Poseidonion Grand Hotel

The hotel has a historical background of nearly 110 years , which means a lot for a Greek island. Unfortunately you can not lean on your long history you have to prove on your experience and life style you provide. I am disappointed. There is a management lack which is a major point. Our entry and check in period, a room with partial sea view, if you go it to balcony and lean:)) , which is not possible . The management accepted and changed us to a different room, ok, but in a new building near by, acceptable in those circumstances. I will share some photos of the places within the hotel which is not acceptable with a so long hx and class.

This is a stunningly situated hotel in the grand style which has been sympathetically refurbished giving the reception area and lounging area a bright, airy atmosphere. The spa is excellent with great staff and welcome. The food, however, is lackluster and underwhelming. The wait staff in the restaurant are similarly lackluster with poor customer focus. But it is the food which really leaves a lot to be desired. An example is the calamari. It is so coated in batter that finding the calamari within is a puzzle and not an enjoyable puzzle. A request for the lamb cutlets to be pink was met with a firm - they are cooked medium and that is that. A Rum baba dessert was simply a disgrace to the name. While it came beautifully presented it was dry and lifeless with barely a whisper of rum which is a pity. The wine choice was excellent but again the wait staff seemed untrained with regard to serving wine.

*A seasoned traveler's perspective on one of Greece's most historic luxury hotel* --- ## The Promise and the Property The Poseidonion Hotel on the Greek island of Spetses presents itself as a monument to hospitality excellence. Built in 1914 and recently restored to its former glory, this grand dame of Greek hospitality occupies prime real estate on Spetses' picturesque harbor, offering guests a front-row seat to one of the Mediterranean's most charming settings. The property itself is undeniably stunning. The Belle Époque architecture, meticulously restored interiors, and commanding presence along the waterfront create an atmosphere of timeless elegance that few hotels can match. The rooms, priced at premium five-star rates, reflect this architectural grandeur with their period details and harbor views. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the Poseidonion deserves every accolade it receives. ## The Service Paradox However, having experienced genuine five-star service at properties across the globe—from the seamless precision of the Peninsula Hotel Beverley Hills to the intuitive hospitality of Aman resorts to The Grande Bretagne in Athens and many others — the disconnect between the Poseidonion's physical magnificence and its service delivery becomes starkly apparent. The fundamental issue lies not with the individual staff members, but with a systemic approach to training and service standards that falls short of international five-star expectations. During our stay, a consistent pattern emerges: young, well-meaning staff who appear to lack the fundamental training necessary to deliver the level of service that guests rightfully expect when paying premium rates. ## Language as a Barrier to Excellence In today's luxury hospitality landscape, multilingual capability isn't just preferable—it's essential. The inability of many staff members to communicate effectively in English creates unnecessary friction in even the simplest interactions. When a guest requests extra towels or asks about restaurant reservations, the resulting confusion and misunderstandings diminish the luxury experience significantly. This language barrier becomes particularly problematic in dining situations, where nuanced requests about dietary preferences, wine pairings, or special occasions are met with blank stares or, worse, incorrect assumptions that can ruin carefully planned evenings. ## The Art of Anticipatory Service—Lost in Translation True five-star service is characterised by anticipation rather than reaction. Staff should glide through spaces with purpose, constantly observing and responding to guests' unspoken needs. At the Poseidonion, however, one often observes groups of staff engaged in animated conversations among themselves, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. The sight of personnel checking personal mobile phones while guests enter the lobby or wait for assistance would be unthinkable at Savoy Florence, The Four Seasons Paris or The Grand