Undoubtedly a haven for the most ardent recluses this hotel was definitely exclusive, or at least the prices were. Not cheap, not well patronised and not value for money, this hotel seems to rely upon guests to be extravagant but without anything other than an interesting decor and a few room based gadgets such as electric curtains and feature lighting to entice. It is hard to understand how the 5 star rating was achieved. I have stayed at hotels all over the world and this is very much at the low end of five star, if not four star. The design was special and the spa facilities good but nothing else measured up. The proximity of the hotel to a busy and noisy main road made relaxing sometimes a challenge at the poolside and even through the double glazed and glass fronted balcony at night the constant traffic distracted.
The first night only we ate in the hotel restaurant The food was the most expensive I have ever had and frankly was fairly pedestrian though satisfactory. A two course meal for four with a modest bottle of wine saw no change from 250 Euros. I find it annoying that items are served whether they are requested or not and charged for whether consumed or not. Bread was continuously served and at 5 Euros a basket cost 20 Euros in one meal, most of which was untouched. A minor point but not what I have experienced in genuinely Deluxe hotels. If the food was great then perhaps understandable but it was not award winning. Breakfasts were very basic and unimaginative, though adequate. I note also that I was charged for mini bar use which was not used as it was only a few Euros I wrote it off to experience and deducted it from my tip.
We had two rooms and negotiated one up to a studio given the length of our stay (almost two weeks). The hotel does have a nice quality, if clinical, feel about it but is only suitable for the business traveller as has been mentioned by previous reviewers.
The staff were largely friendly especially the reception staff who were more than helpful and always at attention as you passed reception with a charming smile and pleasant hello.
Unfortunately the restaurant staff were less amenable and only notably helpful on the last day of our stay having concluded this might be tip day I presume. The difference in behaviour was theatrical and mammoth being highly entertaining but alas insufficient to recover the whole stay.
The location was not too bad being outside of Athens in a pleasant suburban town called Ekali near another called Kifissia, the latter having a Metro station which was excellent and well used. Three Euros by taxi from the hotel and less than two Euros return to Athens or even Piraeus was great value and easy to navigate.
The largest negative for this hotel was that it was not celestial but rather Marie Celestial. There were never more than 6 or so people to be seen and the place felt almost empty at all times morning, noon and night. I wonder if the emptiness was because of the Greek holiday season and that business guests had simply dried up over summer or whether the hotel was simply unpopular. I certainly won't be going again though would suggest an overnight stay as moderately feasible if only to enjoy the Japanese feel of the place.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
