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The average visitor to Athens supposedly only spends 24 hours in the city, but if you’re going to hang around for a while instead, consider spending part of the time in the Athens Riviera, also known as the Apollo Coast. This less hectic coastal area can be a pleasant alternative to the urban environment. If you stay at O2 Suites in Glyfada, you’re actually in the ritziest shopping zone of the Athens metro area and are right by several beaches for swimming.
O2 Suites Glyfada opened in 2023 and contains just 12 modern suites with lots of artistic modern design touches. It’s in a convenient location near a tram line that goes to central Athens and when we were done in the area, we rode it to the port of Pireaus to catch an island ferry.
One beach is just across the street from the hotel–in contrast to most in the area that are on the other side of a busy road. There’s a marina with a restaurant and two more beaches just to the north, then the upscale shopping area of Glyfada where you’ll find nearly every high-end designer brand you can think of.
This is a small and intimate hotel, so you get buzzed in at the entrance gate and then visit a small reception area to check in and select what you want for breakfast the next day. The bilingual staffers were extremely helpful and friendly during my stay and helped us with luggage to get up the stairs to our room.
Comfortable and Cool O2 Suites
This boutique hotel is cool, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The vibe is casual and fun, with a sense of humor. The first thing you encounter in the main hallway in one building is a monkey lamp. Then there’s wild retro wallpaper with bamboo and a skylit staircase that’s more of a standout than a simple utilitarian way to get up to the next floor.
You enter your suite with an electronic key and find another monkey waiting for you inside. This time he’s holding a light that illuminates the double sinks in the bathroom. Otherwise there’s a bed with attractive reading lights, a table for two that’s a good spot for breakfast or a little work, then a furnished balcony outside where we ate our breakfast the second day when it was warmer.
Rooms have a true king bed, not the usual European quirk of two twins shoved together with a gap down the middle. This being a newly renovated hotel, there are plenty of outlets and USB spots for charging your gadgets and lots of switches to control the lighting and curtains.
The space was ample, there was room to store everything, and the robes and slippers added a taste of luxury. What didn’t were the no-theft hangers in the closet, the kind you normally find in roadside motels. There also aren’t any hooks or towel racks, which makes it difficult to hang your towel to dry or put your hat or cover-up somewhere when returning from the beach.
Otherwise there was little to complain about in the stylish quarters of our Deluxe Double Room at O2 Suites. All have ample Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries for the rain shower. There’s a capsule espresso machine to get some caffeine when needed, an electric tea kettle, and a mini fridge.
Even the “Budget Double Room” is ample in size, but it’s more like a conventional hotel room, with a work desk and a single sink in the bathroom. The top choice is the Superior Suite with Sea View as it has more space and its own large balcony with lounge chairs.
Facilities and Services
It’s intentional that the word “suites” appears in the name and not “hotel” as this is meant to be a base and a place to start the day right more than a hotel where you never step outside. With a beach right across the street and dozens of restaurants to pick from in Glyfada, facilities at O2 Suites are rather limited.
The provided breakfast is a thing of wonder, however, not some thrown-together processed collection just meant to meet obligations. You’ll likely get more food than you need, ordered to your specifications, and it will all be high quality. It’s delivered to your room at the time you specify. Check out this spread to get an idea:
A massage area was still under construction when we visited but should be open by the time you read this. The real draw in terms of public areas is the terrific terrace off the second floor and great roof deck with a view of the sea from comfy lounging cushions. A bar may be going up here later, at least during high season weekends, but the owners are weighing demand for it before making any construction moves.
Since there’s no bar or restaurant on site, it’s perfectly acceptable to stock up on goodies in Glyfada and bring your own drinks and snacks up to the roof deck to take in the sunset glow at the end of the day. Even if the place is full, there’s plenty of room for everyone.
Staffers will also set you up with big beach towels if you want to head out to the beach with something to lie on and they can help set up excursions or drivers.
Booking a Stay in Glyfada
Rates at O2 Suites run $120 to $260 in the off-season with taxes and fees, but will be double that amount in prime summer months. Rates include an excellent full breakfast delivered to your room.
Get more info and book a stay directly with the hotel or check rates online at Expedia or Booking.com.
Review and photos by Hotel Scoop editor Tim Leffel, who was hosted at the property for purposes of review while in the Athens Riviera region of Greece. As always, all opinions are his own.
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