It’s not often we write more than a couple sentences about hotel accommodations. And it’s rare we stay in an airport hotel. But the Gods conspired in Greece, naturally, and here I am extolling the virtues of Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel.
First, if your plans are ill-laid, like ours, and you are arriving in a far off place after two or more stops or more than 15 hours of travel, you are given permission to opt for an airport hotel. Likewise, if you are traveling on to a Greek island, you’ll want a rest en route. At Athens Airport, the Sofitel is not even a shuttle away; it’s across the street.
Our flight arrived midday. Normally when we show up in Europe, we take a nap and then stroll around in the evening before bed, to get adjusted to the time zone. But the Athens Airport is about 45 minutes from city center by metro. So we were saved. We napped, had a bowl of soup, a taste of wine (at the special Sofitel French tasting event in the lobby), and then tipped back into bed.
Here is what makes a good hotel worthy of a rave:
The bed and bedding
King size bed, comfy mattress, extra pillows, nice sheets top and bottom, and a lightweight comforter.
The lighting
General lights, bedside lamps, PLUS reading lights each side of the bed.
Sitting area
This upholstered chair with ottoman was great for working or reading. It’s always a luxury to sit somewhere other than bed!
Bathroom!
A great big shower room with a bench to sit on is in addition to a deep tub. Equipped with the nice toiletry products, including body lotion, often missing from decent hotels.
Space, closet space, and luggage storage
You gotta love a room that allows two to move around at the same time. Plus, the ability to keep some or all of your baggage stashed out of sight can be very calming.
Desk
Big enough, and not already cluttered with hotel materials.
Extras
A hot pot for making a cup of tea or coffee is such a simple and appreciated amenity.
Breakfast
One of the best hotel breakfasts we’ve had, anywhere, buffet style. Made to order omelettes, fresh and hot entrees, delicacies in sampling sizes (juices, smoothies, pastries), plenty of fruit and granola, tons of bread with big chunks of butter, and fresh pots of press coffee delivered to our table.
Hotel facilities
Since, in this case, we couldn’t go anywhere but the airport, the bar and restaurant, lobby, and fitness facilities were especially important. And then the staff makes the difference. We were comfortable in the public areas, as if we lived in the neighborhood. Although the hotel architecture is nothing to write about, it did feature some spacious lounges on each floor with big sofas a la 60s lounge style.More elbow room.
The next day we walked just a couple hundred meters to catch the metro into central Athens, just €8 ($10). Rested and pleased, we were ready to meet Athens. In fact, Sofitel Athens Airport was such a good idea, we booked another night on our way out of Athens three weeks later.
Always happy to read a good hotel review! The truth is we need so little from a hotel to keep us going when we travel, so when the hotel exceeds expectations, even better!
I was giddy! Was it the comfort or the lack of sleep?
Yes, it’s great when an airport hotel does everything right. Sofitel Athens Airport sounds like a perfect place to stopover at.
It’s great to find a hotel that is good on some many levels. Especially when you can’t go anywhere other than the hotel. I’ve only stayed in one Sofitel, but I get the feeling the chain does a good job of all their hotels.
My only other experience is dining – frequently – at the Sofitel in Minneapolis, MN. I’ve never been disappointed.
I’ve stayed a few airport hotels out of necessity and have found the convenience, plus the benefits of a good night’s rest en route, priceless. Cute that you booked another night on the way out. It can take the sting out of catching an early morning flight.
And, Elaine, they had excellent concierge service for folks wanting to book flights to islands. The lobby had a departures display, much like a business lounge in the airport. Nice!
I’ve stayed in a couple of Sofitels and always had a good experience. Lovely to read about yours knowing that it comes from your heart. Great idea booking on the way out so there’s no mad panic.
Although our flight out wasn’t super early, I did learn the breakfasts there start at 4 a.m. or something like that. Smart!
Always nice to find a good hotel.
This hotel sounds lovely and you’ve talked about all of the things that we so appreciate. It’s amazing how just a few comforts can mean so much. Most hotels aren’t set up with good comfy chairs and lighting is always an issue where we have to decide between privacy or adequate light!
That chiar was awesome. IF only I could picture my satisfaction:)
Anne and I stayed there a couple years ago on the night before we were leaving Greece after a week of sailing. It was a good hotel and so convenient for early morning flights. It actually made us get a lot more interested in airport hotels for our last nights in places where traffic can be hard to predict – it’s just so damned easy!
The only others we’ve stayed in recently are in Denver (!) because we had a car and were meeting others renting a car at the airport. That was still a shuttle away. And I guess I can’t count park and doze or whatever they call it at our home airport of MSP.
What a nice hotel, Kristin :) Thanks for sharing, now I feel like going to Athens only to stay here!
We too unexpectedly found ourselves in an airport hotel recently. We were at Benito Juarez Airport in Mexico City. It was a bit off-putting at first as it was in one of the terminals. Our room was great- super contemporary with a great shower and comfortable bed. And best of all, we didn’t hear the planes taking off and landing late at night or early in the morning. I have new faith in airport hotels!
Oh yes, and I should have mentioned this place had great wooden sliding panels over the windows for blackout purposes. And no noise! We had a similar luxury experience at a train station hotel in Japan. Wonderful.
Kristin, I love a great hotel room! Do you know what kills me, though? Hotel rooms that are made for a couple, or two people, that only have one sitting chair. Of course you can usually use the desk chair, but it’s just not the same as two easy chairs for sipping that coffee or tea the hotel provided you. Am I the only one?
So right Corinne, especially when I’m the one that’s at the desk or on the bed while Princess Kris gets the comfy chair.
Tom, exaggerating??!! He always gets the desk chair when there is no other chair. And he hogs the desk. And he piles his bags on any other chair or sofa. I’m with you, Corinne, time for hotels to think beyond the solo business traveler.
p.s. I admit to stealing any extra pillows before Tom even notices they are there.
The Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel sounds like a gem!