce heat of the day each with cool stone flooring and covered patio areas providing welcome shade.
The main complex encircles the pool and is surrounded by lush picturesque gardens "an oasis in the hot hours" as the Smaragdi brochure rightly states!
The seawater pool is kept beautifully clean and well maintained; and has ample sunbeds and umbrellas. Alongside the pool is the outdoor bar area where (mainly) English pop music is played, with plenty of tables and parasols. Food, which is good value and appetising, and drinks are served all day, and there is a daily Happy Hour(!) between 6 and 8 when beer is reduced and cocktails are half-price. There is also an indoor bar area and breakfast room adjacent to reception where there is a very well stocked lending library for guests use.
A large screen TV is brought out for important sporting events like the F1 GP but it is thankfully not left on the entire time. They host a weekly Greek Night on Sundays with a barbeque and traditional islands dancing, and also host a Quiz night which was well attended while we were there.

The annexe, across the road , is reached by an attractive cobbled pathway with its own pretty gardens has the advantage of having separate single patios, with table & chairs, the only thing missing there was a clothes drying rack or washing line.
The rooms are large and more airy than the main studios and have matching furniture of dark wood, the kitchenette area is separate to the main studio room, and although small, are well appointed with a modern fridge with icebox and 2ring electric hob, crockery and cutlery is plentiful and matching, the only suggestion I would make is to take a travel kettle since the hob takes an absolute age to boil water for a drinks.
A lovely touch was the provision of a litre of water in the fridge on our arrival since it is not advisable to drink the water from the taps owing to its high mineral content.
The room also has a safe (you pay for the key at reception), air conditioning (the remote control to enable its use is obtained at reception for a fee), a free standing fan, TV and hairdryer.
The diminutive, newly tiled bathroom had an extremely powerful shower with hot water any time of the day and a shower curtain. Remember this is Greece and toilet paper must go into the small bin and not down the pan!

The apartments are spotless and are cleaned alternate days - even the day before you go home , and linens & towels are changed every cleaning day, the cleaners even washed and ironed my small hair towel for me on a couple of occasions.
The family - Smaragda, Dimitris, Maria and Stamos are always around and on hand to help with any queries you may have.

The beach of Periovolos with its coarse black sand is a couple of minutes walk away.
There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas, prices seem to be mainly 3.50 euros per person daily, some places provide the sunbeds free if you patronise their establishments.

If you head left you can walk along the beachfront to Perissa and will pass several beach bars and tavernas and restaurants- notable ones to try are : Boss Bar , Lava, Yazz - all on the beach front , and Gods Garden and the News Kaffe in Perissa itself.

We will certainly be back
 

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