Even in the quieter winter months, Greece has proven its hospitality excellence — topping guest satisfaction rankings across Southern Europe thanks to spotless hotels, warm service, and prime locations.
According to a new report by INSETE, the research arm of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), analyzing millions of online guest reviews from November 2024 to March 2025, Greece outperformed key competitors including Italy, Spain, Türkiye, France, and Cyprus in overall hotel experience.
With an impressive General Review Index (GRI) of 87 percent, Greece ranked first in every month of the study period. Cyprus and Italy followed closely at 86 percent, Türkiye at 84 percent, while France lagged behind at 81 percent, maintaining the lowest position throughout.
Türkiye stood out for its value-for-money rating, topping all destinations at 88 percent, despite ranking lower in overall guest satisfaction.
What set Greek hotels apart? Cleanliness (90.6 percent), service (89.1 percent), and location (89.1 percent) were the top-rated factors — essential elements that heavily influenced overall satisfaction. While value for money (85.4 percent), food & beverage (84.9 percent), and room experience (84.5 percent) also scored positively, only cleanliness held steady or improved compared to the previous winter season.
Guest praise and areas for improvement
Travelers praised Greek hotels for their friendly staff, quality breakfasts, and well-maintained, spotless facilities. Recurring issues, though fewer in number, included dated or under-maintained rooms, weak coffee, limited in-room amenities, noise, and minor technical glitches like malfunctioning elevators.
Regional and city satisfaction highlights
INSETE infographic: Epirus, Western Macedonia, and the Peloponnese ranked as the top regions in Greece for guest satisfaction during their stay, receiving high ratings for service, cleanliness, breakfast, and location, according to INSETE Intelligence.
All Greek regions scored above 80 percent GRI, with Epirus taking the top spot at 92 percent, followed by Western Macedonia (90 percent) and the Peloponnese (89 percent). Western Macedonia also posted a standout 97 percent cleanliness rating, setting a national benchmark.
Athens shone in food & beverage satisfaction, scoring 90 percent — higher than both Rome and Istanbul — while Thessaloniki tied with Istanbul for best service at 92 percent, reinforcing their shared reputation for exceptional urban hospitality.
Consistent quality across hotels and visitors
Satisfaction remained high regardless of star rating:
– 5-star hotels: 89 percent GRI
– 4-star: 88 percent
– 3-star: 86 percent
– 1–2-star: 86 percent, with strong value-for-money scores (87 percent)
By nationality, guests from France (88.7 percent), the U.S. (88.2 percent), and Serbia (87.8 percent) ranked among the most satisfied. A surprise top scorer was Estonia, posting a remarkable 95.8% GRI, based on a smaller but enthusiastic sample.
Future focus: Maintenance and amenities
The study affirms Greece’s competitive edge in year-round hospitality, not just in iconic summer hotspots but across its mainland and lesser-known regions. Continued attention to room maintenance, noise control, and amenities could further boost performance and preserve Greece’s leadership in the Mediterranean hotel market.
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