Symi Chat

As some fo you already know, I'm looking for an accomodation in the harbour area from August 7th till August 21st. I've sent several emails but I haven't got replies so far. Looking in the internet I've found two possible accomodations. I'd like to get advise.
The first one is:
Grace Hotel found on booking.com
The second one is:
Anastasia (located in Mouragio) found on booking-gr.com
Although I'm a solo traveller I've found only double rooms so I have to pay for two.
Anyway, I'm asking for advice.
Does anyone know these hotels? Which one should I have to choose?
I'm looking for a comfortable, clean accomodation. I don't need luxury but cleanness is highly recommended. I'd like to stay in the harbour area close to taverns since I don't want to walk too long at night to get to the room.
I'm looking forward to getting advise since they have just one room available and I have to book soon.

Hi Regina ,i haven't stayed at those places you mentioned but i did stay at the Nireus Hotel which is next to the clock tower in which i could highly recommend,just a thought.

Hi Kon! Actually Nireus Hotel was my first choice. I emailed them even before booking the flight to check availability and ask for information. They emailed me back and confirm availability. Then, after booking the flight, I emailed them again to book the room but they haven't replied to me. It's been a while sine I last got news from them. I believe that they no longer have a room available. Unfortunately! That accomodation looked very comfortable to me.

I'm no expert on accommodation in the harbour area Regina, I prefer to be in the village, but I do know that The Opera House is very popular. It doesn't have the spectacular sea views that you get from the Nireus Hotel but the garden setting is very peaceful and it's only a couple of minutes walk from the harbour front.

Have you seen their website?

Allan, I have seen The Opera House website. I filled their reservation form a couple of days ago but I haven't got any reply so far. I know greek habits (I love them and that's one of the reasons why I often choose to spend summer holidays on a greek island) and I know that I can't demand an immediate reply but I also know that August is a crazy month to go on holiday and I have to book as soon as I can if I want to find a comfortable (and not too expensive) accomodation.
I'm looking for a room in the harbour area because it looks like it's more comfortable when you arrive from Rhodes. Moreover, I believe that taverns and bars are located in that area so getting to the room at night might be easier for a solo holidaymaker. Am I wrong?

No, you're not wrong Regina. The vast majority of tavernas and bars are around the harbour. In Chorio (the village) there is a handful of tavernas and bars but it's a much quieter place and feels more Greek which is what I like. That's my personal choice though and lots of people prefer the harbour for its more lively feel and big choice of places to eat and drink.

Please don't worry about getting back to your room at night as a solo holidaymaker, if that's what is concerning you. Symi is a very safe island and popular with solo travellers. You have nothing to worry about no matter where you stay.

A lot of the accommodation on Symi is in the form of self catering apartments and houses, suitable for couples and families. Symi Visitor Accommodation who provide this forum specialise in this sort of property but it might be worth emailing them to see if they can recommend anything suitable for you. They are very friendly and helpful. Their address is symi-vis@otenet.gr and they reply to emails quickly

Thank you Allan for confirming what I thought about taverns and bars and for reassuring me about safety at night on the island. Anyway, I do believe that an harbour accomodation is more suitable to me.
I'm spending my saturday looking for a room in the internet and I haven't got any reply yet. I begin to think that my email box is having trouble due to the solar storm! Have you heard of it? I know that it might affect communication and internet.
Stop joking... I'll email the address you gave me hoping that they can help me.
By the way, I love this forum!!!

Hi Regina,We have stayed at the Grace hotel and apartments, both are fairly basic but clean. If you can get room 24 in the hotel you get a small side balcony and a fairly large private terrace which is a bit of a sun trap

Hi Regina we also have stayed at the Grace hotel and apartments and in fact we are staying there on 4 July. Yiannis the owner and his son are very helpful. Also the Grace is near to the harbour area but back from the front so is a little quieter and only 2-3 minutes walk from all the bars and tavernas. Both the hotel and apartments are clean and probably the best available for budget accomodation.

Thank you for giving information. I believe I'll book at Grace Hotel. It looks like the hotel is close to the harbour (no steps! I don't mind steps when I don't have to carry my baggage) but in a quiet neighborhood. It should be safe to walk at night.

Hello Regina - the Anastasia in the mouragio that you mentioned is now called the Anastasoula Mouragio and is the one I mentioned just behind the Nireus. They changed the name because there is another Anastasia up in Chorio. They haven't changed the sign of course!!!

You must search Google for "hotel kokona symi greece", no steps and only a 50 metres or less to the water in the harbour. Kokona is cleaned every day and Kokona is charming. So close and so well kept.

In the past days I tried to get in touch with several hotels and tourist agencies in Symi. I haven't got many replies though. It's a little weird, I must admit. I believe that my language is good enough to write an understandable booking request. Are all of them too busy to email me back?
Anyway, I got emails from Aliki (beautiful hotel but out of my holiday budget), from Albatros, from Grace and Captain's. They all have been very kind and gave me the information I asked. Aliki owner emailed me in a perfect italian!
As for Anastasia, I didn't know it is Kojak's Anastasoula. I found the hotel on booking-gr.com but it looks like the room is no longer available. Unfortunately I don't have their email address to get in touch with them directly.
I know that August is a very busy month on greek islands (hopefully for greek economy these days) and it's not easy to find a single room so I have to book very soon.
My choice is, then, between Grace and Albatros. Maybe I'm more inclined to Grace...

[quote="regina"]


My choice is, then, between Grace and Albatros. Maybe I'm more inclined to Grace...
[/quote]Given that choice I'd be inclined to go for Grace too Regina. It's in a very quiet location set back from the harbour and has always had good comments from visitors.

The Albatros is in a busy street, though not in the noisiest area of Yialos. Very handy for the supermarket and one of Symi's most popular tavernas (perhaps a little too handy ). It wouldn't be my first choice of accommodation.

Mille, the other administrator of the forum, stayed there a few years ago. Maybe she'll give you her opinion of the place.

Albatros is basic, clean and has a very nice atmosphere.

I would recommended any time, but be sure to get a room with a tiny balcony.

Yes, that's seem to be my choice. It's really weird that although I sent many emails I have got just three replies. Is it usual in Greece?
Anyway, I want to thank you all once again for giving me advice and suggestions.

regina, the season has not started yet and the preparations have only just begun.

I think it would be better to send a fax or call the accomodatons, if possible.

Mille, do you think I want to book too early?
It's my first self arranged holiday and I might be too anxious...

I you go to booking.com they list quite a few choices of accommodation and you can confirm your booking straight away.

[quote="regina"]

Mille, do you think I want to book too early?
It's my first self arranged holiday and I might be too anxious...
[/quote]
No, regina. I think you should book as early as possible.

But some owners of hotels and so on do not spend the winter on Symi, but return to the island when Spring arrives