Aqua Blue Hotel

The hotel offers a memorable stay, primarily distinguished by its direct beach access and a private beach section complete with dedicated service, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a relaxing seaside escape. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's spotless cleanliness, the exceptional friendliness of its staff, and the inviting pool areas. This tranquil setting, combined with spacious accommodations, makes it particularly well-suited for couples seeking a romantic getaway and families looking for a comfortable base to explore. While the hotel provides a serene environment, it also serves as an excellent hub for sightseers, with staff readily assisting in arranging excursions and transportation. To enhance your experience, it is advisable to request a kettle for your room upon arrival, and for beachgoers, bringing water shoes is recommended due to the hot black sand and slippery rocks. Additionally, many guests suggest opting for a bed and breakfast plan to fully explore the diverse local dining scene.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests consistently praise the hotel's excellent pool areas, which include multiple options, one specifically for children, and are meticulously cleaned daily. There are always plenty of sunbeds available, including comfortable double sun loungers that partially overlap the pool, providing ample space for relaxation. The hotel also boasts a private beach section directly across the road, offering complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas, along with convenient waiter service for food and drinks. While the Wi-Fi is free and generally usable, some guests note it is not always brilliant. The gym facilities are described as basic and sometimes lack proper air conditioning, with inconvenient operating hours. However, the spa treatments receive positive feedback. Guests appreciate the availability of ice machines, adding to the overall convenience, though some sunbeds on the beach are noted to lack mattresses.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives widespread acclaim for its spotless cleanliness, with guests frequently describing rooms and common areas as immaculate and well-maintained. Rooms are generally found to be spacious and feature a modern, crisp design, embodying a distinct Santorini aesthetic. The beds are consistently highlighted as huge and very comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, complemented by high-quality linens. Air conditioning is excellent, as are the shower and bathroom facilities. While some rooms come equipped with a kettle, guests can also request one. Thoughtful touches like a mini sewing kit and vanity set are appreciated. However, a few guests note minor issues such as the absence of Nespresso coffee, Kleenex, or water resupply, and occasionally only one drinking glass. While generally quiet, some report early morning noise from staff or shutters.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on the hotel's dining options is mixed, particularly concerning the half-board dinner. While the breakfast is generally considered good with a wide variety of hot and cold items, including bacon, eggs, fruit, and pastries, some guests find it repetitive and lacking in local Greek options. Issues such as diluted orange juice and occasional coffee machine breakdowns are noted. The dinner buffet receives more criticism, with many guests finding the selection limited, repetitive, and not significantly varied between nights, leading some to prefer dining at nearby restaurants. Despite this, the restaurant area is described as lovely and inviting. The pool bar and beach service for food and drinks are highly praised, with items like the gyros platter, salads, burgers, and chocolate souffle receiving specific commendation. Drink prices at the bar are noted to be high.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an outstanding central location in Perissa, positioned directly on the beach and just seconds away from the reception area. This prime spot places guests within easy walking distance of numerous restaurants, bars, and shops along the seafront. Many appreciate that Perissa offers a quieter atmosphere compared to the bustling areas of Fira and Oia, while still providing convenient access to them. A bus stop is located just five minutes away, facilitating easy and affordable travel across the island. For those preferring private transport, the hotel excels in arranging taxi services and transfers to hotspots, the airport, or port, often utilizing prestige vehicles and offering convenient communication via WhatsApp. While parking is available and ample, guests arriving by larger transfer buses may experience a short 10-15 minute walk to the hotel due to road restrictions.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives glowing reviews, described as excellent, friendly, helpful, attentive, and professional, going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The reception team is particularly commended for being highly informative and proactive, assisting with everything from excursion bookings and restaurant reservations to arranging transfers and accommodating special requests like room upgrades. Staff working at the beach and pool areas are highlighted for their hard work, welcoming demeanor, and efficient service in taking orders and maintaining cleanliness. Housekeeping is praised for its immaculate work, daily towel changes for both rooms and pools, and delightful touches like towel animals. The check-in and check-out processes are consistently smooth and quick, with the hotel offering flexibility for late departures, including access to facilities and a shower room.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the water in both the pools and rooms is salty, though this generally does not negatively impact the holiday experience. While the hotel provides ample sunbeds, some guests note that the policy against reserving them with towels is not always strictly enforced, leading to early morning towel placement. The hotel excels in arranging various excursions and taxi services, such as wine tours and sunset cruises, which are highly recommended for their quality and convenience, often proving more cost-effective than tour operators. Some rooms offer additional features like kitchen facilities, spacious lounge areas, and outdoor patios or balconies. It is also worth noting that a 10 euro per night tax fee is typically applied, which some guests were not aware of prior to arrival.