Doryssa Bay Hotel And Holiday Village Reviews

We have just got back from our weeks stay at the Doryssa Bay hotel, Samos. First of all I wouldn't take too much notice about reports of the landing, I am absolutely terrified of flying so was absolutely dreading it, turns out that it was no difference to a landing anywhere else that I have experienced!!

On arrival at the hotel which is literally 3 mins from the airport, it struck me straight away how it got its 4 star status, it wouldn't be any more than 3 stars any where else in the world! It was clean most importantly but had seen better days, the décor throughout was a bit shabby, although the rooms did have a flat screen TV which was good, but only 1 channel, bbc world news was in English, so perhaps not so good!

I read before I came that this wasn't a popular destination for English people, so I was expecting it to be quite European, however, we weren't expecting to be the only English in our hotel, it made us quite uncomfortable to be honest as we got stared at everywhere we went, and it was just the same when we ventured into Pythagorean town centre, you got used to it in the end, but its just something to bear in mind.

Ive got to say the hotel staff were the most miserable ive ever come across in Greece, I have been to many islands in the past and one of the main attractions is how friendly and hospitable they are to you, my god, not in this hotel they were the most miserable staff ever, the waiters could barely muster up a 'hello' to you, and just had a permanent frown on their faces, im guessing they don't like their work too much!!

The food in the hotel was okay, the breakfasts were the best out of the two meals, there was plenty to choose from and they had different selections on offer, although the only 'British thing' you could get was a boiled egg and baked beans so don't be expecting normal bacon or sausages. I loved the cereals though, and the pastries were gorgeous!! The evening meal was a different story and mainly because of the disgusting fly's everywhere, free to land on all of the salad foods and desserts, it was totally awful!! There didn't seem to be anything in place to stop this problem of fly's and I could only eat from the hot section which the fly's didn't seem to like, or id have to dig out to the bottom of the bowls of salad to get the food that hadn't been landed on, it wasn't pleasant at all, and totally put me off but it was either get used to it or not eat.

Another thing to look out for was the rip off charges of drinks at the hotel, both in the restaurant and onsite shop. They charged 2.80 euros for a small glass of 250ml coke/sprite, it was only 3 euros for a big glass of beer. The cans of pop in the shop were 1 euro, where as they were 45 cents in the normal little shops in the town centre. The water, crisps and everything else were also twice as expensive. But because when it is hot you cant be bothered walking into the town for a can of pop you end up paying the extortionate prices, id say 90% of our spending money was spent on drinks alone.

We ate out two nights in the town centre (which is only a 10 min walk from the hotel not 20mins as previously said, unless you walk really really slowly that is) and the restaurant we went to both times was Symposium, the food and the atmosphere was excellent and was brilliant value for money. I was expecting some nightlife in the town centre after reading about the 'cosmopolitan bars' obviously ive a different idea of what is cosmopolitan to others as all I found it was run down cafes with wicker chairs lined up out front, there was nothing cosmopolitan about it, and for peak season it was practically deserted, but we found that this was actually the resorts 'busiest time'. I knew it was going to be a laid back place, and it really was, just don't go there thinking there will be any kind of nightlife or atmosphere because there really isn't even the bare minimum, we weren't expecting Ibiza or anything, which is a good job!!! The whole place was geared up towards the elderly really, I wouldn't even say it was good for families, there was no kids club on, and any teenagers that were there with their families didn't look very happy at all and I cant blame them bless them!!!

All in all, it was a peaceful relaxing and very boring holiday, I would never go back there, but I don't like going to the same place twice anyway. It wasn't the worst hol ive had, nothing can beat Lanzagrotty, but the hotel itself was ok, it was clean that's the main thing, but very average overall, even for Greece.

Once again Thomson Pricebreakers comes up trumps!
We booked the Half Board Selection which meant we could have ended up at one of two hotels, the Doryssa being one.
Booked two rooms, as myself, wife and son were joined by the mother-in-law as our 60th birthday present to her!
Flight with Britannia was good, 0710 from Gatwick, on time arrival at Samos. What a small airport, very quiet (more about that later).
Upon arrival at the Doryssa, a 10 minute transfer, we found that we did not have rooms next to each other, however the friendly reception staff soon sorted that out and allocated us rooms together in the bungalow village part of the complex.
The room itself was good, bed, shower over bath, tv, fridge, kitchenette. Maid service was first class, towels changed etc every day.

The hotel is right on the beach, mostly stones and shingle, with plentiful unbrellas and sunbeds (2.50 euro charge)
The end of the airport runway is only 200 yards along the beach! But, as the airport was very quiet (6 flights per day max!) it was more entertaining rather than annoying!

Hotel food was good, too little choice perhaps, but good quality, waiters prompt and friendly.
We hired a car through the National office located in the village square of the hotel. 3 days is fine to see this small island. Psili Amos is an excellent beach in the SW part of the island, Samos Town back streets good for shops but dont go on Saturday, nowhere to park!!
Pythagorian was nice, main street down to a lovely harbour, loads of tavernas, gets busy when a cruise ship comes-a-visiting!

All in All a good time was had, it was very quiet when we went throughout the island, time of year or just the way it always is?
Weather was good, low 80's most of the time, one morning of rain!
If you are looking for a nice, pretty, quiet taste of Greece, then Samos is the place to go!
One word of advice though, we paid £15 each for transfers from the airport, when it turned out that the distance is probably walkable! No more than a mile or so, so dont pay for their transfers, get a taxi from outside and save some money!