Thanos Capsis was born and raised in Egypt and was a man with a long family history in the hotel industry. Although he studied Law, he was always passionate about constructions. On the other hand, his wife, Marika Capsis came from a Cretan family who had a long experience in the cinema industry. At that time, Marika’s family was managing a number of cinema theaters at Ameriki Street, such as Orpheus, Maxim, Alexandra, Dyonisia and Amiral.

The couple had decided to rent their cinema theaters and in 1960 they merged with the eminent clothier industry representative Mr. Dimitriades in order to build their first hotel “Omonia”. Hotel “Omonia” was the Greek pioneer in having a separate bathroom per each room. The hotel’s venue nowadays operates as Hondos Center in Omonia. The couple further cooperated with Mr. Dimitriades and additionally built hotel Akademos.

In years to come the Capsis family cooperated with many eminent Greek families such as the Vardas, Theodosi and Theodorakopoulou family, and built strong partnerships in establishing several hotels like Caravel, Okeanis, Capsis Rhodes, Aghia Pelagia’s Hotel and Capsis Astoria in Crete, out of which the last three mentioned are to this day operated by the couple’s two daughters, Dia and Lena.

Shortly after Marika Capsis’ death in 1986 and after dividing hotel units amongst the two sisters, Lena Capsis became a leading player in managing two of the Capsis hotels, Capsis Astoria in Heraklion-Crete and Capsis Hotel in Thessaloniki. Every beginning brings difficulties, however her passion, solid upbringing and broad capabilities helped her overcome all barriers and soon turned a great challenge into success.

The spirit of ancestors and long tradition that moved on to the following generations have kept all the members of the hotelier family Capsis and its lead Lena Capsis actively involved in keeping the colossal efforts and continued the vision of their ancestors.

Lena Capsis was born in Athens in 1953 and had received a degree in French philology in Switzerland. While her children were still fairly young, upon her return to Greece she started getting actively involved with the family business.

Since then the story plot starts unveiling at fast pace. In 1996 she buys off the remaining 50% of Capsis Hotel in Thessaloniki from Vardas family, while in 2000 Ms. Capsis proceeds with her plans in restoring a historical building in Thessaloniki in order to establish the first boutique hotel in the city, Capsis Bristol.

She continues realizing her business goals. The same year she expands her premises and acquires the historical hotel Delphi in the center of Athens and Megaro Phytaki at Heraklion, Crete, whose management becomes transferred to other companies.

Simultaneously, she gradually prepares her three daughters to continue the family tradition, resulting in great success. At present, her eldest daughter, Marianna Patronikola runs Capsis Astoria in Heraklion, Irene Manousou manages Capsis Bristol in Thessaloniki, while the youngest daughter, Ioanna Manousou, operates the Central office of Capsis Hotel Chain in Athens.

Nowadays, all hotels of the Capsis Chain have undergone a complete renovation of the premises and conference facilities. Lena Capsis, as seen by her older and new colleagues, is dynamic, hardworking, cooperative and most of all, people-oriented. This “human” aspect, in particular, is what she tries to convey to all three hotels of the chain.  A great business effort that has lasted for a century, and successfully moved down to the third generation of Capsis women, who have, so far, proven to be competent in achieving the highest standards in hospitality.