Inside Marriott's New Athens Hotel

Opened in September, the Athens Marriott Hotel marks the return of Marriott to Greece’s capital. An alternative location, impressive rooftop bar, 5-star deluxe rating and low starting rates have instantly landed it amongst the best options in the city.

Here’s all you need to know about what’s inside:

Best Feature

The hotel’s best feature—something you might consider checking out regardless of whether you spend the night—is its rooftop bar and restaurant, E&O Athens, serving contemporary pan-Asian cuisine, complete with a sushi bar. The layout spreads the bar and restaurant across the top floor, wrapping around with full panoramic views of the city, including the Saronic Gulf, the Stavros Niarchos Park and a distant view of the Acropolis.

A small pool table, shuffleboard and comfy chairs add on a lounge-like atmosphere for an after-dinner drink. Adjacent to the restaurant and bar is a common area with a pool and sitting area (see below).

Alternative Location

Just the existence of a Marriott is good news for Marriott Rewards members, who can now cash in their reward points in a new city. But opportunists might be intrigued too, especially those who have already been to Athens once or twice.

The hotel is located outside of the city center, close to the port town of Piraeus, just a 10-minute cab ride away. Once a seedy port town of bars, brothels and sailors, there are signs that the neighborhood is turning over a new leaf.

Two major development projects are the brand-new rail line to the airport and the on-going construction of a new local metro stop, scheduled to be up and running by 2019, connecting Piraeus to the city center. Boutique shops and seaside restaurants continue to pop up alongside traditional stores selling coffee, meats, and cheeses. Piraeus is also the major port for ferries to the Greek Islands.

Also within walking distance from the hotel is Stavros Niarchos Park, home to the Opera House and National Library.

Common Areas

The hotel’s design focuses heavily on creating “stylish public spaces,” and we see this manifested with great success in its lobby, courtyard and rooftop pool and patio.

While the bar and restaurant shine at night, the rooftop pool and patio are a great place to catch a breather during the day. “The Great Room” on the ground floor combines a lounge with the lobby, blending deep blue and gold colors (inspired by the nearby port and ancient Greek jewelry). It is separated in the middle by a bar and two great columns that remind one of the Acropolis.

Extending beyond the “The Great Room” is the Courtyard, where a city vibe is in full effect with buildings rising up around you. All of these spaces are appointed with a “contemporary interpretation of classic Greek architecture and rich cultural heritage” and feature wide-open floor plans.

Rooms + Lounge

The 366 rooms are just what you would expect from Marriott—clean, comfortable, modern and diverse. Basic rooms come with city or sea views. Junior Suites are a nice option for an upgrade because they come with a terrace (what’s a great city view without the space to enjoy it?). For families, the Courtyard Suites come with a large, sleep-worthy sofa in a separate living room.

An extra perk for Marriott Reward Members and for suite-level guests is access to the M Club, a private space that serves free breakfast, drinks and snacks all day.

The Price is Right

With a starting rate of $130/night, it’s hard to argue against the 5-star quality you receive in return. The free breakfast and snacks throughout the day make the value even better for Reward Members.