While reviewing my photos from 2024 today, I came across several images from hotel reviews I had planned to write but never got around to. One that stands out is my stay at the Grand Hyatt Athens last summer.
This definitely needed to be addressed, especially since it was such a pleasant stay! So, here are the photos I took along with my thoughts on the hotel and the experience. I hope you find it helpful!
The Grand Hyatt Athens opened in August 2018. The property was developed in two phases: the first involved the conversion of the existing Athens Ledra hotel, which included 277 guestrooms and opened in 2018. The second phase, completed in 2022, expanded the property into the adjacent building (an old cinema complex), adding 309 guestrooms, three restaurants, and a spa to the original building.
The architectural and interior design was handled by the London-based studio MKV Design. Highlights include a scenic rooftop pool and restaurant, deluxe rooms (some with private plunge pools), and 56 suites, including a Presidential suite.
THE deluxe room “acropolis view”
I’m not a high-tier member with World of Hyatt (I know!), so the room I book is the room I get. For this stay, I opted for a Deluxe room with Acropolis views and Grand Club access. At 38 sq.m., the room felt spacious enough. It featured a King bed, a seating area with a small sofa and coffee table, and a work desk positioned in front of the bed. The bed was very comfortable, and the desk was adequately sized. However, there was no proper office chair—just a pouf without back support, which isn’t ideal if you need to type for long periods. This seemed odd, given the hotel’s aim to cater to both leisure and business travelers.
The biggest surprise I encountered in the room was the so-called ‘Acropolis views.’ From my window, the only thing I could clearly see were three brothels directly across from the hotel. When I called reception to inquire (I thought I had been assigned the wrong room), I was told that to actually see the Acropolis, I would need to stand in the far-left corner of the balcony and look to the right. Calling this an ‘Acropolis view’ feels like a stretch—unless, of course, you consider the Kinky Opera an ancient monument! They might want to clarify this on their website, as labeling it an ‘Acropolis view room’ is very misleading.
The minibar was also a bit underwhelming, offering just some water, soft drinks, a Toblerone bar, and mid-range liquor options. It felt somewhat lacking.
The bathroom featured a spacious, well-lit vanity, a toilet, and a walk-in shower. The toiletries, by Edition de Parfums Frédéric Malle, were a nice touch and of excellent quality.
The Grand Club is located on the hotel’s first floor. While not very large, it was never too busy during any of my visits. The space included a large communal table near the entrance, a TV/lounge area, a dining section, and a boardroom. The food offerings were simple but decent, featuring fresh vegetables and fruit, along with Greek-inspired snacks. However, nothing stood out as particularly remarkable. The alcoholic beverages were similar to what you’d find in the minibar—mid-tier options, plus some local wines (a much better selection than that Beefeater gin, in my opinion!). What surprised me most about the Club was the lack of power/USB outlets, especially given that the space was recently renovated. With the focus on convenience for business and leisure travelers, I expected better connectivity around the seating areas, but there were none to be found.
The rooftop pool and bar area is arguably the highlight of the hotel. The infinity pool offers views of the Acropolis and is surrounded by sun loungers and Balinese beds, with plenty of shaded spots—a welcome feature given Greece’s hot summer days. The space had a chic, adult atmosphere (there’s a family pool on the ground floor), with pleasant background music and a solid selection of cocktails and other beverages. However, the area was understaffed, which felt odd considering it was peak season. Despite the consistent crowds, the service was slower than expected. That said, the stunning views somewhat made up for the wait.
The wellness center, located on the ground floor, includes four private treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool, relaxation lounges, a sauna, and a Turkish Hammam.
There’s a small business center with two computers and a printer, located just across from the Grand Club on the first floor. I never saw anyone use it during my entire stay.
The fitness center, located next to the spa on the ground floor, is spacious and well-equipped, with cardio machines, free weights, training benches, and a water fountain.
Breakfast at the rooftop restaurant was a standout. There was a wide variety of options, from a full English breakfast to Greek-Mediterranean dishes, fresh bread and pastries, fruit, cold cuts, cheeses, jams, honey straight from the comb (!!), fresh juices, Prosecco, and eggs cooked to order. The staff were also excellent—friendly, attentive, and remembered my beverage and egg preferences by the second day. Along with the pool, this was definitely one of the highlights of the property, and I’d return just for that.
Breakfast at the lounge, however, was a bit of a letdown. While lounge breakfasts are typically more limited, the quality of the rooftop breakfast made the lounge options feel somewhat lacking. That said, I only stopped by for photos on the first day and never actually had breakfast there.
We had an early departure (before 6 am) on our last day, and after informing the front desk, they prepared a small picnic breakfast basket for us to take. It was ready for pickup when we checked out, as neither the restaurant nor the lounge were open at that time. The basket was basic—just a ham and cheese sandwich, fruit, water, orange juice, and snacks—but it was a thoughtful gesture, and we really appreciated it.
The Grand Hyatt Athens has several positive aspects, including its rooftop pool and restaurant with good views and a pleasant atmosphere. The room was spacious, but the lack of a proper office chair and the misleading ‘Acropolis view’ were drawbacks. The wellness center and fitness facilities are well-equipped, though the business center and lounge breakfast were underwhelming. Service was generally super attentive, particularly during breakfast. I wouldn’t mind going back to this property in the future!
