MY REVIEW FOR THIS HOTEL


A Steady Value and Oasis of Relaxation and Invigoration – It is considered the Best Professional Spa & Wellness Hotel in Greece!



GENERAL: The Wellness Spa hotel is open the year round and its forefront features and architecture style makes it "the gem" of the city of Edipsos . It strikes with awe with the look and the scent of an absolutely aristocratic hotel of the beginning of the past century. The ground floor and lobby have a classic touch of style and glamour. The décor is appealing to the eye and it travels you back in time of luxury.



AWARDS: A Steady Value and one of the best 10 Thermal Spas in the world and the Top Spa Hotel in Greece according to the “Conde Nast Traveller”. Guests who come here mostly come to get rid of the daily stress and re-earn the lost energy –the perfect combination for body and mind rejuvenation. It can also accommodate professionals and business clientele.

It surely deserves the awards it has received.



ARRIVAL: We enjoyed a warm welcome back and we were offered a cool fresh juice upon arrival. This time we did not have to wait long to fill forms since our data card was kept from our previous visit . The reception staff is unbeatable and in minutes we were showed to our room. Later on when I spent some time at the lobby, I noticed how busy the lines are and they kept ringing for bookings but the reception ladies are punctual to a second and know well how to deal with this stressful post without leaving guests or the people behind the lines wait long. They arrange to ring them back, and at the same time deal as best as they can to meet the needs of the guests. No matter how busy they are they always have a nice word to say, and they are eager to know how you find the stay. I can highly speak of Dina and Eleni, Harry and Yianni.  



STAFF: The majority works here for years -capable, friendly and professionals, making guests feel special. Each individual enjoys a personalized attention and nothing seems much trouble for them. Individuals are served in the most unique way –something scarce nowadays! I can highly speak of the restaurant's staff, -Kosta, Christos and Petros . They are all capable conscientious and hardworking guys!

NEW MANAGEMENT: Only recently the hotel has had a new management and instantly you can tell the difference. It honestly cannot be compared to the previous one. The difference is huge, always for the benefit of the guest and it is now obvious that both management and staff work on the least detail for the Comfort, Preference, Taste and Style of each and every guest.  



ROOM: Our room #306 was at the Old wing.

Spotlessly clean, well proportioned and comfortably equipped, overlooking the sea. The word “stunning” is very little to describe the view. Nothing could stop me from getting up early to catch the crack of dawn as it breaks into a new day. It was like standing in front of a different painting each morning –a palette of colours. It is worth paying the few extra to get a sea view room. The water calm as a lake with fishing boats going by every now and then. I could not stop taking photos. I have taken several evening shots as well with the full moon over the amazing bay.

I assume that the highlight of all sea-view rooms is their beautiful windows which have an air of the past architecture and style. The colour of water changes depending on the time of day and season . You have the feeling that the sea starts directly from outside the window and stretches in a distance! Both nights we slept with windows open to hear the waves splashing on the shore.

Rooms are functional with all necessary amenities for a comfortable stay but don’t expect luxury. Don’t forget that the highlights of the hotel are the pools and not the room’s pieces of furniture! The old fashioned TV sets of the past have all been replaced with new flat ones. There was a mini bar and a safe in the room. Our complimentary treat was a bottle of fresh water and two apples. No coffee/tea facilities provided but as a traveler I always carry along my miniature electric teapot….I urge you to do the same!



BATHROOM: Marble bathroom with a bath-tub, freshly clean towels, several toiletries that bear the name of the hotel. For all suites toiletries differ though!

There was a hair-dryer, a tissue paper set, slippers and brand new bath robes . Plastic shower caps were missing but we could find ample by the indoor pool. Have in mind though that they are quite small in size so if you don’t wish to have your hair wet all the time, better carry your own. I had mine and it saved me much trouble and time which is really precious out here!

There is a 24-hour room service so if there is something missing you can always call the people at the house-keeping who will be more than happy to help you.

Pool towels were not changed the first afternoon and we had to ask the ladies to bring us clean ones for the next morning. We also needed bathing gel and when I told them I had it in minutes. Of course similar incidents do happen even at the best hotels so I don’t take this as something negative. House-keeping service was in general impeccable and the ladies very sweet and ready to meet our needs any time.



BREAKFAST: The first meal of the day here at the Thermae Sylla Spa is sumptuous and royal . Expect an American –Top Quality breakfast with several home-made dainty morsel traditional recipes made out from local products. The people in the kitchen are doing an exceptional job. There is everything for everyone enough to fill you up till dinner.

(Fresh juice, Cereals, dry fruit and nuts, a variety of bread and cakes, rolls, croissant, jam, marmalade, butter and honey, yoghurt and rice puddings, scrambled eggs and omelettes, seasonal local and exotic fruit and desert, tea and coffee. What more would one expect! It was one of the top 5 best breakfasts I had by far!



RESTAURANTS: We dined both days at the “Edipsos” restaurant and tried both the a la carte menu and the Buffet. I had a grilled salmon with side vegetables and my husband had pasta. My salmon (14.00 euros) was tender and juicy and I enjoyed it. The pasta -napolitan (8.00 euros) was fine too . We accompanied our meal with the hotel’s red and white wine for 6.50 and 5.50 euros respectively.



Buffet was rich. Guests have the opportunity to taste some amazing Mediterranean and Greek recipes. I was amazed with the culinary skills of the Executive Chef and I noticed that the menu includes everything a guest might dream of. You see, the menus are carefully designed, the products used are fresh and local –a number of them are cultivated in organic growth at the hotel’s-owned farm. Salads which I love exceeded my expectations. I tried the pork with cabbage as my main dish that day only because I love vegetables and it was divine. Personally I hate buffets but here I did an exception and I did not regret it. The food was nicely presented and it was so tempting. I could not resist one or two dishes and had a nibble out of curiosity. I can tell that I found it delicious. We accompanied our dishes with the organic wine bottled exclusively for the hotel that comes from the owners’ vineyards like the previous night .



Both Buffet and the A la carte menus include alternatives for a light cuisine with fresh fish and seafood, and vegetarians can find nutrient and delicious dishes to please their palate.

It is preferable that guests book H/B.



Wi Fi: Free Wi Fi access throughout the premises. Guests are provided with a code which they can use to connect.



POOLS: Both pools are equipped with water sprinkler systems and underwater hydro massage devices that relax unbelievably and invigorate the entire body. Guests will find it hard to go to a regular pool after experiencing the natural spring pools here. Imagine swimming under the stars with the steam rising off the water! It is an experience you will cherish the memory of!

Both indoor and outdoor pools have warm fresh thermal water between 32 to 34 degrees C . Pools are emptied, cleaned and re-filled with fresh natural spring water on a daily basis.

Gym facilities are free as well as the two pools, but nothing else! Unfortunately guests have to pay extra even for the Steam room and the Sauna, something that is provided free to guests in other similar Spa hotels worldwide!



SPA: Spa treatments on offer are overwhelming however this year I only had a 15 minutes relaxing massage so I cannot comment on any of the treatments or therapies at this point. The massage was really good I can tell. The majority of guests find treatments quite expensive however the hotel has a whole host of amazing deals and discounts the year round with packages to meet the needs of all budgets. I advise that you take advantage of these to save money and perhaps manage to stay longer.



DINING OUTSIDE: I always like giving my readers alternatives . On this trip I recommend “Noufara”. It is a fish tavern where we had multiple seafood dishes, reasonable priced, a fresh Greek salad and ouzo. The owner -Savvas is very friendly and an excellent cook. The restaurant is found on the main beach road ( Omirou 1 and 28th Oktovriou street)

“Ta Platania” is my second choice. Here we had lunch and the food was nicely prepared and tasty. I tried some seafood meze. It is a 'koutouki’ in a way and a ‘taverna’ but it also serves as a local Coffee shop.

My 3^rd choice is “Amfitirion”. It is again on the main beach road (28^th Oktovriou Street). Mrs. Dina will amaze you with her exceptional warm hospitality and amazing seafood. Search for my individual reviews for all three of the above eating houses.

 

CONCLUSION: In all, we had an amazing time here at the Thermae Sylla Spa and Wellness Hotel and I long to be back. There are many things to keep you occupied, from the large pools, the massage and the beauty services if you can afford it. Personally both times I was here I did not want to leave the premises not even for a stroll. I am sure guests feel the same!