SMY Mediterranean White Santorini

"## Not the Four-Star Experience We Expected We stayed at the **Smy Mediterranean White Hotel** for two nights in July as part of a package holiday and unfortunately our experience fell well below what we would expect from a hotel marketed as four-star. On arrival shortly after midnight, the hotel had no record of our booking. Fortunately, they were able to accommodate us in a dated family room (Room 307), but this was clearly not the accommodation we had booked. We were also concerned to discover exposed electrical wiring in the bathroom, which we considered to be a serious safety hazard. The following morning we were informed that our booking had not been passed to the hotel, meaning our reserved room was unavailable. We were told we would have to remain in the temporary room for a second night before being moved to a Junior Suite. Breakfast on both mornings was chaotic. Many tables were covered in dirty crockery, there were no clean cups, glasses or cutlery available, and guests were waiting while items were washed. The food selection was poor, there was no fresh fruit, and the coffee was among the worst we have experienced in any hotel. The pool area was equally disappointing. Many of the wooden sun loungers were in poor repair, the cushions were stained, several parasols were covered in bird droppings, and there was no hand soap in the ladies' pool toilets throughout our stay despite us reporting it on the first day. What concerned us most was the response when problems were raised. Reception repeatedly explained that the catering was outsourced and that they had **no authority to improve it or intervene**, leaving guests with no meaningful way of getting the issues resolved. We overheard numerous other guests making similar complaints about the breakfast, yet the response from reception was always the same. One member of staff even remarked, *"You should have seen it last year – this is better!"* We found that response astonishing. Rather than acknowledging that the standard was unacceptable for a hotel advertised as four-star, it suggested that poor catering had become accepted as normal. Before we checked out, the hotel eventually moved us into a much nicer Junior Suite. However, by then the disruption had already overshadowed the start of our holiday. When we queried why it did not include the private plunge pool we believed accompanied this room category, the receptionist suggested that we simply use another guest's private pool and, if challenged, pretend we did not realise it was private. We found that suggestion completely inappropriate and unprofessional. After two nights we decided to leave the hotel and pay over **£1,000** for alternative accommodation because we no longer believed the situation would improve. Although this was an expensive decision, it allowed us to salvage the remainder of our holiday. We have stayed in many genuine four-star hotels, including several through the same tour operator, and this property did not come close to meeting that standard. While some members of staff were polite, the overall condition of the hotel, the quality of the facilities, and the handling of guest concerns were simply not what we expected from a hotel advertised as four-star. Based on our experience, we would not return."

"I wish I had read the review about feeling underwhelmed. That was exactly how we felt. It just does not look like the photos - it is tired and in desperate need of updating. On a positive note- it is very clean. However, that said, the cushions of the sun loungers were extremely grubby and need replacing. Location is awful. 20 euros to get to the nearest town - one way. A quad bike was our life-saver and we enjoyed getting around the island."

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Perfect Honeymoon Escape! We have just returned from our honeymoon at Smy Mediterranean White Santorini, and all I can say is... wow. From the moment we arrived until the day we reluctantly left, we felt completely looked after. The biggest credit has to go to the incredible staff. Every single member of the team was warm, friendly, welcoming and genuinely cared that we were having the best holiday possible. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and they made our honeymoon feel extra special. It really felt like staying with people who wanted you to have an unforgettable experience rather than simply checking into a hotel. A special mention has to go to Stella at the pool bar. She is an absolute asset to the hotel. Her bubbly personality, fantastic sense of humour and brilliant banter made every visit to the bar something we looked forward to. She always had a smile on her face, remembered everyone, and was more than happy to share local knowledge and advice about places to visit around the island. It's staff like Stella who turn a wonderful holiday into one you'll remember for years. Another special thank you goes to Marina on reception. She greeted us with a smile every single day when she was working, was always happy to help with any questions we had and made us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we arrived until the day we left. Her kindness and professionalism really stood out and perfectly reflected the outstanding customer service throughout the hotel. The pool bar area quickly became one of our favourite places to spend time. Whether we were enjoying a cocktail, grabbing a drink during the afternoon or simply relaxing by the pool, the atmosphere was perfect. It never felt overcrowded or rushed. It was peaceful, beautifully maintained and had such a friendly, laid-back vibe that it became the heart of our holiday. And the hotel food alone wowwww it was amazing both breakfast buffet and anything we ordered from the restaurant. The hotel itself is beautiful, peaceful and spotlessly clean. If you're looking for somewhere to completely switch off after a busy day exploring Santorini, this is the place. We honestly couldn't have asked for a better base. Some people may overlook this hotel because of its location near the airport, but please don't let that put you off. Yes, you'll notice the planes on your first day, but after that they simply fade into the background and become part of the atmosphere. We were genuinely surprised by how quiet it actually was, and they certainly never disturbed our sleep or our time by the pool. Speaking of sleep, the beds are soooo comfy the showers are amazing and huge and the cleaning staff are fantastic always popping in and sprucing the room up. One thing we absolutely loved was how convenient everything was. Just a two-minute walk from the hotel is a fantastic local supermarket that became our little go-to place throughout the holiday. It offers so much more than just groceries. There's a hot and cold food counter, a bar serving drinks and cocktails, comfortable seating areas with TVs where you can relax, and incredibly friendly staff who always made us feel welcome. The shop is also brilliantly stocked with just about everything you could possibly need during your stay. Whether you've forgotten toiletries, need beach essentials, fancy picking up souvenirs, clothing, snacks, drinks or even those little holiday extras you didn't realise you'd need, they've got it covered. It made our stay so much easier knowing everything was only a couple of minutes away. The beautiful beach is also only around a five-minute walk from the hotel, making it incredibly easy to spend a relaxing day by the sea. For anyone visiting Santorini, our biggest piece of advice would be to either hire a car for a couple of days so you can explore every corner of this stunning island, or make use of the local buses. There's a bus stop right at the end of the road by the hotel. We travelled to Fira for just €2.20 each way, which is incredible value. Just remember to take cash, as that's how the bus fares are paid. Santorini is an incredible island, but Smy Mediterranean White made the experience even more memorable. It gave us the perfect balance of relaxation, comfort and easy access to everything we wanted to see. If you're looking for a lively party hotel, this may not be for you although the pool bar have banging tunes all day . But if you're looking for somewhere peaceful, relaxing and welcoming, where you can truly unwind while still being within easy reach of everything Santorini has to offer, then you honestly couldn't pick a better place. We couldn't have chosen a more perfect hotel for our honeymoon, and we already know this won't be our only visit. We will 100% be returning. A heartfelt thank you to Stella, Marina, and every single member of the Smy Mediterranean White team. You didn't just give us a wonderful holiday, you helped make our honeymoon unforgettable. The warmth, kindness and genuine care shown by every member of staff is something we'll always remember. Until next time... ευχαριστώ (thank you) and see you again soon! 🇬🇷❤️"