The Athenian Riviera And Some Great Hotel Picks

Athens is a visitor's paradise, with sights, sounds and tastes that leave everyone delighted. As it turns out, Athens is also a busy conference destination, with lots of companies and professional organizations choosing the city for international meetings.

 

I spent the last couple days driving around the 'Athenian Riviera', down the coast along the 'paraliaki', all the way to the southern tip at Cape Sounion. This was a work-related mission to inspect the seaside hotels of Athens, in view of holding a business conference here next year. I saw a number of properties, and was pleasantly surprised by some, and surprisingly disappointed by others.

 

Over 2 days I visited:

• Divani Apollon
• The Margi
• Astir Palace
• Westin Athens
• Grand Resort Lagonissi
• Grecotel Cape Sounion
  
  

In general, I'd say a few of these places need some updating - removal of decades-old carpets, a fresh coat of paint, some updated décor. But a couple of them are simply gems - for reasons you might not guess. For example, the Divani Apollon has one of the biggest and most impressive spas in Europe! Quite unexpected. If I'm being completely honest, I'd have to say that I expected 'more' - more 'wow' properties, more choice, more consistency in terms of quality throughout the entire property range. Nonetheless, there are a number of solid options for a business conference.

To be sure, these are not cheap places. Group rates for September start in the high-100's per night - and go up quite quickly to the 300€+ range. But for a business conference, these are more-or-less in line with other European capitals for business conference rates.

In the end we chose The Margi - it combines the gorgeous style and service of a boutique hotel, with the modern meeting room facilities we need, a kitchen run by a well-known (and skilled!) chef, and a brand-new extra-large luxe swimming pool. They also run The Margi Farm, an organic farm where they grow much of the food served in the restaurant. The Margi is not directly on a beach, but you can reach Astir Beach on foot within literally 3 minutes.

If you're looking for a gem of a hotel along the Riviera, The Margi is it. Just forget about mid-September 2017 - we reserved the whole place.

Until next week,

Jack

The Margi
11 Litous Street, Vouliagmeni
www.themargi.gr
www.margifarm.gr

Divani Apollon
Agiou Nikolaou 10, Vouliagmeni
www.divaniapollonhotel.com