Hotel Spa Montana in Karpenision

Montana when it opened in the '90s, became an instant hit, as it was one of the few winter resorts in Greece, providing unique services, at the time. Now, although dated and kind of worn, it retains its charm. We had the chance to visit it on a school excursion in autumn, with the hotel almost completely occupied by our group. Despite the challenging conditions, the hotel staff was, in all circumstances, attentive, polite and eager to assist and the hotel comfortable enough to host us, with spacious, welcoming and charmingly old-fashioned public areas. The indoor pool is worth a visit and the playground managed to keep the kids busy -at least for a while. The rooms, however, show their age, from the uncomfortable beds to the gloomy furniture and carpets. On the bright side, the bathrooms were in good shape, as they had been renovated in a conservative but elegant way. The breakfast was hearty, comprising all the standard options and a few local specialties. We had also the chance to have buffet lunch and dinner, which, despite the broad options, were rather average and easily forgotten. Overall, it was a smooth stay, considering the special conditions. But surely the hotel needs an extensive renovation to stand up to its reputation and become, once more, a point of reference in one of the most exciting and intriguing mountain areas in Greece.