The Arrival
Symi is the kind of island you discover as if it were a secret kept just for you. Tucked into the Dodecanese, about an hour by boat from Rhodes, it unfolds in cascading pastel tones. Standing before its picturesque facades, you might well admit that this is one of the most beautiful harbors you have ever seen.
The Hotel
A quietly majestic 19th-century neoclassical mansion on the edge of Symi’s harbor, 1900 Hotel was once the home of Captain Mastoridis, the man who brought the first autonomous diving suit to Greece. When the Greek architect Dimitris Zografos was drawn back to the island after years in New York, he bought the empty house on a whim, with no plan beyond restoring it.
With his partner and creative collaborator, Vicky, and a circle of passionate friends and specialists, he carefully peeled the building back to its essence, a soulful, emotional process. Now reimagined as four characterful suites with guest pantries and a stunning terrace, it radiates quiet beauty and respect for craft. Nothing shouts for attention, yet the senses awaken instantly: the feel of ethereal fabrics, the blooming flowers, the way the light pools gently in a corner.
The Rooms
Each of the four suites reflects the original rhythm and grace of the building: soaring ceilings, beautifully preserved frescoes and ever-changing harbor views. We loved the fireplaces set into old kitchen walls, the carved wooden wardrobes and the vaulted bathrooms, whose vintage tiles create unexpected geometry. Everywhere, there are soft colors, natural textures and thoughtful lighting.
We stayed in one of the ground-floor suites and loved its harbor views from every angle, even from bed.
The Terrace
If Symi feels theatrical, then the hotel’s terrace offers one of the best seats on the island. Set above the harbor, it invites you to sit for hours watching island life: fishing boats drifting in, bells echoing across the hills, neighbors exchanging greetings. It is perfect for slow mornings with coffee, or for sundowners and stargazing before bed.
Of course, during the day many ferries come and go, but that’s your cue to head to the beach. An honesty bar, beside what was once the house’s music corner, is a reminder that hospitality here is discreet and effortless.
Concierge Service
To stay at 1900 Hotel is to be both completely looked after and entirely left alone. There’s no traditional check-in; instead, Dimitris welcomes you himself. With more than 30 years of deep affection for Symi, he takes time to learn what you love and designs your stay from there. Where to swim, where to eat, what paths to explore. He’ll make reservations, draw maps, and hand you the keys to the island, unlocking places you might never have found on your own.
Walks
When we visited, he arranged a guided walk to a hidden part of the island, deep in the forest, led by a woman from the village. That kind of experience, intimate and real, is part of the magic here.
Facilities
There’s no room service. No footsteps in the hallway. Housekeeping happens quietly while you’re out. And though breakfast isn’t served, it hardly matters: An all-day treat bar offers fresh fruit, local cookies, coffee and homemade cakes, ready to enjoy at your own pace. If you prefer to go out, good cafés are a short stroll away at the port.
The Island
Symi remains one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, just a few miles off the Turkish coast. Its grand, elegant architecture is a legacy of the island’s prosperous past, when sponge diving and trade made it a cultural crossroads. The hypnotic Venetian-style colors of the myriad neoclassical houses make the island look like a stage set. Beyond the port, stone paths lead to the old upper village of Chorio – a maze of winding alleyways and faded mansions, where the air is scented with wild herbs and time seems to slow to a near stop.
Daily water taxis take you to beaches for every taste, all with crystal-clear water. For the more adventurous, there’s the option to rent a boat and explore the island’s secret coves at your own pace. You can also rent a car or scooter to reach more remote places like the Monastery of Panormitis or scenic viewpoints inland.
Ideal For
Aesthetes, romantics, design lovers and anyone who finds joy in quiet beauty. Groups of friends can rent all four suites and have the mansion to themselves. Less suited to young children; teenagers are fine.
Arrival
Fly to Rhodes (RHO) and take a ferry to Symi (about 1 hour). From the port, the hotel is an easy walk along the promenade, and your luggage can be brought over for you.
Combine With
We spent a night in the old town of Rhodes and discovered Marco Polo Mansion, a wonderful, family-run, colorful bolt-hole with lovely hosts. The kind of place you’d happily check into on your own, and a perfect stopover on the way to Symi.
Prices
Suites from about 240 euros per night in low season and about 380 euros in high season. Open from April to October.
Booking & Contact
1900 Hotel
Dimitris Zographos
Akti Navarhou Ioannou
85600 Symi, Dodecanese
Greece
