Doryssa Theorem Hotel

“A Designed Hotel”

We stayed in this hotel for four nights in late May. The hotel is modern and appears to have been converted from properties on a side street near the harbour. The conversion is superb, without any noticeable sign of separate properties. It has 60 rooms over three floors. We did not notice any a… more

We stayed in this hotel for four nights in late May. The hotel is modern and appears to have been converted from properties on a side street near the harbour. The conversion is superb, without any noticeable sign of separate properties. It has 60 rooms over three floors. We did not notice any arrangements for the mobility impaired - whilst we are sure that the hotel would strive to help the very style of it does present difficulties. There is no lift. We arrived by ferry and the hotel is a 10 minute walk with hand luggage from the port. A taxi would not be necessary unless guests had substantial luggage. There is an airport on Samos which is less than 5k from Pythagorio. We are not aware of any car parking on site and it is quite impossible on the surrounding roads. But there are a number of car parks in fields around the town. The reception area is minimalist with a desk at the head of the entrance steps. The desk guards the staircase to the upper floors and looks onto the bar and breakfast room. There is some soft seating in the bar area but it is insufficient. There is an outside terrace across the front of the hotel which is very pleasant but not made for lounging – this has tables and chairs for dining and indeed is accessible from the breakfast room. The hotel has a spa and a gym – we did not use either – and it has no pool. Our room was a junior suite on the top floor overlooking the road and therefore without any views save to the town. The suite was a single room with a room divider which could be used as a desk. The sleeping and sitting areas are therefore separate. There is a hanging rail in the lobby area with no wardrobe, beneath the hanging rail there is one full shelf and one half shelf – this arrangement caused us no problems (we travel light) but for some guests it might mean storing clothes in suitcases. There is a Nespresso machine, a refrigerator (with water) and a safe. The bathroom was open plan with a wash-hand basin preceding a walk-in shower, the whole tiled in stone. The towels were high quality and the toiletries excellent. There is a separate WC. The room is undoubtedly stylish. It is well kept and nicely decorated. This suite had two opening windows onto a balcony with a table and two chairs. The sitting area in actuality had a fold-up bed as a sofa but of high quality. There was a coffee table and two comfortable easy chairs. The bed was very comfortable with high quality linen. The suite was situated at the head of a staircase and is only one floor up from reception and the breakfast room, in consequence there was some noise although it was not too prevalent. There was minor noise from the street. The wifi was excellent and the air-con very efficient at both heating and cooling. Housekeeping was excellent. The interior of the hotel was clean and tidy and well maintained. Servicing and caring for the areas appears constant. Only breakfast was available although snacks could be ordered at the bar until 16:30. The bar counter doubled as the breakfast servery and therefore did not operate as a bar until around midday. Breakfast was a self-service buffet and generous with hot and cold food and regularly replenished. The circulation space around the servery was a problem when the breakfast room had more than a dozen people trying to access food. Just like any queue it was prone to blocking up. Staff in the breakfast room were helpful and attentive. Breakfast could be taken out onto the front terrace. Restaurants, shops and the harbour front are all within a ten minute stroll. Restaurants along the harbour are plentiful and reasonably priced. Staff were pleasant but we had the impression that some were new to the hospitality industry – they tried hard. Others were very professional and helpful. The hotel services package holiday companies thus from time to time the reception area, the soft seating in the bar/restaurant and the terrace were crowded. This is a very pleasant hotel, it has been designed with real flair – to the point where sometimes function is sacrificed for style. But, it is comfortable, it is well located and the people are nice. It is not particularly cheap for independent travellers, but it is rewarding and we would certainly return.

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