Hospitality has been a family business for me for many years, specifically since 1974, as I was born and raised in this field, which I loved. My father, Tilemachos Grigoriadis, was the founder of the Ghotels group, which owned a total of 6 hotels in Halkidiki and Crete. He was a visionary and a pioneer in the tourism industry, significantly contributing to the development of the strong tourism expansion in Greece, especially in Halkidiki. As an engineer, he encouraged me to follow in his footsteps, studying as an Architect and combining positive thinking with creativity. After completing my studies in the Faculty of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, I took over the renovations and maintenance department of the entire group, gaining years of valuable experience in the hotel business. Recently, to be exact since the spring of 2023, I have the pleasure of having taken direct personal ownership of one of the group’s hotels, namely the Simantro Resort, where I hold the position of President and CEO. My current focus is to drive changes with creativity and inspiration to bring the hotel to where I am dreaming it will be.

Our philosophy stems from our efforts for a new beginning, where our love for offering Greek hospitality and culture prevails. With passion, inspiration, and hard work, we strive to create a place where our guests feel as comfortable and pleasant as in their own vacation home, showing their preference for our hotel repeatedly. Specifically, we aim to create a destination that places the visitor at the center, allowing them to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the region during their stay, by integrating services and elements that connect them with our culture and historical heritage. As a traveler, I have always sought these elements in the places I visited, and now I am thrilled to have the opportunity to create similar experiences together with my team, showcasing the richness of our cultural heritage through Greek hospitality.

The hotel has a strong identity derived from the intense traditional architectural elements adopted by the architect from Macedonian architecture, characteristic of the broader region of Mount Athos and other areas of Northern Greece. Additionally, the hotel’s location is unique, magically combining the unparalleled natural beauty of a mountainous landscape and a coastal area, making it a place of positive energy and tranquility. It is a place where one can enjoy not only bathing but also taking a walk on the designated hiking trail that passes through us. Just a few kilometers away, the region comes to life with the tourist buzz from the first “foot” of Halkidiki. Finally, I would like to highlight the hotel staff, who, over the years, has offered to the guests, entrusting us with their holidays a warm embrace with love and professionalism.

On a 65-acre property, the hotel features 346 rooms, 2 outdoor pools, as well as a heated pool. It has a wellness center with a spa and gym, along with a main restaurant, tavern, various bars (pool bar, beach bars, main bar, etc.), extensive conference and exhibition spaces, smaller multipurpose rooms, a mini-market, open parking space with electric charging capabilities, and more.
Some of the outstanding aspects of the hotel include:
1. Beautiful location.
2. Easy and quick access to the airport.
3. Relaxation and entertainment.
4. Gastronomy and delicious food.
5. Hosting social and professional events.
6. The ideal starting point for exploring and getting to know the rich history and monuments of
Halkidiki and beyond.
7. Walking and other activities in unspoiled nature.
8. Well trained staff.

These elements make the hotel unique and effectively provide guests with an exceptional stay experience.

The hotel first opened its doors in 1993 and came under our ownership in 1997. The initial renovation took place in 1997, and in 1998 construction began on the new wing, completed in 2001. During this expansion, I had the opportunity to work on the construction site after graduating from the university. It was a period of two consecutive intense years for me, as designing and building occurred simultaneously, a challenging task for those familiar with the complexities of such a project. A significant milestone for the hotel was its establishment as an All-Inclusive resort, a pioneering move at that time. Our strategic collaboration with the German T.O. ITS introduced the hotel as the first Club Calimera in Halkidiki and the wider Northern Greece region for 25 consecutive years. Since last year, the hotel operates again on an H.B. basis, and our priority now is to reintroduce ourselves in the hotel industry with a hospitality product that continually upgrades itself both in facilities and services.

Last summer, the brand-new beach bar opened right on the hotel’s beach with a fantastic view. Additionally, as part of a broader renovation and modernization plan for the hotel (rooms, building facilities, common areas, and the outdoor environment), we have applied for inclusion in the current development law. This project is set to be completed by 2029. Regarding our human resources, we have scheduled spring educational seminars for our staff as we aim to invest to continuously improve their qualification, enhancing the services provided to our guests.

I am optimistic that, through hard work in collaboration with the right people who will embrace and love our vision for Simantro Resort, we will create a Strong, Unique, and Recognizable Identity for the hotel. Concurrently, with the planned structural and organizational changes, we will achieve a level of service that will leave an imprint of Warm Authentic Greek Hospitality on the guests. Our goal is for our clients to perceive our resort as a home away from home.

We always want to stay close to the developments and demands of the times, creating more comprehensive choices and proposals. In this way, we contribute to the development and support of the local economy and society, promoting the wider area’s visibility and beyond. As part of our ecological initiatives, we collaborate with the local Municipality for the collection of our hotel’s organic waste.

We are preparing a series of attractive holiday experiences, such as:

• Greek cooking classes
• Traditional dance lessons
• Picnic in the forest
• Walking and biking routes in the countryside
• Wine tasting at a local winery
• Massage experience in a beautiful and relaxing environment
• Yoga and stretching with the fitness instructor in a natural space
• Activities and games for children with an educator

We want our hotel to become a beloved and unique destination in the future. We aim to create and offer holistic experiences for every guest. Our proposals are characterized by the harmony of the unique beauty of our location and the rich activities we prepare. In this context, we have prioritized improving our building infrastructure and, consequently, enhancing the services provided.

The roots of Greek hospitality run deep and strong throughout time, with its dynamics continually increasing in both the present and the future, making it one of the most powerful players on the global tourism stage. Our hotel, catering to guests from both Greece and abroad, is committed, with the support of our specialized and experienced staff, to achieve high goals, to maximize guest satisfaction and respectfully meet their needs.