Gatsby Athens Hotel, Athens

Pros

• Each room includes a "dare button," which guests can press once during their stay and receive a surprise that’s tailor-made for them.
• The lush rooftop garden and lounge area offers clear views of the Acropolis and a beautiful space for hotel guests to work or hang out in a private setting. 
• All rooms feature luxurious amenities such as customized boxing-style robes, rotary phones that call down to reception, while some rooms include features such as a projector and screen or a private jacuzzi.
• The hotel’s design and aesthetic is very coherent and considered and effectively evokes the spirit of both the figure of Jay Gatsby and the roaring 1920s of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.
• The Geco restaurant next to the lobby offers food and drinks in a beautifully decorated setting. It’s open to the public too, so invite friends that you make along the way to enjoy some time at the Gatsby Athens.

Cons

• While the Gatsby is a great option for younger travelers or those looking for social media-worthy backdrops at every turn, it may be less appealing for an older crowd.
• Some of the rooms do include balconies of varying sizes but none of them have a view to the Acropolis. However, guests can just head up to the rooftop to get that Acropolis view that they desire.

Authenticity

The 1930s building of the Gatsby Athens was one of the city's first police stations, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find any sign of that history in this lavish space. Where there were once overflowing file cabinets and ashtrays are now marble sinks and pieces of art. The spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby is the theme of the hotel, which isn’t “authentically” Greek per se since The Great Gatsby is quintessentially American. However, the Gatsby Athens offers a Greek take on that theme of 1920s decadence.

Location

The Gatsby Athens is located in the heart of central Athens, just two minutes by foot from Syntagma Square. All of the major sites of Athens are nearby: Plaka and Monastiraki are  just seven minutes away, while the Acropolis is just under 20 minutes by foot. The area surrounding the Gatsby Athens is a lively hub of restaurants, bars, and shops, as the commercial pedestrian street of Ermou is just a few blocks away.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 33 rooms of the Gatsby Athens vary in size and amenities but all share a style that’s coherent with the hotel’s overall aesthetic and feeling of “Gatsby.” Folks looking for something extra special can book the party suite, which includes an outdoor jacuzzi and cinema that comes with a projector screen and selection of titles. The smaller rooms such as the Juliet Petit or the Cool Corner are perfect for solo travelers or couples, while larger rooms are more suitable for families.

All of the rooms feature a “dare button,” which you can press once during your stay to get a surprise that’s personalized just for you.  And no, don’t expect just a random bottle of alcohol or box of chocolates; after all, the Gatsby Athens is all about the experience and the best way for us to experience things is to feel connected to them.