Grand Hotel Kalamata

The front desk staff really made the experience: kind, funny, and genuinely welcoming, and every interaction was a pleasure. The hotel itself feels like home, with sleek modern decor and top-notch quality. Right beside Kalamata Marina, it's a great spot for morning strolls or evening drinks by the water. Breakfast was delicious, with lots of variety and some of the best coffee I had in Greece. I had an amazing stay at Grand Hotel Kalamata and will absolutely be back.

The bed was comfortable, which was the only saving grace. We appreciated the complimentary upgrade, but the new room was less comfortable. Although it was labeled “Deluxe Sea View,” it was noticeably smaller than our previous room, with a disappointing sea view. Being at the front of the hotel also made it much noisier and disrupted our stay. Service was very disappointing, especially at breakfast. We waited more than 30 minutes for our food, with no explanation or apology. When it arrived, it was lackluster. The restaurant staff seemed inattentive and showed little respect, leaving us uncomfortable and unwelcome. We can't tell if that came from bias or indifference, but it was disheartening. In hindsight, we'd have preferred another night at Costa Navarino, particularly after finding the drive from there to the airport manageable. Our stay at Grand Kalamata Hotel fell short of expectations, and we probably wouldn't return.

We had a 15-minute delay but our table at the Grand Hotel Kalamata restaurant was ready, and the service was friendly and quick. The potatoes with truffle sauce were very tasty, the tuna tartare fresh and well seasoned, and the veal carpaccio excellent. The Greek salad, Kalamata delicacies platter, and ribeye steak were also among the dishes we tried. The risotto with gorgonzola was good, though it was missing the pear. The steak came medium rather than medium rare, but the staff corrected it quickly. The pasta with minced meat in breadcrumbs looked nice but wasn't worth ordering. Everything else was delicious. Waiting 30 minutes for the check was the only negative, so I'd give it four stars.

The hotel is a superb, top-notch five-star place with helpful staff, and it makes a wonderful base for exploring the town or heading down the coast. The bistro food and drinks are wonderful too. We enjoyed relaxing in the lobby or outside in the afternoon breeze under the shade. We'll definitely repeat the experience. Our only minor feedback is that the hot water was a little tepid.