Ep 2. Greece Lightning

In the second episode of season 3 of Hotel Impossible, entitled "Greece Lightning," host and hospitality expert Anthony Melchiorri heads to a hotel in the Greek island of Poros. The hotel, called Dimitra Hotel, is run by a family that inherited the property from their parents but has struggled to maintain its quality and attract guests.

Upon his arrival, Melchiorri is disappointed to find a hotel that is in disarray. The exterior is in need of repairs, and the inside is outdated and dirty. The pool is green, and parts of the hotel smell like sewage. The family members who run the hotel are clearly overwhelmed, and the lack of leadership is evident.

Melchiorri first meets with the hotel's owner, Evangelia, who is struggling to keep the business afloat and support her family. She tells him that her husband, who was the previous manager of the hotel, has passed away, leaving her to run everything on her own. Despite her efforts, the hotel has become known for its poor quality, and reviews online reflect the guests' dissatisfaction.

Melchiorri takes a tour of the hotel and notes that many of the challenges are fixable, such as replacing old furniture and updating the bathrooms. However, he also recognizes that the hotel's location is a challenge, as it is not in a central area of the island and does not offer guests transportation options.

Melchiorri starts to work with the staff on the changes that need to be made. He encourages them to work together and delegate responsibilities to create a more efficient operation. He also coaches them on how to interact with guests in a more friendly and professional manner.

One of the significant problems Melchiorri faces is the hotel's reputation. He realizes that word-of-mouth is incredibly important to the success of the business, and he needs to turn the tide of negative reviews. He works with the staff to address issues that guests have previously complained about, such as bedbugs and dirty rooms. He also suggests offering shuttle services to popular areas of the island to create more connections with guests.

Throughout the episode, Melchiorri repeatedly emphasizes the importance of hospitality. He trains the staff on how to create a warm and welcoming environment for guests and instructs them on how to anticipate guests' needs during their stay. He even leads by example and takes on tasks such as scrubbing the pool himself to show that every detail is important.

In the final scenes of the episode, Melchiorri reveals the hotel's beautiful transformation. The landscaping is updated, the rooms are cleaned and furnished with new beds and linens, and the employees are more confident and professional. The guests who are showcased are thrilled with the changes and are already planning to return to the hotel.

Throughout his time at the Dimitra Hotel, Anthony Melchiorri shows a deep understanding of what it takes to create a successful hospitality business. He emphasizes the importance of personal connections with guests and addresses the challenges that the hotel faced head-on. Ultimately, he provides the tools and guidance that the family running the business needs to make the Dimitra Hotel a thriving and profitable operation.