Grand Hyatt Athens Review
If you want to stay at a Hyatt property in Athens, you have limited options. Now that SLH is part of the World of Hyatt, there are a few additional choices, but the only true Hyatt in Athens is the Grand Hyatt. The property is quite popular; there are a limited number of large properties that could accommodate a large group. The hotel is expanding and building a huge addition next door.
I booked my room well in advance for 102€/night plus a 4€/night tax. There are no resort fees at the property. My stay coincided with a Hyatt promotion that earns me 15 points per dollar spent, plus 1.5 points as a Globalist and 4 points with the Hyatt Visa card for a total of 20.5 points per dollar.
Location
The location of the Grand Hyatt Athens is less than ideal. It is right on a busy highway about 2 km south of anywhere you would really want to explore in Athens. There are no Metro stops nearby, so realistically you will either be reliant on Uber/taxi or the bus. You could walk but it isn’t the most pleasant walk to any destination.
The good news is that an Uber/taxi (they are the same thing in Athens) to the Acropolis or Plaka is only about 4€ each way.
Across the highway are a number of strip clubs and I believe the area formerly was the red light district of Athens. With that said, I did not ever feel unsafe; it just isn’t the most scenic neighborhood. There are a few shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Check In
I arrived around 2:00pm and was told my room was ready. I used a tier suite upgrade and had a confirmed Grand Suite Acropolis View. I was upgraded to the same room type but with a terrace (though it was too hot during my stay to every use the terrace).
As a Globalist, breakfast buffet was included each morning. Since the Grand Club was closed, I was also told that I would receive 20€ each day to use on site.
The lobby is not large though there is a bar off to one side. The pools and restaurant are on other floors.
Room
I was assigned Room 610. As you enter the suite, the half bath is on the right with closet, coffee station and mini bar on the left. Then the living room with a table and two chairs, couch and wall mounted TV.
Note that the basic instant coffee is free but the pods are 3€ each.
Sliding French doors separate the living room and the bedroom.
The bed faces directly in to the living room with a wall mounted TV over a small desk.
A chair and small table sit in front of the window.
Just outside the main bathroom is a closet with drawers and a safe.
The suite has two balconies. The one off the living room has two chairs and a table while the balcony off the bedroom is empty. You can see the acropolis though with the busy highway below (and the summer heat), it isn’t particularly peaceful.
Bathroom
There are two bathrooms in the suite. The first is a half bath (toilet and sink) by the entry door.
The second bathroom is a 3/4 bath with a single vanity.
The shower has both a large rain shower and a hand held wand. There is no door or curtain and I found that even when being careful water tended to escape.
The toilet has a built in bidet with water controlled (both pressure and temperature) but a know like you would find on a sink.
There were many bath products provided with most branded as Jo Malone. I only received conditioner on my last day and it was a different brand, so not sure if they are transitioning products or just didn’t have conditioner. I found the products to be too fragrant.
Pools
There are two pools at the Grand Hyatt Athens, one in the courtyard at ground level and one on the roof. The lower pool is larger and has more seating, but with the constructing next door it is quite loud.
The much nicer roof top pool is smaller and has minimal seating but has great views and a cool glass wall feature.
I took the photos above at breakfast before the pool opened. Later in the day, people were competing for chairs and loungers (and shade).
There is also a gym and spa in the property.
Restaurant
The restaurant is located on the same floor as the pool but enclosed. The breakfast buffet seemed to be included for most guests though I was always able to find a table without a wait. The breakfast had many options but the quality was lacking. Powdered eggs and canned fruit.
I ate at the restaurant once for dinner (to use my 20€ credit). It was considerably overpriced for a comparable meal in Athens. I got a burger and bottle of water and the total was 27€ before the credit. The food was fine but it clearly only serves guests and is not a destination restaurant.
Service
Overall I found the service at the property to be inconsistent. A note at check in said that housekeeping was only provided upon request. I called the first day and asked for housekeeping every day of my stay, but ended up having to call down each time to get it done. On one day they didn’t bring new towels. Another day they didn’t bring a bathmat or a new bath towel. The concierge and front desk staff were not particularly friendly; I don’t think it was a cultural thing because other Greeks I spoke with during my time in Athens were very warm.
My status of Globalist was recognized and a plate of dried fruit, min bottle of ouzo, and a large bottle of water were delivered to my room on the first evening.
Overall
The Grand Hyatt Athens clearly does a good business as it is expending. The location is poor but if you were part of a bus/tour group, you would probably not mind it. The rooms are modern and recently refreshed though the service is a bit lacking. The roof top pool is by far the best thing going for the property. I found the price to be very fair by Hyatt standards, though if you are not a Hyatt loyalist, you would find better options closer to the attractions of Plaka and the Acropolis.
