ajnaro

It depends on what you want -- the GB is in the heart of Athens, with a spectacular view, right where all of the demonstrations occur; Astir is on the riviera, also with a spectacular view, but of the sea. The Westin is right next door to the Astir, on a slightly lower level of luxury. On a slightly different track, the Intercontinental is available for only 5,000 points right now, so you might want to think about that.

m0hamed

Why not book 3 days at the Arion and just make a day of Athens like we did? We had cocktails at the GB to start the day. A day in Athens was enough for us.

david55

Totally different beasts....if you have never stayed at the GB it is truly a wonderful opulent experience. Walking distance to everything that you would want to see in Athens. I would never go to see "Athens" and stay on the coast.

Telling them it is your anniversary may garner an upgraded room as well.

MSPeconomist

The Astir Palace hotels are a resort complex. It's not very practical for Athens sightseeing and might seem similar to your island plans.

StuckinITH

I stayed many times at the GB. The hotel is superb. The location is very good for tourism but very bad if there are demonstrations in front of the Parliament. For this reason, I started staying at the Westin in the Astir Palace Complex. Reason I chose the Westin instead of the Arion is that all the rooms in the Westin face the sea. As I'm not high level in the SPG program, I could see myself getting a room in the Arion facing the parking lot and that would ruin my vacation. As two adults with no kids we also prefer the swimming area of the Westin, especially since every morning we were able to grab one of the cabanas near the water. Pure luxury!

kwalder

Any suggestions for booking a day cruise from this property? What about hiring a guide with a small van for a group of 9 to tour the nearby countryside?

itsaboutthejourney

Also, Arion runs a free shuttle into central Athens in the morning and afternoons.

WEEBOBBY

Thanks for all the replies !!!

Intercontinental is not on the list of points break properties @ 5000 anymore and not sure it would of worked as my first night is Aug 31st . A paid night is only 80 euros anyway!

We spent our anniversary last year at the W Barcelona.

Anniversary is Sept 2nd so going to spend three nights then head to Mykonos by ferry on Sept 3rd.

As it stands I have booked 3 nights at the Arion in a Grand Deluxe room on 6000 points + $110

For my 3 nights ;

GB - 2 nights C+P (6000+$110) + 1 night 16,000 points ( no C+P ) . Paid rate 257 euro
Westin - 44,000 points , no C+P. Paid rate 268 euro
Arion - 3 nights available on C+P (6000+$110). paid rate 328 euro for grand deluxe.

Strange???? the Arion offer bother the lowest level and the next level Grand Deluxe room on C+P!

Arion looks the best bet and we can take the shuttle into Athens one day and return by taxi if we want to spend the evening there etc

banzani

I think you do the right thing. You can visit the city while enjoying a nice resort feel. Have fun ! If you find dining at Arion too pricey you can walk to Vouliaghmeni, about 15 minutes, cheap and decent places to eat, sit with the locals.

From downton, you can take the tram to the final stop and then a quick taxi from there.

WEEBOBBY

Thanks . In the end i have booked 3 nights in the Arion (6000 points+$110) then flights to Santorini for 3 nights / 4 days (Hotel undecided looking for a lastminute deal , would like Caldera views but lack the $1500 a night for Mystique!) ending with a night in Grand Bretagne (6000 points+$110) before flying back to Ireland.

MAN Flyer

Having just got back from another stay at the Arion I really do not understand how you cannot enjoy the bizarre little loumge. Yes, the food offerings are limited at breakfast but we ate downstairs anyway. The nibbles in the evening are not far off what you get at many other lounges and the views from the outdoor balconies on both sides cannot be beaten by many other lounges I can think of. The wine is no worse than the tat we get served in many places these days but having a couple of cold beers sat outside watching the sun go down will do me. ^

m0hamed

Hmmm, we strongly disagree. In Australiasia the Club Lounge experiences are exceptional. Look at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney the Westin Siray Bay, Le Meridien BKK (none of which are luxury collections) and then you'll understand just how woeful the Arion Lounge is.

Generally one expects a hot and cold buffet, and hard spirits. We found the food offerings sparse, and the wine absolutely revolting. We retreated to our suites balcony instead,

WEEBOBBY

i will be in the Arion for our wedding anniversary. Any ideas ?
i was thinking an evening meal in Nobu?

MAN Flyer

The great thing about living in the free world is we are both entitled to our opinion, and I'll take the lounge at the Arion over the Sheraton on the Park, a Hotel I hope to avoid staying at again after three terrible stays there last year, any day. The lack of staff in the Arion beats some of the people in the lounge at SOTP.

I can't comment on the Westin Siray Bay as I haven't stayed there but I'd love to know where the lounge is at Le Meridien in Bangkok as I've never seen it.

That's why we stick to the beer. I find the wine in many club lounges pretty poor but it's outdoor balconies and the views (both sides) not the food and drink that makes the Arion lounge.

Matsuhisa is great, but make sure you book.

remymartin

Neither the Westin Siray or LM BKK have "real" lounges. The Westin Siray typically hosts its platinum cocktail hour open air in a really nice setting on top of the Italian restaurant.

The LM BKK hosts its cocktail hour in their former sushi bar, now bar only, bamboo chic. It excels in service and drinks, not so in views or atmosphere.