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Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Telegraph
How earthquakes did the impossible and made Santorini quiet again
As anyone who knows Santorini will tell you, a great indication of the island's busyness is the time it takes to drive the one bus-wide road leading from the ferry port to the top of the hill and the turn-off for its capital, Fira. Last year, at the height of summer, I sat in a boiling car for half an hour waiting for traffic to creep a few hundred yards. When I arrived there a few days ago, I raced along the near-empty road in five minutes. There's no doubt Santorini is much quieter than usual – a side-effect, it would seem, of the earthquakes that rattled the island earlier this year deterring people from booking summer breaks. 'It's like the island used to be – much quieter and much nicer,' said Giorgos Karayiannis, manager of Astra Suites, a property with a caldera-edge swimming pool. 'They've also restricted the number of cruise ships, which makes a big difference.' Tourism kickstarted on Santorini during the 1970s, when hoteliers began to buy up cave houses around its famous caldera and transform them into chic boutique accommodation. By the 1990s, most of the properties had been rebuilt and tourism was booming. Karayiannis was in Santorini during the earthquakes earlier this year. Along with some 10,000 fellow inhabitants (close to half of the population), he left the island. 'We were worried because it had never happened like that: every few minutes an earthquake – it was like someone giving you a quick shove each time. But now it's stopped for months and I'm not worried at all,' he says. Giorgos Alexandrou, owner of local tour and transfer company VIP Santorini, agrees: 'Santorini is one of the most carefully watched volcanoes in the world. Experts monitor it closely and volcanic eruptions don't just happen without warning.' Andreas Manessis, who owns boutique hotel Casa Sunsha in Oia, confirmed that there was no structural damage to infrastructure or hospitality venues, and no reported injuries. 'Today, the island is fully operational – it's a rare moment of calm for such a globally loved destination.' However, according to Adonis Pagonis, president of the local hotel association, arrivals to the Santorini are down by at least 25 per cent this year because travellers are still worried. Staff at some of the island's top hotels told me that they think it's nearer 40 per cent. 'The hotel is half full – that's unheard of in July. We just stand around waiting for people to arrive,' one manager confided. But other factors have contributed to the decline in footfall, too. Like its glitzy sister Mykonos – which is also experiencing a major downturn in arrivals – overtourism has been a major problem for Santorini in recent years. With around 3.4 million tourists a year, traffic jams can be dire, rubbish overflows in the streets, and a lack of accommodation has forced seasonal workers to live in cramped rooms or, in some cases, in caves. A cap on cruise ship arrivals – down to 8,000 a day – and a €20 per passenger tax was finally approved this year. 'The image of Santorini this year is different compared to other years, as the flows of visitors have been regulated,' the town's mayor Nikos Zorzos is quoted as saying. With plenty of accommodation available, hotels trimming rates in an attempt to fill empty rooms and fewer crowds, it's definitely the perfect time to visit Santorini. I found luxury hotels around the caldera, which usually sell rooms for upwards of €700 a night at this time of year, offering rates as low as €300 – something that hasn't happened since the Covid pandemic. Alexandrou agrees that it's a good time to visit. 'Even busy places like Oia feel more relaxed,' he told me. To test his verdict, we headed out on one of VIP Santorini's photo tours designed for punters who want pictures of themselves in all the main hotspots that are popular with Instagrammers and selfie-takers. Usually jammed with tourists from one end to the other, Oia's pedestrian footpath leading to the village's famed castle sunset spot was blissfully easy to navigate. Further on, we paused to pose above a string of glittering caldera-edge pools. Usually packed with loved-up honeymooners, they were all empty. Even at the famed blue-domed church picture spot, where, Alexandrou told me, there are usually lengthy queues, we snapped the perfect shots right away without having to jostle for position. 'This is an almost unheard-of chance to have a holiday with very low prices compared to previous years,' John Burbaris, manager of the newly renovated Canaves Ena hotel in Oia, adds.
Condé Nast Traveler
17-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
8 Beautiful Villas in Menorca, the Baleariac's Quiet Hideout
Menorca is traditionally less traversed than its more popular neighbors: bigger sister Mallorca, or glitzy honeypot Ibiza. It's sought out for its more tranquil vibe, and the best villas in Menorca are a great way to experience its calm. Despite the island's comparatively sleepier rhythm, there's still plenty to discover. From seemingly infinite stretches of sandy and rocky coastline dotted with cozy calas, lapped by waters that look like a color chart of blues, to a burgeoning art scene encompassing both local and international talent, there's more than enough to see and do for a memorable visit. The hotel scene has seen a welcome refresh from leading designers and hoteliers but for deeper immersion into island life, a villa is just the ticket. Here are some of the best villas in Menorca. We've vetted these listings based on Superhost or Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
I'm TV's hotel inspector – here are eight red flags you've booked a bad room from poached eggs test to hot tub
FROM badly-cooked eggs to peeling stickers on the window, sharp-tongued hotelier Alex Polizzi says there are plenty of red flags to watch out for when booking your next stay. With more than two decades in the game and her own successful hotel chain, the 53-year-old star knows exactly what makes a stay memorable, and what turns it into a nightmare. 8 Right now, she admits, the industry is going through a difficult period, and it's hitting the guest experience directly. 'It's miserable at the moment,' she says. 'The challenges facing hoteliers are enormous. I wake up every day and wonder why I'm still doing it. 'But there are small things they can do to make a big difference. Many people go into this industry with no experience. 'They will not survive without taking their heads out of the sand and taking a look around them at what works and what doesn't.' Here Alex — whose new series of The Hotel Inspector returns to our screens this week — reveals her top red flags, the subtle clues that scream that your hotel room is secretly not up to scratch. 1. IT'S A 'BOUTIQUE' HOTEL 8 THIS word is bandied around so much now and has become completely meaningless. Hoteliers use words like 'sumptuous' and 'luxury' in a bid to lure in customers. But most customers know you aren't getting luxury for a few quid. Ignore fancy descriptions. Instead look at the photos and the facilities on offer. Watch out for the type of place where every surface is covered with fake cacti and there are bits and bobs everywhere. It's untidy and potentially unhygienic. Clear, clean surfaces are best. 2. LANDLORD IS LAZY YOU need energy and enthusiasm to run a hotel. If the landlord looks slovenly and won't show you to your room, it's a red flag. One hotel landlord in Dartmoor from this series was so lazy. Some people think, once they've got their own business, they can lie about on the sofa all day. Actually you are now chief cook and bottle washer as well. The day never ends. If they won't show you to your room, what else are they not doing? The Hotel Inspector's Alex Polizzi reveals the struggle she's had with a hotel owner over a restaurant interior 3. BAD EGG 8 THE true test of a hotel kitchen is the poached egg. So many hotel chefs can't cook decent ones. I always order them as the ultimate test of what is going on behind closed doors. If they can't do a decent job of this, I wouldn't expect much from the food on offer and would find somewhere else to eat. 4. THEY HAVE A HOT TUB THERE'S a huge trend for hot tubs right now. Every crappy hotel I go to has one and hopes it will make them a profit. They don't. And hoteliers either spend all day keeping them clean, or they are dirty. I am not someone who would get into a hot tub. They are a breeding ground for germs — repulsive things. Incidentally, beware places that advertise that they have a spa, when what they actually have is an eight-person hot tub. 5. COFFEE OUT OF ORDER 8 THE first thing that greeted me at The Railway Rambler's Rest in Dartmoor was a broken coffee machine. If it doesn't work, why not just throw it out? If that's out of order, it's likely there's a ton of other stuff inside the hotel that won't be fit for purpose. It gives a bad first impression. 6. CIGS OUTSIDE FRONT DOOR 8 FIRST impressions count. Dirty entrance halls and dirty windows with peeling stickers on them. Fag butts outside the front door. If I arrive and see this stuff, I panic and think: 'Here we go again'. Socks under the bed are also a red flag, as you'll wonder when was the last time the place was hoovered. We need cheap hotels, but why can't they be cheap AND clean? 7. TOWEL ON THE BED WHO started the trend of towels on the bed? It's not a good idea. You need one in the bathroom. It's no good having a shower and then having to walk dripping wet through to the bedroom to pick up your towel. It shows poor thought and design. You never see a towel on the bed at a five-star hotel. It's only acceptable in Disneyland, where the staff make the towels into fabulous animal shapes for the children. That's fun. 8. LOO LABEL LUNACY 8 MANY cheap hotels have a cover over the loo to tell you it has been sanitised. I should hope so! You don't need to tell me. I take it for granted that it has been cleaned. If they have to tell me, I'd immediately start worrying about hygiene in the rest of the bedroom. It's the same with making the pointy bit at the end of the loo roll. I don't want someone touching my loo paper, especially the end I'm going to use. The latest series of The Hotel Inspector begins tomorrow on Channel 5 at 8pm. Episodes will be available to stream on My5. How to bag a hidden hotel gem for a bargain price CONSUMER expert Helen Dewdney, known as The Complaining Cow, shares her tips for getting a cheaper night away. WEEKEND DEALS AND MIDWEEK STEALS: Business travellers will generally cancel and amend reservations by Tuesday. This means platforms may reduce prices on this day to try to fill rooms. CANCELLATION CELEBRATION: If you can be flexible, book at short notice. Many hotels and websites operate cancellation window policies of 24 to 48 hours so if people cancel close to the date, the hotel would rather sell the room for less, than leave it empty. DITCH THE MIDDLEMAN, GRAB A BARGAIN: Use comparison sites to get an idea of prices but do not forget to look at booking direct with the hotel. The place itself may offer a deal or cheaper price as they are not paying travel agency commission fees. PERK UP YOUR STAY: Try your luck at grabbing a free perk or upgrade. Wear your best smile and simply ask at the desk if there are any free upgrades going. Mention if it is a special event such as a birthday or anniversary. You've nothing to lose simply by asking. DEMAND YOUR RIGHTS: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you are entitled to services to be carried out with reasonable skill and care. So, if your room isn't up to scratch or the service you receive is poor then you deserve redress. The percentage you should expect will depend on the level of service and how quickly they put matters right.
Hospitality Net
15-07-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Agentic AI and Hotel PMS: Brace Yourself for a Positive Impact
The business community has welcomed artificial intelligence as a key means of adapting to today's changing workforce and recommending actions based on data analytics; however, according to experts, the hotel industry has yet to leverage it fully. A recent study by McKinsey found that as many as 78 percent of respondents say their organizations use AI in at least one business function, a 6-percentage-point increase from 2024. With so many core processes now informed by AI, hoteliers must bring these capabilities into the heart of their operations: the property-management system. Today's AI technology is reactive; it must wait for input from users before making decisions based on new information the system receives. While it is valuable for chatbots, training tools, and customer service, many believe it's still too early for machines to take the wheel and start making decisions. Think again. AI is already helping hotels reduce manual work through automations like scheduled reports, pre-programmed workflows, and dynamic pricing recommendations. But these tools still rely on human instruction at every step. These restrictions, however, may be coming to an end with the debut of Agentic AI — identified as the No. 1 trend in Gartner's Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2025. Leveraging AI 'agents' as intuitive collaborators will enable hotel operators to learn new information, adjust their approach to problem solving, and take immediate action. More Information, Less Hassle The Harvard Business Review has referred to Agentic AI as a 'digital teammate' capable of expanding a business' efficiency as well as creating more resilient collaboration over time. The publication highlighted advancements in human resources that help connect job seekers with their ideal role, as well as website design to optimize the customer journey at all times. This flexibility demonstrates how this next wave of AI technology will provide hospitality leaders with additional ways to connect with travelers while preserving the human element. As Agentic AI makes its way into hotel PMSs, operators will have the opportunity to extend these same capabilities to every corner of their commercial operation. For example, an active Agentic AI scheduling tool can eliminate the guesswork of staffing your property with the agent quickly adapting to changes in worker availability and updating calendars in real-time. Adopting this strategy can help operators provide dynamic schedules that benefit all team members, without adding additional complexity to your property workflow. Agentic AI also has a transformative effect on the supply chain and purchasing, and its organizational capabilities also show benefits when applied to managing guest itineraries. Once in place, these tools can automatically manage the guest experience from start to finish, while displaying and controlling each of these elements directly through the hotel's PMS for optimal visibility. This way, hoteliers remain informed on all guest itineraries, amenity requests, and last-minute rate adjustments with a more streamlined delivery method and a reduced reliance on input from operators. One-Click Confirmation Leveraging Agentic AI within the hotel PMS powers a fully orchestrated hospitality model, where staff, systems, and guest signals stay aligned in real time without added complexity. Click here to see how a hotel PMS + Agentic AI can return a fully personalized, pre-filled cart — ready for one-click confirmation — as soon as the PMS starts listening to the guest's intent throughout the booking journey. AI is helping hoteliers adapt to a changing marketplace in ways that would never have been possible, and it is helping guests create new memories associated with your properties. As Agentic AI becomes more widely available for businesses and users, hoteliers should align themselves with technology partners who are willing to take this innovation and its challenges — seriously. This means ensuring your approach to security and data aligns with that of your partners, as well as the level of accountability they include in the decision-making process, to ensure operators never fully cede control to automation. Hoteliers must also take security and accountability seriously when considering Agentic AI, including building controls into the PMS to reduce or expand its capabilities on the fly. This will be crucial to avoid potential situations, such as when AI hallucinates the ability to offer a discount or presents a rate that isn't available. While Agentic AI is still in its early stages within the hospitality sector, its rapid development signals where PMS capabilities are headed. Leveraging Agentic AI in the hotel PMS will allow operators to offer the 'agile' hospitality experience guests, workers, and owners have been looking for. By cementing the hotel PMS as your command center, supported by AI teammates and intelligent automation, hoteliers will pioneer the next level of guest satisfaction for years. About the Author Lisa Jane Wheaton is the Senior Product Strategist of Maestro, the preferred Web Browser based cloud and on-premises all-in-one PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups. Maestro's enterprise system offers embedded payments and 20+ integrated modules on a single database, including mobile and contact free apps to increase profitability, drive direct bookings, centralize operations, and enable operators to engage guests with a personalized and safe experience. Maestro's Support Service provides unparalleled 24/7 North American based live support and education services. About Maestro PMS Maestro is the preferred Web Browser based cloud and on-premises PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups. Maestro's PCI certified and EMV ready enterprise system offers a Web browser version (or Windows) complete with 20+ integrated modules on a single database, including mobile and contactless apps to support a digitalized guest journey as well as staff operations. Maestro's sophisticated solutions empower operators to increase profitability, drive direct bookings, centralize operations, and engage guests with a personalized experience from booking to check out and everything in between. For over 40 years Maestro's Diamond Plus Service has provided unparalleled 24/7 North American based support and education services to keep hospitality groups productive and competitive. Click here for more information on Maestro. Click here to get your free PMS Buying guide. Barb Worcester NORTHWIND-Maestro
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The Independent
15-07-2025
- The Independent
Mallorca hotels combat anti-tourist protests with new campaign welcoming visitors
Mallorca hoteliers are putting up posters around the island welcoming tourists, following a series of overtoursim protests with signs telling visitors to 'go home'. Campaign groups in Mallorca have been urging tourists to stay home and not overwhelm the Spanish island, especially in the peak summer season, as they say it is damaging to infrastructure and detrimental to their daily lives. The anti- overtourism attitudes have resulted in large-scale protests, such as one in the city of Palma in June, which saw thousands of residents take to the streets calling for limits on visitors and a better tourism strategy. Signs and slogans such as 'tourists go home' and 'no to mass tourism' are often displayed during demonstrations. Hotels in Mallorca have now taken a stand against what they describe as 'tourismophobia', with an initiative welcoming visitors to their holiday hotspot. The Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) has launched a series of posters on billboards and digital banners, and is encouraging other tourism companies and industry workers to use them. The posters include slogans such as 'Tourist, go home happy. Be happier returning to Mallorca soon', a play on words of the anti-tourist signs. 'Tourist, go home safe and come back soon' as well as 'tourist, don't go home, stay longer with us', have also been used. The billboards will be up for two months over the busy summer season, as many tourists will start to flock to Mallorca for beach holidays. The federation says that they are using the new slogans to remind tourists that the island is hospitable and proud of its tourism industry, 'in contrast to the rejectionist rhetoric and actions that attempt to damage the image of tourism and its contribution to Balearic society', it said. The hotel group claims that the hostility towards visitors comes from a 'vocal minority' that does not represent the rest of the Balearics. However, FEHM says it advocates for getting the balance right between tourism, infrastructure, sustainability and a peaceful coexistence with residents – something that the campaigns against overtourism say they have also been fighting for. One of the main driving points behind the initiative is to protect employment, as FEHM notes that tourism provides jobs for more than a third of the Balearic Islands' working population. It adds that the hotel sector is working to modernise its operations to improve its impact on society, with a 13.5 per cent wage increase over three years. FEHM President Javier Vich emphasised that "without tourists, there are no jobs, and we must all take care of tourism'. Meanwhile, campaigners against overtourism, such as Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) take a different stance, claiming that the tourist industry impoverishes people, makes it hard to access housing and diverts focus from the public sector. The group said it stands in solidarity with hospitality workers in negotiations for better working environments during the high season, as there is usually an 'exploitation' of the working class during this period.
