AmanZoe (Greece)
Aug 21, 2015, 5:09 am
#226
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
I think the UK government is currently recommending people take cash to pay for hotels etc in Greece. While this is OK for the average taverna or hotel, Amanzoe's rates are so high that one will need an additional suitcase or even an additional charter plane just to carry all that paper money. 
Aug 21, 2015, 5:40 am
#227
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
I think the UK government is currently recommending people take cash to pay for hotels etc in Greece. While this is OK for the average taverna or hotel, Amanzoe's rates are so high that one will need an additional suitcase or even an additional charter plane just to carry all that paper money.
Aug 21, 2015, 7:07 am
#228
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: HH Dia, AClub Plat, Hyatt Dia, FB Gold, LH SEN, TK *G
Posts: 655
I think the UK government is currently recommending people take cash to pay for hotels etc in Greece. While this is OK for the average taverna or hotel, Amanzoe's rates are so high that one will need an additional suitcase or even an additional charter plane just to carry all that paper money.
I saw Russians being denied paying 95k of goods in cash at Hermes François 1er / George V in Paris.
Feb 18, 2016, 2:17 pm
#231
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
They do not have a service charge and leave it discretionary for when you check out. It's a nice touch and there is no pressure to leave anything, although I always have. I forgot about there being no service charge on our 3rd visit and paid the bill without adding anything and no one said anything or even hinted at it. I then went back to add something and they made it very clear I did not have to, but I wanted to as the service was so good.
Feb 18, 2016, 3:13 pm
#232
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
They do not have a service charge and leave it discretionary for when you check out. It's a nice touch and there is no pressure to leave anything, although I always have. I forgot about there being no service charge on our 3rd visit and paid the bill without adding anything and no one said anything or even hinted at it. I then went back to add something and they made it very clear I did not have to, but I wanted to as the service was so good.
Or maybe you have to decide on your own to leave an envelope like at other Amans????
Last edited by Ericka; Feb 18, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Feb 18, 2016, 4:53 pm
#234
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 173
I think that is a hard question. Generally, every time we visit Amanzoe, we tend to have dinner in Spetses almost every other night. I absolutely adore that place for an evening stroll and dinner.
For a daytime visit, however, I would probably choose Hydra. It is not that it offers that much more; they are both small islands with very few interesting sites/museums. There are some architectural sites of interest and they are both somewhat fascinating in the role they played in the formation of the modern Greek state (but would that make you want to visit a place?). So overall, in either case you visit just to see and take in the atmosphere of that place. In that sense Hydra wins - it is probably the prettier of the two and the museum is interesting from a laographic/historical perspective. It allows for nice walks, a museum visit or two and somewhat decent lunches.
Without meaning to take away from your original question, and if you are not doing this on your way down to Amanzoe from Athens, I would suggest you visit Mycenae, Eupidaurus and Nafplio. It is a far more interesting day trip than either Hydra or Spetses (and it includes some of the most fascinating archeological Greek sites).
Re tipping: I believe we used the envelope.
For a daytime visit, however, I would probably choose Hydra. It is not that it offers that much more; they are both small islands with very few interesting sites/museums. There are some architectural sites of interest and they are both somewhat fascinating in the role they played in the formation of the modern Greek state (but would that make you want to visit a place?). So overall, in either case you visit just to see and take in the atmosphere of that place. In that sense Hydra wins - it is probably the prettier of the two and the museum is interesting from a laographic/historical perspective. It allows for nice walks, a museum visit or two and somewhat decent lunches.
Without meaning to take away from your original question, and if you are not doing this on your way down to Amanzoe from Athens, I would suggest you visit Mycenae, Eupidaurus and Nafplio. It is a far more interesting day trip than either Hydra or Spetses (and it includes some of the most fascinating archeological Greek sites).
Re tipping: I believe we used the envelope.
Feb 18, 2016, 5:52 pm
#235
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
I think that is a hard question. Generally, every time we visit Amanzoe, we tend to have dinner in Spetses almost every other night. I absolutely adore that place for an evening stroll and dinner.
For a daytime visit, however, I would probably choose Hydra. It is not that it offers that much more; they are both small islands with very few interesting sites/museums. There are some architectural sites of interest and they are both somewhat fascinating in the role they played in the formation of the modern Greek state (but would that make you want to visit a place?). So overall, in either case you visit just to see and take in the atmosphere of that place. In that sense Hydra wins - it is probably the prettier of the two and the museum is interesting from a laographic/historical perspective. It allows for nice walks, a museum visit or two and somewhat decent lunches.
Without meaning to take away from your original question, and if you are not doing this on your way down to Amanzoe from Athens, I would suggest you visit Mycenae, Eupidaurus and Nafplio. It is a far more interesting day trip than either Hydra or Spetses (and it includes some of the most fascinating archeological Greek sites).
Re tipping: I believe we used the envelope.
For a daytime visit, however, I would probably choose Hydra. It is not that it offers that much more; they are both small islands with very few interesting sites/museums. There are some architectural sites of interest and they are both somewhat fascinating in the role they played in the formation of the modern Greek state (but would that make you want to visit a place?). So overall, in either case you visit just to see and take in the atmosphere of that place. In that sense Hydra wins - it is probably the prettier of the two and the museum is interesting from a laographic/historical perspective. It allows for nice walks, a museum visit or two and somewhat decent lunches.
Without meaning to take away from your original question, and if you are not doing this on your way down to Amanzoe from Athens, I would suggest you visit Mycenae, Eupidaurus and Nafplio. It is a far more interesting day trip than either Hydra or Spetses (and it includes some of the most fascinating archeological Greek sites).
Re tipping: I believe we used the envelope.
Feb 19, 2016, 12:30 am
#236
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
They leave a letter on your desk the day you check out mentioning no service charge is included and if you want to add anything, you can ask. So when paying the final bill, I just ask if they can add something to the invoice, so I can pay it all in one go.
Feb 19, 2016, 6:07 am
#237
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 5
Both are equally beautiful and worth visiting but I would recommend a boat trip to Hydra. Amanzoe organise a great half day trip on a very high end speed boat (I think its called the Wally and costs c1000 Euro). The boat picks you up at the beach, stops off in a few remote coves for swimming and then drops you in Hydra where there are a few charming spots for lunch. You can get to Spetses by short water taxi from the port which is only 10 minutes from Amanzoe. Visiting Hydra is not as easy so going there on a boat trip is a better option.
Feb 19, 2016, 7:24 am
#238
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
Thanks for that info MacMyDay. If we decide to add something, that sounds like an easy way to do it.
Regarding Spetses and Hydra, we will be visiting in early May so ocean swimming is not likely. I suppose a beach picnic is possible.
Musken mentioned the sea conditions were rough when she was there. Anyone have a similar experience with the private boat to Spetses or Hydra? I certainly don't want to make the 4 year old sick.
He's enjoyed lake boats before but did not do well in a helicopter.
Thank you for all your suggestions!
Regarding Spetses and Hydra, we will be visiting in early May so ocean swimming is not likely. I suppose a beach picnic is possible.
Musken mentioned the sea conditions were rough when she was there. Anyone have a similar experience with the private boat to Spetses or Hydra? I certainly don't want to make the 4 year old sick.
He's enjoyed lake boats before but did not do well in a helicopter.Thank you for all your suggestions!
Feb 22, 2016, 5:06 am
#240
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 173
Thanks for that info MacMyDay. If we decide to add something, that sounds like an easy way to do it.
Regarding Spetses and Hydra, we will be visiting in early May so ocean swimming is not likely. I suppose a beach picnic is possible.
Musken mentioned the sea conditions were rough when she was there. Anyone have a similar experience with the private boat to Spetses or Hydra? I certainly don't want to make the 4 year old sick. He's enjoyed lake boats before but did not do well in a helicopter.
Thank you for all your suggestions!
Regarding Spetses and Hydra, we will be visiting in early May so ocean swimming is not likely. I suppose a beach picnic is possible.
Musken mentioned the sea conditions were rough when she was there. Anyone have a similar experience with the private boat to Spetses or Hydra? I certainly don't want to make the 4 year old sick.
He's enjoyed lake boats before but did not do well in a helicopter.Thank you for all your suggestions!
I don't think that the waters are usually rough around the area (usually anyway).
We went to Hydra by taking a car and then a water taxi over to the island (all organised by Aman) which significantly cuts down the sea travel, so that may be an option for you (albeit not as luxurious as the speedboat).