Location:
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Sofitel are a large chain of hotels across the world that are 4/5 star. I have only experience of the ones at Athens and Gatwick airports.
The Athens Sofitel is the only hotel right on site at the airport. It is just across the road from the airport and is perfect ... Read review
Advantages: Luxury just steps away from the airport Disadvantages: That I cant stay there more often
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Sofitel are a large chain of hotels across the world that are 4/5 star. I have only experience of the ones at Athens and Gatwick airports.
The Athens Sofitel is the only hotel right on site at the airport. It is just across the road from the airport and is perfect for a transfer. All other transfer hotels are a coach ride away (Holiday Inn) or are in the town itself which is about 1 hour bus ride away. ...of the lifts with the Sofitel symbol endorsed on them.Landings are large with huge sofas and the lights in the hallways come on as you walk along just giving you the air of quality and that you are a really important person.
You enter the room into a hall way which is wooden floor and doors and subdued lighting. This is the only hotel that I have stayed in that has a seperate toilet to the bathroom ! A real bonus.
Sofitel are a large chain of hotels across the world that are 4/5 star. I have only experience of the ones at Athens and Gatwick airports.
The Athens Sofitel is the only hotel right on site at the airport. It is just across the road from the airport and is perfect for a transfer. All other transfer hotels are a coach ride away (Holiday Inn) or are in the town itself which is about 1 hour bus ride away.
I found details of the Athens airport on the internet when searching for somewhere to stay to kill a 10 hour wait between flights and expected to get the normal bored airport reception that I have experienced before at a highly inflated price.I liked the fact that I could stagger across and not have to worry about getting back to the airport in the morning.
The hotel itself looks like a square box that could be at home on any industrial park in the Uk ......but dont be put off !
Inside it is chic with a great display of fresh flowers hitting you when you walk into the large foyer. This is lots of wood and chic and smiley staff in rather M&S style uniforms.I have stayed here 7 times now and every time I am seen straight away and treated as if I am the most important person in the world. This even happened when I turned up wearing combats and a vest top with a back pack and smelling somewhat after a long bus journey.
Facilities: ########
On the ground floor there is the main 24 hour restaurant. I have only eaten there once with my husband and to be honest it was expensive ( E80 for 2 courses for 2 of us and the food was not that fantastic). The main problems I had with this restaurant was the lack of atmosphere - only one other couple came in to eat, no music, and the courses served too fast. This is where breakfast is served aswell. I normally get the cheap deal of room only but when I have had the breakfast option it is a very good buffet style with a good range of hot and cold food.
There is also a bar on this floor.Whilst more pricey than a typical Greek taverna you can sink into gorgeous sofas and drink ice cold beer and wine that come with some rather good tapas - the hot cheese straws are my favorite.There is alos a large outside are - whilst a bit noisy from the airport it is still agood place to people-watch.
There are also business services and an internet facility.There is a gym and a pool - I cannnot comment on these as I have not used them.
The Rooms: ##########
I normally opt for what they call a superior room which seems to be the standard. Small details on the way to your room are noticeable - the sand ash trays in front of the lifts with the Sofitel symbol endorsed on them.Landings are large with huge sofas and the lights in the hallways come on as you walk along just giving you the air of quality and that you are a really important person.
You enter the room into a hall way which is wooden floor and doors and subdued lighting. This is the only hotel that I have stayed in that has a seperate toilet to the bathroom ! A real bonus.
Bathrooms are large light and chic. There is a large well mirrored basin area with a free standing sink and retro steel taps. The range of `freebies` are good with shampoo, shower gel and body lotion plus mints,nail files and sewing kit. Handy considering the current restrictions on hand luggage. The shower and bath are through a large glass shower door that takes you to a large walk in shower.This has water either from the ceiling or from a hand held spray. The shower is powerful without knocking you over and goes on for ever.The bath is also in this area and whilst a normal bath it doesnt impact on the shower area. There are loads of clean white towels and best of all, thick white robes and towelling slippers. There is even a speaker for the TV radio that you can control from here!
The bedroom area has a large queen size bed that is like covered in really good soft eqyptian white linen. The pillows are fantastic and you just sink - you know that this is a quality bed as soon as you see it.
You get the normal comfortable chair and footstall plus a large desk area. There is a TV in a nice wooden curved unit with the mini bar underneath. One of the best things about the room is that it doesnt have curtains but a great wooden sliding solid blind that cuts out all of the light - perfect for a transit hotel. You can also get internet connection in the rooms - Ive never used this so I dont know what the cost implications are.
Food : ######
To touch again on the eating side of things - I normally get the room service as I find that it is the same price as ordering down stairs in the bar. The menu is very good and is greek and continental. I have had the greek mezzes and the cheese platter - both were fantastic, wonderfully presented with lots of fresh fruit and salad. Usually with a bottle of wine it costs just over E20 which I think is quite reasonable.
My Summary: ##########
In my view this is an airport hotel that hasnt forgotten how to treat people. The rooms are to a constant high standard and the service second to none - in 7 stays I have had a bottle of wine, chocolates, soap and shoe brushes as presents left in my room to thank me for being a valued guest - all with a hand written note from the manager.
Cost: ##### After surfing many sites I now book direct with Sofitel. They do a non refundable special rate of E150 for a double superior room.
For those on a tight budget this may seem excessive - but I love this hotel and the joy of turning up tired and somewhat crumpled and be treated like a million dollars with the benefit of it only taking 2 minutes to get to the airport. I personally would recommend this hotel for those who are not interested in seeing the Athens sites but just need a decent place for a transit .
Thank you for reading my review and I hope it is helpful to you.#
