Noa Hotel

The soundproofing was impressive. Even beside the busy coastal road and nightlife, the room stayed quiet enough for sleep while still giving you the city buzz. Rooms are modern, very clean, minimalist and comfortable, with excellent beds. The interior mixes industrial style with a warm feel. Noa Hotel sits by the Port, at the edge of lively Ladadika, a five-minute walk from Aristotelous Square and close to restaurants and nightlife. If you can, book a Sea View room: waking up to the Thermaikos Gulf and port cranes is a classic Thessaloniki sight. The front desk team are friendly, help with luggage and parking arrangements, and offer useful food and drink recommendations, especially handy in Ladadika, where it can be easy to end up somewhere touristy. Don't skip breakfast. It's a quality spread with local Greek products, fresh bougatsa, good cheeses and eggs made to order, served in a stylish, relaxing space. Like many central Thessaloniki hotels, there's little or no on-site parking, but they have an arrangement with a nearby garage. It feels like a five-star stay at a four-star price, and would suit couples or business travelers who want design, comfort and a walkable location.

We often visit Thessaloniki and like trying new hotels, but this was the worst experience I've had with a hotel manager. At reception, I asked whether there was parking and what it cost. A young staff member had just begun answering about parking when a woman, probably the manager, came out of the back office and abruptly said they didn't have facilities. Fair enough. When I asked about prices, she said they varied with availability. I asked her to be more specific, and she sarcastically said it could be from 100 to over 400 euros. Her manner came across as rude and dismissive, as if she had no interest in gaining new customers. If turning away potential guests is the goal, that's how to do it. Neither I nor my friends will stay here. If you want repeat customers, learn to be polite.

This doesn't come close to a four-star hotel. The tiny room was hot, and the earplugs say it all. The AC wasn't working because it was winter, but with the window open it sounded like sleeping beside a freeway. Service was poor too. Never again. Avoid it if you want to sleep or expect a classy hotel, because you won't find either here.

The way management handled my complaint really soured the holiday. I’d booked a sea view room, but there was no sea view. When I asked to change rooms, none of the same category were available. They offered lower-category rooms with very dirty windows, or an upgrade at extra cost. The manager didn’t address my point that a room without a sea view shouldn’t be sold as one.