If any group of people know how to do hospitality, it has to be the Greeks. It’s their generosity of spirit that welcomes, embraces and makes you feel so much at home and the staff at Summer Senses are in a masterclass.
It really isn’t our style to go upmarket, especially when we are going to travel for so long but there comes a moment in life when one’s own mortality jumps up and stands squarely in front demanding attention and obviously the best way to cope is to do ridiculous things like go five star! John did get a special – stay five nights pay four…that sort of thing. Sorry kids – we really do love you.
Arriving at the resort, we were greeted by a horde of hotel attendants. Our luggage was attended to, the valet took the car, and the beautiful concierge accompanied us to reception. For a moment I thought they might have mistaken us for some sort of celebrities but no, it’s the start of the season and we are all treated like celebrities. A golf buggy turned up and we were driven the hundred metres to our room.
First night and we were tempted by the casual restaurant and ate in. On our return to the room I noticed the lights were on, on our rental car. I checked and couldn’t start the car and assumed the battery was dead. ‘Fortunately’ the valet had parked the car so I left the problem in the hands of the hotel staff who had everything fixed the following morning. I say fortunately because if I had parked the car, I am sure I would have left the lights on. We lazed around the beautiful complex until mid-afternoon then we went exploring. Well I say exploring – we drove 1.5km to Logaros where we discovered a couple of tavernas and a lovely beach with umbrellas and lounges. We stayed for a while, but the wind eventually chased us away.
The car would not start. I thought maybe I should have driven it for a while to recharge the battery. We eventually got through to the car rental company and a woman with the compassion of a sewer rat remarked, ‘Oh you….from Summer Senses…The battery is good. I tell you how to drive….’ She proceeded to give me directions on how to start the car. It was more a semi-automatic but still I should have been a bit more on the ball. The car started. She was not happy. ‘You should know how to drive a car before you rent.’ I was properly castigated. Not so much ‘philoxenia’ there.
Breakfast was included and was sensational. I think they catered to every taste- from hearty hot selections, continental, sweet, vegan, traditional Greek..it was all there, even à la carte was available.
But what was really a treat, was the staff. George greeted us the first morning and made us feel so welcome. A vivacious, engaging individual he travels vicariously through his meetings with people from all over the world, as they share their stories. Agatha is an agricultural student from Athens who watches over Valentina and tutors her on the job with her English. Spiros who delivers our coffee or tea has the most amazing timbre in his voice and I wonder if he is a singer. Michalis, whose good looks, and charm puts everyone at ease as he attends to the guests. Then there is Thanos, a senior staff member whose observation skills are extraordinary and Katerina, a beautiful young woman of style and substance who encourages her guests and her staff to enjoy themselves. When work can extend to a twelve-hour day and a six or even seven-day week, maintaining enthusiasm and attention to detail must be one of the most challenging aspects of the hospitality industry. I sincerely hope their employers appreciate the gems that they have.
