Bratsera Hotel Hydra

I've stayed at the Bratsera twice before, but this third visit was a very negative experience. I asked for a one-level room because of an injured foot. They said they'd contact me if one became available, but never did. When we arrived, my travel companion had a one-level room, even though she booked months after I had. Workers were right outside my door for two days. On the second day, there was water all over the floor outside my room and an open garbage bag there too. The front desk removed it after I told them, but nobody apologized or offered anything. My phone was dead, so I couldn't call reception to say I was ready to check out. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, with my boat departure coming up, I asked for help carrying my bag down the stairs from my two-level room. They said nobody was available. I wrote to management afterward and got no apology. Their email said I should have monitored my own booking through the travel platform for a one-level room, that I should have accepted the worker being there during quiet hours and not minded the garbage, and that arranging an outside porter for my bag was my responsibility. I've travelled in Greece for 40 years and now work as a travel professional. I find this unacceptable from any hotel. Greece takes pride in hospitality, and the Bratsera is a four-star hotel with prices to match.

What made our stay memorable was the staff. Everyone in reception, the restaurant and housekeeping was wonderful, and nothing felt like too much trouble. My wife and I came to Hydra for the first time and loved Bratsera Hotel. We plan to return to the island and stay here again next September. Lots of facilities can be nice, but to me it's the people who make a hotel stand out, and the staff at Bratsera Hotel were exceptional.

We stayed in the suite, one of the most iconic rooms in the old sponge factory. The outdoor space could be laid out better, and breakfast was okay. A nice hotel in hydra.

The service and location were excellent, and the pool was a good size. But Suite Number 22, though traditional, lacked even basic amenities you'd expect in a modern hotel. For that much money, an old-fashioned room with no balcony really wasn't worth it. The old windows could also be dangerous for small children if they opened them and fell.