Page 13 of Accidental Getaway
He wanders around the room for a moment until he stops in front of a canvas painting. It displays a rocky cliff side, somewhere here in Greece, I assume. But the entire thing is done in shades of blue, with the contrasting white canvas acting as negative space. It’s simple and beautiful.
“I would say it has to be this one. The artist is incredible. She’s in her nineties and she didn’t start painting until she was, like, seventy-five. She says she found her fifth calling in life. How cool is that? To reinvent yourself over and over again?”
I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out where I fit for the first time. I can’t imagine doing it more than once.
“It’s really lovely,” I say.
When we are done in the gallery, we exit through the lobby and wind up in a long outdoor corridor. To the right are the spa, gym, and pool. And to the left sits a rack of bikes, which Niko tells me are available for guests to get around the island.
“All you have to do is scan your key card on the locking mechanism on the rack. The bikes have been really popular since we incorporated them at the beginning of the summer.”
Wow. Maybe this hotel isn’t the out-of-touch luxury place I thought it was during my research. Niko is changing a lot.
“I love that. It’s so down-to-earth,” I tell Niko. “I bet guests feel like they can really experience a part of Greece here.”
Maybe Niko isn’t the out-of-touch upper-class elite I thought he was, either.
“Exactly! You get it. When we bought the property, it had previously been a very high-end luxury hotel, but that type of place is all over. I want the Omorfiá to be different. I want it to stand out and appeal to a different type of traveler who isn’t looking for that pomp and circumstance.”
I nod. It makes total sense, and I can see how passionate he is about the idea. “It’s brilliant.”
“I’m not sure the financial backers think so,” he says.
“They are worried it will flop and would rather just continue with the status quo. I’m slowly making changes and hoping they get on board eventually.
That’s why we’ll stick with pretty traditional methods for our marketing pitch.
I don’t need to ruffle their feathers any more than I already have. ”
Really? That’s so frustrating. Ideas on ways we could market these features have been popping up like popcorn since we started the tour. The bikes alone would make such a great video for socials.
“Sure, that makes sense,” I tell Niko, not letting him see my disappointment. “Where are we headed next?”
“You’ll see.”
I laugh. He loves the mystery, doesn’t he?
We reach the top of the stairs, and Niko opens the door onto the roof. We walk around the stair entry, and I see that the roof is covered in raised garden beds. I see tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers—so many cucumbers—basil, spinach, and more.
“You grow your own food too?” I am seriously impressed. The roof is like a tiny oasis. The garden beds are remarkably well kept and abundant. Niko smiles at my excitement.
“We use most of it in the restaurant, but we also donate anything that we can’t use.”
He looks so proud, like he is genuinely invested in all of this.
“Have you done a photoshoot up here?”
“We haven’t,” he responds, cocking his head. “What for?”
What for? He can’t be serious. There’s no way he’s doing this out of the goodness of his heart. Businessmen don’t think that way.
“Marketing, of course! People love this kind of stuff.”
“Oh, maybe. That’s not really why we do it, but I guess we could. Don’t suggest that at the board meeting though. It won’t go over well.”
There are so many amazing things on the property, and Niko wants to hide all of them in our marketing pitch? We would be left to discuss thread count and spa packages, like every other cookie cutter resort. I’m confused.
As we make our way back to the conference room, Niko asks, “What fun things have you planned for your stay?”
Fun things? Like what, sitting by the pool?
“Oh, you know, I’ll probably do some shopping. I plan to visit the pool. I’m here at your beck and call to work on whatever you need most, though. My top goal is to help you promote this hotel.”
He clutches his heart like he’s just received the shock of a lifetime. “What? That’s it? That simply will not do. I am going to have to change that. We’ll have fun.”
I laugh. “No, it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll find things to do.”
Honestly, the thought of doing activities with this man for fun is terrifying. Intriguing but terrifying.
He clasps his hands together. “You have to let me take you around the island. Please. Playing tour guide is my favorite thing to do.”
I roll my eyes. I guess I don’t really have a choice, though it will give me more time to figure out how he ticks and what we can do to make our presentation amaze the board. Especially if he won’t let me talk about all the things that make the hotel unique.
“Okay, if you insist. I’m all yours.”
Goodbye, quiet afternoons at the pool. Hello, Niko. A wave of excitement fills my body.
“Fantastic! This is going to be so much fun. Let’s go parasailing on Sunday. It’s going to be great weather. You’ll love it.”
Oh, no. Para-what? That does not sound good.
Jenni: Have you ever been parasailing? Is it what I think it is? I’m too afraid to look it up.
Piper: Hahahaha! No, I bet you’re thinking of paragliding. Parasailing is more like waterskiing, but in the air. Why?
Jenni: I’m going the day after tomorrow, apparently. With Niko.
Jenni: PS The girlfriend is actually his cousin. Not that it’s important, but just thought you should know.
Piper: Yessssss. Get it, girl. That’s going to be so much fun!