Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki: Your Unforgettable Greek Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews. I'm about to get real. This isn't just about bullet points; it's about feeling the sun on your face, the ouzo on your breath, and the sheer, glorious chaos of a Thessaloniki escape.
First Impressions: The Arrival & Getting Around – A Bit of a Waltz
Okay, so, Accessibility. They say they have facilities for disabled guests. I'm not personally wheel-chair bound, but I did have a friend with me who uses a cane. From what I saw, the public areas seemed navigable, with ramps and elevators. My friend found it mostly okay, but occasionally frustrating. The elevators? Fine. The occasional tight corners in the restaurants? Not so much. So, a mixed bag, honestly. Be sure to call ahead and get granular details if you need absolute accessibility. The airport transfer was a godsend – after a long flight, that's a huge plus. The car park is a bonus too - the thought of parking in Thessaloniki filled me with dread, and the free option on-site was a lifesaver. The taxi service is readily available.
Rooms: My Lair (and Its Quirks)
Let's be honest about hotel rooms. They can be a make-or-break situation. Capsis? For the most part, a win. My room was… spacious. The air conditioning was a lifesaver! The blackout curtains were a godsend after a night of feasting. I loved the coffee/tea maker; morning on the balcony with a cup of coffee, taking in the view, was blissful. The Wi-Fi [free] in the room was a necessity and actually worked, and I could stream all my shows, which was a relief! The mini bar was stocked, but let's just say my wallet felt the sting of those prices later. The bed - ahhh… let's just say the extra long bed was appreciated. I am 6'3", and it was perfect. And thank god for the private bathroom and the separate shower/bathtub. That's a must.
Now, for some real talk. There were a few minor things. The bathroom phone? Who uses that anymore? Kind of pointless but not a deal-breaker, right? I didn't use the bathrobes, they felt a bit… stiff. Oh, and the mirror wasn't positioned in the best spot for, you know, looking at myself, which is a problem. But that's the hotel-room experience. Perfect? Never. Pleasant, though? Mostly. And the view from my window! Incredible. (Though I did peek into a few other rooms – some had better views than others. So, request wisely!).
Cleanliness & Safety: Is This Place Germ-Free? (Kinda)
Alright, so we're living in a germaphobic world, and the Capsis seems to get it. They definitely put a lot of effort into sanitization. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and the staff seemed to know their stuff and follow the protocol. They had all the usual suspects - hand sanitizers everywhere. You could opt-out of room sanitization if you wanted, which I thought was a nice touch. I’m not sure how effective the sterilizing equipment was, but they say they used it. And I'm sure they have some people trained in the safety protocol, I didn't see any staff members not wearing a mask. Now, they had individually-wrapped food options, which is good, and there was physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They had a first aid kit and a doctor/nurse on call, which is reassuring. As a safety feature - fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and CCTV in common areas, which provided a sense of security. Now, were they perfect? Probably not. But did I feel reasonably safe? Yes.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Eat, Drink, and Don't Get Too Drunk… (Unless You Want To)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The restaurants at Capsis? Plural. The buffet? Pretty decent. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was a surprise and good! The Western cuisine? Also a win. The a la carte in restaurant was slightly overpriced, I would say. Breakfast (buffet) was a solid performance. The coffee/tea in restaurant was good, but not the best in town. The poolside bar was my favorite, especially during happy hour. Seriously, the drinks were strong, the view was amazing, and I felt like I could take on the world after a few of those. I'm not a big fan of soup in restaurant myself. The snacks bar was good for a quick refuel. The desserts in restaurant were not that good. The bottle of water was a necessity. They have a vegetarian restaurant too, if you’re into that. The alternative meal arrangement was a nice touch. So, overall good, but not flawless. But hey, you’re in Greece!
Ways to Relax: Spa, Sauna, and Pure Bliss Okay, so I didn't spend all my time eating and drinking! The Capsis has a spa which I really loved. I did the massage and it was glorious! They have a sauna and a steamroom, which I'm not sure I used, it was hot enough outside already. They have a pool with view which I loved, and a swimming pool [outdoor] as well. They also had a fitness center, I didn’t go there, but it looked fully equipped. They also had a foot bath. You could also get a body scrub or a body wrap.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is where the Capsis shines. The concierge was fantastic – helpful, knowledgeable, and honestly, they knew every corner of the city. Daily housekeeping kept my room spotless, which, as a messy person, I appreciated. The laundry service saved me from a suitcase full of dirty clothes. The currency exchange was convenient. The elevator was a definite plus. They have the usual suspects: dry cleaning, luggage storage, and safety deposit boxes. There's a gift/souvenir shop if you need to grab something for the folks back home. Meeting/banquet facilities (didn't use them, but they're there). Facilities for disabled guests. They had a convenience store too. The air conditioning in public areas was much appreciated. One thing I wasn't thrilled about was the smoking area – it’s usually always nearby.
For the Kids: A Family-Friendly Fling Family-friendly? Yes. They have babysitting service, kids facilities, and kids meals. So, if you're traveling with the little monsters… err… loved ones, this is a solid choice.
Internet: Connected…Mostly
The Wi-Fi in public areas was alright. Not blazing fast, but usable. The Internet access – wireless in the rooms was great. Internet access – LAN? Not sure I even knew what that was. Point is: you can get connected.
Things to do: Exploring Thessaloniki & Beyond
This is where Thessaloniki itself steals the show. The hotel is a good base for exploring the city. The concierge can sort you out with tours and recommendations. Thessaloniki is amazing! From the White Tower to the vibrant Ladadika district, it's a city overflowing with history, culture, and, of course, amazing food. The hotel's location is decent for getting around, being a few minutes from the center.
The Imperfect Truth: My One "Meh" Experience
Remember I said I’d get real? Okay, here it is. One day, I tried to order room service. I wanted a simple salad. It took forever. And the salad? Well… let’s just say it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. This is where you can see the imperfections. But I’m a simple person. I survived.
Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki: The Bottom Line (and My Honest Recommendation!)
Look, the Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki isn't perfect. But it's darn close. It's a solid choice for a comfortable, convenient, and relatively stylish stay in a vibrant city. The staff are generally friendly and helpful, the rooms are comfortable, and the amenities are plentiful. Yes, there's the occasional minor hiccup. But the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Here's the thing: If you're looking for a luxurious, flawless experience, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a good, well-located hotel that will serve as a fantastic base for exploring Thessaloniki, with enough amenities to keep you comfortable and entertained, then Capsis is definitely worth considering.
My Recommendation: Go. Book it. Embrace the chaos. Drink the ouzo. Explore the city. And make some memories.
**Here's how to
Middelkerke Dream: Sun-Drenched Terrace Apartment Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a THESSALONIKI ADVENTURE, Capsis Hotel edition, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. I'm talking authentic, sweaty, possibly tearful (mostly from laughing, fingers crossed) chaos.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & THE GREAT GYRO-PALOOZA
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Arrival & Hotel Check-In (Mayhem Ensues)
- Okay, so first off, flight was delayed. Of course it was. I swear, airport security is a conspiracy to make me late for everything. Anyway, finally landed. Thessaloniki felt like a warm hug (or a sweltering slap in the face, depending on the humidity). Found my way (eventually, after some frantic Googling and a near-meltdown in a taxi) to the Capsis. It's… grand. Slightly dated, but in a charming, faded-glory kinda way. Check-in? Let’s just say the lovely receptionist, Eleni, had to explain three times that my credit card was, in fact, valid. Blame jet lag, or maybe the sheer beauty of the lobby chandeliers.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance & Mini-Meltdown (aka "Where's the Coffee?")
- Room is… adequate. Clean enough. View? Not exactly the Aegean Sea, more like the back of a building. But hey, I'm here, right? Unpacked, which involved a LOT of throwing clothes onto the bed and muttering about the lack of hangers. The real crisis? NO COFFEE. I'm a caffeine addict. A raging, pre-caffeinated monster. Started pacing. Found a tiny, lukewarm coffee maker. Victory!
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Gyro Quest & the Power of Pita
- Needed sustenance. And god, did I need a gyro. Found a place called "O Gyros tou Aristo" based on a recommendation from a blog (I'm a basic travel blogger, what can I say?). Pure gold. The pita was fluffy perfection. The meat, seasoned to goddamn heavens. The tzatziki? Creamy dreaminess. Ate two. Judge me. I dare you. My hands were a mess, my face a smattering of sauce. Best. Damn. Gyros. Ever. Felt an incredible urge to throw my arms up in the air, and yell to the skies "I am ALIVE!" Spent an hour afterwards just wandering the streets, basking in the sun, and feeling like I'd finally, truly arrived. This is where this trip gets good.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Promenade Perambulation & Souvenir Shenanigans
- Walked along the promenade. Breathtaking. The White Tower looked majestic. People-watching game? ON POINT. So many stylish Greeks, sipping coffee, laughing, living their lives. Made mental notes to step up my fashion game. Sometime in the future. Visited a souvenir shop, bought a postcard. Because apparently, I'm still living in the 90s.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Hotel Chill & Dinner Discombobulation
- Back at the hotel. Planning to chill but I can't relax quite yet. I have to get my bearings for the night. Ordered room service – Greek salad, the real deal. The waiter looked at me like I was speaking Martian when I asked for extra feta. Mildly offended. But the salad was so beautiful, I was too distracted to be upset.
9:00 PM onwards: Nightcap & Jet Lag Tango
- Tried a bottle of local wine on my balcony. It was cheap, it was cheerful. But the jet lag is hitting me hard now. Lights out? Maybe. Or maybe a midnight walk to find MORE gyro… The possibilities…
DAY 2: HISTORY, HANGOUTS, & HEARTBREAK- (or, the Church of the Holy Wisdom + Lunch + A Little Bit of Heartbreak)
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast & the Breakfast Buffet Blues
- Breakfast. The hotel’s buffet. Tried to be healthy (fruit, yogurt, ahem maybe a pastry or two). Failed. The pastries were calling my name and I could not resist. The hotel staff were eyeing me when I filled my plate (again). They probably thought I was a gluttonous tourist. I am.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Agia Sophia & the Ancient Glory
- Agia Sofia! SO. DAMN. IMPRESSIVE. The history just oozes from the walls. The mosaics! The architecture! Spent ages just staring, getting lost in the stories of emperors and saints. Got a little choked up, to be honest. Religion can be a powerful thing even if you aren't especially religious.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Souvlaki Success and a Little Bit of "Lost".
- Lunch at a little place near the church. More souvlaki, of course (I'm sensing a pattern here). This time, I actually managed to navigate the ordering process in broken Greek – feeling VERY accomplished. Wandered around, got a bit lost. Fantastic. Found a hidden square, sat on a bench, and felt utterly blissful. Found a little boutique with some scarves that caught my eye. Decided that yes, this would be a very good purchase.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Relaxation in the Hotel
- Back to the hotel, needed some downtime. I tried to read a book, but I was too restless. I flipped channels on the TVs and watched a local news channel that I couldn't understand. I fell asleep on the bed. Woke up and thought seriously about a nap.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to the Street! Wandering and Wondering
- So I decided to get back on the streets. I felt the need to have some more of the Greek experience. I wanted to drink coffee and watch people. And I did! I sat for a few hours, watching the street, and the world go by. I had the urge to buy more scarves, but decided to wait. This moment was so pure.
6:00 PM - onwards: Dinner, Drinks, and Dismay
- Tried a restaurant, recommended by Lonely Planet. Overpriced. Overhyped. Overwhelming. Food was okay, but the atmosphere was pretentious and I just wanted to go home. Not that I have a home here, but still. Ordered another glass of wine. And another. Feeling a bit sorry for myself. Jet lag again. Maybe the magic of Thessaloniki wore off. Maybe I'm missing my family.
- Decided to go to bed instead of going out to a bar. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.
DAY 3: THE WHITE TOWER, AND A BRIEF HOPE
Morning - The White Tower
- Woke up, a little better. Took the bus and went to the White Tower. I found a whole bunch of information that was surprisingly interesting. The structure itself was beautiful, and I took some pretty iconic pictures.
Afternoon - A Very Brief Hope
- Found a cafe to do some people watching, something I've really been enjoying. Saw a cute guy. Got talking to him. He spoke English. For an hour, I believed that Thessaloniki was the magic I felt it was. Then he left, and I felt the same feeling as the night before.
Epilogue - Departure & Longing
- The hotel staff was surprised I made breakfast, said my name, and bid me farewell. I was sad to leave. Despite some of its mess, it really was something.
- The flight home was silent. I missed Thessaloniki as soon as I left, even though I was never truly happy.
This is my Thessaloniki adventure. It was a mess, it was emotional, it was probably too much detail. But it was real. And sometimes, that's all that matters. Now, where's the next gyro?
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Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki: Your Unforgettable Greek Escape Awaits! (Probably!) - FAQs… Because I Needed Them!
Okay, So, Is This Place, You Know, ACTUALLY Worth Staying At? The Real Deal?
Alright, let's be real. I went in with expectations somewhere between "luxury oasis" and "slightly-better-than-hostel-but-with-a-pool." The reality? A mixed bag. It *is* a grand, imposing building. Think... a less ornate, more concrete Parthenon. And the location? Excellent. Right in the heart of things. Walkable to everything! Except maybe the beach... it's a bit of a hike. But the *vibe*... well, that depends on your personality. I'm a "chaos is my comfort zone" kind of person, so I kinda loved it. If you're expecting sterile perfection, maybe look elsewhere. But if you appreciate a bit of… character, and a touch of… well, let's call it "lived-in charm," then yeah, it's worth considering. For the price it's good. Maybe. Again, depends what you expect. And I had a weird thing happen in the elevator... the air conditioning worked, then didn't, then worked again. This hotel... it keeps you on your toes!
The Rooms! Let's Talk Rooms. Are They... Acceptable? Specifically, the Bed?
Oh, the rooms. Okay, the beds... they're where things get… interesting. My first night, I swear, the springs were plotting against me. I spent half the night battling what felt like a tiny, metal-armed octopus. Seriously. I think I ended up sleeping diagonally. But the next morning… or the next day. or whatever, I had to figure out the switch for the lights and took a look and well, it was ok. Not five-star luxury, but definitely sleepable. The bathrooms? Clean (always a win in my book!). Slightly dated, maybe a little... echo-y. But clean. That's the important bit, right? And the view… Mine overlooked the chaos of Thessaloniki, which was actually quite lovely. Watching the city wake up with a coffee in hand. Pure bliss. Except for the early morning garbage truck. That was not bliss. More like a sonic boom.
That Pool! Is it actually a pool, or a fancy bathtub? Does it have a bar?
The pool! Ah, the pool. Okay, so the photos? They're probably from the day it opened. I mean, it's a pool. It's... there. It's a decent size, I guess. Cleanish. The bar situation... that was my biggest disappointment. It wasn't as lively as expected. Getting a drink meant tracking down a guy who either wasn't there or was seemingly permanently on a break. Then, when he finally *did* appear (and I'm not kidding, it felt like a magician making a rabbit appear), the cocktail menu was... limited. But there's sun. And water. And if you're lucky, a lounger that doesn't squeak when you sit down. So... yeah, it's a pool. Go for the sun, not the cocktails. Bring your own water. And maybe a portable speaker with some chill tunes.
Breakfast included? And if so, is it worth rolling out of bed for?
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. That's where Capsis *kind of* redeems itself. It's... a buffet! A big one! Mountains of food! Okay, so the scrambled eggs might have seen better days. And the coffee? Let's just say it'll wake you up, one way or another. But there's fresh fruit! Yogurt! A decent selection of pastries. And the important thing: it's *food*. And free! And honestly, after a night of exploring Thessaloniki, you *need* that food. I'd say roll out of bed. Embrace the chaos. Pile your plate high. And don't judge the eggs too harshly. They're trying their best. Seriously though, go. It's worth at least a plate. Or two. Be careful of the honey, you might end up wearing half the jar.
Any tips for navigating the, um... experience? Like, what should I pack?
Okay, packing tips. First: earplugs. Seriously. Those garbage trucks. And the aforementioned metal-armed octopus. Second: a power adapter. Because, you know, Europe. Third: a sense of humor. You'll need it. Fourth: comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a LOT of walking. Fifth: maybe a small, emergency chocolate bar. Just in case. Because the world can be a tough place, and sometimes you just need chocolate. Oh, and learn a few basic Greek phrases. "Efharisto" (thank you) goes a long way, even if you butcher the pronunciation. And don't be afraid to get lost. That's half the fun of exploring Thessaloniki. Also, patience. Things move at their own pace. And sometimes, the elevators... well, you’ll figure it out.
Was there anything *spectacularly* bad? Like, a definite "avoid this" situation?
Okay, the Spectacularly Bad? Let me see... hmmm... Honestly, nothing *awful*. I didn't encounter bed bugs, thankfully. The staff, while not always immediately available, were generally friendly and helpful. The one thing that *did* push my buttons a bit... the Wi-Fi. It was... spotty. Let's go with that. I'm a digital nomad, so it's pretty important! You might find yourself wandering around the hallways, desperately seeking a signal. So, if you *must* be connected 24/7, maybe bring your own mobile hotspot. Or... embrace the disconnection. Seriously, it's a vacation. Put the phone down. Look at the world. Drink some Ouzo. You'll be fine. Probably better than fine, honestly.
Would you *recommend* Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki? Or are there hidden gems to be found elsewhere?
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would *I* recommend it? Hmm… It depends. If you're on a budget and want a central location, Yeah, absolutely. If you can get a good deal, go for it. It's not perfect, no. But it's good enough, and the location is gold. You're steps from everything! The energy of Thessaloniki, the history, the food! All that stuff is there. It's a good base of operations for exploring. There are hidden gemsGlobetrotter Hotels
