A fixture in central Athens, Greece, the Grand Hyatt Athens is difficult to overlook.
Because the Hyatt model’s solely lodge within the Traditional Metropolis, this towering property off Andrea Syngrou Avenue (a significant freeway connecting town heart to the seashore) is full of lodging and facilities. Inside, you will discover 548 visitor rooms and suites, plus three eating ideas, three swimming pools (together with one within the property’s spa) and practically 22,000 sq. toes of occasion area, making it straightforward to get misplaced.
Whereas my sense of course (or lack thereof) did not enhance throughout my keep, it helped me see all this lodge has to supply. This is what it’s good to know earlier than you go to.
What’s the Grand Hyatt Athens?
One in every of two Athens properties bookable with World of Hyatt factors — the opposite, A77 Suites by Andronis, is linked to Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World — the Grand Hyatt Athens attracts all kinds of vacationers, from these on the town for work to vacationers of all ages. It’s particularly fashionable with cruisegoers, because it conveniently sits inside 20 minutes of the Port of Piraeus, an embarkation port for all main cruise ships and Aegean Island ferries.
A 15-minute drive from downtown Athens makes town streets to the north and the seashore to the south equally accessible, with free shuttles to the Acropolis and the Parthenon and a pedestrian walkway. Athens Riviera, town’s coastal suburban space, is just 20 minutes away as effectively, making it doable to get pleasure from each town’s historical websites and its lovely seashores in at some point.
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Methods to ebook the Grand Hyatt Athens
A Class 3 property, this Grand Hyatt is greatest booked through the Hyatt web site, as reservations can’t be made by means of any bank card portals.
Customary king rooms begin at $159 or 9,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening.
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Rooms are spacious however a bit unkept
At greater than 322 sq. toes, my commonplace room with one king-size mattress felt giant, particularly by European requirements. That mentioned, there are lodging that measure as a lot as 2,583 sq. toes, do you have to need much more area for stretching out.
The minute I walked in after struggling to open the heavy door, I used to be impressed with the spacious format. There have been two closets, a big lavatory and a workspace, plus a sleeping space with ample room round all sides of the mattress. My commonplace room ignored a car parking zone, however you’ll be able to ebook an Acropolis-facing room with two twin beds or one king-size mattress beginning at $206 per evening.
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Whereas my first impression was constructive, I quickly discovered myself feeling a little bit let down by the room. Although the inside and paintings felt upscale, issues didn’t work as anticipated.
The air con decreased by solely two levels all through my keep (maybe as a result of warmth wave Greece was experiencing on the time), and regardless of having eight shops and two USB ports, my telephone took practically an hour to cost 10%. Though I used to be capable of obtain calls through the in-room telephone, I discovered myself unable to make outgoing calls, leading to the necessity to go downstairs a number of occasions to choose up meals, contact the entrance desk and order room service.
The inconveniences continued within the lavatory. I beloved the marble design of the walk-in rain bathe, however after I first used it, the deal with got here off two occasions. Moreover, water poured outdoors the half-glass door, which gave the impression to be widespread given the water harm on the door.
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Nonetheless, I appreciated the Eau de Magnolia toiletries and the inclusion of eco-friendly merchandise, equivalent to rest room paper constructed from recycled supplies.
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There’s an infinity pool with a view however no shade
Since Greece was experiencing a warmth wave throughout my late July go to, I used to be desirous to benefit from the lodge’s swimming pools. With a view of the Acropolis, the rooftop infinity pool instantly drew me in.
At this pool, which welcomes friends every single day from 10:30 a.m. to six:30 p.m. between Could and October, you will discover a bar with varied cocktails and snacks beginning at $14, plus ample seating through lounge chairs, tables and cabanas. Know, although, that you will wish to arrive sooner quite than later to snag a seat, as they have been all claimed by 3 p.m. on the Saturday I visited.
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A lot to my disappointment, the cabanas offered minimal shade and lacked umbrellas, so for those who’re searching for some respite from the solar, chances are you’ll wish to select a unique place to linger. That mentioned, this pool is a terrific spot for sun-seekers. The scene is vigorous however kid-friendly, attracting each households and adults who wish to drink with out absolutely partying.
Further swimming pools will be discovered on the eighth ground and within the spa (extra on that beneath).
For extra privateness throughout your dip, pay a little bit extra for a room or suite with a pool. These upgraded lodging include personal plunge swimming pools on their balconies so you’ll be able to cool off with out different friends close by.
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The meals is sweet; the service just isn’t
Eating choices on the Grand Hyatt Athens are at present restricted to 1 restaurant, a foyer lounge, room service and a short lived breakfast room in an on-site ballroom that is open whereas the property renovates its eighth-floor restaurant.
Throughout my keep, I made a decision to take a look at The Grand by Interni, a Mediterranean-Asian fusion restaurant by the rooftop pool that is open each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Because the eatery doesn’t assist you to order meals to take to the pool, I dined in.
Arriving between lunch and dinner, my buddy and I have been two of the one folks within the venue, but we needed to flag down a waiter to clear a desk earlier than ready half-hour to order. No napkins or cutlery have been ever offered, leading to us grabbing some from a neighboring desk.
Choosing noon snacks of fries for $11 and a seasonal fruit platter for $15, we discovered our dishes to be tasty however not definitely worth the service points we encountered.
I had a significantly better expertise after I ordered room service. When inserting my order at 8:43 p.m., I verified the chosen dishes — Greek salad ($20), penne pasta ($23) and octopus with a potato puree ($25) — might be gluten- and dairy-free and was quoted 45 minutes for the supply time. At 9:01 p.m., the workers known as again to confirm my allergic reactions at the start confirmed up early at 9:16 p.m.
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I completely loved the meals, which is similar as that served within the ground-floor Aphrodite Foyer Lounge. I used to be significantly impressed with the addition of gluten-free carob rusk to my salad (to interchange conventional croutons).
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A number of wellness facilities can be found
Along with the property’s swimming pools, friends have entry to a gymnasium and a spa.
Open 24 hours a day, the health heart is supplied with Technogym stationary bicycles, treadmills and cross trainers, together with a collection of free weights. Contemporary towels have been out there after I visited for a exercise, although there weren’t any mats for actions like Pilates and stretching.
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After my exercise, I popped subsequent door to bathe on the lodge’s Aegeo Spa. Though I did not check out the spa providers, which vary from massages to facials to antiaging remedies, I used to be impressed with the spa services I noticed. The top quality of the bathe’s water and Eau de Magnolia merchandise made my hair look nice, even after a day within the solar carrying a hat and sunscreen, plus time spent out and in of the rooftop pool.
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Ought to you will have time for a therapy throughout your keep, remember to take a look at the spa’s moist space. On prime of providing a sauna and a steam room, you will discover an 82-foot heated indoor pool superb for swimming laps.
Causes the Grand Hyatt Athens won’t be for you
- It is crowded, which means you will spend quite a lot of time ready — in line for the elevators, in line to test in, on your room to be prepared, to be served on the eating venues, and so forth.
- Regardless of being handy, its location on the aspect of a freeway means there’s quite a lot of site visitors and noise to cope with as you stroll to different components of city.
- Eating choices are barely restricted resulting from a restaurant being closed and the lounge providing the identical menu as room service, so foodies could also be disillusioned by the dearth of selection.
- Rooms are exhibiting some put on and tear due to some poor design decisions and set up points.
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Accessibility
The design of the lodge works effectively for friends with disabilities. The flat entrance and foyer are wheelchair accessible, providing automated doorways and no stairs so it is simple to get round. A doorman can also be out there for many who want further help.
By the elevators, you will discover the decision buttons are low sufficient to simply attain from a wheelchair. The ready space can also be large, making it doable for a number of friends in wheelchairs to attend for an elevator to reach. Braille signage is accessible as effectively.
As for rooms, you will discover large hallways resulting in the lodging, a few of which have lowered beds, bogs and sinks to higher accommodate friends with disabilities. Consider, accessible rooms usually are not bookable on-line, so you will want to achieve out to the property after making your reservation to request an accessible room.
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Alternate options to the Grand Hyatt Athens
When you’re not loyal to Hyatt however want to use factors to ebook a keep in Athens, you are in luck, as there are a couple of different factors resorts close by.
IHG One Rewards members can redeem factors for a keep on the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, the place charges begin at $170 or 22,000 IHG One Rewards factors per evening. Just like the Grand Hyatt Athens, the property additionally options upgraded lodging that overlook the Acropolis, in addition to an out of doors pool and a 24-hour health heart.
For individuals who want to remain at Marriott properties, there are 5 choices from the model (plus a couple of Marriott-affiliated Design Accommodations).
Of the out there Marriott properties, the 2 Luxurious Assortment choices — Resort Grande Bretagne and King George — are essentially the most upscale, providing elegant decor (assume: conventional furnishings, marble bogs and crystal chandeliers) and breathtaking views of the Acropolis. Money charges begin at $283 and $292 per evening, respectively, whereas award nights can be found for 50,000 and 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening, respectively.
Must you want to spend much less in your lodging, take into account the Moxy Athens Metropolis, which you’ll ebook for as little as $80 or 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
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Testing
Despite the fact that the lodge was a bit extra crowded than I might’ve preferred (minus after I was trying out at 3:30 a.m.), the Grand Hyatt Athens was a stable possibility for a two-night keep. The rooms have been eye-catching (albeit worn in spots), and the meals was scrumptious (although a bit sluggish to be served at occasions).
If you would like a bigger factors property with quite a few facilities whereas visiting Athens, this can be a super possibility for you. However for those who’re like me and like one thing extra intimate (and on prime of its service), staying elsewhere would be the higher approach to go.
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