Reasons to Smile

How do you bring together a story about a hot destination, Skiathos, the Special Olympics, a woman called Vicky and a host of hollywood celebs…..

We all get a little too busy and stressed at times, all full of our own self importance and we can, sometimes, forget what life is really all about.  It was such a moment for us – busy with new hotels, partners and the general direction of our relatively teenage company, when Iain met with a remarkable woman doing something for a remarkable, and at times, very close to home, cause.

Her name is Vicky Santikos, an extremely polished Greek business woman and the owner of our Aegean Suites in Skiathos who amongst many things has dedicated her time and commitment to supporting the The Special Olympics – this is that very human factor that we all should embrace. Through the work of Vicky the tiny island of Skiathos, has officially become a “host-town”, joining forces with the committee of the Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011. Great Britain’s athletes – who will be competing in next years World Summer Games – will be honourably welcomed onto the Greek island.

The Special Olympics is moving and uplifting but most of all, it showcases an outstanding range of skill and talent by true athletes from all over the world. Challenging tired stereotypes and a genuine barrier smashing. We’re proud to be a part of it.

Actors, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, are backing Joanna Despotopoulou – President of the SO World Summer Games Athens 2011 and Vicky Santikos – president of “Host-Town” Skiathos Special Olympics Athens 2011 and owner of the Aegean Suites Hotel. Russell, Hawn and Vicky Santikos have been awarded at the SO 2010 ceremony for their continued support to the global movement.

Our partners, the Aegean Suites Hotel (and their sister properties), have generously offered free accommodation and meals for the athletes and are also hard at work organising charity events for the cause which White Line Hotels will be lending a helping hand to.

Skiathos has never been out of fashion and has been attracting the rich and famous to its notoriously beautiful beaches since the swinging sixties. The Aegean Suites, it’s sister hotels and the island itself have strong relations with celebrities and soon to be International atheletes. The Greek paradise is the backdrop for box office success Mamma Mia. Past guests at the hotels included Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Cristine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried and Stellan Skarsgard and retro-style Scandinavian icons ABBA.

White Line Hotels will be working alongside the Aegean Suites Hotel and Vicky Santikos to promote their work for the Special Olympics as our designated Corporate, Social Responsibility programme.  More details of our involvement will be announced in the coming months.

What are you doing ? Tell us.