Experiences

The “OMONIA” hotel operated continuously, except during the German occupation, from its construction until 1994, when it was abandoned due to the death of the father of my client, Mrs. Eleni Katsaros. During its period of operation, it served a large number of bathers and was the main accommodation in the area of ​​Agiasmata. Because it met the conditions, it was recognized as a fourth category hotel by the EOT and was also a member of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.

Naturally, the bathers “embraced” the hotel. Throughout its operation, it never had a problem of occupancy. On the contrary, the demand was usually greater than its capacity, so that the hoteliers, namely the parents of my client, Mrs. Eleni Katsaros, were forced to not accept all those interested, to their great regret.

The hotel’s customers came from all social classes of Chios. Government officials (prefects, mayors, etc.), doctors, lawyers, sailors, merchants, bank employees and of course many ordinary citizens. For a number of reasons, mainly the non-existence of electricity (electricity came to Agiasmata in 1974) and television, and the lack of other possibilities for going out and having fun, the social life of the bathers during their stay in Agiasmata unfolded from things, especially in the evenings, exclusively in the hotel area.

This fact, combined with the extremely friendly behavior and service of the bathers on behalf of the hoteliers led to the creation of strong friendly bonds, so that the bathers during their stay at the hotel feel that they are in a family environment. The monumental bengers, the endless conversations, the telling of stories and anecdotes and generally the pleasant company during the evening and night hours in the inner courtyard of the hotel have gone down in history.

The location of Agiasmata, located at the northernmost point of the island, also contributed to the general well-being, where the northern winds that soften the summer heat are a permanent condition throughout the summer.

The family atmosphere, the well-being and the pleasant moments experienced by the guests led to them seeing the transition to Agiasmata and their stay at the hotel as an annual event and indeed not only for their spa therapy in the warm waters, but also for the summer holidays of the whole of the family. So, little by little, they started bringing their children as well, resulting in the creation of children’s clubs that, apart from swimming in the sea on the adjacent coast, organized various games and other children’s activities.

Of course, the children of the hoteliers also participated in these children’s parties, that is, my client, Mrs. Katsaros and her brother. The bathers themselves, of whom the youngest are still alive, but mainly the members of the aforementioned children’s groups, are the ones who reminisce about the beautiful moments they spent during their holidays in Agiasmata and their stay at the hotel. And, when they meet, for years now, my client, Mrs. Katsaros, they eagerly ask to know about the fate of the hotel, adding how nice they once were there and what a shame it is that the building remains abandoned, subject to the deterioration of the elements of nature that they are particularly hard on Agiasmata, especially in winter. The result of all these conversations about the memories from childhood is about the same, namely that “you must do something Ms. Katsaros to modernize and operate this hotel again” and that “it is a shame that it remains like this and is not available of the visitors of the Agiasmata”.