Athens Adventure Awaits: Your Perfect Stay at Holiday Inn Express!
Okay, buckle up, because reviewing this place is like trying to herd cats while juggling flaming torches. Let's be honest, hotels throw a lot of features at you these days. This ain't a sterile, bullet-point review. It's a messy, real-life take, okay? Let's see if we can untangle this whole shebang and figure out if this hotel is worth your hard-earned cash.
First Impressions & Accessibility – The Good, The Maybe, and the "Wait, What?"
Alright, right off the bat, we're looking at accessibility. HUGE topic. They claim they're on it, but let’s see…
- Wheelchair Accessible: (Important for my review!) They say they are. Okay. We'll need to dig deeper into the specific implementation. Ramp access? Wide doorways? Braille signage? This is a "believe it when I see it" category until I get the firsthand experience (or, hopefully, a very detailed review from someone who's used it). That's the frustrating thing, right? Just saying it is accessible doesn't make it so.
- Elevator: Good! Essential for accessibility (and frankly, not having to lug suitcases up ten flights of stairs is a win for anyone, even without mobility issues!).
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Again, promising! Needs specific details. Roll-in showers? Grab bars? This is where the rubber meets the road. If they really care, they need to show it.
- Exterior Corridor: Not mentioned. This can be great for accessibility - easier to get around.
Internet – Praise the Wi-Fi Gods! (And a LAN Line for the Luddites)
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! YES! A godsend. I'm a travel blogger. My life literally depends on this. Massive point scored.
- Internet Access: Again, a must have for the modern world, so yeah, its good to have.
- Internet [LAN]: Old school! Maybe good for some legacy stuff, but generally, who the heck uses LAN anymore?
- Internet services and Wi-Fi in public areas: Essential. Gotta stay connected, am I right?
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Promises, Promises
Okay, this is where things get interesting. This hotel is loaded. Now, let's see how much of it is actually worth our time…
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Ah, the holy trinity of chilling out. Definitely checking these out. Hopefully, the steamroom isn't just a glorified, moldy closet. I'm expecting plush robes and the scent of eucalyptus, people!
- Pool with View/Swimming pool [outdoor]: A pool with a view. Yes please. Especially if it's clean (vital) and not overcrowded with screaming kids (less vital, unless you're with screaming kids, then maybe it's vital?).
- Fitness Center: Gotta work off all those cocktails, right? (Speaking of…). I'm not a gym rat, but I appreciate a decent treadmill and some basic weights.
- Massage, Body Scrub, Body Wrap: This is the good stuff. The kind of thing that makes you feel like you're actually on vacation. I'm picturing myself totally relaxed… before my credit card bill arrives, anyway.
- Foot Bath: Sounds unique! I hope it's more than just a bucket of lukewarm water.
- Things to do in general: The hotel lists a lot here so its going to depend on the location on how to feel about it. Hiking? Local crafts workshops? This really depends on the hotel's location and the staff's knowledge of the area.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Let's Get Feasting!
Alright, this is a biggie. Food can make or break a hotel experience.
- Restaurants, Coffee Shop, Bar, Poolside Bar: Good coverage. Variety is the spice of life, and all that jazz.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Catering to different tastes is a must.
- Breakfast [buffet], A la carte in restaurant: Nice to have options.
- Room service [24-hour]: Essential for late-night snacking and those "I can't be bothered to put pants on" moments.
- Happy Hour: Sign me up!
- Snack bar, Desserts in restaurant, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant: The little things that make a big difference.
- Soup, Salad: Always good to have healthier options.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Good for specific dietary needs.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Room sanitization opt-out available: Good. Health-conscious, even giving the option for someone to be less careful.
Cleanliness and Safety – The New Normal (Thank God)
This is crucial now. No one wants to spend their vacation dodging viruses.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization between stays, Safe dining setup, Staff trained in safety protocol: All essential. This hotel sounds committed.
Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Necessary if you're ever unlucky.
Cashless payment service: Convenient.
Sterilizing equipment: Good.
Shared stationery removed: Good, less chance of getting sick.
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]: Security is a huge plus
Services and Conveniences – Making Life Easier
The little things that make a difference.
- Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage: These are the basics.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: For those last-minute souvenirs.
- Business facilities: Good if you have some work to do but a vacation is a vacation!
For the Kids – Family Friendly? (Or Just Tolerant?)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This is important for families. "Kid friendly" can mean so much, and this hotel's listing is vague here. I hope this hotel is good with that!
Getting Around
- Airport transfer, Taxi service, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Bicycle parking, Valet parking: So, parking is a bit up in the air on this, depending on your needs.
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty-Gritty
Alright, let's drill down to the rooms themselves. The space where you'll actually be for a significant portion of your trip.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free]: Most of the essentials covered.
- Additional toilet, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Complimentary tea, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, High floor, Interconnecting room(s) available, Laptop workspace, Mirror, On-demand movies, Reading light, Scale, Seating area, Sofa, Soundproofing, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Window that opens: More of the "nice to have" things.
- Desk, Extra long bed, Internet access – wireless, Laptop workspace, Linens, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing: Practical.
My Over-the-Top, Messy, Honest Conclusion:
Okay, so… this hotel promises a lot. It's like they threw everything at the wall to see what stuck. The accessibility promises need serious verification. Check this out! I personally, cannot stand it when hotels just say "accessible" and don't back it up with the concrete details.
Here's the deal: the potential is there. The location will impact your experience heavily. The food options are seriously tempting, and the relaxation factor sounds promising (especially the spa). The commitment to cleanliness is a HUGE plus in today's world.
This hotel is probably great for:
- People who appreciate a wide array of options and aren't afraid of a little bit of potential chaos.
- Families with kids (if the "kid facilities" are actually good).
- Travelers who value a good spa experience.
- People who need to stay connected.
It Might Not Be For You If:
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't going to be your pristine, glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is…well, this is me trying to navigate Athens, likely with a healthy dose of jet lag and questionable gelato choices. And the Holiday Inn Express Athens By IHG is my base camp. Let's dive in:
Athens, Greece: Operation "Don't Get Eaten by a Stray Cat" (or at least, try not to)
(Day 1: Arrival and the Pre-Emptive Ouzo of Courage)
Morning (or what feels like morning, thanks to the time difference): Arrive at Athens International Airport (ATH). Honestly, getting through passport control felt longer than the flight itself. I swear, the officer gave me the side-eye like I was smuggling baklava. Grab a very overpriced taxi to the Holiday Inn Express. The cabbie, bless his heart, was weaving through traffic like he was auditioning for a Fast & Furious movie. I gripped my bag like a lifesaver.
- Hotel Check-in & Immediate Judgement: Okay, the HIE is… well, it's a HIE. Clean. Standard. The free breakfast better not disappoint. I am already judging the plastic-wrapped pastries. The view from my room? Mostly other buildings. Sigh. Okay, fine, first world problems, I know.
Mid-morning: After a quick shower is the first order of business.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: The Acropolis, which is a lot of people. That's the main takeaway so far. The Parthenon is pretty cool, though. Like, jaw-dropping cool. Seeing it in person versus just a picture? HUGE difference. I tried to take an artistic photo of a column but got photobombed by a dude in a fanny pack. Just my luck.
- Anecdote:* Nearly tripped over a rogue stone on the way down. Almost face-planted in front of a tour group. My pride, and my knee, survived. Barely. I think a tiny part of my soul just died there.
Afternoon: Wandering around Plaka. Found a tiny, overpriced souvenir shop. Bought a worry bead. I probably need it. And a fridge magnet that says "Greece: It's All Greek to me". Perfect.
- Food Interlude: Had a Gyro from a tiny street vendor. Seriously good. Maybe the best gyro I've ever had in my whole gyroscopic life… But I’m already paranoid about food poisoning. I'm probably going to be the guy who gets sick on vacation, aren't I?
Evening: Okay, time for the obligatory pre-dinner Ouzo. Needed it. Seriously. Found a little taverna tucked away on a side street. The owner, a charming old guy named Dimitri, poured me a glass and gave me THE LOOK (you know, the one that says, "You look like you need this"). Ouzo is… an acquired taste. It tastes like licorice kissed a bottle of rubbing alcohol. But, I felt a little less jet-lagged after two glasses.
Dinner: Ordered moussaka. It was good. A little too much bechamel sauce if I'm honest. Now, am I full and sleep, or, am I going to be up all night with heartburn?
(Day 2: History, High Temples, and the Search for Decent Coffee)
Morning: Attempting the Ancient Agora. Which is also a lot of people. And very hot. I'm regretting not packing a hat. There's an architectural wonder, but I don't know if I'll see it if I will melt first.
- Quirky Observation: The Greeks really, really like ruins. I mean, fair play, they're impressive, but it's mostly rubble. Still, can't deny the history.
Mid-morning: Climbing Lycabettus Hill. The view… breathtaking. Seriously. This is what I came here for. All of that dusty, ancient goodness spread out before me.
Late Morning/Early afternoon: Finding good coffee in Athens is harder than I anticipated. The espresso in the HIE breakfast? Questionable. I'm currently on a mission. Currently, am trying a cafe near my hotel. It's also a lot of people, I'll tell you that.
Afternoon: Wandering through the Monastiraki Flea Market. A sensory overload feast for the eyes (and possibly the nose). It's a cacophony of vendors. So much stuff! From knockoff designer bags to ancient coins (which I will not be buying, thank you very much).
- Messy Structure Moment: Okay, I'm getting overwhelmed. Too many smells. Too many people. I need a break. Maybe some ice cream?
Evening: Dinner at a different taverna. This time, seafood. The waiter (who looked suspiciously like he was about to break out in song at any moment) recommended the grilled octopus. I was hesitant. I mean, octopus? But I was like, YOLO, when in Rome (or, well, Greece). It was actually really good. Tender and smoky. Maybe I'm starting to like Greek food.
Night: Back at the Holiday Inn. Crashing. Jet lag is still kicking my butt. But the day was good. I survived. And I even took a photo of that guy's fanny pack in front of the Parthenon.
(Day 3: Double Down on the Acropolis and a Lesson in Greek Patience)
- Morning: Yep, back to the Acropolis. But this time, early. Before the crowds. Before the sun becomes a blazing, judgmental force. I wanted to see the view from all angles.
- Doubling Down Experience: This morning I went for the full Acropolis experience. Went to the museum. Studied the ancient tools and sculptures. Listened (well, tried to listen) to the tour guides. I got lost in the history, feeling a connection to a moment in time.
- Late Morning: Back to the hotel to rest and grab a bite to eat and get out of all the heat.
- Afternoon: Take a tour a bit away from the hotel.
- Evening: Eating some food where there are no more crowdedness
- Night: Ready to go back to the base.
(Day 4: Departure – Farewell, Athens (Until Next Time, Maybe?)
Morning: Last leisurely HIE breakfast. Trying to decide if I'll regret not getting more of those plastic-wrapped pastries. Packing. A logistical nightmare, as always.
Mid-Morning: Checking out of the Holiday Inn. Saying goodbye to the lukewarm coffee machine.
Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. Hoping this driver isn't another speed demon.
Departure: Goodbye, Athens! You were… a rollercoaster. A messy, beautiful, sometimes frustrating, and occasionally bewildering rollercoaster. But I wouldn't have traded it for anything.
- Emotional Reaction (Good): I loved it, even the bits I hated. The history, the food (eventually), the chaos… it was all part of the experience. I feel like I saw at least some of the real city.
- Emotional Reaction (Bad): My feet hurt. I'm broke. And I could really use a proper cup of coffee.
- Opinionated Language: If you're coming to Athens, pack comfortable shoes, embrace the crowds, and for the love of all that is holy, don't be afraid to try the octopus.
- Stream-of-Consciousness Rambling: I think I'll come back one day. When, I'm not sure. I need to save money. But I'll be back. I need a second chance to get that perfect photo of The Parthenon without the fanny packs. And I need to find that perfect cup of coffee. Until next time, Greece. You were… intense.
Okay, there you have it. My messy, hopefully honest, potentially hilarious itinerary for Athens. Don't judge. I'm still recovering from the jet lag. Now, where's that worry bead…? ;)
