Elia Ermou Athens: Your Dream Greek Getaway Awaits!
Elia Ermou Athens: Did My Athenian Dream Actually Come True? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe, Kinda, Sort Of…)
Okay, so I just got back from Athens, and let me tell you, the whole "ruins and romance" thing is real. And my base of operations? The Elia Ermou Athens. The website promised a "Dream Greek Getaway" – high expectations, I know, but hey, a girl can hope, right? Let's unpack this, shall we? Prepare for a long review… because I'm still processing.
Accessibility & Safety First (Important, But Let's Get This Out of the Way):
Alright, so let's be super practical for a sec. Accessibility: They do have facilities for disabled guests and an elevator. That's a good start. I didn't need those specifically, but knowing they're there is reassuring. CCTV in common areas & outside property made me feel safer. Safety deposit boxes were a plus. Fire extinguisher, smoke alarms – all the basic safety stuff was present and accounted for. They've clearly put effort in to keep guests safe and have implemented all the modern necessary safety/security features.
The COVID Stuff (Because, Sadly, It's Still a Thing):
Look, I’m a germaphobe by nature, so this was HUGE for me. They were REALLY on top of things, which I loved. Anti-viral cleaning products, Room sanitization between stays, and daily disinfection in common areas? Check, check, and check! Hand sanitizer was everywhere. They even had individually-wrapped food options. And the staff? Trained to the eyeballs in safety protocols. I opted out of room sanitization, but the fact that it was offered was a fantastic peace-of-mind. There was also physical distancing of at least 1 meter. The hotel also had hygiene certification, which I always like to see. The cashless payment service was a plus. I feel pretty safe based on them setting the standard in the sector.
Food, Glorious Food (The Good, The Bad, and the Souvlaki):
Okay, deep breath. Food is VERY important to me. Let's start with the breakfast. They offer breakfast [buffet] and breakfast service. And get this: Asian breakfast. Now, I’m not sure what constitutes an "Asian breakfast" in Athens, but I was too intrigued not to try it. (It was… interesting. Mostly the same buffet.) You could get Western breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant at the restaurants. There was also coffee/tea in restaurant and a coffee shop for that all-important caffeine fix.
The restaurants themselves offered a mix of International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, and a vegetarian restaurant and they were pretty good. I loved the poolside bar, and they make a KILLER cocktail. I did have a bit of a disaster with my main course one night - the waiter was new and I just got my order all wrong. I had to go back to the buffet to make do.
I tried the room service [24-hour] at 3 am. Okay, so maybe my flight schedule was a little off… But look, the ability to get a midnight gyros delivered to your door is a total win. The snack bar came in handy too.
Dining, drinking, and snacking can be a great experience, even if I messed one up.
The Rooms: My Athenian Abode (With Quirky Bits):
My room? Ah, yes. Non-smoking rooms, thank the gods. I got a room on a high floor with a view (score!). The view looked out at the Acropolis, so every morning, I woke up to that stunning view. The room had air conditioning, which was a lifesaver in July. Air conditioning in public area was also really good. Blackout curtains were a godsend (hello, jet lag!). They had complimentary tea, and free bottled water.
The coffee/tea maker was nice. Daily housekeeping did a stellar job. The bed was a bit on the firm side for my liking. The slippers were a nice touch! The bathroom was clean, modern and had separate shower/bathtub. I loved that they had a mirror. The Wi-Fi [free] worked perfectly, no matter the time of day I logged on. I also got to use the desk, to catch up with some emails.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax):
Okay, so here's where things got interesting. They've got a fitness center and a swimming pool [outdoor] with a pool with view. My first reaction was "Okay, can I just live here?". The pool was seriously gorgeous! I spent a lot of time lounging by it.
I indulged in the massage. Oh. My. God. It was hands-down the best massage of my life. I'm still dreaming about it. Seriously, book a massage. Now. I was so relaxed, I could have floated away.
Beyond the pool, they also have a Spa.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter:
They have daily housekeeping, which was great as I'm a slightly messy traveler. Laundry service was available, thank goodness, after a disastrous incident involving tzatziki and a white shirt. There was also a dry cleaning service. Having a concierge was a HUGE plus. They helped me with everything from booking tours to finding the best souvlaki in town (highly important research!). The fact that they had an elevator was a huge plus. They had safe deposit boxes to put your valuables away. Luggage storage was great as I arrived a little early for check-in. They also had a gift/souvenir shop to buy that perfect little something to take home.
The "Dream" Factor: Did it Deliver?
Look, Elia Ermou Athens isn't perfect. There were definitely little hiccups. But overall? Yes. It delivered on the dream, mostly. The location is fantastic – right in the heart of Athens, close to everything. The staff was friendly and helpful. The pool was heavenly. The massage? Seriously. Dreamy.
The Verdict: Book It! (With a Few Caveats):
If you're looking for a stylish, well-located hotel with a fantastic pool, a killer massage, and a convenient base for exploring Athens, Elia Ermou Athens is a great choice. Just be prepared for a few minor imperfections. But honestly? That’s part of the charm, isn't it? Embrace the messiness, the imperfect moments. It all adds up to a truly unforgettable experience.
Here's my super-duper-honest, kinda-messy, and opinionated offer to you:
Tired of the same old boring vacations? Craving sun, history, and a little bit of splendor?
Then ditch the predictable and book your Athens adventure at Elia Ermou Athens!
Here's what you get:
- Prime Location: Walk to the Acropolis, the ancient ruins, and the vibrant Plaka district. No more wasted time commuting!
- Poolside Paradise: Soak up the sun by our stunning pool with breathtaking views. (Trust me, you’ll become obsessed).
- Blissful Relaxation: Experience the massage of your dreams in our spa! (Seriously, book it. Now.)
- Delicious Eats: Fuel your adventures with amazing food, from local specialties to international favorites.
- Impeccable Service: Our friendly staff are here to make your trip unforgettable.
But wait, there's more!
Book within the next week and receive a complimentary [Insert a specific, enticing offer here, such as a free spa treatment, breakfast upgrade, or a guided city tour].
[Insert a strong call to action here, and a link to the hotel's booking page]
Don't wait! Your Athenian dream getaway awaits! (And that massage? It's calling your name…)
P.S. Yes, there are a few things that could be improved. But honestly? That’s what makes the adventure fun. Embrace the imperfections, and create your own unforgettable memories! I sure did!
Unbelievable Japan Hotel: Tetora Yunokawa Onsen Will Blow Your Mind!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your beige, perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is the Elia Ermou Hotel, Athens, through my slightly-cray-cray eyes. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival. Oh, the Glorious, Chaotic Arrival.
- 11:00 AM (ish): Touchdown in Athens! Hallelujah! (After the flight delay that almost made me lose my mind. Seriously, I was picturing that screaming toddler on the plane as a personal nemesis.) The airport is a glorious, chaotic free-for-all. Smells of… well, a lot of things. Let's call it "Greek air."
- 12:00 PM: Finding my way from the airport to the hotel. Google Maps is my frenemy. I'm pretty sure the bus driver gave me a look that said, "You lost, love?" Pro tip: Learn a few basic Greek phrases. You'll feel less like a total idiot (maybe).
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at Elia Ermou Athens Hotel. OH. MY. GOD. The lobby… it's exactly what I pictured! Chic, warm, inviting, but also a little frenetic just enough time to get that first perfect Instagram photo!
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. This is where the "perfectly polished" starts to crack. The receptionist is lovely, bless her heart, because getting my room key took longer than it should have. Minor problem: I'd booked a room with a balcony with a view of the Acropolis (yes, I paid extra for it). I get a room – but it looks more like a storage closet! The balcony is right in the neighborhood!
- 2:00 PM: Ranting to the front desk, then getting another room. (Victory!)
- 2:30 PM: Finally in my room with a view, and I'm feeling all the feels. The Acropolis, bathed in sunlight. I'm officially in love. This is what I came for!
- 3:00 PM: Unpacking. Or, attempting to unpack. My suitcase exploded. Clothes everywhere. Pretty sure I brought too many shoes. (Never!)
- 3:30 PM: A quick shower, but I'm already planning where to eat!
- 4:00 PM: Wandering through the Plaka district, and immediately getting lost. This is Athens, apparently. The old streets are beautiful, but every turn feels like a potential wrong one. I love it.
- 4:30 PM: Found a little cafe and had that first real Greek coffee. Strong! Heart-stoppingly strong! Worth it!
- 5:00 PM: Strolling around, soaking up the atmosphere, and taking approximately 100 photos. The light here is just… different. It's magic.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a taverna I randomly stumbled upon. The food was incredibly basic, but the atmosphere? The absolute BEST part of the food. I think the proprietor might've taken pity on me and my terrible Greek pronunciation. He brought me a complimentary shot of something that tasted like rocket fuel, and I loved it!
- 7:30 PM: Watching the sunset over the Acropolis from my balcony. Feeling… well, everything. Joy, exhaustion, and a burning desire to eat more feta cheese.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep!
Day 2: Acropolis Ascensions and (Almost) Meltdown.
- 8:00 AM: Attempted to get a proper breakfast at the hotel. The buffet. It's nice enough, but the bread is a little stale, and the coffee is… well, let's just say I was missing my Greek coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Acropolis time! I'd booked a tour, thinking I'd be intelligent. I was wrong. The crowds! The heat! I nearly lost my mind. Seriously, I think I sweated off five pounds. The guide, bless her heart, was trying to speak over the roar of a thousand tourists.
- 9:30 AM (ish): Seeing the Parthenon for the first time. Breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. The history is amazing and inspiring to see!
- 10:00 AM: Getting yelled at! I got yelled at for touching a column I swear wasn't marked as "do not touch." (It was, probably.)
- 10:30 AM: More tourists. More heat. Less patience from me.
- 11:00 AM: Finally escaping the Acropolis. I needed air. And water. And maybe a stiff drink.
- 11:30 AM: Finding a tiny, shady cafe near the Acropolis. The iced coffee was a godsend. The woman who owned the cafe? An absolute gem. She told me the real stories about Athens, the ones you don't get from a guidebook.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a different taverna. The souvlaki was excellent. The conversation with the locals was even better. They laughed at my attempts at Greek, which, frankly, is always the best response.
- 2:30 PM: Exploring the Ancient Agora. More ruins! More history! More sun!
- 4:00 PM: Finding a gelato shop. Because gelato is mandatory.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a power nap. This sightseeing is exhausting.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant I found on TripAdvisor, which turned out to be amazing! (Hallelujah!) They ran out of my favorite dish, but the alternative was even better.
- 8:00 PM: Drinks on a rooftop bar. The view of the Acropolis at night? Stunning. Worth every penny (even the ridiculously expensive cocktail).
- 10:00 PM: Early to bed, planning tomorrow’s journey!
Day 3: Syntagma Square and a Cooking Class Miracle
- 9:00 AM: Wake up a little late, but I need it!
- 10:00 AM: Head to Syntagma Square!
- 10:30 AM: The changing of the guard. You can watch the ceremony, but I went straight to the shopping area in the center and spend a few hours there!
- 1:30 PM: Arrive at the cooking class! I'm terrified. I can barely make toast.
- 2:00 PM: Cooking the food! The instructor, she’s magic! She got me to make a Greek salad, and a moussaka (with a few minor (major) imperfections).
- 3:30 PM: Eating the food! It was actually delicious. I made it!
- 4:00 PM: More shopping, because why not.
- 6:00 PM: More sunset view. Still magic.
- 8:00 PM: Pack my bags and prepare to leave!
Day 4: Departure… So Long, Athens!
- 8:00 AM: A final, sad breakfast at the hotel.
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping (because I clearly haven't learned my lesson).
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. Said a heartfelt goodbye to my room.
- 11:00 AM: Trip to the airport!
- 12:00 PM: Flight! Flying home!
Random Observations & Ramblings:
- The Cats: There are cats. Everywhere. They're adorable. They're also… omnipresent.
- The Traffic: It's bonkers. Just embrace the chaos.
- The People: The Greeks are amazing. Kind, warm, and incredibly patient with clueless tourists (like me).
- The Food: OMG, the food. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and makes you want to lick the plate clean.
- The Hotel: Elia Ermou? Fantastic location! The staff is lovely! (Except for maybe the guy who gave me the wrong room…)
- Me: I’m happy. I'm tired. I stink of sunscreen and feta cheese. I want to come back!
Final Score: Athens, you win. Officially, you took my heart and I think I left a part of my soul here!
Escape to Cincinnati: Luxury & Comfort Await at Holiday Inn Express Mason!
Elia Ermou Athens: Your Dream Greek Getaway (Probably… Maybe?) – FAQs That Don't Lie!
Okay, spill the beans. Is Elia Ermou Athens ACTUALLY as good as it looks in those glossy brochures?
Alright, honest moment: those brochures? They’re curated. Beautiful, yes. But… reality? It’s got layers, baby. Elia Ermou? Yeah, it's generally pretty darn fantastic. Think: prime location, smack-dab in the heart of Athens, close to everything you *think* you want to see. But let’s not kid ourselves; it's not utopia.
Here’s the deal: the location? Unbeatable. Literally steps from Ermou Street (the shopping mecca – and yes, it *is* a bit overwhelming at times), a short walk to Syntagma Square (perfect for people-watching… and maybe protesting if you're feeling feisty!), and easy access to the Acropolis. I mean, seriously, the Acropolis is a *walk*. A sweaty, uphill walk if you’re me, but still… a *walk*! That's a major win.
But... there's always a "but," isn't there? The "perfect" location also means… noise. Oh, the noise! You’ll hear it. Late-night revelers, the incessant scooters (bless their hearts, they really *love* those things), and the occasional garbage truck doing its thing at 3 am. Bring earplugs. Seriously. Pack them. I forgot, and I regretted it *every single night*.
The Rooms: Luxury or… what are we really getting here?
Alright, let's talk rooms. I'm not gonna lie, I was hoping for the full-on, glossy magazine experience. You know, the kind with a balcony overlooking the Acropolis with a bottle of champagne chilling. My room? It… was… a room. Clean, yes. Modern, mostly. My view? Well, let's just say my balcony faced… a wall. A very *urban* wall. And the champagne? I had to buy my own, which, if you’re budgeting, is fine. If you’re feeling like a pampered queen… maybe not.
The beds? Comfortable. The shower? Powerful. The toiletries? Decent, but I have a particular brand I love, so I had to bring my own anyway (I’m a creature of habit, what can I say?). The point is – it's good. It's solid. Don't expect Versailles, and you'll be golden.
Oh, and the Wi-Fi? Mostly reliable. Except, you know, that one time when I *really* needed to upload that Instagram story of me eating a gyro (priorities, people!). It crashed. For like, an entire hour. It’s a minor inconvenience, but you get the point.
Breakfast: Yay or Nay? I heard Greek breakfasts are legendary.
Okay, breakfast. This is where Elia Ermou really shines. I'm talking, seriously, *shines*. The breakfast buffet is a glorious, carb-laden, feta-cheese-loving dream. Seriously. Dreamy!
Freshly baked bread? Check. Delicious pastries? Check. The best freaking Greek yogurt I've ever had in my life? Double Check! (I may or may not have eaten two bowls every morning. Don't judge me.) Fresh fruit? Of course! Everything is fresh, the options are plentiful, and the staff is super friendly. They even have a little section of *actual* Greek breakfast items – things like spanakopita and tyropita! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! The memories - the *delicious* memories!
The only downside (and I’m clutching at straws here) is that it can get a little crowded during peak hours. But hey, that's just a testament to how good it is, right? Go early, or grab a seat outside (if it’s not too hot!), soak up the Athenian sunshine, and prepare for a day of exploring fueled by the gods of breakfast. You won't regret it.
Service: Are we finally going to see some genuine Greek hospitality?
Okay, service. This is where things get a little… mixed. The staff at Elia Ermou is generally lovely. Super friendly, helpful, and they *try* to anticipate your needs. But… and you knew there was a ‘but,’ didn’t you?… sometimes the service felt a little… impersonal. Not *rude*, mind you. Just… a little less genuine than I’d hoped for.
I had a minor issue with my room's air conditioning not working properly. I reported it, and they sent someone to fix it promptly. Score! However, the person who came didn't speak much English, and I had to mime-act my way through explaining the problem. I'm pretty sure I looked ridiculous. We got there, but it wasn't exactly a seamless experience.
But! The front desk staff were always helpful with recommendations and directions. And the housekeeping staff? Consistently efficient and kept the rooms spotless. So, yeah, it's a mixed bag. Not the "embraced by a Greek grandmother" level of hospitality, but perfectly acceptable. They’re generally good. Just don’t expect them to read your mind.
Is it REALLY worth the price?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Is Elia Ermou worth the money? That depends. What’s your budget? What’s your travel style? Honestly... I think… yes. For the location alone, it’s a strong contender. Being able to walk everywhere is a *huge* time-saver, and it makes the whole Athens experience so much more enjoyable.
The rooms are perfectly functional and comfortable, and the breakfast… oh, that breakfast! You'll save a ton of money on meals because you'll fill up on that amazing buffet. You can eat like royalty without emptying your wallet. The service is generally good, (with a few minor hiccups).
If you’re looking for a luxurious, over-the-top experience, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a well-located, comfortable hotel with a fantastic breakfast, Elia Ermou is a solid choice. Would I go back? Absolutely. Next time, though, I'm bringing *two* pairs of earplugs.
What's the vibe like at the hotel? Is it a party place or more chill?
Okay, let's be crystal clear: Elia Ermou is not a party hotel. Thank goodness! It leans more towards the "chill" side. Think couples, families, and solo travelers like myself. It's a good base for exploring the city, not a place to rage until the early hours.
The atmosphere is generally relaxed and low-key. There's a small bar where you can grab a drink, but it's not a boisterous, crowded scene. It’s more like a place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. You can actually have a conversation! Which is, you know, a nice change of pace from someAround The World Hotels
