Loutraki’s Wyndham & Ramada Resorts See Strong 2017 Season

By Nikos Krinis

After enjoying a successful tourism season this year, the Wyndham Loutraki Poseidon and the Ramada Loutraki Poseidon resorts will continue renovations for the 2018 season, aiming to put the seaside town of Loutraki on the map as a popular Greek destination.

The brands Wyndham and Ramada are part of the Wyndham Hotel Group, a hotel industry giant with a presence of more than 8,000 hotels in 79 countries. The Wyndham Loutraki Poseidon Resort features 108 suites, including some with private pool or Jacuzzi and the Ramada Loutraki Poseidon Resort has a total of 207 bungalows and suites. The hotels also hosts four indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, gym and sports facilities including tennis courts, basketball courts, mini golf grounds, a children’s playground and a wide variety of water sports for guests of all ages.

Operating under the umbrella of the Wyndham Hotel Group since May 1, initial renovation works of the resorts included the revamp of the rooms and Jacuzzis of the Wyndham branded resort, the beach front, the “Poseidon” breakfast room and the tavern. Now, with the closure of the resorts for autumn, renovation works will begin in the rooms of the Ramada resort.

Ramada Front Office Manager Christianna Mavroeidi.

“The resorts reached their goal this year and we intend to offer ‘a little extra something’ next season through our renovations,” Ramada’s front office manager, Christianna Mavroeidi, told GTP Headlines.

During the 2017 tourism season, the resorts saw occupancy levels reach 100 percent mainly during the summer months from the markets of Russia, Poland, Serbia, France and Greece. The management is aiming to also attract visitors from the Scandinavian market for the 2018 season.

Since September, the resorts hosted a number of conferences, a form of tourism that the management wishes to develop since both establishments offer nine meeting rooms which can cater to some 650 people and an outdoor amphitheater on the beach that can accommodate up to 900 people, making it an ideal event destination.

According to Mavroeidi, early bookings for next season are encouraging. “Already bookings for the Ramada resort are almost reaching 100 percent occupancy for the June-September period,” she said.

Moreover, from June to August, the resorts will host sports groups of Russian athletes that will arrive to train in Loutraki’s sports camp. “The camp brings athletes from all over the world to train in Loutraki and we have a cooperation with them to offer accommodation,” Mavroeidi said.

Renovation works will be put on hold during Christmas and New Years as the resorts will operate for 10 days during the holiday season, from December 22 until January 2, 2018. Renovations will then continue and the hotel will reopen in March 2018.

“The hotel (as Poseidon) always opened during the Christmas season as it is a time when many Greeks come to Loutraki. This year we are also receiving many reservations from abroad as well,” Mavroeidi said. Christmas and New Years festivities this year will include gala dinners and live music performances.

Mavroeidi added that the aim is for Loutraki to become a popular Greek resort destination. “The goal is to become a destination and Loutraki can easily become one, considering that it is very close to Athens and has many things to offer,” she said. Loutraki is about an hour drive from Athens and near the destinations of Nafplio, Epidavros and Delphi.

Bust sculpture of Takis Georgiou, founder of former Poseidon Club.

Owner company Elintour SA in collaboration with Wyndham Hotel Group and hotel management and development consultants Zeus International invested in the brand change and renovation of the Wyndham Loutraki Poseidon and the Ramada Loutraki Poseidon resorts, which stand in the place of the historic Poseidon Club that opened in 1966.

More hotels in Greece are planned to open under the Wyndham Hotel Group and Zeus International partnership. As of 2018, the Wyndham Garden Attica Riviera (former Aquamarina Hotel) in Mati and the Ramada Plaza Attica Riviera (former Mare Nostrum) in Vravrona, will begin welcoming guests. Both resorts are located in Attica (wider Athens region).

Moreover, Zeus International is also said to be getting ready for another hospitality investment in the center of Athens. The investment involves the opening of tourist apartments in a building located on Agios Konstantinos Street in cooperation with owner Viohalco Group.

Greece is the 74th country added to Wyndham’s global portfolio.