The Athens Gate Hotel is a lovely contemporary hotel and was the recent choice for my stay autumn break.
Location
Looking for total cultural immersion on your next trip to Athens? The location of the Athens Gate Hotel is unique and could not have been better. The hotel overlooks the Temple of Zeus, and it is only a 20-minute walk uphill to the Acropolis, very close to the Acropolis Museum, the popular to tourists Plaka and majority of the City’s highlights. The Hop On /Hop Off Bus stops 50 meters from the front door if you want to see more of the city. The Acropolis metro stop is just a three-minute walk away, is a direct Blue Line connection to the Athens International Airport and the Green one, direct metro/train connection to the port of Piraeus where you’ll likely be jetting off to the Greek islands.
Check-in
The taxi driver drops me off just opposite the large entrance glass-doors. After being greeted by an attentive doorman who took my luggage, I followed him to the reception for my check-in. Once passing through the entrance door and enter the lobby you feel the Greek hospitality. In the meantime, a waiter offers me a welcoming treat -Greek delight and a refreshing glass of water.
The Athens Gate Hotel
A seamless 5-minute check-in, and with the key card I hurried to the room to unpack. I can’t say I was anxious to see the interior, as I am well acquainted with several rooms and suites from previous stays. It must be the 5th time I visit the Athens Gate Hotel.
Ground floor Ambience
The contemporary and aesthetically pleasant interior on the ground floor offers the ultimate comfort and relaxation.
The Athens Gate Hotel
The Foyer
The foyer opposite the reception desk provides a wall fireplace for the cold winter season, with seats on both sides. The spacious lounge is comfortable and stylish and blends perfectly with its style.
Accommodation –Room 611
All 99 rooms feature balconies with different views depending on the type and the side of the room. I get the lift up to my room that is to host me the following three nights. Room 611 has a standard size similar to the rest, spotless with a minimalistic feel. There was hardly any difference in size with the suite 703 we had last year. The highlight of which was its enormous patio and bathroom which was a little bigger with a view.
The double bed comfortable, and I had it all to myself this time, with crisp linen, and plump pillows. Nothing less than what I expected out of my stay. The black and white travel photographs that adorn the room walls take guests on a tour of various Greek destinations and major sights of Athens.
The Athens Gate Hotel
I never faced a problem with the outside noise thanks to the double glazed windows and the room’s higher level.
Kitted with flat-screen TV with satellite channels, adjustable air-conditioning, a stocked mini-bar, and a safe but also tea facilities. The one-cup Coffee stick sachets were missing though! For coffee, you have to get to the Bar to buy yourself the coffee of your choice. Rooms are also equipped with an electronic “Do Not Disturb / Make up the Room” sign system found by the door. Wi-Fi free throughout the premises!
The View
Bathroom
The tiled bathroom had a sizable shower and bathtub with plenty of space under the sink and on the stand for my toiletries. Towels were bright as always and changed upon request.
Amenities like slippers, a hair dryer, a magnifying mirror, hair and body products, towels for body hands and face were there for you. What was missing was a robe but with just a call I had one in less than 5 minutes. Toiletries, the popular Olivia products for extra pampering!
Hot Aromatic Salt Baths
The Athens Gate Hotel does not have a Spa, like other hotels I visit and decided to take advantage of my free afternoon leisure time and treat myself to nice hot aromatic salt baths during my stay. Trying to save time, I unpacked as quickly as I could my luggage and headed to the city centre to buy the appropriate products to help me relax and make the stay more interesting.
What I needed were some salt bath, facial masks and an aromatic diffuser. Half an hour later I was back to the hotel carrying along all the above and used the orange blossom aromatic diffuser to create the perfect atmosphere. I disinfected my bathtub first with the right liquids which I usually carry along, and filled it up with hot water sprinkling in, one-third of the Rose Bath Salt, turned on soft music and soaked in the hot water tub for at least an hour.
The long soak in the hot bathtub was for me the perfect antidote to help relax my whole body and muscles, while the soothing benefits of the rose petals filled the bathroom with their lovely floral fragrance.
The Roof Top Restaurant
Up the 8th floor of the Athens Gate Hotel, the Roof Top Restaurant is spread across a glass-enclosed terrace, which is open-air during warmer months, with a stunning view of the Temple of Zeus below and the Acropolis slightly above. Taking advantage of the excellent weather condition, I had both my breakfasts and dinner, out by the terrace.
Following a major refurbishment in January, by March, the Roof Terrace Restaurant of The Athens Gate Hotel will be upgraded. I will be back by then, and I can’t wait to see its brand new trendy look!
The Lobby Bar serves snacks and drinks from 12:00 noon and onwards. In the evening with the lights on is transformed into a romantic à la carte restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. I was here in the capacity of a food critic, met the new Chef Evdokia Fylakouri, and tried a few of her dishes which did not disappoint. The service was exceptional and the team of the restaurant welcoming and friendly.
View from the Lobby Bar
Breakfast
The Athens Gate Hotel Roof Top Restaurant serves guests American-style fare, featuring a section for Greek products, cheese, olives, yoghurt, bread, pittas and jams.
I savoured a choice of cold cuts and had fried eggs the two days but ordered an omelette one morning to check the quality and presentation. What I missed were the Grilled but also the Dry Tomatoes they had the previous years. I loved the fresh multigrain bread each morning.
The choice of pastries and cakes were great, except for ‘tsoureki’ which was dry and lacking flavour. None of the guests will notice if it is out!
The Athens Gate Hotel – Dining
Listed as the No.4 of Roof Top Views of the World, of Acropolis and all the major sights that the city of Athens presents, the restaurant offers one of the lifetime views. I enjoyed our lovely dinner the last evening of my stay with a relative. It was a sweet starry night and our table overlooking the stunningly beautiful Acropolis, and the waiter staff, Dimitri and Anastasia, friendly and efficient made us feel pleasantly comfortable.
We had the bread rolls and the tzatziki dip first along with our choice of wine.
The Athens Gate Hotel
Appetizer
The Cheese Saganaki served hot and sizzling, crunchy on the outside and slightly melty was fantastic, but what made the difference was the Chef’s homemade inside tangerine chutney. A burst of sunshine on the flavoursome cheese!
Salad
The Zucchini Salad with arugula and fresh asparagus did not excite. Asparagus tasted slightly bitter and was oily.
Main course
The White Sea bream fillet I opted for had a medium sweet flavour and a delicate texture. The fish stood on a puree of wild greens, topped with lemon foam and was cooked to perfection.
The Grilled Squid stood on fava puree, marinated with coriander and sided by a tasty caper chutney. The meaty parts had a smooth tender and firm texture and were delicious and highly recommended!
Dessert
I was delighted with the dessert choice. None of the three we had was overly sweet but just right!
- The Chocolate Mousse tempting and nicely presented!
- The Greek «Bougatsa» with phyllo pastry, cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce is a much lighter in calories dessert, but with the tastiest ever ice cream! Thumbs up!
- The Crème Brulee with its rich custard base was fantastic, and my favourite out of all three.
The Athens Gate Hotel
Beverage
We opted for a fine flavoursome local white wine with golden-yellow reflections and hues of lemon and orange that harmoniously accompanied our fish and seafood.
Sightseeing
The location of The Athens Gate Hotel is such that guests can easily walk to the highlighted sights of the Historic neighbourhood and Anafiotika. The Plaka is under the Acropolis and stretches almost to Syntagma, while the beautiful Aeropagitou Street with its pedestrian walkways is a few meters from the hotel. The dazzling Acropolis Museum is a five-minute walk from The Athens Gate Hotel and showcases its surviving treasures. The Museum’s rich collection covers the archaic period to the Roman one, but the emphasis is on the Acropolis of the 5th century BC, considered the apotheosis of Greece’s artistic achievement, revealing layers of history.
Verdict
I would highly recommend The Athens Gate Hotel for a few days in Athens. The stay proved an excellent choice. No wonder why it ranks high among other city hotels. The warmth and friendliness of the team were second to none. I enjoyed the splendid view and felt like home. I could not ask for more. Make it your first choice in Athens without a second thought!
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Disclaimer: I was a guest at The Athens Gate Hotel during this stay, but the opinions expressed in this article are, as always my own.
