After an incredible four days at Amanzoe, our vacation was coming to an end. We had an early morning flight out of Athens Airport, so decided to book the Sofitel Athens Airport for our one night in Athens, given that it’s across the street from the airport terminal. We would have preferred to stay in the city, but Athens is a haul from the airport, so this just seemed like the easiest option.
The Sofitel Athens Airport isn’t cheap for an airport hotel. I guess that’s not too surprising — there are tons of people traveling to & from Greece in summer, and many people have to connect in Athens, with overnights required. The Sofitel is the only hotel connected to the airport. For our one night stay the rate was around 200EUR.
We arrived at the Sofitel at around 4PM. The hotel is on the airport’s premises, so that’s convenient.
Sofitel Athens Airport exterior
I found the hotel’s lobby to be sleek. However, it was a bit of a zoo, and it took about five minutes before we were helped at check-in.
Sofitel Athens Airport lobby
Sofitel Athens Airport lobby
I guess I had booked a room without a specific bed type confirmed. They assigned us a room with two beds, and I asked if they had any rooms with one queen or king bed. After checking the associate said that the only option for that would be if we upgraded to a club room.
He really tried to sell it, and explained that the room we would be assigned was renovated just a month ago, and would be much nicer than the other rooms. He also said that this would entitle us to breakfast in the lounge from 6AM until 11AM, and to drinks and snacks in the evening from 7PM until 11PM.
The cost was 63EUR plus tax. Against my better judgment I agreed, figuring that if nothing else it would allow me to review the club and what their renovated rooms are like.
So within a few minutes we had a key to our sixth floor room.
Sofitel Athens Airport hallway
We were assigned room 630, located most of the way down the hall and on the left.
Sofitel Athens Airport room exterior
Sofitel Athens Airport floorplan
The room was indeed pretty nice, at least for an airport hotel. It wasn’t huge, but was more than sufficient for a quick overnight.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room entryway
The room featured an entryway with the bathroom to the right, and then the rest of the room straight ahead. The room had a king size bed, and I thought the lighting and walls were sleek.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room
There was a wall-mounted TV across from the bed.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room
In the far right corner of the room was a chair and a desk, which had a bottle of water, a kettle, and a Nespresso machine.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room
Sofitel Athens Airport club room coffee machine
Underneath the TV was the minibar.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room minibar
On the left of the room was yet another desk.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room
There was complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and it was reasonably fast.
I found the bathroom setup to be a bit odd. There was an area that had a sink, a walk-in shower, and then a bathtub. Personally I’d rather have double sinks and either a shower or bathtub, but…
Sofitel Athens Airport club room bathroom
Sofitel Athens Airport club room bathtub
Sofitel Athens Airport club room shower
Toiletries were from Les Notes De Lanvin.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room toiletries
Then the toilet was in a separate room near the entrance to the room.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room toilet
The room faced in the direction of the parking lot and the runway. The room only had a fairly small window, and it had blackout shades, so the room got nice and dark.
Sofitel Athens Airport club room view
Shortly after checking in we visited the club lounge, located on the eighth floor. After how much the front office associate hyped the lounge, I was curious to check it out.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge entrance
The lounge was tiny and had no natural light. In the main room there were three tables that were uncomfortably close to one another, and then a couple of couches.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge seating
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge seating
Off to the side was another room with a few couches.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge seating
Then there was a small business center with a computer and printer.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge computer
The buffet area was back towards the entrance.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge
Even though it was outside the evening and breakfast hours, there were some sweets as well as a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including soda, water, and two coffee machines.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge daytime snacks
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge coffee machine
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge drinks
Then at 7PM the evening selection was brought out, which was… not great. It consisted of a few cold cuts, some stale sandwiches, and some whole fruit.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge evening snacks
There were also alcoholic drinks, including wine and liquor, though we passed on that.
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge evening drinks
Sofitel Athens Airport club lounge evening drinks
We were hoping that the club lounge spread would be a dinner substitute, but it wasn’t, so we ended up ordering room service pizzas, which were alright, though a bit greasy.
Sofitel Athens Airport room service
For reference, the room service menu read as follows:
I was hopeful that the breakfast selection would be better, but it wasn’t great either.
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Breakfast included some pastries, cheese, cereal, sausage, yogurt, and very runny eggs. There was no sliced fresh fruit, but rather just whole fruit.
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Sofitel Athens Airport executive lounge breakfast selection
Perhaps worst of all was that there was no lounge attendant in the morning, and both of the coffee machines were broken. So we didn’t even get coffee.
While we didn’t use either of the facilities, the ninth floor had both the gym and pool. The indoor pool was a pleasant surprise.
Sofitel Athens Airport pool
Sofitel Athens Airport pool
The gym, on the other hand, was tiny and had outdated equipment.
Sofitel Athens Airport gym
We got a good night of sleep, and the next morning we just had to walk across the street to catch our flight. That convenience is the reason you stay here, after all.
Walk from Athens Airport to Sofitel
Sofitel Athens Airport bottom line
The Sofitel is a great option for anyone looking for the most convenient place to stay before or after a flight from Athens Airport. Our renovated room was nice, though I found the club lounge to be disappointing.
So I recommend this hotel if you do want the most convenient option for staying near Athens Airport, though it comes at a price.
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