Located next to the National Gardens, Olympian Zeus and the Panathnaic Stadium in Athens, the New Hotel is a place that I would love to stay in many times. Moreover, Athen’s ultra-friendly people, artistic streets and affordable prices make the city a must-see for travelers. Some magic happened and I keep thinking about how much fun I had in Athens. There is something about the New Hotel and this city that keeps reminding me to go back. There are 79 rooms in this intriguing establishment, all of it cutting edge and carefully designed by the Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana.
The room is wonderful and has a fantastic layout and design. The faucets and sink cabinet are colored gold which made the room feel remarkably hip and stylish.
The nearby area has been a revelation for us – all we need is right there on the hotel’s doorstep. From classic buildings, markets and restaurants!
We made arrangements with the hotel via email and I had some special requests (flowers and cake) on this occasion that were dealt with great care. I had the hotel prepare a cake and flowers because it was my significant other’s birthday.
The surprise element was perfect as the hotel delivered everything in a timely fashion. I simply had to email the front desk with my request and they would reply within a few minutes.
As I said before, this is not a huge hotel. We received a welcome snack and just headed for the check-in desks. The hotel decor is modern and unique! Check-in was fast and we didn’t have to wait for our room to be ready. We were addressed by name on arrival by the front desk on several occasions and we felt genuinely welcomed. The staff do their uttermost best to make you feel comfortable and at home, it’s the kind of hospitality that you will tell about to your friends and family when you get back home.
The room felt much larger due to it’s clever design!
We went to our room and our luggage was taken up a few minutes later. The Wifi was complimentary (stable and fast), there was a TV with plenty of music and movies to watch. The TV was even personalized in such a way that it showed my name and current information about Athens and the weather. USB chargers were conveniently placed next to the bed and desk area. The only thing I was slightly disappointed about is the quality of the TV sound system. It wasn’t great for listening to music.
Although the room didn’t span a large area it felt as if it was a very large space due to the way everything was setup. The door to the bathroom swung in such a way that it either closed the entire bathroom or just the shower. The room had a lovely balcony with an interesting view but right next to a busy road. The sliding doors of the balcony did block out all the noise so this wasn’t a problem.
We found a nice welcome amenity on arrival as well, a set of delicious macaroons and a personalized welcome note! There was also coffee, tea and some complimentary water prepared in the room. Of course towels, shampoos and a hairdryer were all available as well. All in all, a room with everything you need. And if they don’t have it, the reception is kind and responsive.
The rest of the hotel has an eclectic feel with a modern interior. It’s all simply outstanding, the designs are unusual but very well thought out. The hotel’s bar or restaurant has two tree-like structures in the center of the room and the light fixtures are spectacular at the same time. Guests, such as us, were drawn to look at all the details of the hotel. The basement had a neat & well equipped gym (with cool aquarium wallpaper), lots of computers and a random phone booth.
Lots of monuments to explore
We went out to explore nearby and saw the Temple of Zeus, Panathenaic Stadium and National Gardens. We also had a look at the plentiful gift shops, markets and the Temple of Hephaestus. However, there is so much worth to see that we didn’t have time for, such as: the church at the top of Mount Lycabettus and Mount Hymettus.
Romantic Dinner in the Rooftop Resturant
We saw lots of options for eating in the center and nearby the hotel. Our preference was to have dinner at the New Hotel’s Rooftop restaurant with the birthday cake as the dessert. The food was well rounded and portions were plentiful. I enjoyed a Greek salad even though it wasn’t on the menu. I love the hotel’s top floor restaurant. It is elegant and I love the lighting. The service was impeccable and the meal was lovely.
Breakfast starts at 7am, is free of charge to all guests and takes place on the ground floor in the restaurant. You can add some additional items for an extra fee. The emphasis is on fresh, good quality and mostly organic ingredients. This time of the year the hotel was fully booked. However, there was a lot of space, and things were quiet. The hotel offers breakfast in the room as well and they provide an easy form which you hang on the handle of your door (up to 3:00am).
There’s a bar area in the restaurant as well where cocktails are served but we were out in the bustling city during the nights since everything is in close proximity. If our stay at New Hotel was longer we would’ve definitely indulged some more in the hip and calm atmosphere of the hotel.
Spa and Relaxation
With a city like this, who needs a pool? I suppose we all like different things, but there are plenty of activities to partake in other than swimming, especially in a live and culturally diverse city like Athens. The New Hotel does have a “New Sense spa” with a hammam, treatment room and Jacuzzi. Amazing for couples or getting rid of that jet lag. I cannot recommend a visit enough – this particular spa has a cozy and sensual atmosphere. It all looked so relaxing.
Overall the location was central, the rooms were lovely and the prices are reasonable, starting around €145.99, excluding tax at 13.5 per cent. I would recommend it to my friends and stay again. I really like this hotel! I was a bit curious about the Penthouse suite, with it’s 180-degree view of the Acropolis. Next time.
