A family-owned legacy of authentic Greek hospitality, Grecotel Hotels and Resorts marks half a century in 2025, celebrating 50 years as a leading family-owned Greek hotel brand. What began as a single hotel in Crete in the 1970s has grown into Greece’s largest luxury hotel chain, yet it remains deeply rooted in its founding ethos: to offer high-end hospitality that is authentically Greek. In conversation with Travel Trade Journal, Vangelis Vassiliou, Director of Sales, Grecotel, and Sunny Katara, Founder, Elysian, open up on Grecotel’s plans for the Indian and global travel markets.
The philosophy of filoxenia (Greek hospitality) emphasising warm, generous service and a sense of family, has been at the heart of Grecotel’s operations since its inception. Guests are not just given a place to stay; they are welcomed into an experience infused with Greek culture, cuisine, and heartfelt personal touches. It is a legacy carefully nurtured by the Daskalantonakis family over the decades, ensuring that the intimate, home-grown spirit of Greek hospitality endures even as the company has expanded.
40 Hotels Across Greece, Each with a Local Story
From the sun-kissed isles of Crete and Corfu to the historic shores of Athens’ Riviera, Grecotel’s footprint spans over 10 destinations across Greece with a portfolio of 40 properties. No two Grecotel properties are designed the same way. “You don’t just find another Grecotel copy-and-paste; every property reflects its own destination,” Vassiliou said. A stay at the Dolli at the Acropolis in Athens immerses guests in elegant heritage architecture, while the Cape Sounio resort faces the ancient Temple of Poseidon, blending luxury with mythic scenery. Every property, in essence, tells the story of its locale through its décor, ambience, and experiences.
Immersive Experiences and Competitive Differentiation
The brand’s competitive differentiation comes from immersive local experiences that bring destinations to life. Guests can join in Cretan cooking lessons, take part in olive oil tastings from on-site groves, or explore nearby villages with guides who grew up there. “You arrive not in a hotel somewhere in Greece, but in a hotel of that destination,” shared Vassiliou.
This destination-specific approach extends to hotel design and programming. Each Grecotel property is embedded in its community, employing local staff who impart insider knowledge, partnering with area guides and producers, and adopting regional architectural styles. Such localisation creates a genuine connection: guests wake up feeling like they are truly in Crete or Corfu, not just in an anonymous luxury hotel. Vassiliou added, “Our people come from the same region, so guests feel the true local culture the moment they check in.”
Expanding into New Markets with an Eye on Indian Travel Trade
Having firmly established its brand in Europe, Grecotel is now strategically expanding into new markets, and India is a top priority. Grecotel recently appointed Elysian as its India representative and rolled out plans to position itself as a top choice for Indian travellers visiting Greece. The company’s Global Sales Director, Vangelis Vassiliou, made his first sales visit to India to personally connect with tour operators and travel agents, signalling the importance of this market. Grecotel has hosted multiple roadshows to introduce its properties to the Indian travel trade. At these events, flagship properties like The Dolli in Athens, Cape Sounio in Attica, and Corfu Imperial in Ionian Islands took centre stage, giving Indian partners a vivid taste of Grecotel’s elegance and Greek charm.
Luxury Bedroom Suite at Amirandes Grecotel
Staying true to his statement, Sunny, Founder, Elysian, shared, “You can expect to see Grecotel’s presence everywhere in India this year,” highlighting Grecotel’s long-term commitment. Additionally, Grecotel values feedback from partners; if a tour operator suggests an emerging trend (say, wellness retreats or adventure add-ons), the team considers how Grecotel can integrate that into their offerings. The company prides itself on building and sustaining deep relationships with tour operators, travel agencies, DMCs, and other partners in each source market.
Crucially, Grecotel is also listening to Indian guests expectations and adapting to them. Recognising the needs of this segment, the hotels are prepared to offer Jain and vegetarian dining options, understand the penchant for large family travel and weddings, and even include small comforts like Indian breakfast items or kettles for tea in rooms. The outreach in India goes hand-in-hand with training staff on Indian cultural nuances, from dietary preferences to celebrating festivals like Diwali with guests on-site.
Sustainability at Heart
The company’s late founder, Nikos Daskalantonakis, was a trailblazer in linking hotels with local agriculture. In the 1990s, he started contract farming agreements in Crete to supply his hotels with fresh local produce. Today, GrecoFarm (Agreco Farm) is a shining example of Grecotel’s sustainability ethos. Vassiliou shared, “At GrecoFarm, guests see where their food is grown; they understand sustainability first-hand.”
Environmental sustainability is another pillar. Grecotel has implemented rigorous waste reduction and plastic-free initiatives across its resorts. In recent years, the company eliminated single-use plastic items like water bottles, straws, plates, and cutlery from its operations. An extensive recycling programme is in place at each property, and kitchen teams practise food waste reduction through careful inventory and donation of excess food. Energy-saving technologies (like keycard-controlled power and solar panels at some resorts) further shrink the environmental footprint.
World-Class MICE Facilities in Iconic Destinations
For the MICE segment, Grecotel offers an impressive range of venues that cater to both intimate corporate retreats and large-scale conventions. Several Grecotel properties are fully equipped for business events, blending state-of-the-art facilities with Greece’s inspiring landscapes. Vassiliou said, “Our main MICE hotels are Amirandes in Crete, Cape Sounio near Athens, and Riviera Olympia with a 1,000-plus-seat convention centre.” Just 45 minutes from Athens, Grecotel Cape Sounio provides meeting rooms overlooking the Aegean Sea and the ancient Temple of Poseidon. Imagine a conference coffee break with views of a fifth-century BC temple; it makes for quite a unique selling point that few venues can match. Over on Crete, the luxurious Amirandes resort (conveniently 15 minutes from Heraklion Airport) similarly hosts conferences amid its sleek modern architecture and seaside ambience. Both resorts offer indoor-outdoor flexibility, high-tech audiovisual support, and the renowned Grecotel service, making them ideal for incentive groups seeking productivity and leisure.
Fairytale Weddings At The Cape Sounio
The Olympia Riviera Resort in the Peloponnese boasts one of Greece’s largest conference centres for large gatherings. Additionally, emerging destinations like Corfu are on Grecotel’s radar for MICE development; the island’s charm and improving infrastructure are opening opportunities for future conferences and destination weddings. Sunny added, “In Corfu, we can offer 500–600 rooms and 16 seafront FB outlets – a MICE paradise.”
Looking Ahead
As Grecotel steps into its next 50 years, its vision remains firmly focused on combining heritage with forward-looking growth. For the Indian travel trade, there is much to be excited about. Greece is more accessible and appealing than ever, and Grecotel stands ready to host Indian guests with its signature Greek hospitality. Vangelis Vassiliou conveys a clear message: “We are here for the long run, to create memorable Greek experiences for your clients and to support you at every step.” The company’s recent push in Indian travel market through dedicated representation, roadshows, and customised services solidifies that commitment.
Broader developments are set to boost Indo-Greek travel ties. “By 2027, Crete’s new GMR airport and direct flights will be a game-changer for India–Greece travel,” added Sunny. Greek tourism authorities are actively working to establish direct flights from India to Greece’s key airports, including the new Crete airport, with Mumbai and Delhi identified as primary sources for non-stop routes.
