Poseidonion Grand Hotel

*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

This is a special place. A grand old lady, suitably and tastefully bought up to date with much love and - I suspect - no little investment! It is deservedly the centrepiece of beautiful Spetses. Like all grand dames, she betrays here age now and then. The air conditioning can be less than frosty for example, but let’s just call that character. It doesn’t detract from the innate style and taste of this space. Filled with ever changing original art and grand spaces. Our favourite was the balcony for breakfast and later for cocktails before hitting the restaurants. The staff are uniformly helpful and professional. Most of all the inimitable Zoe who, from the concierge desk, directed us to all the best places and experiences on the island. She is already famous from these reviews and she certainly didn’t disappoint. Our great experience was due, to a large extent , her guidance. We had one of the cheaper rooms facing the pool which was entirely adequate. The pool side was lovely and quiet and a good spot to spend time with the various cats, if you enjoy that sort of thing. We were interested in visiting Spetses and enjoying the best the island had to offer. We chose this hotel for that reason. It was a great choice.