| Hydra Hotel | |
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180 40 Hydra |
find it on the map |
A glorious historical mansion in the port of Hydra is the setting for this quiet and charming little hotel. It was built around 1820 to house the staff of a local shipping company and later became the island’s school building. (There’s a sweet old lady living nearby who stops by from time to time asking for the headmaster.) Today, the old classrooms are fresh-looking high-ceilinged guestrooms, and the courtyard where the schoolchildren used to play is a peaceful spot to have your breakfast or just enjoy the quiet with a drink. There are eight rooms in all, done in a fresh modern style that combines beautifully with the old features of the house. Walls, wooden floors and ceilings are painted in soft hues; sofa’s, plenty of pillows and art on the walls add colour; bathrooms are modern and efficient, and, most importantly, beds are superbly comfortable. One of the ground-floor suites still has the original marble-tiled floors and the old well. The nicest three rooms (in my opinion) are on the first floor and have a full view over the port and the sea. I was lucky to stay in the one that has a small balcony.
Young and friendly Katerina Nikolaidou manages Hydra Hotel single-handedly; her charm matches that of the hotel.
What makes it special to me:
Hydra Hotel offers a great combination old charm and modern comfort. I loved the ‘clean’ feeling of the rooms. The view from my window was amazing, but you don’t get that in all rooms.
But what you should keep in mind:
When you see the hotel from the port, it doesn’t look that high up, but there are quite a few steps to take to get there. This is not a hotel for the elderly or unfit.
| Owner | Katerina Nikolaidou |
| Address | 180 40 Hydra |
| Opening period: | Normally from the Easter holidays until the 10th of October |
| Children: | Welcome |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
| Credit cards: | VISA, DINERS, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS |
| Accommodation | 2 studios for 2 persons 2 suites for up to 3 persons with one bedroom, a sitting area (more limited view) 3 suites for up to 3 persons with one bedroom, a sitting room (superior sea view) 1 maisonette for up to 4 persons with one bedroom, a sitting room | |||||||||||||||
| Prices: | Accommodation type Sun - Wed
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| Reservation policy: | A deposit of 10% of the total price of the stay is required at the time of booking. The hotel will normally ask for an additional credit card guarantee or deposit by bank transfer of 20% of the total cost of your stay. The outstanding balance is to be paid directly to the hotel upon checkout. For bookings of one night only, the hotel may ask for the full prepayment. | |||||||||||||||
| Cancellation policy: | The 10% deposit paid online at the time of booking is non-refundable. The hotel will charge a further fee of the price of one night if the booking is cancelled less than three weeks prior to your arrival date. In the case of a no-show or an early departure, 90% of the total price of the stay is charged. Jacoline's Small Hotels in Greece reserves the right to debit your credit card on behalf of the hotel in accordance with the above cancellation policies.  | |||||||||||||||
| Room facilities | En-suite bathroom (bath or shower)
Telephone
Television Internet access Kitchenette Air conditioning Safe
Hairdryer |
| Other facilities | Courtyard garden |
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Katerina serves breakfast from 8h00 to 13h00 (!), and she will bring it to you either in the courtyard or in your room. It is not an over-the-top kind of spread, but it includes a nice selection of fresh breads, croissants and pastry, as well as fresh fruits. All rooms have a very decently equipped kitchenette so if you want you can also prepare yourself things to eat in the hotel, but of course there are plenty of places to eat in ‘town’ and by the sea. |
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Hydra Hotel is situated in a quiet spot in the little town (if you can call it that) of Hydra, a few minutes' walk from the waterfront. The mansion sits on a steepish hillside - it must be about 40 m. above sea level - which of course means that you have to work your way up quite a few steps to get to the hotel, but the reward is a splendid view over the rooftops of the port, the sea and the mountainous inland. |
 find it on the map
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The hydrofoils for Hydra leave from Piraeus and take less than 1,5 hours to get to the island. You can also go by car via the Peloponnese (about 2,5 hours from Athens) and cross at Ermioni or Porto Heli via Spetses, but keep in mind that cars are not allowed on Hydra so you'd have to leave it behind on the mainland. After you arrive in the port of Hydra, you should follow the waterfront (to the right as you come off the boat), and turn left after the bell tower. After you walk up about 20 steps, you turn right after you pass a small newspaper shop, and from there you will see signs for the hotel. There will be quite a few more steps... If you have a lot to carry, you can ask Katerina to arrange for a donkey transfer for your luggage (there is a small charge). |
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Hydra barely needs an introduction. This island off the coast of the Peloponnese is among the prettiest and most cosmopolitain in Greece. It’s famous, as much for what it has, as for what it doesn’t have. It doesn’t have roads. There are no cars, busses or even bikes. The only engine-driven vehicle on the island is the one that collects the garbage. It doesn’t have big hotels. It doesn’t have any modern construction. There isn't much of a tourist infrastructure at all. It doesn’t have much in terms of beach. But here comes what it does have. A well-protected harbour where donkeys and mules, ready to carry your luggage, line the waterfront. Impressive stone-built and whitewashed 18th and 19th century mansions and traditional houses built amphitheatrically around the harbour. A wild and beautiful landscape scattered with churches and monasteries. Lots of small and charming hotels. A good selection of restaurants and places to go out at night. And also, plenty of small beaches, jetties and flat rocks that are perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
The island attracts a fairly well-to-do crowd, but they’re not the party-going kind. Many artists, writers and intellectuals own houses, and it’s not hard to understand why they have chosen Hydra as their retreat and source of inspiration. The beauty and quiet of the island are mesmerizing. In the summer it can momentarily get crowded, especially when cruise ships make a few hours’ stop and hordes of picture snapping tourists descent on the shore. But they never stay long, nor do they venture far from the seafront, so unless you stay in a hotel right by the port you won’t be bothered by it.
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Read here what others said about Hydra Hotel
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I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our stay at the Hydra Hotel on the island of Hydra. The hotel has the best views on the island and our room had the balcony to take it all in. It is a perfect boutique hotel; beautifully decorated and furnished with a real attention to detail. But what made our stay so enjoyable was the manager Katarina Nicolaidou. She was friendly, helpful and really considerate, which we found really made a difference. We would recommend the hotel and Katarina to anyone looking for a great experience. The only thing I would add - make sure Katarina arranges for someone to greet you at the port and take your bags to the hotel - it’s a steep climb! Paul H.Harlow, UK June 2011 |
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