Scorpios Beach hotel apartments is a designated Greek 4 star hotel, family owned and managed. Argiros is the hotel manager /owner and his wife, Jennifer, assists in the cafe and general hotel. It is the only hotel on Monolithos Beach and is situated opposite the main seafront and next door to the old closed down Tomato factory. The hotel itself is pretty - white with blue shutters and pink bouganvillea plants. All the walkways and general grounds of hotel are clean and maintained. Next door to the tomato factory is Skaramangas Restaurant (not recommended as only restaurant in two weeks that I felt sick after eating there,cod was awful as appeared to have been frozen for years and then defrosted, my guests carafe of wine - undrinkable so bad! - also other hotel guests felt same way - so avoid at all costs). Next to Skaramangas is a seven eleven type mini supermarket with local bus stop outside. Captain Loizos Restaurant [-] is next to the supermarket and excellent fare - highly recommend. Hotel guests chose to eat at Captain Loizos each night - so that is the ultimate recommendation! The hotel has a pool and cafe bar alongside the pool area open from morning until approx 11pm. Food ranges from breakfast to hot dogs,burgers,toasted sandwiches, yoghurt, fresh fruits, milk shakes, ice creams etc. Good value and moderately priced in comparison to Santorini prices. Drinks are available at the pool bar. Seating with sun umbrellas is provided around the pool to eat or sit and have tea/coffee/drinks. Sunbeds were available around the pool for suntanning. There is a small shop adjacent to the hotel entrance selling postcards, santorini guides, beach lilos and blow up beach items for children, small gifts and Santorini wine bottles and a few other essentials. The main reception area is split into the reception area and a large tv lounge area with satellite tv and couch and chairs. A variety of books for reading and a few magazines in various languages are available to guests during their stay (probably selection left by previous guests). Room No 20 (next to main reception area - up one open staircase to first floor). Bathroom had hand basin, toilet, shower, mirror and shower gel/hair wash mini products were provided. Bedroom/living area : table and chairs, fridge and hot plates for kitchen, 2 twin beds and one sofa bed. 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 1 shower mat were provided. Bedding comprised of fitted sheet and top sheet and covermat and 2 pillows/bed. There was a safe in the closet (hanging rail with hangers).There were 4 shutter windows down main wall overlooking the main walkway through hotel to hotel entrance and pool area and beachfront. The other wall had 2 windows and a doorway opening up to balcony with a table and 2 chairs and a wash hanger for smalls/towels. The balcony had sun each morning.
Agree with all the other reviews - bed was hard and pillows lumpy and awful - convinced myself that hard beds are good for back! However the room was spotlessly maintained and although basic - hot water and toilets and electrics all in excellent working order. Another plus factor -whilst within the hotel grounds - felt completely safe. Monolithos is quite remote so if you were a lone traveller you may not feel safe venturing out of the hotel in dark to the nearby tavernas (there were 2 of us and we walked briskly!). A small torch would be recommended if you did intend to walk around outside/ go to beach after dark. Internet service is available for 1 euro per hour at stand alone computer in the reception area. A hotel shuttle bus service is available from Scorpios Beach to and from Kamari and Fira for 2euro50cents per person single journey. There are set times for the shuttle service displayed on the reception counter but if you ask other times will be arranged. Gregorios the hotel's taxi man was an absolute lifesaver. He picked us up at designated places in Kamari and Fira at our arranged times (sometimes very late!) and he was always on time and 100% reliable and safe. Gregorios gets my gold star award. You must note that there are no shops in Monolithos whatsoever except for the seven eleven type supermarket - It is purely a beach - there are no little streets to explore etc as it is mostly a remote residential area and under some development. Monolithos is next to the Santorini airport. So transfer time from airport is probably 5 minutes! You certainly need some way of escaping out of Monolithos and it can be very difficult as the local bus only runs between Monolithos and Fira, the capital city, and the last bus is at 8pm. So the hotel shuttle service is essential. The hotel offers no evening entertainment. Perfect for people who want early nights with no loud entertainment or other noises to disturb them or people who are happy to sit around pool all night having quiet drinks. Some guests at the hotel had been told by their tour operator prior to departing for Santorini that Monolithos is Kamari - It is NOT - they are different towns and Kamari is approximately nine kilometers away and a 10-15 minute car drive. Please be warned - Monolithos is NOT a 10 minute walk along a beach to Kamari, as one hotel guest mentioned to me he had been told by his tour company, First Choice. 1) There is no beach path or any walking path from Monolithos to Kamari. 2) The beach is extremely remote in areas away from the main beachfront and certainly totally unsafe for anyone attempting to walk along the coast to Kamari - in any event it is closed at certain points.3)The road from Monolithos to Kamari is single lane both ways and has high traffic from buses and vehicles and motorbikes going to the airport. Not suitable for walking at all.4) Carry water with you at all times as temperatures are daily at 40 degrees and recommend you have a sunhat and good sunscreen for beach. Scorpios Beach hotel is a nice little hotel and is in the best location of Monolithos. If I was to choose a hotel in Monolithos for a beach holiday - this would certainly be the one as all the other 4/5 star hotels in Monolithos are situated right next to the perimeter wall of the airport, including the Santorini Memories hotel (unless I was a plane spotter!). A windsurfer mentioned that Monolithos is the best beach on island for pursuing that sport. No facilities were available at Monolithos beach for hiring water sports equipment or trying any kind of water sports eg jet ski, wind surf, banana etc. You would have to have your own equipment for use in Monolithos or arrange hire in Kamari or Perissa/Perivolos.