The final cease on our 5 nation European journey was Greece. We have been there for a few nights for a marriage. I gained’t be reviewing that resort, as a result of attempting to overview a resort when there’s a marriage block is each awkward and possibly unfair.
As a substitute I’ll simply overview the Grand Hyatt Athens, the place we spent our final evening in Greece. I used to be curious to examine this resort out myself. The 315-room resort opened in 2018, and primarily based on some evaluations on the market, you’d assume this resort is a much less luxurious model of Guantanamo Bay.
I had a barely totally different take primarily based on my keep. Are the issues individuals say in regards to the resort true? Sure, largely. On the similar time, the resort is fairly priced, and I are likely to suppose it provides good worth for cash.
Reserving the Grand Hyatt Athens
We paid money for our one evening keep on the Grand Hyatt Athens. We have been staying in late July, and the resort price 125 EUR together with all taxes and charges. That’s suspiciously low-cost, when you think about that that is peak season in Greece, and this resort throws in an enormous quantity of stuff for World of Hyatt Globalist members. As some extent of comparability, the Marriott Luxurious Assortment properties within the metropolis (which, in equity, are literally luxurious and effectively regarded) have been retailing for over 600 EUR per evening.
Should you’re trying to redeem factors, the Grand Hyatt Athens is a Class 3 World of Hyatt property, that means a free evening redemption right here prices 12,000 World of Hyatt factors. I worth World of Hyatt factors at 1.5 cents every, so to me paying money was the higher worth.
Grand Hyatt Athens location
The Grand Hyatt Athens is situated on Andrea Syngrou Avenue, which is a significant six land highway in Athens. There are every kind of inns, workplaces, and different companies on this road, although this actually isn’t an space that’s notably enjoyable to stroll round.
On the plus facet, the Grand Hyatt is a 10-15 minute drive from most factors within the metropolis you’d need to go to, and a roughly 30 minute drive to the airport. Don’t keep right here anticipating that you just’ll be capable to stroll to the components of town you’ll probably need to go to. Should you’re trying to take the subway, the closest cease is about 1.2 kilometers away.
Grand Hyatt Athens check-in & foyer
We arrived on the Grand Hyatt Athens within the afternoon, and the resort was packed. This resort appears to run very excessive occupancy within the peak of summer season, as you’d count on, particularly given the charges right here. As is normal for Grand Hyatts, the foyer felt fairly “grand,” and had excessive ceilings and many seating.
We solely needed to wait a couple of minutes to be checked in. The worker checking us in was pleasant, and rapidly familiarized us with the options of the resort. This resort can be nice about elite recognition, and on account of my World of Hyatt Globalist standing we acquired:
- A proactive improve to a junior suite with a terrace
- Complimentary breakfast on the resort’s rooftop restaurant
- A 20 EUR per individual credit score (so 40 EUR per day) to make use of in the direction of meals & drinks, for the reason that resort’s Grand Membership is closed
This actually is beneficiant, because the resort doesn’t have to supply a alternative when the Grand Membership is closed, particularly when breakfast is being provided.
The entrance desk brokers on the Grand Hyatt are extraordinarily overworked. There have been two entrance desk brokers throughout peak check-in and check-out occasions serving a 300+ room resort, and on high of that they have been additionally answering the telephones when calls got here in from visitor rooms. They did a tremendous job sustaining their calm on this very irritating atmosphere.
Off the foyer was a foyer bar, although we by no means visited it, and for that matter I’m undecided it was even open. I consider the Grand Membership is on the bottom flooring behind this space, however once more, it wasn’t open throughout our keep.
Grand Hyatt Athens junior suite with terrace
With keys for room quantity 856 in hand, we headed as much as the eighth flooring, which is the resort’s high flooring.
The structure right here is kind of awkward. Once you exit the elevator you’re on the rooftop restaurant and have a direct view of the pool, so that you virtually suppose you’re within the flawed place. We adopted the signage in the direction of visitor rooms, which took us down a slim corridor.
As we walked down the corridor we had a fairly direct view of the close by development. There’s an enormous undertaking proper subsequent to the resort, so I’m undecided if that’s a part of a resort growth, or it’s a completely separate growth.
I used to be confused, as a result of once we bought to the tip of the corridor, there was what seemed like a fireplace exit. We assumed we had gone the flawed means, so we circled and requested one of many bartenders the place rooms have been. He despatched us again down that corridor, and informed us the rooms have been behind these two doorways. That’s unusual.
Certain sufficient, behind these doorways was the hallway with visitor rooms. The hallway was lovely, trendy, and felt fairly luxurious.
We rapidly discovered our room.
The visitor rooms listed here are surprisingly good — not solely are they new and trendy, however the really feel fairly high-end. Our junior suite featured an entryway with a closet to the left and the toilet to the correct, with the remainder of the room straight forward.
Contained in the room and to the left was a king dimension mattress, which was fairly snug, although the pillows have been a bit flat for my liking. However critically, doesn’t this room look nicer than you’d suppose? Have a look at the wall remedies, lighting, headboard, facet tables, and many others.
Throughout from the mattress was a desk and a wall-mounted TV.
The desk housed the minibar. It’s quite stingy that the resort fees for espresso capsules, and quite it’s simply prompt espresso and tea that’s complimentary.
Then within the far nook of the room was a loveseat and a chair with a desk.
Close to the sitting space was the door to the terrace. The terrace was giant, and had a desk with two chairs.
The views of the fast space weren’t notably inspiring, however the views within the distance have been good.
Whereas the toilet was on the small facet, it was additionally thoughtfully appointed, and had a sink, rest room, and walk-in bathe.
The bathe had each a rainforest bathe head and a handheld one.
Toiletries have been from Jo Malone, and had a nice scent. I are likely to suppose this is among the higher toiletry manufacturers for mid-range inns.
Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free. General I’d say the room enormously exceeded my expectations when it comes to design. There was just one main challenge — the air con didn’t work very effectively. We introduced this to the eye of the resort they usually despatched up upkeep. They performed round a bit with the system and claimed it will be higher. It bought ever-so-slightly higher, however nonetheless didn’t work very effectively.
We didn’t need to change rooms, primarily as a result of I assumed we’d have the identical challenge in one other room as effectively. I’m undecided something was damaged, quite than the air con right here simply not being superb within the peak of summer season. I’m curious if others have had an analogous expertise.
Grand Hyatt Athens Grand by Interni (lunch)
The Grand Hyatt Athens’ all-day eating restaurant is Grand by Interni. It’s situated on the rooftop (the identical flooring as our room), and it’s proper throughout from the pool. The primary a part of the restaurant is sort of cool.
Since we had a 40 EUR credit score to spend and have been hungry, we determined to have lunch up there. The costs have been pretty cheap, and the menu and drink checklist learn as follows:
We each ordered Greek salads, which we loved.
Grand Hyatt Athens room service
Late within the night throughout our keep we have been nonetheless a bit hungry, so we ordered scrumptious and wholesome lentil salads, which have been introduced promptly and on a correct room service cart.
Grand Hyatt Athens breakfast
Breakfast on the Grand Hyatt Athens is served each day from 7AM till 11AM. It’s additionally served on the rooftop restaurant, although with 300+ rooms, there’s not sufficient seating in the principle a part of the restaurant to accommodate everybody. Because of this, they principally have overspill seating. The entire setup seems like an afterthought, and the chairs and tables are what you would possibly count on in a resort convention room.
The buffet itself was fairly first rate. It was removed from the perfect breakfast unfold I’ve had in Greece, but it surely was completely positive, with a choice of pastries, fruit, yogurt, cereal, chilly cuts, juice, eggs, sausage, and extra.
We did go to breakfast proper when it opened, which meant that it was pretty quiet, and we might sit in the principle a part of the restaurant. Nevertheless, I’ve heard from others that it may be a complete zoo later within the morning, however I can’t personally communicate to that.
Grand Hyatt Athens swimming pools
The Grand Hyatt Athens has two swimming pools. There’s a rooftop pool, which is a fairly cute house with unimaginable views, together with of the Acropolis.
The catch is that there are numerous a couple of dozen seats at most, whereas this can be a in style amenity with company. So whereas I bought footage with the pool empty proper at dawn, throughout the day it was as crowded as a Spirit Airways aircraft the day earlier than Thanksgiving.
There was additionally a pool on the bottom flooring, which didn’t get as busy.
Admittedly the views weren’t fairly nearly as good as from the rooftop.
Grand Hyatt Athens fitness center
The Grand Hyatt Athens has a stable fitness center on the basement degree, with trendy tools. The fitness center is an efficient dimension, however can get busy when you think about that the resort has so many rooms.
Grand Hyatt Athens service
I discovered everybody on the Grand Hyatt Athens to be well mannered, effectively intentioned, and means overworked. The resort merely isn’t staffed for the variety of company that keep right here, so don’t count on to get notably attentive service at this property.
Backside line
On the Grand Hyatt Athens you get what you pay for, and for those who’re a Globalist member, you get much more. Primarily based on a few of the evaluations I had learn, the resort exceeded my (admittedly low) expectations.
The Grand Hyatt is a contemporary and fairly priced resort with nice elite recognition, effectively intentioned workers, and fairly first rate amenities. I’d keep right here once more if I have been simply passing by Athens and wished to briefly see the sights.
Personally I wouldn’t keep right here if I have been trying to chill out by the pool or wished a resort that’s in a terrific space for strolling. Additionally needless to say there’s an enormous development undertaking subsequent to the resort, although throughout my keep it was solely an eyesore, and noise wasn’t a difficulty.
On the value I paid within the peak of summer season, I believe the resort provides a stable worth. If the resort didn’t have these points, it will most likely be considerably costlier.
Should you’ve stayed on the Grand Hyatt Athens, what was your expertise like? And for those who haven’t stayed there, would you take into account the property?