Ethereal Stay

Our room was spotless and nicely decorated, and the receptionist greeted us warmly. Ethereal Stay is also handy for the center of Spetses, with cafes, restaurants, and the pier all within an easy walk. Since cars aren't allowed on the island, renting a scooter is essential if you want to explore the beaches. The room itself was so small it felt more like student housing than a hotel. There was barely enough space for our clothes, bags, and shoes, let alone room to move around. The only place to hang wet towels or clothes was one tiny hanger in a shared outdoor area. It was already occupied by the couple in the next room when we tried to use it, and having to argue over a shared hanger with strangers hardly made for a relaxed, private holiday. The bathroom had no window and poor ventilation. Unpleasant smells came from the sink. The shower was cramped, the curtain kept sticking to us, and water splashed across the floor and around the toilet. The hairdryer was often damp and positioned dangerously close to the shower, which seemed like a health and safety risk. Privacy was the biggest problem. Our ground-floor door opened straight onto a busy shared hallway, so the room felt more like a hostel than a hotel. People walked by all day, and from inside we heard neighboring conversations, furniture being dragged, barking dogs, and constant construction drilling. At around 8am, cleaning staff talked loudly on their phones outside, emptied air-conditioning runoff buckets, and mopped noisily. There was no sound insulation, and loud voices at 1am weren't unusual. We kept the curtains shut all the time for a little privacy, which made the already cramped room feel even more claustrophobic. The view from the room was of a shared toilet across the way. The Booking.com photos gave the impression of a peaceful, private space, but the front of our room was effectively a corridor shared by other guests, with staff and guests passing throughout the day. People travel from abroad by plane, car, ferry, taxi, and other means to reach places like Spetses. They spend a lot to stay there for a short break, hoping to rest and recharge after months of cold weather and hard work. Hospitality should give guests somewhere they can relax, feel welcome, and be comfortable.

The receptionist was so friendly and lovely, and she pointed us toward good places around the island. The service was great throughout. It's an amazing place to stay, and I'll be back one day.

After many visits to Spetses and stays in different places over the years, this was my best experience by far. The room was newly renovated and very clean, and the location made it easy to get everywhere. Thanks to the Ethereal Team for taking such good care of me and accommodating my requests. I'll recommend the hotel to family and friends visiting your beautiful island. Five stars, well done!

The room felt cozy and comfortable, and the receptionist was polite and really helpful. There's a small daily buffet with cakes, crackers, and coffee included. The hotel is also well placed for exploring the city center and the old port, where the bars and restaurants are. We had a great stay, and I'd definitely recommend it.