Philippion - Thessaloniki, Greece     

This was one of the top three hotels we stayed in on our monthlog European sojurn. This hotel is located in the hills north of the city. If you want the beach do not stay here. If you want an wonderful hotel experience start to finish, this is it. The view is magnificent. you can see most of the city from the balconies in the distance and the water as well (very beautiful at night. There are several venues to take your meal, we especially liked the outdoor cafe at sunset. WOW. The food is nicely prepared at all their on site venues. Not exactly the 'taste of Greece' but very well prepared, presented, flavored, continental cuisine. We were there just before the start of the summer season. The pool was not ready but the staff graciously opened it for us (and only us as it turned out) after we signed a 'no lifeguard' waiver. They also have a distant view of Mt Olmpus to the west. Compared to European standards, this room was very well appointed. Beds were actually comfortable, bathroom was roomy and somewhat normal for my American aesthetic. Showers do not exist in Europe like they do here, get used to it. If we ever come back to Thessaloniki, we will only stay here.

Complaint 1 - State of rooms - We were given pretty bad rooms where the air conditioning units were coming off the wall and either not working or rattling, the only view outside was the rubbish area and there were some pretty dodgy looking electrical sockets in the room around the television and by the bed. After a complaint, the hotel assured us that they move us and all arriving guests in our party to the front of the hotel (result). Complaint 2 - Rude Staff - The bar was packed (which I think that given the hotel was fully booked they might have guessed it could be), clearly there were not enough staff to hold it all together. By accident, a friends daughter knocked a glass from the table and the waitress who witnessed it and had been very good with us up until that particular time, decided to vent her frustration and was extremely rude to me telling me that we should keep her under control and that if we were in a hotel in Berlin we would be kicked out.... Not amused? (you bet I wasn't). Another complaint ensued and an apology received although I was still disgusted with her. Complaint 3 - Unwilling/Unable to help - When my Grandmother fell and hurt her leg, we asked the hotel how we could go about getting her a wheelchair and well to cut a long story short, it was a good job I have a Greek fiance who sorted this out as the hotel staff were not interested. Good Comment 1 - My wedding reception was held there at the end of the week (I was dreading what would happen next), but to my delight it all went smoothly, the staff were friendly, helpful and generally well organised, the food delicious, the DJ an absolute gem for getting the right balance of Greek and English Music and the place was decorated really nicely. General - If I'd only been there for the wedding reception it would have been perfect, but quite frankly, I know stars are given in terms of what a hotel has to offer, but that hotel really doesn't offer much in terms of customer service or standard quality across the board. I wouldn't go back if you paid me...