"Hotel Luxury
Perhaps the greatest chapter of the trip was our stay at Hotel Luxury. If Ksamil was the poem, this hotel was the refrain we returned to.
From the moment we arrived, there was kindness. A porter carried our bags, and politely refused tips. The receptionist, a gracious woman, took time to talk us through every nearby beach, hotel amenities, restaurant options; when I offered a tip, she demurred, saying “it is too much.”
Our room was a two-bedroom unit, large and spotless; each bedroom had its own decent-sized bathroom. The view from our balcony was incredible, sea stretching out to the horizon, sunrises waking me through whispering waves.
Service was consistent and heartfelt. Staff asked about our moods, health, what we needed. Breakfast felt like visiting my grandmother after a long time away—fresh, handmade, plentiful.
In the afternoon, the little luxuries: pistachio ice cream that melted on the tongue, a cooling double espresso, or a café latte made with imported beans. Small graces that felt grand.
What touched me most was knowing that this hotel was run like a family. Brothers Eltim and Ronaldo, and their sister (whose name I sadly never asked), are clearly the soul of the place. Their staff stay for years; there’s loyalty, care. At the end of our stay, they surprised me with beautiful gifts—local wine, Ksamil souvenirs, handmade olive oil—wordsless thanks for my small generosity. I left not just content, but deeply grateful."
