Philippion Hotel

The water in the shower was yellow, and there was barely any hot water. It kept switching from hot to cold. Outside our room, there was banging on the floor all the time, and we never found out where it came from. After we complained, reception refunded us a ridiculous amount, apparently just to justify themselves a little. We had booked three nights for the end-of-year holidays, trusting the photos to show what the rooms would be like. They weren't even close. At check-in, they asked us to fill out several forms with personal details and held the full prepayment for every night. Our floor had no working internet, the room wasn't clean, and the blanket had a huge stain. When I asked the cleaner to replace it, she said they were short on supplies. The conditions were miserable.

There was unbearable noise outside all night, with insects, clanging metal cans, and barking dogs. Inside, the bathroom was disgusting, the damp, dirty walls were awful, the carpet was extremely old and filthy, and the towels were yellow and looked a hundred years old. The food was terrible, and the staff seemed concerned only with getting your money in advance. Poverty in every aspect. This place is for animals, not people.

Set among pine trees, the hotel is quiet, with a great view across the bay and the city of Thesaloniki. Many rooms have an amazing view. There's parking, and the pool has sunbeds that are cleaned daily. Breakfast is a generous continental buffet, and the garden is a pleasant place to spend the evening, with affordable food and drinks. Staff are helpful and hospitable. The building is a bit old, though some parts have been renovated, and it's still a pretty decent place to stay.

Good value for the money. It's peaceful, with clean air, outside the city but still near the center.