3 Nights at the Athens Gate Hotel

Friday, December 19, 2014
Athens, Attica, Greece

It has the Whole Package… .Book without Hesitation!


A Central Family & Business Clientele accommodation. I spent 3 nights at this lovely 4* hotel in December. This was my second visit.

LOCATION: Superb location, very close to the Acropolis Museum and the main highlights of Athens. Syntagma is a 10 minute walk while the Acropolis metro station only 2 and it is right across the temple of Olympian Zeus.

CHECK-IN: It did not take long to get the key to my room. The service was efficient and extremely friendly.

STAFF/SERVICE: The overall level of service was excellent. The guys and ladies (Kiki & Amalia and the boys whose names I miss) at the reception, the management, the lady looking after my room (Mileva) and the guys at the restaurant were a bunch of professionals and really nothing was too much for them. Everyone is extremely polite and helpful making guests feel at home .

AMBIENCE: The entrance is small, but you feel a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere the moment you step in. Due to the festive season the lobby was beautifully decorated. There are several spots to unwind both on the ground floor by the small bar, as well as up on the terrace.


LOBBY BAR: Guests can enjoy their beverage or cocktail and unwind in the relaxing and most inviting superb lobby lounge. Modern and comfortable sofas provide the perfect point on the ground floor to recline and watch the world go by. The attentive staff do everything possible to provide this extra touch of personal attention and make you feel at home. Snacks and finger food are served along with cocktails and coffee.

The foyer is the other cozy spot to unwind and relax, next to the fireplace. Magazines and different books can keep you company while pleasing to the ears music is heard all over the building.



ROOM: The room was on the 5th floor this time #505 . The double glazed wall window and door opens to a small balcony with a breathtaking view. The room is spacious enough and its minimalistic touch of décor is very inviting, cozy and pleasant. There is plenty of storage space, the bed really comfortable while linens have an extremely bright white color and are changed every other day while towels, daily. I found a sachet of lavender next to the pillow …what a nice treat for a pleasant sleep!

The welcoming treat was a bottle of red wine together with snacks to pair with. Have in mind that coffee/tea facilities are missing. In that case you need to go up to the beautiful terrace or the lobby bar.

BATHROOM: Average size, well maintained and spotlessly clean. I always find the idea of a walk-in shower more convenient, and this is the case here. With a very cleverly glass opening, there is extra light coming in the bathroom from outside. You can have a shower and watch TV for example or admire the breathtaking view behind the glass windows, directly from that opening . I find the idea smart.  

In all, the room was very comfortable with nothing missing. From a flat TV, to a Safe, a Mini Bar, to Slippers, a Hair dryer a Robe and a magnifying wall Mirror. The mini bar was fully packed and proved handy. Ladies' tiny face towels were also provided!

WI FI: Very shortly internet will be provided complimentary in all rooms. At this point guests are charged €4 an hour or €14 for one day. This is totally free however in all common areas. The matter is to be settled for good not after long.

BREAKFAST: The buffet had everything one expects to find out of a 4* hotel, enough to meet the needs of demanding guests. Home-made pastries, (spinach and cheese pies) cakes and biscuits, omelets, sausages and bacon, grilled tomatoes, cheese and feta, vegetables as well as cereals. Fresh orange, & tomato juice is nicely presented in crystal jugs by the bar. Nothing missing . It would keep me full until dinner.

ROOF TOP RESTAURANT: Spectacular View! It is listed as the No.4 of Roof Top Views of the World, of Acropolis and all the major sights that the city of Athens presents.

CUISINE: Even though the cuisine is tiny yet it is not a problem for the professional Chef de Cuisine Dimitris Karampampas to have everything under his control and present the best. I had the opportunity to meet and talk extensively on the new menu during my stay. A talented young man who makes the most out of his cuisine with a professional team. I had the opportunity to try several of his dishes and I was amazed. The menu is promising. Ask for it and check this for yourselves.

DINING:

BEVERAGE: I paired my dishes with a ruby red wine (Greek Wine Cellars) An 'Agioritiko' type of wine, -Black Swan. Its full body aftertaste with the delicate aroma paired well with what we were served .

SALADS: Out of the 3 salads I had the Spinach one. The almonds and sundried tomatoes add a nice flavor and color. The salad is served with grilled 'Manouri’ cheese, honey and balsamic. A refreshing salad, low in calories and extremely tasty. €14.00

The other two were the Dakos salad with feta cheese. I noticed the couple next to us having it and it looked great. This one costs €11.00. The last one is a Cabbage & Carrot salad with salami, hot pepper and citrus dressing. €12.00.

STARTERS:

I found all 4 appetizers challenging. Each and every one seemed so tempting that I asked to try them all and thankfully I did not go wrong.

SOUP: The Veloute Carrot soup with ginger orange and hazelnut is a must! An exquisite taste, spicy to the extent that you will love it. A soup is always the best way to start your meal, and this one definitely worth a try . It was so good that I asked for more!

The second appetizer on the list is the Sweet potato dish. The presentation is great, and the crisps of potatoes are topped with fresh spinach leaves and accompanied in a separate bowl with a dip of feta and red pepper. A dish I don’t come across often but I highly recommend. €10.00.

If you like mushrooms you will love the Grilled Portobello dish with goat cheese served and topped with smoked ‘Apaki’ ham from Crete. Thick, juicy and extremely flavorsome! €12.00.

The Marinated Octopus served with yellow lentil puree was another outstanding delight. Nicely presented and decorated with orange and caper leaves. There is no way not to like it. It will definitely leave you a summer feeling.  €15.00.

 
PASTA: There are 3 on the list ranking between €12.00 and €16.00. These are the Fresh Penne with Roasted vegetables and Greek ‘Katiki’ cheese, the second one costs €14 .00 and is Greek traditional pasta with spicy fried sausage. It is served with peppers & tomato sauce. For €16.00 you can get the Ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta. The pasta is served with a pesto of sun dried tomatoes and ‘feta’ cheese. The combination is great so for somebody fond of pasta the 3 alternatives are a challenge.

RISOTTO:

Risotto is always one of the most popular dishes I come across in several restaurants lately. There are 2 different versions here. I skipped the Prawn risotto since I recently had it, and tried the one with Asparagus, smoked Pancetta and parmesan. The latter is optional and I did not bother with the cheese, only to experience the real taste. Creamy and luscious with a fragrant flavor of the smoked pancetta, it is a dish to count for sure. €16.00.

MEAT DISH: The Grilled Pork Tenderloin is definitely not to be missed. I tried a tiny piece. The pork tenderloin was moist and full of flavor. €19.00.

SUGGESTED MEAT ALTERNATIVES: With pleasure I would return and taste one or two Meat Dishes on another visit. Perhaps the Lamb with bulgur wheat & herb sauce, or the Braised Beef served with Carrot cream. The Rib-eye steak with babe baked potatoes was another dish I believe I would love to taste. The cost is €24.00, €17.00 and €26.00 respectively.

 
DESSERT: I was already so full that I only asked to have one scoop of ‘loukoumi’ flavor ice cream out of curiosity as I never had it . For somebody who has a sweet tooth the taste was great. For me it was a bit sweeter than average but again, in general I am after light versions of sweet delicacies myself.

Desserts rank from €7.00 with the Ice cream, the Lemon pie and Cheese cake at €8.00, the Chocolate Cake with Ice cream of your choice is at €10.00 and finally, Oreo & Cookies pastry with grated biscuit at €11.00.

SIGHT-SEEING: Athens is a city which can easily be explored on foot, and the location is ideal for this. Put on your comfortable walking shoes and set out through central roads which have been transformed into pleasant pedestrian walkways. In one outing you can have it all: the Acropolis, ancient sites, museums, unique photo angles, coffee breaks and of course Plaka, with its beautiful neoclassical buildings. If you feel tired at any point, use the subway to return back to the hotel.


 
THE OVERALL IMPRESSION: The hotel has the whole package: location, excellent service, pleasant environment, the most spectacular view of the Acropolis, and professional staff . Whether you are in Athens for holidays, a business trip, or just a weekend to unwind and do your shopping don’t hesitate. Book here and leave the rest to the people in charge. You will feel spoilt and like me you will want to return. Thank you guys for making my stay a pleasant one!
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Comments

mmbcross
2015-01-17

Very nice place, and a bit more "down to earth" than your previous accommodations at the Hilton.

greekcypriot
2015-01-17

It is a family business mostly and indeed is just as you write it.
Highly recommended!

2025-05-22

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