A brand new city hotel that shows us how to love and #ReloveAthens
The opening of a big central hotel which aspires to hit the top list of the city of Athens Greece would certainly intrigue a incurable hotel lover like myself. And it was natural to be greatly interested and curious about the Electra Metropolis since from the first days of its opening it had managed to become the talk of the town (not to mention its rooftop which had already gone viral in the social media).
Another reason why I wanted to check out its location, is that Electra Metropolis is situated off Syntagma square, in what used to be the building of the Ministry of Education. I really wanted to see its transformation. I am fond of buildings from that era which characterise the city of Athens, and so I liked the idea that such a building would be in the care of a major Hotel group like Electra Hotels & Resorts, which dates back in the mid sixties, when its first Hotel opened in the iconic Ermou street.
So I went and found out that the aforementioned building is the work of the much esteemed architect Patroklos Karantinos, one of the most acclaimed representatives of Greek modernism. His creation now has a chance for a second life, that of a luxury city hotel under the supervision of Panos Liakos & Associates architectural designers and the interior designer Maria Vafiadi of MKV Design.
The more I found out about Electra Metropolis, during the tour provided by the Marketing Director of the Group, Yiannis Tsakalos, the more excited I got, His enthusiasm was more than obvious and proved the true love of the group for this aspiring project. First my eyes caught an impressive work of art by acclaimed Greek painter Fassianos, which dominates the atrium of the hotel lobby and makes you stare upwards in awe. The decoration has retro chic touches, fitting to the style and era of the building. There are rooms that boast a spectacular view of the city, while the roof top with the pool on the 10th floor quickly -and rightly so- rose to fame among the Athenians, inviting them for lunch, dinner or a drink at the M Bar.
And the travel through time went on… In the conference centre there are actual pieces of the Themistoclean wall of the ancient city, on the outside, virtually incorporated in the facade of the hotel building, there is the chapel of Agia Dinami from the 16th century. On the eighth floor, I saw the suite that used to be the education minister’s office! Truly Athenian vibes are everywhere to be seen and the hotel has what it takes to become an iconic hotel of the city.
A couple of days later I visited once again the Electra Metropolis hotel to live the experience of ReloveAthens, a brilliant concept of the hotel, which invites Athenians to enjoy the city and its centre, as well as the hospitality of a brand new five star hotel. And all of these in a location which is bustling with life and is the spot to be full of hip food and shopping spots.
Staying at the Acropolis Suite on the 9th floor was an experience by itself. A mini apartment, with a corner balcony with full view of Athens, and more importantly the most astonishing bed view of the Acropolis. A point worth remembering is that for any reservation made via Relove Athens, the hotel promises an upgrade, subject of course to availability.
When I am at a place that I like, I take numerous photos, so I will, now, let you tour to Electra Metropolis and all its beautiful corners through my gallery below: