Why Grand Hyatt Athens is not another five-star city hotel
It is quite common that upon arrival at a big, glamorous city hotel the first impression of luxury is later on marred by dullness. It has happened to me once too often but this was not the case with Grand Hyatt Athens. The first Grand Hyatt in Greece opened in Athens a few months ago in a building that had for many years housed the Marriot.
Set in Sygrou Ave., which is the road that connects the city centre with the southern beaches but also a spot for the business crowd, Grand Hyatt Athens is ready to welcome the modern traveller, visiting Athens for business or pleasure. The hotel reflects in a modern way the Athenian culture and it will pleasantly surprise the visitor.
Staying at Grand Hyatt Athens
Personally, I stayed in one of the suites and discovered in my two day stay all its merits. My suite was a revelation compared to the elegant yet typical city hotel decoration. The art deco reminiscent armchairs, the presence of modern art paintings, the custom design pieces of furniture with retro 40s details, all are made to be photographed.
This strong interior identity is signed by top interior designer Maria Vafeiadou of MKV Design who combined a sense of grandeur and formality that fits the brand with hints at the Athenian inheritance.
Art in Grand Hyatt Athens
My first impression of the lobby was that it was majestic with touches that clearly suggested there is an arty approach which at the same time is social media friendly. You cannot but stop and observe the grassy wall with the motto “Will you hold me when I fly”, an installation ideal for Instagram shots.
But the first thing that strikes the visitor upon entering is The Coin, an installation which is made of ancient Athenian Glafka replica coins, the ones used in ancient Athens in the period of its supremacy in the 5th century. In my suite, I found two paintings by my beloved friend and artist Nikomachi Karakostanoglou inspired by the ancient Greek pottery. Later I found out that Nikomachi has curated the whole art project of the hotel. Photographs, works of art and sculpture by young but established local artists are everywhere in the hotel, all with clear references to classical Athens.
Photographs, works of art and sculpture by young but established local artists are everywhere in the hotel, all with clear references to classical Athens.
Turn-down service with a twist
There is clever interaction with the guest that goes on until the time of the turn down service. The Grand Hyatt Athens bedtime pampering is definitely one of a kind and adds to a great hospitality experience.
Echoing the Athenian character of the hotel, with a modern nod to the Grecian culture, the team of the hotel has prepared a series of paper gifts to be left at the rooms as a good night surprise!
Each evening, a new gadget is placed near the bed. It can be a paper anklet that looks like the winged sandal of the Ancient Greek God Hermes, a lightning that symbolizes the power of Zeus with a motivational quote (OR an inspirational motto) “Tomorrow you can conquer the world”, or a sleep mask made again of paper that writes “Morpheus makes our dreams come true”. I asked the marketing team to show me all of these cool paper gifts that also serve as the best memorabilia
On the rooftop of Grand Hyatt Athens
A really big surprise is the last floor of the hotel which certainly qualifies for the top five list of Athens rooftops.
It is there that you will have a lavish breakfast, get a suntan by the glass-sided pool with Acropolis in the background and you will also dine at The Grand by Interni restaurant. Already popular among the Athenians, the restaurant is made by the Interni team that has left its mark on interior design as well as on Mykonos gastronomic scene.
See more about The Grand by Interni here.
See my whole experience at the Grand Hyatt Athens in the video below: