Hotel Anassa

Hotel Anassa suits divers who want a base with a town around it, not an isolated property where the evening ends at the buffet. You can spend the day exploring Kamari, return to a room with the practical comforts that matter, then choose between the pool, the bar or a walk along the coast. English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Spanish, Italian and French, so day-to-day conversations should not require a phrasebook and a heroic amount of pointing.

The hotel has 17 rooms across two floors, with a mix of rooms, studios, suites and family accommodation. It is a useful choice if your trip includes non-diving days, a partner who wants more than a dive schedule, or simply the occasional morning when getting into the water can wait.

You are in Kamari, Greece, in the centre of town and around 0.05 miles from the sea. Kamari Beach is a direct-access black-sand beach, with sun loungers and parasols ready for the sort of post-dive horizontal activity that requires no certification.

Ancient Thira and Panagia Episkopi are among the nearby sights, while the town itself gives you places to wander without arranging transport for every small outing. The hotel also has parking, including free parking, which is handy if you choose to explore Santorini by car rather than on foot.

The useful split is between straightforward rooms and the more self-contained options. Standard accommodation can include air conditioning, a fridge, a kitchen, a private bathroom, a safe, tea and coffee facilities, a television and Wi-Fi. That gives you somewhere to cool down, keep a drink cold and deal with the small practicalities of a dive holiday without turning the room into a storage cupboard with a bed.

For a little more breathing room, the suites and family accommodation make sense when you are travelling with children or sharing the hotel with a larger group. Some rooms and suites bring a balcony, a view of the sea, mountains, garden or sunset, while duplex layouts offer a different arrangement from the basic room. The single-room options cover solo travellers, and twin-bed accommodation is available for divers who prefer not to share a mattress after a long day in a wetsuit.

The equipment varies by category, so compare the individual room card before booking rather than assuming that every room carries the same kit. Air conditioning, heating, fridges, kitchen facilities, minibars, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries appear in selected categories. Private bathrooms, safes, towels and televisions are also available across the accommodation range.

Food is covered by a hotel restaurant, breakfast service, a buffet breakfast and breakfast in the room. The restaurant works with local cuisine, while the snack bar is there for something less ceremonial when you have come back hungry and would rather not conduct a three-act dinner. Meal arrangements vary with the booking.

There are two named places for a drink: the Pool Snack Bar and the Outdoor Cafe. The first keeps the poolside option close at hand; the second gives you a separate café stop during the day. Coffee and tea facilities are also available, including a kettle in the room facilities.

Room service is available, which is useful when your appetite arrives before your enthusiasm for changing out of post-dive clothes. The practical point is simple: you can eat at the hotel, take a lighter snack, or retreat to the room with breakfast rather than treating every meal as an expedition.

The outdoor pool is the main place for an unhurried afternoon, with pool equipment and towels available. The hotel also has a garden, terraces, outdoor furniture and a sun terrace, giving you several places to sit without having to turn relaxation into an organised activity. A library is available for the quieter option, when the only serious decision is whether to read another chapter.

The spa includes massage, a hammam and a sauna, while the fitness room and gym cover the more energetic end of the spectrum. Massage and spa services are available at the hotel, so a day away from diving can still have a purpose, even if that purpose is persuading stiff shoulders to behave.

For days when you want to leave the lounger, the hotel offers kayak use, boat excursions, bike hire and hiking. Excursions can also cover cultural visits, islands and snorkelling. The concierge and excursions service can help arrange outings, which leaves you free to decide whether the next day calls for history, coastline or another perfectly respectable hour by the pool.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 15:00 and check-out is at 11:00. Airport transfers and shuttle services are available through the hotel, and car hire can be arranged if you want to see more of Santorini. Free Wi-Fi runs throughout the hotel, with luggage storage available for the awkward gap between leaving the room and leaving the island.

Laundry, ironing and dry-cleaning services cover the less glamorous side of a diving holiday, while the reception keeps a safe and the hotel has a concierge. A doctor is available on request. Accessible rooms and wheelchair-access facilities are also available, which is worth checking against the exact room you plan to book.

Parking is available at the hotel and nearby, and the accepted cards include Visa, Mastercard and Maestro. The property includes smoking areas, alongside non-smoking accommodation, so check the room details if that distinction matters to you.