Dorian Hotel Symi Island Greece

Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Dorian Hotel's Symi Island Secrets

Escape to Paradise: Honestly, Does the Dorian Hotel on Symi Island Actually Live Up to the Hype? (Spoiler: Mostly, YES!)

Okay, so you're dreaming of Symi Island, right? Turquoise waters, charming harbors, pastel-colored houses clinging to the hills… and the Dorian Hotel? Well, I just got back, and let me tell you, I'm still unpacking the memories – and the sunscreen stains. This review? Think of it as a brutally honest postcard from paradise, complete with smudged ink and maybe a few too many exclamation points. My aim is to give you the real scoop, not just the glossy brochure. So, let's dive in!

Accessibility: This is the first bump in the road, folks. The Dorian, nestled in Symi's steep terrain, isn't exactly a wheelchair user's dream. Accessibility (sigh): Frankly, Symi itself is a challenge. The hotel does have some facilities for disabled guests, but you're going to need to double-check directly with the hotel – and be prepared for cobblestones and hills. Realistically, this isn't fully 'accessible' in the modern sense. If accessibility is your primary concern, you'll need to do a deep dive with the hotel directly. This is where the dream gets a little… gritty.

Safety and Cleanliness: (A Sigh of Relief!) Finally, some good news! Post-pandemic, safety measures are everywhere. Think of it as a germ-averse hug.

Anti-viral cleaning products? Check.
Daily disinfection in common areas? Double-check.
Rooms sanitized between stays? Triple-check. They practically fumigate these rooms!
Hand sanitizer? Everywhere! Like, almost too many. (My purse is currently overflowing.)
Staff trained in safety protocol? They're like ninja sanitization experts.
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Mostly observed, though some breakfast buffets… well, we'll get to that.
Room sanitization opt-out available? Awesome!
Cashless payment service? Essential.
Hygiene certification? Yes, they have it.
First aid kit? Present and accounted for.
Doctor/nurse on call? Good to know!
Hot water linen and laundry washing? Thank goodness!

This stuff actually mattered. I felt safe, which is a huge weight off when you're trying to relax. My advice? Let them sanitize your room. It's worth it for the peace of mind.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Heart of the Experience!): Okay, buckle up, because this is where the Dorian shines. The food… Oh. My. God. The food!

Breakfast [buffet]? Buffet? Yes, BUT… slightly stressful. You can also opt for Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, Alternative meal arrangement. They were very accommodating.
Restaurants: Yes, plural! The Restaurant, Coffee shop, Snack bar, and Poolside bar all contribute to a truly decadent experience.
A la carte in restaurant: A must. The chef is a magician! The International cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant were fabulous. (Though I think the Greek dishes stole the show.)
Asian cuisine in restaurant: There's also some Asian options, maybe not the place to order Asian, but you choose!!
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Mandatory.
Desserts in restaurant: Please, tell me you’re getting dessert!
Happy hour: Crucial for a happy vacation.
Poolside bar: Essential.
Room service [24-hour] Score!
Salad in restaurant Really fresh.
Soup in restaurant: Perfect on a slightly damp evening.
Vegetarian restaurant: Options abound.
Bar: Yes, and it's wonderful.
Bottle of water: Provided.
Side note: Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Safe dining setup - All this really helps you relax and enjoy dining.

One Meal – The Defining Moment: Okay, I have to gush about one specific meal. It was at the main restaurant, overlooking the harbor. The sun was setting, painting the water in impossible colors. I ordered the grilled octopus. Now, I've had octopus before. Usually, it's a rubbery disappointment. This… this was transcendent. Tender, smoky, with a hint of lemon and herbs… I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Seriously, it was the best octopus I've ever eaten. And the wine pairing? Divine. The whole experience was a perfect microcosm of what the Dorian does best: creating moments that stay with you. Forget the "things to do", just eat.

Things to Do/Ways to Relax (The Pampering Part): This is where the Dorian really goes for the gold.

Massage: YES!
Spa: YES, YES, YES!
Pool with view: Absolutely stunning.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Blissful.
Sauna: If that is your thing.
Steamroom: Yeah, they've got it.
Fitness center: If, somehow, you haven’t had enough exercise chasing octopi.
Body wraps and scrub: Seriously, treat yourself!

My Emotional Reaction: I went into this trip with a general "meh" attitude toward wellness. I do not like to spend hours in spas, but after just a day of the pools, and just seeing the view from the massage table, I gave in. And I'm not going to lie, it was delightful. A good spa treatment is like hitting the reset button on your entire being. Do it. You can thank me later.

Services and Conveniences (The Fine Print):

Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
Audio-visual equipment for special events: If you're getting married.
Business facilities: Available.
Cash withdrawal: Present.
Concierge: Very helpful.
Contactless check-in/out: Easy peasy.
Convenience store: Useful.
Currency exchange: Check.
Daily housekeeping: Yes.
Doorman: Always a nice touch.
Dry cleaning: Handy.
Elevator: THANK GOD! (Symi's hills, remember?)
Essential condiments: There.
Facilities for disabled guests: (See above - double-check!)
Food delivery: From the hotel.
Gift/souvenir shop: Got my postcards!
Indoor venue for special events: Yes.
Invoice provided: Of course.
Ironing service: Available.
Laundry service: Saves on packing!
Luggage storage: Helpful.
Meeting/banquet facilities: If you must.
Meetings: They happen.
Meeting stationery: There.
On-site event hosting: Yes.
Outdoor venue for special events: Stunning.
Projector/LED display: For meetings.
Safety deposit boxes: Recommended.
Seminars: They do these.
Shrine: Symi has a shrine.
Smoking area: Yes.
Terrace: Spectacular.
Wi-Fi for special events: Good.
Xerox/fax in business center: Sigh.

For the Kids (If you have them):

Babysitting service: Excellent.
Family/child friendly: Yes.
Kids facilities: Present.
Kids meal: Available.

Getting Around (The Logistics):

Airport transfer: They arrange it.
Bicycle parking: Yes.
Car park [free of charge] / Car park [on-site]: Parking in symi is a nightmare.
Car power charging station: Awesome.
Taxi service: Easy to find.
Valet parking: Very useful.

Available in All Rooms (The Nitty-Gritty):

Additional toilet: Unnecessary, but there.
Air conditioning: Essential.
Alarm clock: Old school!
Bathrobes: Luxurious.
Bathroom phone: What is it about?
Bathtub: Lovely.
Blackout curtains: Needed.
Carpeting: Cozy.
Closet: Check.
Coffee/tea maker: Yep.
Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
Daily housekeeping: Always.
Desk: For writing postcards.
Extra long bed: Great for

Bangkok's Hottest Hidden Gem: The Loft Resort (Unbelievable!)

Book Now

Dorian Hotel Symi Island Greece

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t your grandma’s meticulously crafted travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt at surviving Symi, Greece, and all its sun-drenched glory. Prepare for some serious truth-telling, questionable choices, and a whole lot of (hopefully) charming chaos. Welcome to my brain dump, Symi edition.

The Dorian Hotel, Symi: A Hot Mess Express (but in a good way… I think)

Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic

Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrive at Rhodes Airport. God, that heat. Seriously, I thought "Mediterranean" meant "pleasant." Turns out it means "giant, sweaty hug from the sun." Navigating passport control was a blur of lost documents and existential dread (had I really packed enough sunscreen?).
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM): Ferry to Symi. Okay, this part? Actually dreamy. The turquoise water, the little white houses clinging to the cliffs… I almost cried. Almost. Then I remembered I hadn't eaten breakfast, and the hunger pangs hit with the force of a small tsunami. Note to self: pack snacks. Crucial.
Lunch (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM): Arrive at Dorian Hotel. Or, as I’m now calling it, "My temporary sanctuary." Check-in was surprisingly smooth (miracles do happen!). The room? Adorable. Tiny, but adorable. And the balcony? Oh. My. God. Sea views for days. I immediately sprawled on the bed and contemplated never leaving. The sound of the cicadas was a bit… aggressive, though. Like a tiny, high-pitched chorus of judgmental insects.
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Wandered the harbor, got completely overwhelmed by the number of tavernas. Fell victim to the “I’ll just have a quick bite” trap, of course. That “quick bite" turned into a full-blown feast. And I accidentally ordered a whole octopus. I'm not sure I'll ever be fully clear of that memory.
Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Stumbled back to the hotel, feeling like a bloated, sun-kissed sausage. Napped. Hard.
Dinner (6:00 PM - onward): Went out for dinner. Absolutely stunning views, and the pasta dishes were worth every. single. mouthful. Got chatting with a lovely couple from Germany, who, naturally, spoke perfect English. I, of course, fumbled through my limited Greek with all the grace of a tipsy penguin.

Day 2: The Deep Dive (and a minor crisis)

Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Attempted to find the hotel breakfast. I say “attempted” because it involved wandering around for a solid 15 minutes, feeling like I was in a particularly confusing maze. Finally found a table in the breakfast area, the croissant was delicious!
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Explored Gialos. This tiny town, with its colorful houses, is absolutely magical. I had a mental meltdown - just as I got to visit the small and secluded chapel for my morning prayer. Of course, after the prayer, the next thing I did was to take a dip in the sea. The water was surprisingly cold, but it immediately washed all the stress away, and made me feel alive and joyful.
Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Found a small taverna for lunch. Ordered a Greek salad and a glass of wine. I swear, the wine tasted even better because I was already slightly sunburned.
Afternoon (2:30 PM - 4:30 PM): Decided (foolishly) to hike up a hill. "Just for the view," I thought. Famous last words. The view was incredible, but the hike nearly killed me. My ankles are still screaming.
Late Afternoon (4:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Back at the Dorian Hotel - I am so obsessed with my balcony. I collapsed on a sun-lounger and started to read a book.
Evening (6:00 PM - onward): Went for the evening at a restaurant that I'd seen when I was on the ferry on the way into Symi. Once I got there, I realized I had forgotten my wallet. Yep, you guessed it. Went back to the hotel, got my wallet, and went back.

Day 3: Embracing the Absurd (and possibly losing all my money)

Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Breakfast, then a boat trip to the Panormitis Monastery. This place is absolutely magnificent. Seriously awe inspiring - felt like stepping into a postcard. The architecture! The history! The dramatic coastline! I could have stayed there all day.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Decided I wanted to take a boat to Sesklia beach. The boat trip itself was a bit of a disaster. Got seasick, and it didn't help, I ate too much.
Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Ate at a small restaurant near Sesklia beach, I realized then that I had lost my sunglasses.
Afternoon (2:30 PM - 4:30 PM): Went snorkeling. The water was crystal clear. I saw some fishes. It was so cool.
Late Afternoon (4:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Back at the Dorian Hotel - I am so obsessed with my balcony. I collapsed on a sun-lounger and started to make a list of what I had to buy back home for my family.
Evening (6:00 PM - onward): Went to a restaurant. It was so romantic. Went to sleep!

Day 4: Doubling Down on the Good Stuff & The Farewell Feels

Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Breakfast, then decided to revisit the place I loved the most: Gialos. It made me happy just to wander through those streets. Stopped at my favourite cafe and bought some Greek coffee.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): I spent all my morning in Gialos. I decided to go to the local market.
Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Ate at a small restaurant inside the local market. Ate the best gyros ever.
Afternoon (2:30 PM - 4:30 PM): Back at the Dorian Hotel - I am so obsessed with my balcony. I collapsed on a sun-lounger and started to feel sad because I had to leave Symi the next day.
Evening (6:00 PM - onward): Enjoyed a final, utterly perfect meal. Watched the sunset. Cried a little. And then decided to celebrate my survival (and the fact that I hadn't completely embarrassed myself) with one last glass of local wine.

Day 5: Departure & Aftermath

Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Sigh. Packed. Said goodbye to my balcony view.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Ferry back to Rhodes. More existential dread. More packing crises.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - onward): Flight home. I’m officially exhausted, sunburnt, and slightly broke. But also? Completely, utterly, undeniably in love with Symi. This place is a tiny, magical world hidden away in the Aegean Sea. And I can't wait to go back.

The Verdict:

Symi, you beautiful, chaotic, sun-soaked island, you almost broke me. But in the best way possible. You've given me memories (and a tan) I'll cherish forever. And if you need me? You can probably find me on my balcony, dreaming of Greek sunsets and plotting my return. P.S. I REALLY need those sunglasses.

Uncover Wakayama's Hidden Gem: Hotel Lascala's Luxury Awaits!

Book Now

Dorian Hotel Symi Island Greece

Um, Okay… Let's Talk FAQs (But Don't Judge My Brain)

So, what is this whole thing about? Like, what are we even doing here?

Okay, deep breath. Basically, you're asking… well, *what* is this? Right? Good question! Honestly, I'm still figuring it out. It's a bunch of FAQs, you know, Frequently Asked Questions. But not the boring, corporate kind. Think…more like me, rambling about stuff I think you *might* want to know. Or, you know, maybe just what's currently rattling around in my skull. We'll see where it goes. It's like… a conversation only I'm doing all the talking. We good with that? Cool.

Who are you, and why should I care what you think? (Be honest!)

Alright, *that's* a fair question. Me? I'm… someone. Let's just leave it at that. I'm a person who, well, *thinks* a lot. And sometimes, those thoughts… they just... Need to be shared. Am I an expert? Nope. Do I know everything? HA! I'm pretty sure my brain is actively trying to *forget* things. Why should you care? Because… maybe, just maybe, something I say will resonate. Or make you chuckle. Or at least, help you feel slightly less alone in this chaotic universe. And look, if you *don't* care, that's fine too. No hard feelings. Seriously. I’ve got plenty of feelings to go around. Trust me on that one.

What kind of topics are we talking about here? Is this a food blog? A tech review site? A…a guide to interpretive dance?

Okay, okay, settle down. It's… a bit of everything! Think of it like a giant, disorganized attic of thoughts. I might talk about… I *think* I'll talk about life, the universe, and everything. Or maybe just what I ate for breakfast. Probably both. Also, maybe my cat will show up. He’s…a character. I'm kidding… mostly. I'm also terrible at sticking to a *plan*. That interpretive dance thing? Don’t count on it. Unless… *hmmm*… maybe. But probably not today. Maybe. But the answer is mostly: Whatever pops into my head. Which, admittedly, can be a lot.

How often will you update this… thing? Are we talking daily, weekly, monthly? Because I have a life, you know!

Oh, the dreaded *schedule* question. Look, I'm gonna level with you. I'm terrible at schedules. I’m the kind of person who accidentally sets off the fire alarm while making toast. So, yeah. Don’t hold your breath. There will be… times. Times when I'm bursting with ideas, and you’ll get a flood of content. And then… there will be times when I’m staring blankly at a wall, contemplating the meaning of life (or just wondering if I remembered to feed the cat). Let’s just say… when I have something to say, I'll say it. When I don’t, you won't hear from me. Fair enough? Good!

Will you ever talk about… actual issues? Like, important things? Politics? Climate change? The existential dread of modern existence?!

Okay, deep breath. Yes. Maybe. Probably. I *think* so. Look, I'm not immune to the big, heavy stuff. I feel things. I worry. I… well, you get the idea. But, you know. It’ll be from my perspective. Which, let’s be honest, is probably a bit… skewed. I’m more likely to ramble about the absurdity of reality while simultaneously agonizing over whether I put the recycling bin out *this* week because frankly, I'm still recovering from *last* week. So yeah. Expect a healthy dose of the serious…interspersed with a whole lot of “wait, what was I just doing?” moments. (And maybe a rant or two. Or three. Don’t judge!)

You mentioned your cat. Tell me everything!

Right, *him*. He's… where do I even *start*? His name is Mittens (don't judge! I didn’t name him). He’s a fluffy, ginger tabby who believes he is royalty. He's probably plotting world domination. He might already *have* world domination. See, he knows my weaknesses: catnip and tuna. Don't ask.
Okay, so, the *other* day... it was a Tuesday, I think… (wait, was it? Ugh, details!)… anyway, I was trying to work. Important stuff. Deadlines looming. And there's Mittens, sprawled across my keyboard like he *owns* the place. He starts purring. Loudly. Like a tiny, furry engine. Then, the head boops. Oh, the head boops! And the slow blinks. And then… he started kneading. With his tiny paws. Into MY chest. MY chest!
And I… I completely crumbled. I abandoned all productivity and spent a solid hour just… *petting* him. He got the tuna. He gets *anything* he wants. Seriously, the world could be ending, and he’d still get that tuna. He's living a better life than I am. And now I’m behind on deadlines. Again. *Sigh.* He’s the best, worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I love that furry little tyrant. End of story. Probably more Mittens stories to come, prepare yourself. Maybe a whole section dedicated, I cannot promise to reign myself in on this topic.

Okay, fine, you've got me intrigued. But there are other, similar things out there. What makes this different? Why should I read this?

Ah, the million-dollar question! Look, I won't insult your intelligence by pretending I'm some kind of revolutionary. There's a *lot* of stuff out there. But here's the deal: This is (hopefully) raw. Unfiltered. Sometimes rambling, but (I hope) honest. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I'm not selling anything (except maybe my sanity). I'm just… *thinking* out loud. And maybe, just maybe, that will resonate with you. Or entertain you for a few minutes. Or at least make you feel a little less alone with your own weird thoughts. If not? That’s fine too. Scroll on. Seriously. I won't be offended. (I say, while secretly hoping you *do* find something interesting here…) Consider it like…catching up with a friend who sometimesSleep Stop Guide

Dorian Hotel Symi Island Greece

Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Dorian Hotel's Symi Island Secrets