Marriott, Athens
Rob was traveling around Europe and was in Croatia, and wanted to rent a car to drive through the Balkins to see a few more countries. Given the state of affairs there, they wouldn't let me rent one way to Greece, because I actually planned on going to Greece!As those plans kept having to be changed based on the reality of my mobility, I just ended up flying to Athens. I needed a place to stay, and a reasonably priced option showed up for the Marriott, Athens down near the coast.
Arrival
It was not really near any public transportation that seemed reasonable (I have an aversion to buses), so I arranged a car with the hotel. Not cheap, mind you. But with the traffic woes Athens can have, a fixed rate was then easier to stomach.When I arrived, they did get my bags after a bit, and I went to check in. It was pretty busy here, and when I inquired, cajoled, finagled, and reasoned for an upgrade, I got... well, the smallest room looking at the city instead of the inner walls. This place is constantly filled with group rates from cruise ships, so if you want a suite, you're probably just going to have to buy it.
The Room
Well, the room was ready, and it was pretty small in my feeling. As the smallest sized room in the place, it was not endearing me to the hotel from first impressions, but more on that later.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Dining
Now, there are quite a few options for eating and drinking here. I was stupidly busy with work, as I still had responsibilities then for keeping billable hours going, so I didn't get to every one of them.- The Great Room Bar is the lobby bar, and it's pretty nice looking, and always had people in it (Greeks like to drink, makes them forget about the economy).
- There is Made In Athens, which has all the buffets and what one might consider global food (they had burgers, so I was ok!).
- The "Breakfast Room", which is just the executive lounge they let people pay for morning access.
- e&o Athens, the fancy place by the rooftop pool and I didn't get to any of that sadly.
- e&o Athens Martini Bar, and well, I did drink the shit out of here.
M Club
Ahhh, a property with a M Club. It's fabulous at night, way more offerings than one would expect. In the morning, breakfast is decent but shared with "payers" so it can be crowded. I loved every night waiting 'til 5pm (yes, I was already working) to go down for some light food, which basically was dinner, and endless wine. Go ahead, tell on me, I don't work for them anymore!Amenities
A good gym, with a sauna. I... um, didn't get to the pool during daylight, because I was in the city seeing... well, Athens, man! Sorry, it looks small, and not super kid friendly, so I dunno.
Yes, the room is a bit depressing in comparison
As is habit for Rob, I rarely (only once ever) use the mini bar
The Lobby Bar, always busy, guess people just come here for lunch from work
Took me 3 days to find time when I could get the seating in a pic without people around
The drinking and smoking area, which was also popular
e&o, I shoulda gone, but I didn't
Ahh, but the e&o bar, better hours for me and work schedule
Reasonably priced, excellent drinks
The Kentucky Sunset became my go to drink
e&o bar menu most important page
At night the bar is very alluring and as anyone who has met me knows, the darker it is the better I look
The views are really good from the bar, I mean, look out, see the Parthenon, yeah
The main restaurant
Mad in Athens partial menu for reference
My burger lunch, which was exactly what I expected and needed that day
Mmm, the buffet!
Not a huge buffet, lots of western options though
The corner I never, ever, got anything at
Entry right by lobby check-in"
Free flowing, free beer
Quality and substantial evening options
Now, if you eat all your dinner, Rob says you can have dessert
The wine, while being of 'lesser' brand, was quite drinkable
Actually a good gym, on the lower of lower levels, with weights, lots of weights, and the endless cardio
Oh heck, you might see the author in a mirror, how did I let that happen?
You can also steam away the heat outside here in the Sauna
Summary
Listed at a 5 star hotel. I would say 4. Is it good? Yes, the food, the lounge, amazing. Upgrade options? Not many if at all, so don't count on it. The lounge is worth a buy up for the choice between it and the full buffet.It's a bit of a walk to public transit, which you'll want to see the 6,000 year old areas. Cabs and rideshare are pricey due to traffic, distance, and Greek laws.
Did it suck? No, not all, but I felt a little sad at my end room allocation after being spoiled so much by my status.