Messaria Hotel

The owners made us feel very welcome and were friendly and helpful throughout our October walking holiday. We enjoyed five nights at Hotel Messaria. Our room looked good, was spacious and comfortable, and breakfast was extremely generous. They even provided foil so we could take some food along on our walks.

I found the room and hotel well located, with parking, and everyone at this family-run place was kind and keen to meet my needs. I booked at the last minute and wasn’t disappointed. The junior suite had a lovely terrace and loads of space, with a big bed, sofa, storage, une coiffeuse, small fridge, dining table, and a roomy bathroom with a shower, jacuzzi, and toilet. Breakfast could be served in the shared room or in our room, and included continental items and homemade Greek treats. I even got local sightseeing suggestions. I’ve recommended Messaria Hotel to friends since getting home and would return. I gave four stars for service because there were long discussions about my departure. I’d booked through Friday without noticing there was no ferry to Kea that day. The hotel suggested I leave Thursday but pay half price for the unused night. I ended up leaving Friday after finding another way to my next destination. All in all, it was a great stay.

We only felt satisfied with the cleanliness and room amenities; overall, the stay was average and poor value for money. I’d seriously think twice before staying again, though better management and service could make this an excellent hotel. The owner seemed visibly unhappy when we paid by card, as if he expected cash. I also tried suggesting improvements, but it felt as though I was talking to someone from another planet. On the positive side, the beds were excellent, with high-quality natural-material mattresses. The balcony was nice, and its ordinary view was acceptable. The room was clean and comfortable, though we found a damaged window screen, a loose toilet seat, and a flush that sometimes stuck. The owner, Mr. Kostas, took the sofa from our room the final night to give another family with a small child an extra bed. He explained this the next morning but didn’t apologize, just as he had offered no apology or further explanation after moving us to a different room. A kind, professional breakfast worker named Stella was a bright spot. She was experienced and polite, but seemed to be in the wrong place. Mr. Kostas should hire more staff instead of trying to do everything himself. Trying to save resources and time can bring more complaints. We arrived around 10:30 a.m. in August 2017, knowing our room might not be ready, and that was fine. Breakfast was tasty, but the choices were very limited. We initially assumed we were late and decided to see what the next morning would be like. Our room was ready around 1:00 p.m., but it wasn’t the one we’d booked. The owner said the previous guests had chosen to stay an extra day, so he moved us. The room was just as clean and comfortable, but we should have been told in advance. My wife was especially upset because the trip was a gift for me. Breakfast officially began at 9:00 a.m., which we thought was reasonable on holiday, but every day it was the same: a piece of cake and a small piece of local pie per person, marmalade, butter, and one egg. The owner asked each morning whether I wanted eggs, which made it seem like he was trying to keep costs down. When my wife asked for a cappuccino one morning, they refused, saying it took too long and they couldn’t make them if all guests wanted one. That excuse was ridiculous. There was no fresh juice, only commercial local juice, though the breakfast was tasty and clearly homemade by the owner’s wife. A few mornings, breakfast wasn’t ready until 9:30, and it seemed to be put together at the last minute. That was unacceptable.

The rooms were spacious and modern, very clean, with perfect beds. The homemade sweets and pies at breakfast were nice, but breakfast wasn’t the hotel’s strong point. I would have liked more choices such as ham, cheese, and olives. One evening around 21:00 there was no warm water, which seemed quite early for that to happen. I told the owner, who dealt with it right away, so I suppose it won’t happen again. Generally, it’s a very good option for staying at a good hotel in Kythnos, though a few things could be improved.