Greece’s Hotel Leto Hydra: A 60-year legacy of hospitality, music, and excellence

Hotel Leto Hydra holds a very special place in the heart of the Greek island of Hydra — and in the Sofianos family’s story. It was the first hotel on the island, founded in 1965 by Alexandros Sofianos’ father, Kostis. At the time, it was classified as a Category C property by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, yet his dream was always bigger than any rating.

In 2025, the hotel celebrated 60 years of continuous operation — a milestone that fills the family with pride and gratitude. Through careful investments and thoughtful renovations over the decades, Hotel Leto Hydra has grown and evolved, and today holds an official 5-star rating. 

While Kostis Sofianos unfortunately passed away in 2009 and never lived to see the hotel achieve its final stars, his spirit and vision continue to guide every decision the family makes. To honor his memory and his love for Hydra, every August, the hotel organizes an international philanthropic classical music concert — with the proceeds donated to the local hospital.

Beyond its rich and storied history, Hotel Leto Hydra also stands out for its unwavering commitment to luxury, personalized service, and attention to the smallest details — ensuring every guest feels valued and cared for. 

Before Cloudbeds, Hotel Leto Hydra was dealing with a patchwork of four separate systems, each demanding its own slice of time and attention.

When problems arose, the vendors would blame each other, leaving owner, Alexandros Sofianos, without a clear solution or anyone taking responsibility. Support from his previous local providers was unreliable and restricted to business hours. If an issue occurred after 5 PM on a Friday, he would have to wait until Monday morning for help.

Alexandros was initially concerned that his small hotel would not receive adequate attention or support compared to the personal, albeit flawed, relationship he had with local providers.

But this concern didn’t last long. 

“A vital partner in our ongoing growth is Cloudbeds. This complete hotel management system — covering PMS, channel management, booking engine, and rate/yield management — has transformed how we operate,” he continues, “Its intuitive interface, extensive video tutorials, and 24/7 customer support make it incredibly easy to train new staff and ensure they feel confident from day one.”

Hotel Leto Hydra currently employs 11 dedicated staff members and aims to retain the team long-term so they can fully embrace Hotel Leto Hydra’s philosophy of attentive, personalized service. When new staff members join, they are selected for their dedication to punctual, friendly, and efficient service. “With Cloudbeds, hotels like ours can overcome one of the hardest challenges: training new reception staff quickly and effectively.”

Cloudbeds’ reporting capabilities have also proven invaluable, giving Alexandros the clarity and insights that fuel smarter decisions and drive growth.  As he puts it, “From occupancy and ADR reports to weekly or monthly reservation tracking, we can monitor every aspect of our operation and make informed decisions that drive growth.”

He continues, “Tools like pricing rules save us time and optimize revenue, ensuring we can maintain the high standards our guests expect.”

Today, Hotel Leto Hydra isn’t just thriving; it’s expanding. With plans for a new resort and private villas, their ambition is growing, fueled by a family’s dedication and powered by technology that can keep pace. 

“As CEO, my mission is to empower our staff with the tools and support they need to deliver exceptional experiences. Cloudbeds enables us to do this year after year, helping us improve and expand while honoring the legacy my father began over six decades ago.”

Asked whether he would recommend Cloudbeds, Alexandros responds “For anyone serious about hospitality, I would wholeheartedly recommend Cloudbeds. It’s more than a system — it’s a partner that ensures your hotel runs efficiently, your staff feels supported, and your guests receive the best possible experience.”

He continues, “Thank you Cloudbeds!”