Esse Athens — Hotel in Athens

An Unforgettable Experience at Éssé Athens Hotel

From the moment I arrived at Éssé Athens Hotel, I knew I was about to experience something truly special. This wasn’t just a place to stay—it was a warm, welcoming haven in the heart of Athens, where every detail was crafted to perfection.

Personal Touches That Set the Tone

One of the standout moments was receiving a handwritten note from the hotel manager, Fay Giannopoulou. This simple yet meaningful gesture made me feel valued and instantly at ease. It’s rare to find such genuine hospitality, and this thoughtful touch set the tone for what became one of the most memorable stays I’ve ever had.

Exceptional Service

The staff at Éssé Athens are in a league of their own. Every single team member went above and beyond to ensure my experience was nothing short of perfect. Their warmth, kindness, and proactive approach were truly remarkable. Whether it was offering excellent recommendations for exploring Athens, ensuring I was comfortable at every moment, or simply greeting me with genuine smiles, they demonstrated an unparalleled level of care and attention to detail.

Prime Location and Elegant Comfort

The hotel’s location couldn’t be better—right in the heart of the historic Plaka neighborhood. I could step outside and find myself surrounded by the rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning beauty of Athens. My room was a sanctuary: spotlessly clean, beautifully designed, and equipped with every comfort I could ask for. It perfectly blended modern elegance with cozy charm, creating a space where I could relax and unwind after exploring the city.

A Hotel That Feels Like Home

What truly sets Éssé Athens apart is the way they make you feel like family. This isn’t just a hotel—it’s an experience filled with heart and soul. Every interaction, from casual conversations to the smallest gestures, reflected their genuine desire to make my stay extraordinary. I felt deeply cared for, and that kind of authenticity is priceless.

Final Thoughts

Éssé Athens Hotel is more than a place to stay—it’s a destination in itself. Fay and her incredible team have created an oasis of warmth, comfort, and excellence that goes far beyond expectations. If you’re planning a visit to Athens, do yourself a favor and book here.

I’ve traveled to many places around the world, but my time at Éssé Athens stands out as one of the most heartfelt and unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had. Thank you to everyone at Éssé Athens for making my trip so special—I can’t...

Esse Athens is central to Plaka (old Athens) so you’re steps away from shops and restaurants and even historical sites. The views from the room is AMAZING overlooking towards the Acropolis. The cozy hot tub on the veranda definitely made this place a real gem.

The staff were super friendly and very happy to help. They spoke decent English and we had a good chat about the Greek Islands. We didn’t need any help specifically as we had been in Athens before and were comfortable to explore on our own.

The interior of the rooms are tastefully decorated with black marble and wooden flooring. I did like the double shower and the super spacious bathroom though the water under the shower door would get everywhere on the bathroom which made the bathroom really slippery.

HOWEVER, the one main issue we had with the hotel, in particularly the room we stayed at (and I believe it is the only corner room with a hot tub in the property) - it had weird stains on the walls and emitted a very musty smell, which I can only assume was mould that had been painted over. The smell was really strong and I was concerned about our health (and my asthma) while staying inside the room for too long. I’m uncertain if this is something they could ever resolve but I thought I’d point it out to the next person who stays there.

What I’m most surprised about was that for the mini bar, they only provided 2 teabags and 4 coffee pods. We were told that any extra teabag or coffee pod would cost us €2.50 each. We felt that for what we paid for, we were expecting a little more than this.

The breakfast was provided by a cafe at the end of the street as the hotel restaurant was still under renovations. The food was delicious but service was a bit lacking despite that we were the only other table that morning. We had to hurry them as we needed to go to the airport right after breakfast. Because this is not part of the hotel, this is mainly just a caution for those who expect a speedy service.

All in all, I think this could’ve been an amazing property if not marred by a couple negatives indicated above. I’m also not sure if the price we paid was necessarily worth it. For reference, we paid €750 / A$1.3k per night which I think is super steep for a small studio room in Athens in the middle of May (shoulder season). I felt that there could be better offerings around the area if you can forgo the hot tub...

I have mixed feelings but let me get this out of the way - I would go back. The hotel is very new, not even a year old (so I'm told). It's a boutique hotel so if you're looking for luxury this is not that kind of place but it was luxurious in it's own way. The bed was comfortable, the shower was very very nice, the view of the acropolis was nice, but not necessary. The breakfast was delicious and the friendliness of the staff was fantastic. Matina, Virginia,Evaggelia, Giorgios were all outstanding. So what was wrong....well in a boutique hotel you won't get a lot (if any) drawer space so we lived out of our suit cases for 6 days (but we expected that). And while the hotel staff was incredible, the reservation staff was not. And while I would like to say to stay away because of that, the reality is the hotel itself was really quite nice. Just make sure you book at the right moment, check your emails for any promotions because if you miss it, even by a day, they are unforgiving. I missed an opportunity because I was not near my emails for 4 days and so my upgrade went from $24 a day to $84 a day. I mean, come on - and they wouldn't budge. We upgraded to have a room with an acropolis view (we had to move after the 2nd night to get it) and then the telescope in the room didn't even work. UGH. I still think they should reimburse me some of the...