A New Hotel Carrying a 4 Generation Experience –Impeccable Service –We Felt Like Members of the Family!





The name "Skourtaniotis" has a history that goes back to 4 generations . He was the owner of the first SPA in the City of Edipsos, found the late 19th century and its owner was Mr. Michalis Skourtaniotis, -the great Grandfather of George who is the later owner and creator of this New and very promising SPA Hotel.

It is a Boutique hotel in reality and all rooms and facilities are modern and well maintained. It provides Disability access and it is open the year round.



LOCATION: The Hotel is located in one of the most beautiful sites of Edipsos…I believe –the best! It is at the entrance of Edipsos coming from Ilia and you cannot miss it upon entering the city. The views from the third floor and the terrace are stunning.



HOSPITALITY: Hospitality at the 9 Queens was So Warm that we felt like members of the family! It is this human touch and friendliness that I seek to find when I visit family hotels, but lately this has become so scarce! I have several times come across not that friendly and selfish owners but here it was totally different . We were made welcome and we felt comfortable in minutes after we checked in.

George offered to take us around the city to show us a few of the most significant spots not to be missed the first day we arrived. The Cave of Silla was one of them, and the spot in the City where the hot springs spurt out of the ground. This was highly appreciated and it was something significant that we missed last year when we came to Edipsos again.  



STAFF: The staff was extremely friendly and capable -the ladies at the reception can speak English and Russian well. Chrisanthi was one of the ladies at the reception that I can remember.They are well knowledgeable of the round area so they were of much help especially with the “places to visit” but also they recommended some nice and cheap restaurants to eat without being ripped off. We were given a big map which was of great help when we set off the following day to explore the round area .



ROOMS: All 9 rooms are individually decorated and are given names that come from Greek Mythology and Astronomy. I asked to see the room which was next to ours out of curiosity, since the lady was tiding up that moment and it was spacious all right. The dimension was the same as the one we had but all bathrooms have showers. The upper floor rooms have a nice view however the lower floor rooms don't.

 

VENUS SUITE: We were upgraded to the only suite and we really appreciated it. Our suite is given the name of the goddess of Love –Venus.

It was spotlessly clean, and the Queen double bed was really comfortable. There was a fireplace in the room as well –ideal for winter stays and a statue with the figure of Venus on the left hand corner over the fireplace.

I liked the idea of the two separate mirrors and the long dressing table in the room. There was much space to lay different things. The clothes-hanger on the wall also proved handy. There was a comfortable sofa in our suite which can definitely suite the purpose when there is a child along.



Sheets were clean as a whistle, and there was a small flat TV with a selection of multiple channels . The balcony was indeed big and comfortable similar to the two other balconies of the 3^rd floor and from out here we could enjoy the most stunning views of sunset each night. The suite provided a safe and a hairdryer as well.



BATHROOM: The bathroom is not that big but the highlight of the suite is the corner, double Jacuzzi of the bathroom. The hotel provides shampoo, body gel and body lotion, slippers and robes. We did not find plastic caps though but we were given a couple when we got down at the SPA. Towels were bright white and had a pleasant smell of freshness. A small kind of stool or shelf in the bathroom would definitely serve to place different things but perhaps the long dressing table in the main room is available exactly for this purpose. No coffee/tea facilities but I had mine along. Of course we were asked several times if we liked some coffee but it was no need and we just thanked the owners .



SPA: The Spa honestly exceeded our expectations. Of course don’t expect something glamorous with a touch of elegance you find in very expensive hotels! It had simple lines, and it was functional -this is what counts for us.

The hot natural springs have direct access to the SPA and this is very significant. You see, there are many hotels in the area that buy this water from the community and deposit it but this is not the case with this hotel because the water spurts directly through the hotel premises and it is distributed to all SPA facilities. For this reason the fee to have a therapeutic bath is extremely low and I was amazed seeing several locals from outside coming here as well, to enjoy a treatment or the healing properties of the water. Everyone had a positive word to say for the family.

There is an outside pool and a Jacuzzi with hot non-stop water falling directly in the pool .

The Spa is nice, clean and comfortable –a contemporary style and the owner has a large collection of bed of rocks on a wall shelf and is happy to talk about the history of the place, the therapeutic waters, and his stone collection. George is interested a lot in ancient history and this is the reason why each room bares a different name! He loves music and he practices it as well.

Before leaving I was given a very small pot with powder collected from the therapeutic spring which runs next to the outside pool. It was a nice gesture, and if diluted with water and placed on the skin it makes it smooth and very soft.



INDOOR JACUZZI: The highlight of the indoor Jacuzzi is that with only 6 euros per person we could enjoy a private evening bath for 30 minutes, under the light of candles and with different soft lighting effects that created a very romantic atmosphere . It was the best moment of the day! Of course it is advisable to book the time much ahead because there is great demand especially in times when the hotel is full.



TREATMENTS: Besides the two swimming pools which I cannot say they are big but they are indeed interesting, a guest can enjoy the waterfalls, the steam room, or have an inhalation or physical therapy, a wellness or relaxation body treatment.



BREAKFAST: I could call it a Feast! It was not the buffet kind of breakfast we all know but breakfast was served and brought in a tray with all kinds of delicacies on. My husband was fasting and he was pampered with a few extras. Everything was homemade from the hands of Mrs. Charoula and her husband. You cannot find such hospitality easily and after this visit we are going to come again and again to this hotel and probably come here with friends next time .

We were served a toast sandwich each with ham and cheese, extra bread, and fresh local butter which was a marvel, local honey, 3 kinds of homemade marmalade, plus “gliko koutaliou” a different each day, fried eggs, an amazing coffee each, ….even “dolmadakia” homemade staffed vine leaves and we were brought 2 kinds of some amazing homemade olives. Truly, we have never had similar. George’s father even shared some tips of how he makes them!



LOBBY: The lobby has a contemporary style, modestly furnished, simple but comfortable with a fireplace on one side and many sofas around, and a big flat TV. Set and a fish aquarium. The lift is capacious and the whole building is freshly painted.



BAR: There is a nice bar to meet the needs of the guests and there are collectible items around decorating the walls throughout the lobby, the bar and breakfast lounge . Music was soft and pleasing. The only negative is that there are times when there is smell from cigarettes because the owners allow smoking in the lobby, -although they recommend that those who wish to smoke have to sit next to a window. There are nets however by the windows so that fresh clean air comes in the room.



INTERNET: It provides a free wireless high speed internet access.



THE SPRING/PROPERTIES: The temperature of water exceeds the 100 degrees C and comes out trough the hotel’s spring and goes directly to all facilities of the SPA. The human body can draw at least twenty trace elements that are essential for its function. The water is rich in minerals and very essential to promote the healthy functioning of the cells and the myoskeletal system, restoring, smoothing and revitalizing the skin.



EDIPSOS: The city of Edipsos is considered the capital SPA of Greece . Its rich vegetation and flourishing nature make it a treat for the heart and mind. It is a unique place blessed by nature known since ancient times for its healing powers.

The town was a popular resort of the Ancient Romans and a favorite place of numerous emperors, generals and senators. Amongst them statesmen as important as Emperor Adrien, Marcus Aurelius and Schilla a famous Roman General are only a few of those who bathed in the local springs every year seeking both pleasure and cure.

Nowadays the modern city of Edipsos has a significant number of hotels but also rooms and studios in private homes …something like Agrotourism, but the majority of buildings have no character. It is not what you expect to find out of a Spa City -a bizarre setting!

The City Park seems completely neglected, and we did not find the streets very clean. The same discontent shared other guests as well . It is the Community of course to blame. Very few buildings are well kept and maintained and those are stone-built and look amazing. It looks like the Community is not doing a good job and it is up to the locals to decide if they want their city to be in this state or not. They should be careful whom to elect the next time of elections.



A WEE JAUNT: We had a day trip the second day to the other side of Edipsos and visited Istiea, Orei and Pefki. Pefki has some greenery, and- there are some pine trees on the way, it has a small fishing harbour and several taverns along the coastal road. The same stands for Orei, but it was probably a bad timing when we got there because the place looked completely deserted. Of course shops, bars and restaurants are expected to open as from this week and will remain open till late autumn. However, I expected it more beautiful and it disappointed us. The scene was pretty tedious and it cannot be compared to the other side of Ilia, Rovies, and Limni!

 

WHERE TO EAT: Visitors can find several local tavernas and restaurants in the area . I highly recommend “Ta Platania”. Fresh cooked food, and excellent seafood meze, amazing people. We had 'pikilia’ -smaller and different portions of dishes that we tasted –mostly seafood. It serves as a Coffee shop as well. It is quite popular and it had several tables reserved the day we were there.



The second one I recommend is “Noufara” and it is a fish tavern. We had the freshest seafood –multiple dishes, an amazing fresh Greek salad, and had ouzo here and prices were reasonable again.

The 3^rd one we tried is called “Amfitrion” and like the previous one, it was located on the seafront main road of 28^th October Street. It is owned by Dina or Mrs. Boulis and she is a lovely lady so warm and friendly. We had tsipouro here and tried some of her amazing seafood dishes. Again prices are reasonable.

All three restaurants were recommended from locals and also through the reception . After eating here I can also recommend them.  



In conclusion I can say that the stay was amazing and this small hotel exceeded our expectation in all aspects. They work as a family team and it was hard to greet them goodbye. We felt like leaving friends behind!



Keep the good work up guys…you deserve the best!