I spent 4 nights last week at the Athens Marriott. It was very quiet due to COVID, however I feel the hotel did the best they could to offer a nice experience within current government restrictions. I was upgraded to a “concierge suite” which was a 2-room suite with a living room (couch could be converted to a queen-sized bed) with desk and flat screen, powder room, bedroom with king bed, and full bath. I found the decor very clinical; however, the room offered a decent amount of space and was spotlessly clean. Remote controls were encased in plastic bags indicating they had been disinfected. We were also left a small gift of 2 bags of chocolate cookies and a large bottle of mineral water.

The M Club lounge was open. It’s on the ground floor in a somewhat dark and depressing room. I didn’t go apart from evening drinks, but during that time they offered red or white wine and beer, as well as fountain soft drinks - all self serve. An attendee would bring a plate out to each person with 5 or 6 small bites - bruschetta, mini sandwiches, small tarts, etc. It changed each night.

As a Titanium member, breakfast was included in the main restaurant just off the lobby. The restaurant had a lovely courtyard which was sunny in the morning, with a fountain and well-distanced tables. The main dining room was also nice and socially distanced. The buffet was out, but it was behind plexiglass and you had to summon a worker to serve you items from the buffet. A decent selection of eggs, breakfast meats, breads, spreads, Greek yogurt, toppings, fruits, and cheeses. Custom coffees were ordered and brought to the table by servers, along with orange juice and waters. All in, considering current circumstances, I thought it was a solid effort at semi-normalcy.

The rooftop pool was closed for the season, however we were told at checkin just to ask and they would gladly open it for us. We did so on the second day and they happily obliged.

The rooftop restaurant, E&O, was open and served surprisingly nice pan-Asian fare in a very nice environment. Coming from London I found the prices incredibly reasonable, made even more so by a 20% discount as a Titanium member. The discount even applied to the two cocktails I had which were generously poured and excellent.

The location is well off the tourist beaten path. I often stay away from tourist areas intentionally as I like to experience more local neighborhoods, and I usually find reports of long walks to public transit or tourist sites to be exaggerated. Not in this case. The Marriott is technically in an Athens suburb, facing a busy highway. My 9-year-old son and I walked an hour down the highway the first day to visit the Acropolis. It was a highly unpleasant walk and I don’t recommend it. On the way back, we took a more winding route through local neighborhoods which was more enjoyable. We took a similar route, on the opposite side of the highway and through different neighborhoods, the second day. We also walked down to the waterfront (approx. 20 minutes) and walked along it.

The restaurants in the immediate area were incredibly friendly and affordable, especially compared with our lunches each day in the tourist area. We visited Koutouki Kalypso twice for dinner. Large, nice, covered patio and ridiculously friendly and efficient service. Taverna-style food that was nothing fancy but very tasty and fresh. Complimentary water, grilled bread, desserts and fruits with no “table” or “service” charge. House wine was 2 EUR for a 500ml jug, and drinkable. We also ate at Psarades, about 3 blocks away, which was a beautiful, upscale dining room serving fantastic seafood with refined preparations. A very interesting wine list (although only in Greek so a bit of a struggle for me), and reasonable prices considering what a comparable meal would cost elsewhere in Europe.

I didn’t feel like dealing with the Greek taxi mafia, nor did I want to withdraw cash, so I used Welcome Pickups to and from the airport. I booked online and paid by card. By all accounts I probably paid 8 EUR more than a taxi (the Marriott is outside of the flat rate zone), but I was met by a professional, English speaking driver who held a sign card with my surname. We were driven both ways in an impeccably clean Mercedes C-class with bottled water, etc. Well worth the small premium IMO.