Maria_H

We've just returned from our 10 day holiday in Greece, (3 nights each in Nafplion (Tolon), Monemvassia, Paralio Astros and 1 night in Athens) for which I'll write a report, once I'm organised. I'd just like to warn anyone who has a booking at the Ilion in Nafplion to make sure there booking is secure after a shaky start to our otherwise great trip. I'm also wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

We arrived in Athens on 29th April and drove to Nafplion, arriving there past 9pm. After wasting 20 minutes driving round looking for the Ilion, we parked up by the harbour to find the hotel on foot. We managed to find it and went to check in - only to be told we had no reservation. I showed them the email I had received back from them in January, starting "Thank you for your reservation", with a reservation key code and stating that failing to cancel before the specified time, would result in me being charged for one nights stay - pretty convincing to me. However it seems that this was an automated email and should have been followed up by their staff, requesting further information and signatures by fax and ultimately our entry into the big book on reception.

To make matters worse, as it was a holiday weekend in Greece, the hotel had no free rooms and it was almost 10pm by this time. The receptionist did start to phone round to find us an alternate hotel room, but nothing was available in Nafplion and the nearest was the Hotel Apollon in Tolon, a 10 minutes drive away. The hotel was fine, modern and cheaper but we were very disappointed not to get to stay at the Ilion and in Nafplion itself. I was also annoyed at the receptionists insistence that I had misunderstood their booking system, when their email gave no hint that this was anything but a confirmed booking.

This is going to make me rather paranoid about online booking systems, where I've had no personal contact with someone at the hotel.

Heimdall

Sorry to hear about your experience. I hope the rest of your trip was more enjoyable. Doing research on Greek websites, I find many of them are out of date, so you are not being paranoid, just cautious and sensible. The one time I have made an online reservation in Greece everything went smoothly, but that was the Athens Sofitel through their international website.

For the most part, Greek travel in the spring is without problems, except sometimes the weather. This spring has been unusually cold. You were there for Greek Easter, which is the most important holiday of the year, and I understand there were traffic jams in Athens from people leaving the city.

TexasAggie

I am also sorry to hear of your experience. We stayed at the Ilion for 3 nights in early May and it was the highlight of our hotel. I honestly cannot say enough good things about the hotel and the service. We booked through Uli at Dolphin-Hellas.

Maria_H

Hi TexasAggie - we were very disapointed not to get to stay at the Ilion. I'd intended to email them when I got back to implore them to change the confusing automated reply but time has passed now and I've been busy planning my next trip - New Zealand in October. Next time I'll use an agency - or at least double check by email.

We had a great trip all the same - I've been enjoying your trip report, as we obviously went to some of the same places. My trip report and link to my pictures has slipped well down by now.

TexasAggie

Hi Maria,

I can only imagine how disappointing that was. We had a similar experience with Hotel Casci in Florence, a hotel that usually enjoys great acclaim on this board. We're planning a return trip to Greece in 2008 and I'm thinking we will use Uli again for all the bookings. I'm sure the prices will be lower or comparable, but I'll also appreciate the peace of mind in knowing that everything is set.

New Zealand sounds wonderful!!! That is very high on DH's list of places he wants to visit.