Tamarix del Mar Suites Hotel in Kamari, Santorini

Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Tamarix Del Mar Suites Review
Updated: January 24, 2022
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: 2-minute walk from Kamari Beach, with restaurants, beach clubs, and shops nearby.
• Hotel website: santorini-luxury-hotels.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 34173
• Check prices for Tamarix Del Mar Suites

The shared outdoor pool at Tamarix Del Mar Suites in Kamari, Santorini.

Hotel Review

Tamarix del Mar Suites – Family-friendly, all-suite hotel with indoor and outdoor pools and spacious accommodations just two minutes to Kamari Beach.
 
Tamarix del Mar is a fantastic boutique hotel with a casual air and luxury perks. Its full-service spa includes a sauna and an indoor, heated pool with hydrotherapy. The courtyard boasts a second pool with attached jacuzzi. All suites include kitchenettes and private verandas; most include indoor jacuzzi tubs, and many add private, outdoor jacuzzis. Family amenities include a children’s playroom, children’s pool attached to the main pool, and babysitting services on request. Though the hotel is close to everything Kamari Beach has to offer, the immediate area remains tranquil.

See Also

• The Best Hotels in Santorini
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Best Tours & Things to Do in Santorini

 

Tamarix del Mar – Location

Tamarix del Mar sits just 2 minutes’ walk from the shores of Santorini’s popular Kamari Beach, a gorgeous stretch of black beach on a dark blue sea. Several restaurants, beach clubs, and shops are within steps of the hotel, with a couple of great bars and the Open Air Cinema just a little further. Kamari is ideally situated within a quick 5 to 25-minute drive to Santorini’s best-loved attractions including the caldera, the nightlife in Fira, the ruins of Ancient Thera and Akrotiri, wine country, and the traditional village of Pyrgos.

• How to Get There:
The hotel is located on one of the main streets near Kamari Beach’s public parking area, making it easy to travel to and from, whether by taxi, driving yourself, or riding the bus. It is approximately 10km from the Athinios ferry port and 6km from the Santorini Airport to the hotel.

There are always buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing hourly from Santorini Airport. There are no direct buses from the port or airport to Kamari, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board a different bus to Kamari village – the entire trip from the port or airport to Kamari will take at least an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. The bus stop for Kamari is an easy 9-minute walk to the hotel with a mostly flat route.

Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 25 taxis serving the whole island, so there is often a wait; schedule a ride through a private car service in advance to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out. A taxi from the airport to Tamarix del Mar will cost roughly €20. A taxi from the ferry port to the hotel will cost around €30. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $45 (or €37), but is worth it to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.

For those who prefer to drive themselves, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival, or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with many tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave that for the locals to navigate. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. Upon arrival in Kamari, Tamarix del Mar offers free parking in front of the hotel (a major perk). If the hotel lot is full, there are 2 free parking lots nearby, each just a 4-minute walk from the hotel.

• Handy to: Kamari Beach, Open Air Cinema Kamari, Ancient Thera.

Tamarix del Mar – The Basics

• Ages: The hotel is open to guests of all ages, and features maisonettes designed for up to 5 guests. Guests tend to be a good mix of couples and families with mostly couples traveling in the low and shoulder seasons, and families traveling in the high season.
• Beach: Kamari Beach, Santorini’s most popular beach, is just a 2-minute walk from the hotel, and spans about 1.5 km in length. An organized beach, Kamari boasts a wide promenade running its length lined with shops, restaurants, and beach clubs with umbrellas and lounge chairs for rent. This beach usually has calm waters, and is ideal for swimming, diving, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and more. From Kamari Beach, it’s quick, easy, and cheap to catch the boat taxi to neighboring Perissa Beach, another black sand beach, for more dining and beach club choices.
• View: All suites have views of the pool and the surrounding mountains.
• Kitchen: All suites have kitchenettes.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: About half of the suites have private, heated, outdoor jacuzzis. These suites are the Junior Suites with Jacuzzis, Luxury Maisonettes, and Superior Suites.
• Parking: The hotel has a free parking lot onsite. The lot is small, so it is often full. There are 2 more free parking lots in the area, both of which are within a 5-minute walk of the hotel.
• Extras: Wheelchair accessible Junior Suite, kids’ playroom, kids’ pool, 24-hour reception, wedding and events planning.
• When to Book: The hotel is open from May 1 to October 31. Reserve at least 3 months in advance (4 months is better) for stays during high season from June through September, and about 2 months in advance for the low and shoulder seasons.
• How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
• Phone: +30 22860 34173, +30 22860 31809
• Email: info@tamarix.gr
• Website: santorini-luxury-hotels.com

Tamarix del Mar – Amenities

• Pool: There are 2 pools on site: 1 heated, indoor pool with hydrotherapy jets and 1 unheated, outdoor pool with an attached jacuzzi and an attached kids’ pool.
• Spa: Their full-service spa includes a sauna and the aforementioned indoor pool. The entire spa can be reserved for private use on request.
• Fitness Center: There is a small gym with basic cardio equipment and free weights. It can get a little warm since it is near the indoor pool area.
• For Disabled Guests: This hotel offers 1 accessible Junior Suite that sleeps up for 4 guests (though it’s much more comfortable and easier to get around in with 2 guests). The hotel facilities are all located on the ground floor, making it easy to maneuver for those with mild, moderate, or severe mobility issues. The reception is open 24 hours a day with all staff happy to assist whenever they are needed.
• For Families: This is an all-ages property, with most rooms accommodating up to 4 guests. Standard and Luxury Maisonettes (split level suites with lofts) can accommodate up to 5 guests. Family amenities and services include babysitting, a kids’ playroom, and a kids’ pool.
• Activities: The concierge team is happy to schedule an archaeological excursion to Ancient Thera or Akrotiri, wine tastings, caldera cruises, water sports, and more.

Tamarix del Mar – Food and Drink

• Restaurant: The Pool Bar Restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for lunch, light bites, and occasionally dinner. The menu features a variety of Greek dishes and international comfort foods, while the bar offers excellent cocktails, local wines, and draft beers.
• Breakfast: A complimentary American and Greek buffet breakfast is served every morning from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The buffet features a huge selection of pastries, fruits, meats, cheeses, juices, and coffee, and is complemented by an a la carte egg menu. Breakfast can be enjoyed indoors or at the outdoor seating area near the Pool Bar.
• Room Service: Room service is available during normal restaurant hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Tamarix del Mar – Rooms

• Room Types: Junior Suite • Junior Suite with Jacuzzi • Standard Maisonette • Luxury Maisonette with Outdoor Jacuzzi • Superior Suite with Outdoor Jacuzzi
• Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their rooms. Smoking is allowed on the private terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
• Best Room: The best room for couples is the Superior Suite. These 1-bedroom suites range from 50 to 65 sqm with a separate living room, a bedroom with a sitting area, a kitchenette, an indoor hydrotherapy bath, and a private veranda with an outdoor jacuzzi.
• For Families: Families should opt for a Luxury Maisonette or Standard Maisonette. The Maisonettes range from 40 to 50 sqm and feature lofts with traditional domed ceilings. The main bedroom in each unit is on the ground floor, along with the kitchenette, living room, and bathroom. The loft offers either 1 double or 2 single beds with room for an extra single bed on request. Most Maisonettes have private terraces on both levels. Luxury Maisonettes add a private, heated, outdoor jacuzzi on the upper veranda.

Tamarix del Mar – Local Transport

• Walking: The hotel is located near the southern end of Santorini’s most popular beach, Kamari, just 2 minutes from the water and with restaurants, beach clubs, bars, and shopping within a 1 to 11-minute minute walk of the hotel. The hotel is on the opposite side of the island from the caldera, so all roads and paths in the village or on the beachfront are fairly flat. Kamari Beach is 1.5 km long with a wide promenade along the beachfront, making it a popular spot for walking or jogging. From the hotel, it is a 50-minute hike to the top of Mesa Vouno, Santorini’s second highest peak and the ruins of Ancient Thera, a 9th-century settlement.
• Bus: The bus stop for Kamari is on the main road that connects Fira and the airport to the beach, an easy 10-minute walk along a mostly flat route. Buses from Kamari to most points on the island require a transfer in Fira on the opposite side of the island. Because of this, the entire trip from Kamari to the port or the airport will take about an hour or 2 versus a 10 or 20-minute drive. Tickets are bought on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per person in the daytime, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) run less frequently and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. There are only 23 buses serving the island, so the buses can get crowded, especially during the high season, so much so that they often fill to capacity and are unable to take on more passengers. If your time is limited, it may be better to catch a taxi or rent a car.
• Taxis: There is no official taxi stand in Kamari Beach, so it’s best to have the hotel call a taxi for you as needed. There are only 25 taxis serving the island, so book ahead when possible to avoid a wait, and have them meet you directly at the hotel. There will be a small surcharge for advanced reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Tamarix del Mar to Fira or the ferry port is roughly €30, and from the hotel to the airport is around €20.
• Scooters/Motorcycles: Scooters are the main mode of transportation for the locals, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it can be very dangerous. The roads here are zigzagging, hilly, narrow, and have sheer drop-offs with no guardrails and no street lights in most areas. Lots of dirt roads and potholes.
• ATVs/Quads: ATVs are a fun and popular mode of transportation with tourists, but for the locals stuck driving behind them, they move too slowly and hold up traffic in an area where getting around is already a hassle. For those who don’t ride quads regularly (i.e. most people), they can be dangerous at high speeds and on turns. Crashing your ATV is a sure-fire way to ruin your vacation.

Tamarix del Mar – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Alexander: Traditional Greek taverna with rich dishes and live music every night.
• Amelia Tavern: Family-run Greek and international restaurant with a cozy ambience and fantastic seafood and steaks.
• Elias Grill: A fantastic pit stop for lunch, dinner, or take away, Elias Grill serves some of the best gyros and souvlakis in Santorini. Portions are large, so come hungry.
• Koralli Restaurant: Friendly, all-day restaurant serving Greek standards and international favorites until midnight or later.
• Alismari Restaurant: Excellent variety of classic Greek dishes and creative plates, all featuring fresh, local ingredients.
• Metaxi Mas: The best restaurant in Santorini. Metaxi Mas cooks up rich, delicious, Santorinian and Cretan recipes paired with local wine and raki in a homey, authentic taverna.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Love Boat Bar: By day, Love Boat is Kamari’s friendliest beach club; by night, it’s Kamari’s best bar. Beach beds are free with a food or drink order. Friday nights are “Rock Nights” with a live band while the rest of the nights are devoted to karaoke.
• Franco’s Bar: In nearby Pyrgos village, Franco’s is an absolute must for champagne cocktails and panoramic sunset views over the caldera and villages from the highest point on the island.

Best Nearby Cafes

• Dolce Café: All-day café with outdoor sitting and especially great crepes, waffles, and desserts. Nothing fancy, just straightforward food done right.

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

• Ammos: Based in Athens and with 4 Santorini locations, Ammos offers a stylish selection of women’s clothing and accessories made by Greek and international labels.
• Andromeda: For over 20 years, Andromeda has been an area favorite, boasting an eclectic collection of breezy clothing, beach accessories, and unique gifts.
• The Secret Room: Small boutique with Greek-made men’s and women’s clothing, bags, jewelry, and accessories.
• Atlantis Souvenirs: Affordable Santorinian and Greek souvenirs and gifts.
• Galleria Accessories: Located next to Dolce Café, Galleria features a range of beach necessities along with Santorini-specific clothing and gifts.

Nearby Attractions

• Open Air Cinema Kamari: Fantastic outdoor movie theater with a full bar, snacks, and great ambiance. Movies are in English with Greek subtitles. €8 per person, doors open at 8:30 p.m., movies start at 9:30 p.m.
• Mesa Vouno and Ancient Thera: Mesa Vouno, Santorini’s second highest peak, divides Kamari and Perissa Beaches and affords spectacular views of the Aegean and landscape from an altitude of 400 m. At the top are the ruins of Ancient Thera, a Dorian settlement founded in 9th-century BC. and active until 8th-century AD.
• Wine Country: The southern half of Santorini is covered in vineyards, many of which offer tours or wine tastings of the island’s famous varieties such as Assyrtiko, Mavrotragano, and Vinsanto. Among the best nearby wineries are Art Space Winery, Gaia Wines, Venetsanos Winery, and Hatzidakis Winery.
• Pyrgos: Pyrgos is a charming traditional village located at the highest point on the island, with expansive views of Santorini from Akrotiri to Oia, from the caldera to the Aegean, and of everything in between. Among the winding footpaths are the ruins of an old castle, traditional architecture, neoclassical mansion, shops, restaurants, and cafes.
• Fira: Santorini’s capital Fira offers picture-perfect views of the caldera, especially at sunset, centered over the volcanoes with sweeping views from Akrotiri to Thirassia Island to Oia. The bulk of the island’s best nightlife, dining, and shopping is here, among the winding footpaths of the cliffside and inland village.
• Akrotiri: Excavations of a Bronze Age Minoan settlement. Similar to Pompeii, the entire town was covered in volcanic ash thousands of years ago, which preserved the ruins.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Mega Market: Mini market with a good selection of bakery items, produce, wines, and prepared foods.
• Big Discount Super Market: Large, 3-story supermarket with an excellent range of local wines, fresh produce, international staples, and cookware at a great price.

Tamarix del Mar – The Hotel

Tamarix Del Mar Suites is an unassuming property in Kamari village, just steps away from the beach. Its sign out front is clear glass (seen here to the right of the smaller tree), so it’s easy to miss when driving by.

Like the rest of the property, the reception area is designed in classic Cycladic style with vaulted ceilings and archways.

Décor in the lobby and throughout the property is in a traditional Greek style with heavy woods and plenty of blue and white.

Passing through the lobby leads to the outdoor courtyard and pool. The architecture and layout of the hotel is intended to mimic a typical Santorinian village.

The outdoor pool is unheated, with an attached kids’ pool at one end and an attached warm jacuzzi at the other end. Plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas surround the pool. On the right is the dining patio of the Pool Bar Restaurant.

With the beach so close and with so many private jacuzzi suites, the pool is usually fairly quiet.

A closer look at the Pool Bar…

…and the Restaurant.

Behind the Pool Bar and inside the main building, you’ll find the Breakfast Room, where the buffet is set up every morning.

Near the pool is the kids’ playroom, ideal for pre-school aged children. In addition to the toys seen here, the hotel also offers a selection of pool toys.

The gym, spa, and indoor pool can be found at the end of this hallway, painted with images of a traditional Santorinian village and landscape.

Tamarix del Mar boasts a heated, indoor pool with hydrotherapy jets in the spa area.

A closer look at the gym, basic but well-equipped, with free weights and cardio machines.

There is also a sauna next to the pool, near the entrance to the treatment room.

The spa offers a full service menu, with a range of massage, skin care, nail, and waxing treatments to choose from.

Suites are spread throughout the property over 2 floors, each with a private patio or balcony.

This is the private patio of a Junior Suite.

Junior Suites are the smallest accommodations available, though they still afford plenty of space, ranging from 30 to 40 sqm.

These suites feature an open-plan design with a living room and kitchenette.

Kitchenettes are fully-equipped with a 2-burner stove, cookware, and dishes. The single-sized sofa can sleep an extra guest.

Suites feature traditional Santorinian architecture, design, and décor, with stone walls, arches, and a blue, white, and earthy palette.

All but 3 suites include a jetted bathtub-shower combo.

Most Luxury Maisonettes, as seen here, include 2 balconies. This is the smaller of the 2 balconies for this suite.

Luxury Maisonettes are around 40 to 50 sqm, and include a loft room above the main bedroom.

The ground floor features a king bed, living room…

…and a fully-equipped kitchenette with a 2-burner stove.

The bathroom includes a jacuzzi tub-shower combo.

The upstairs loft can accommodate 3 extra guests, set up as 3 single beds, or as 1 double and 1 single.

The larger terrace is located on the upper floor, accessible through the loft, and boasts a private, heated jacuzzi with views of the surrounding mountains and of the pool.

There is also a pair of sun loungers here, offering more privacy than those at the poolside. Check rates and availability: Tamarix Del Mar Suites