Hotels in Greece - You want to stay at a great hotel in Greece, but you have little more than its website to help you make your decision. Here's how to make sure you don't get the lost in translation between hotel reality and hotel website.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 30 minutes
Here's How:
- Some of the most truly charming hotels in Greece are still behind the curve on websites. So if the site is a little clunky, it may not be a deal-killer. However, it will probably give you an idea of the general language skills - if there are some incomprehensible statements, you may find the same degree of incomprehension behind the desk.
- Are all the images on the website extreme close-ups? This can be a red alert and a sign that there is something next door - or on the next wall - that they'd rather you didn't see.
- Are all or most of the images on the website clearly stock photos? Is the site rich in images of "nearby attractions" but slim on photos of the rooms?
- Does the framing on the photos look like it was easy for the photographer to take the shot? If so, the room or area is probably fairly large. But using an odd angle, fisheye lens, or other distortion may mean the photographer had his back to a wall -literally.
- Does the hotel offer a rotating 360-degree panorama shot, or, better, more than one? This is usually a great sign that they have nothing to hide and are proud of their facility. But these are harder to produce - not having this kind of shot doesn't mean the hotel isn't lovely. It's just a great validation when it is included.
- Translate the code words. "Quiet" can mean awkwardly located. "Incredible views" can mean just that - but on hilly islands, it may also mean that there are 243 steps between you and the beach. "Not suitable for children" can also mean there are unprotected steep areas where adults with mobility issues may also encounter difficulties.
- Look at the hotel cancellation policy. Is it posted very prominently on the website? Be cautious. The info should definitely be on the website, usually on the booking page, but if there's a sense that they really want you to know what you'll be liable for if you dare to cancel, it can be a danger sign.
- Check the area out on Google maps. While Google Streetview is not available for most of Greece, if you choose the map and terrain combination, you can get a much better idea of how you will be located, how far you really are from the beach or center of town, how winding the roads are, how built up the area is, and many other clues to the type of experience you'll have there.
Tips:
- Pick up the phone and call the hotel, allowing for the time difference so you reach them during the day. You may be about to spend hundreds of dollars - the few dollars you spend talking to them may make all the difference to your vacation. Plus, if you're not used to making international calls, it's great practice so you can leave good notes on how you can be reached in Greece. But call your phone company first and get a good package rate for international calls before you start dialing.
- When you do call, see how long it takes for your call to be answered. Can the person answering the phone answer your questions easily? Imagine you're standing in front of the desk asking the same questions. Do you feel welcomed and cared about?
- The Greek hotel rating system tends to downplay the charming family-run or boutique-styel hotels, while giving a boost to the big corporate monoliths. There are some terrific 2* and 3* hotels in Greece, and some not-so-terrific "Luxury" or 4-5* ones. If you like the looks of a place, don't worry about the star rating, which rates hotels down for such things as whether or not there is a restaurant on site and the size of its lobby.
- You may also want to read .
Susan Breslow Sardone's inspiring article on "reading" hotel websites in general, "How to Judge a Hotel by Its Website".
