Once our decision was made to spend two weeks in Syros, we checked out Syros hotels and beaches via TripAdvisor. Having read a lot of good feedback about the Hotel Alkyon at Mega Gialos we decided to book our first week there arriving late on October 3rd. Finally we didn't arrive until the next morning due to a flight delay in Brussels & a missed connection which caused us to miss the last ferry from Pireaus.

The French-Greek owners, Catherine & Iacovos/Jack, did everything to make our stay a pleasant one - even before we arrived by answering email enquiries about price and the hotel facilities promptly and arranging for a hire bike to be brought to the hotel ready for our arrival. When we later decided to hire a scooter, that was also dead easy: Jack arranged everything and the scooter rental company sent a car to pick us up the following day and we were quickly set up with an excellent scooter + helmets at a good price. We also liked the nice friendly taverna with good food in the village just opposite the nearest beach (one of our favourites for swimming) - just the job for a snack or a drink after a swim. After a few days' stay we liked the place so much that we decided to extend our stay by another week rather than trying out another location.

All in all Alkyon fully met our needs. We had the choice between swimming in the sea – there are quite a few excellent beaches nearby that are easily accessible by car, bus or scooter – or in the 24m long hotel pool. We enjoyed the fantastic environment, the tidiness, the friendly atmosphere, the "time-of-the-day" music, the great family atmosphere, the food, the "sure, no problem" response to all our queries, and the convenience of having wifi internet access. We greatly appreciated being picked up from the port on arrival in Syros & being dropped off on our deprature. Catherine & Jack and their family and staff provided great service and excellent value (e.g. we were not billed for the missed night, nor for the pick up/drop off service and some of the breakfast extras. We were also able to stay in our room after midday on our last day). And last but not least, we loved Jack's great sense of humour.

We also loved the hospitality and friendliness of the Greeks we met in Syros. Another reason to go back.

The Alkyon hotel is an ideal base for a stay in Syros. Katherine, Frank and their family are most welcoming and full of ideas and suggestions for exploring the island.

Our big problem was arriving out of season, well the end of the season. The hotel was quite empty and there was a sense of we were inconveniencing the owners by being there.

How many places do you know where you can relax and at the same time swim at the pool, excercise, relax at the bar and communicate with others?
Where you can leave your room key on the door with no second thoughts?
Where they remember your favorite meal and prepare it for you?
Where you can taste a variety of dishes, rich cooking and excellent quality?
Where you feel a lump in your throat at the moment of departure?
Where you are neither nameless nor they treat you as a client but as a friend?
If, in an inhumane world, warm and personal relations and services are among your requirements, well... you have come to the right place!
We visit the Alkyon every year since 12 years ago and every time we are received as if it were the first.
We've found a second family here we can't do without.
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Combien de lieux connaissez vous ou l'on peut trouver le calme, ecouter une musique si bien choisie pour chaque moment de la journee et en meme temps nager a la piscine, s'exercer, se relaxer au bar et communiquer avec d'autres gens?
Ou l'on peut sortir de sa chambre d'hotel et laisser sa cle sur la porte sans se soucier de rien?
Ou l'on se souvient de son plat prefere qu'on prepare pour nous fair plaisir?
Ou l'on peut gouter une cuisine variee, riche et de bonne qualite?
Ou on est en train de pleurer au moment du depart?
Ou on n'est pas anonyme, ni traite comme un client parmi les milliers, mais comme un ami qu'on veut satisfaire?
Si dans un monde deshumanise la communication et les service personnalises et chaleureux sont parmi vos attentes, vous y etes. Vou ne le regretterez pas.
Nous y allons depuis 12 annees et chaque fois on nous recoit comme si c'etait la premiere.
A Syros, nous avons trouve une seconde famille dont on se passera tres difficilement

This is an ideal location for those seeking peace & quiet. Emanic's review is totally unfair to rate this hotel poor just because it doesn't correspond to what he or she was looking for. It's a bit like going to McDonald's and then complaining they didn't serve caviar. If you want noise and activities you simply don't come here. You go elsewhere. We came here because TA influenced us saying it is quiet and isolated. We were not disappointed. Those looking for 5 star sophistication would probably be disappointed too. This is a simple establishment but has all a reasonable person needs for a holiday. The pool is beautiful. The sea view is also fantastic, even though you're not right next to the sea. The beach is about 1 mile away. However the star of the place is Catherine and her family whose unfailing welcome makes one feel more of a friend or family than a hotel customer. Some people have complained of difficulty of access. This is not really true. There is a bus stop not too far away, but the risk is that the driver does not realize where you want to get off. Once you know where the bus stop is there's no problem.