Unbelievable Makris Hotel: Your Olympian Escape Awaits in Greece!
Unbelievable Makris Hotel: My Olympian Escape (Or At Least, My Attempt At One) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, so I just got back from the Unbelievable Makris Hotel, and honestly? The name almost got it right. It was… something. Let me unpack this chaotic adventure for you. Prepare yourselves, because this review is going to be less travel brochure and more "therapy session after a dodgy gyro."
SEO & Metadata - Let's Get This Out of the Way First:
- Keywords: Unbelievable Makris Hotel, Greece, Olympian Escape, accessibility, wheelchair accessible, spa, sauna, swimming pool, restaurant, Wi-Fi, hotel review, family-friendly, Olympic Coast, Greece Hotels, Best Hotels Greece, Affordable Luxury, Accessible Hotels Greece
- Meta Description: A brutally honest, yet surprisingly insightful, review of the Unbelievable Makris Hotel in Greece. Discover its ups and downs, from the accessible features to the sometimes-questionable food, and decide if it's your Olympian escape. Expect Wi-Fi woes, spa-worthy moments, and more than a few laughs!
Accessibility - My Wheelchair and I Give It a… Mixed Review
Right off the bat, Accessibility is a big deal for me. Wheelchair accessible? Well, they say yes. And technically, they're mostly right. The main areas, the lobby, the restaurants, the Pool with View (more on that later), all had ramps and elevators. That's a plus. But getting to my room? That was an adventure involving narrow corridors and a lift that seemed to have a mind of its own. Let's just say I developed a newfound respect for my own biceps.
They had Facilities for disabled guests, which included a roll-in shower (yay!) but I am not sure how to define the definition of "roll-in" but it was adequate. Also, I can't confirm if there was a Visual alarm as I was not able to test the features on my trip.
And speaking of the lobby, one time I was there, it was really busy, but the staff was super nice in helping me.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Yes, there was one main restaurant was accessible, and so were the lounges, but during peak times, maneuvering between tables could be a strategic ballet of politeness and averted collisions with wait staff.
Internet - The Digital Gods Were Not Smiling
Okay, let's be real. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Fantastic. Except… it worked about as reliably as a politician's promise. I spent more time staring at the little "connecting" icon than I did actually browsing. There was Internet [LAN] too, I guess, but I couldn't seem to find any cables. And the Internet services were… well, let's just say they existed, but not in a way that you'd want to rely on. Wi-Fi in public areas was slightly better, but still prone to disappearing acts. So, if you're planning on working remotely, pack a backup plan (and maybe a satellite phone).
Rooms - A Tale of Two Worlds
The Air conditioning was a godsend. Thank Zeus for that. The Air conditioning in public area was a nice surprise. And the Blackout curtains were PERFECT. Seriously, they blocked out all light. I slept like a baby. The bed Extra long bed was a bit of a bonus as well.
They had all the standard stuff: Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Mini bar, Phone, Refrigerator, Seating area, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Toiletries and Towels. They also had a Desk (the Laptop workspace was handy, when the damn internet worked).
However the Additional toilet was not available. I really needed it…
The Non-smoking room was great, but I'm not sure for the amount of time I stayed there…
Most importantly, while I was there, the Daily housekeeping was excellent (I'm not sure if it included Daily disinfection in common areas) and I was able to do Room sanitization opt-out available.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Gastronomic Rollercoaster
Restaurants: They had a few. The main one, which included A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant. The Buffet in restaurant offered a wide selection, but the quality was a bit hit-or-miss. I'm not complaining (because, free food, come on!) but I have Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, and my meal was a rollercoaster.
The Poolside bar was great for drinks, and the Snack bar was perfect for quick bites. The Coffee shop I could live there.
I never had the Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, or Western breakfast, but they were options.
The Good Stuff:
- Pool with view: This was seriously incredible. I could have stayed there all day, every day. The water was perfect, the view, beyond stunning (especially with that Greek sunset).
- Spa/sauna: The Massage was also amazing! The Sauna, Spa, and Steamroom were heavenly. The Body scrub and Body wrap were also a great experience.
- Cleanliness and safety: They took COVID seriously. Constant hand sanitizer stations, and the staff were masked up. The Safe dining setup made me feel secure.
The Not-So-Good Stuff (Let's Get This Off My Chest):
- The front desk staff. They were either super helpful or completely clueless. there was no inbetween.
- The Wi-Fi. I already ranted, but seriously. It's a pain.
- Some of the food wasn't that great.
Things to Do (And How to Relax - Because You NEED To):
- Swimming pool (outdoor): Yep, fantastic.
- Gym/fitness They had a Fitness center. Good for burning off all those gyros, or so I'm told…
- Sauna They had the Sauna!
- Spa The Spa was indeed a spa.
- Steamroom They had the Steamroom!
- Foot bath They had the Foot bath!
- Ways to relax: Um, the spa? The pool? Avoiding the internet? It depends on what you consider relaxing.
- Babysitting service: If I had kids, they would have loved the Kids facilities!
- Couple's room: I am sure my wife would have loved this place!
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
They had Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes. And I would have used the Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Ironing service, but I did not need any of those things.
Getting Around - The Road to the Beach
The Airport transfer was smooth. Car park [free of charge] was a bonus. Getting a Taxi service was easy.
So, Would I Recommend the Unbelievable Makris Hotel?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? It depends. If you're looking for a budget-friendly escape with stunning views and spa-worthy moments, and you're willing to overlook a few imperfections (and the dodgy Wi-Fi), then go for it. Just pack a good book, a sense of humor, and maybe a portable hot spot. If you're after pristine perfection and flawless connectivity? Maybe look elsewhere. But hey, even with its flaws, there’s a certain charm to the Unbelievable Makris Hotel. It’s like that eccentric aunt you secretly love. You know she’s a little bit crazy, but she’s also got a heart of gold (or, in this case, a killer pool). I give it a solid 3.5 stars. And I'd probably go back. Eventually. After I regain my sanity and my access to the internet, of course.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Caorle Villa Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is me, wrestling with the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to the Makris Hotel in Leptokarya. Let's see if I can remember it all… and keep it vaguely sane.
Destination: Makris Hotel - Olympian Collection, Leptokarya, Greece (East Olympus)
Duration: Let's say… 7 days? Maybe? Who's counting, really?
The "Plan" (Ha!)
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic, Followed by the Best Gyro Ever (Probably)
- Morning (ish): Arrival at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Honestly, finding the transfer was already giving me the sweats. I swear, the signs were written in… what WAS that language? Anyway, we finally flagged down a taxi that looked like it hadn't seen a decent road in decades. Bonus points for character, though.
- Afternoon: Check-in at Makris. Okay, the lobby is pretty swanky, credit where credit is due. But I spent a solid ten minutes convinced I’d booked the wrong room. My travel mate, bless their heart, just started unpacking. I'm the planner, they're the… free spirit. Always a recipe for success, right?
- Evening: First impressions of Leptokarya: cute! Crowded! And the air smells of… sea salt and oregano. Sold. Dinner at a little taverna, "Dionysos' Delight" (or something equally ridiculous). The gyro? LEGIT. I'm talking melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly seasoned lamb, fluffy pita, the works. I may have ordered a second. Don't judge me. Also, watched a cat try to steal someone's souvlaki. Classic.
Day 2: Olympus or Bust (but mostly Busting My Boots)
- Morning: "Let's hike Mount Olympus!" said my enthusiastic friend. "Sure!" I said, picturing a gentle stroll. Oh, dear gods, was I wrong. We started from Litochoro, the "Base Camp" and it was a workout. The views were STUNNING. Absolutely breathtaking. But my perfectly good gym shoes were NOT built for clambering over rocks.
- Afternoon: We didn't make it to the summit, obvs. (Amateur hour, apparently). We ended up having a picnic (thank goodness) with some of the best olives and feta I've ever tasted. My legs were screaming, my lungs were burning, and I was simultaneously thrilled and utterly humiliated by my physical ineptitude. Definitely worth it, though. Seeing the clouds drift in and out was a magical experience.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Showered. Ate. Slept like the dead. Honestly, I might still be recovering from the hike.
Day 3: Beach, Booze, and the Bliss of Doing Absolutely Nothing
- Morning: The beach! FINALLY. Soaked up some sun. Waded in the crystal-clear, turquoise water. Wrote a postcard (probably addressed to my cat, I was that relaxed). Found a little hole-in-the-wall café, it was heaven.
- Afternoon: More beach. More swimming. More bliss. Tried to read a book, but the sun kept glinting off the pages and making me squint. Oh, first world problems! Went back to the hotel and basically collapsed.
- Evening: Cocktail hour at the hotel bar. The cocktails were… potent. (Let's just leave it at that). Ended up chatting with a fellow traveler about the meaning of life. Turns out, it involves a lot of sun, sea, and questionable dance moves.
Day 4: Leptokarya Exploration and a Terrible, Wonderful Cooking Class
- Morning: Wandered around the town of Leptokarya. Found a charming little shop with some local crafts. The people here are just lovely, genuinely friendly. Bought a ridiculously oversized straw hat (because, you know, sun protection).
- Afternoon: Cooking class! Oh, dear. I'm usually a kitchen disaster. I think I managed to burn something, but the instructor, bless her, kept it lighthearted and in the end, we did eat. It was a hilariously chaotic mess, and I loved every second of it. The food? Not Michelin-star quality, but we made it!
- Evening: Dinner in town. This time, trying a different taverna. More delicious food! More wine! And a live band that played traditional Greek music, which I, embarrassingly, tried to dance to.
Day 5: Day Trip, Ancient History, and a Near Disaster (involving a Boat)
- Morning: Day trip to… (checks notes) …Dion! It's an ancient city. Really fascinating, but also, you know, a lot of ruins. I'm gonna be honest, the heat began to get to me. I was more interested in the snack bar and the view.
- Afternoon: Decided to do a boat trip. Apparently, the sea had other plans. The waves got a bit rough, and I swear I saw the captain's face do a full "Oh, Crap" expression. I’m not the best sailor, and I wasn't sure if I was going to make it! I was absolutely terrified. The boat ride went fine after that, though.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Needed a long, hot shower to get the taste of salt and fear out of my mouth. The boat trip really did a number on my mood, my stomach and my nerves.
Day 6: Olympus, Again? (Slightly Less Amateur Hour)
- Morning: Olympus round two! This time we just took a shorter hike around the foothills.
- Afternoon: Focused on recovery. Sunbathing, napping, reading.
- Evening: Dinner back at my favorite taverna. More gyro! More wine! More general happiness.
Day 7: Departure and Sweet, Sweet Memories (and a Vow to Buy Better Hiking Boots)
- Morning: Last breakfast. Seriously contemplating stashing a gyro in my suitcase. Packed. Said goodbye (tearfully) to the hotel staff. They were lovely.
- Afternoon: Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport.
- Evening:* Flight home. Reflecting on the trip. Greece, you’re a messy, beautiful, chaotic dream. Until next time, Olympus… and your gyros!
Important Notes and Random Ramblings:
- Food: Eat everything. Seriously. Everything. And bring stretchy pants.
- Language: Learn a few basic Greek phrases. The locals appreciate the effort, even if you butcher them.
- Packing: Comfortable shoes are essential. Hiking boots are a good idea.
- People: The Greek people are generally warm, welcoming, and patient with clueless tourists.
- Emotional State: I left feeling exhausted, satisfied and changed.
This is just a snapshot, of course. Life happened. Plans changed. I got lost, I laughed, I cried (okay, maybe just teared up a little at the beauty of the sunset). It was real. And that's what makes it worth remembering. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and look up "Greek cooking lessons" again (because, you know, I did burn something). Good luck, and have fun!
Escape to Paradise: Aegean Dream Apartments in Cesme!
Unbelievable Makris Hotel: Seriously, Is This Heaven? (…Or Just Greece?) - FAQs!
Okay, spill the tea: Is the Makris Hotel *really* as good as the Instagram is leading me to believe?
What's the *vibe* like? I'm not sure I want a stuffy, pretentious place.
Tell me about the rooms! Are they spacious? Clean? Do they have AC that actually *works*?
What's the food like? I'm a bit of a foodie…
Are there any downsides? Be honest!
* **The 'Sometimes' Slow Service:** Look, “island time” is a real thing. Embrace it. Sometimes, the service at the bar or restaurant can be a *little* slow. But honestly? Just relax, order another drink, and enjoy the view.
* **The Beach Chairs Are a Fight (Sometimes):** Everyone wants a prime spot. Get there early. Or, you know, be prepared to bribe the lifeguard with a bottle of Ouzo (kidding... mostly).
* **Could be a little noisy:** if your room is close to the bar. But hey, it's a hotel, sometimes you can hear other people having fun. earplugs are a lifesaver!
* **The Coffee...** (I’m still mourning that spilled coffee on my white dress! But the coffee at the Makris is awesome!)
The Staff: Are they as lovely as they seem?
Okay, the pools. Tell me about the pools!
Is it worth the price?
