BOSTON – Simi is a beautiful small island located about an hour by boat from Rhodes. It offers tranquility, crystal-clear waters, wonderful beaches, fresh fish and seafood, including its unique small shrimp.

Simi may be small in size and population, with only three thousand permanent residents, but during the summer the population reaches up to thirty-five thousand – and it is rich in history, culture, Orthodox faith, and tradition.

The island also has a guardian and strong protector, the Archangel Michael, also known as Panormitis, whose monastery is located in the idyllic location of Panormitis, with its picturesque harbor.

In Yialos, the island’s capital where the ships dock, there is a unique gem, the Iapetos hotel, owned by Agapitos Antoniadis. The hotel is a landmark for locals, visitors from Greece, and international guests. The suites and rooms are surrounded by beautiful small trees, flowers, and plants, while its swimming pool is a refuge for both young and old on hot summer days, like those of the past summer.

The breakfast offerings are exceptional, featuring unique homemade jams prepared by the Antoniadis family, led by Kyriaki, Agapitos Antoniadis’ wife, who is also a teacher on the island and studied at the Academy of Mytilene.

The National Herald spent a few days in Simi last month and met with Agapitos Antoniadis, a hospitable, approachable, and friendly person who goes out of his way to please his guests. He is highly regarded and trusted by everyone on Simi and is considered one of the leading figures on the island. In an interview with The National Herald, he said, “Thank God, we are doing very well. This summer is just as good as last summer. Our guests are very satisfied, which is why they keep coming back again and again; they are regulars.”

Regarding whether there is more tourism this year, he said, “we’ve been almost fully booked since May. We have many British, Germans, and French guests, and in August, as usual, we have Greeks from all over Greece. We also have visitors from America, Australia – and this year, more Turks, as the visa process has opened up – Simi is an entry and exit point to Greece, so they come straight here. Those who come are of a higher economic status.”
Iapetos began construction in 2008 and continues to expand, with new additions regularly. There are thirty maisonettes (small apartments) that can accommodate up to six people. Antoniadis said, “it’s an investment that yields the expected profits.”

When asked about the secret to his success, he responded, “the secret is always to be present and available, and to personally take care of the guests with a smile. Personal contact with the guests is very important, and of course, cleanliness.”

Regarding the operation of Iapetos,” Antoniadis said, “we open at Easter and close on November 15, because on November 8 is the feast of Panormitis, and that week we are fully booked. We close for three months, take a little break, and go on vacation… for now, we don’t have the capacity to operate year-round.”

Antoniadis is in the process of expanding and creating additional units, however. “You have to look ahead,” adding, “we are now building a new unit with more advanced rooms, located nearby.”

Asked about how he started in the hotel business, he said, “I inherited a shop from my father that sold construction materials, which I expanded. I provided everything someone needed for repairs or to build a house, from wood and cement to gravel and sand. We still have the business today, though on a smaller scale because I’ve retired. My brother runs it now, and from that, we did everything we’ve done.”

Regarding the economy of Simi, he mentioned, “it’s very good because Simi is somewhat expensive, so the level of tourism is financially elevated, and almost everyone here depends on tourism.”

When asked about some of the most serious issues facing the island, he said, “we don’t have the infrastructure to accommodate more people because we lack sufficient water supply and a proper sewage system, which are crucial. I believe these issues will be resolved soon.”

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, Antoniadis said, “we, as residents of Simi, have no problem. They come here, and we go there. In the winter, we go almost every week with our own boat. We don’t feel insecure, but the political games of the heads of state are a different matter.”

Concerning the political landscape of Greece as it stands today, he believes “the current prime minister is doing better than other governments.”
When we asked how he views Greek-Americans and what they mean to him, Antoniadis replied, “when we see you, we are deeply moved because the

Omogenia works harder for us.”

Address of Iapetos: Yialos, Simi. Phone number (+30) 22460 72777. Email [email protected]