Athens is never easy and the “chain” hotels are always overflowing especially with cruise passengers - there are many small family “boutique” hotels which are so much more intimate and enjoyable and your video certainly cements that feeling- thanks so much for sharing
Hi Kevin, While watching your review I realised that this is the former Ledra hotel that I stayed at for a week in 2014 that has since become a Grand Hyatt. What a contrast. Back then it was an oasis of calm in Athens. It had earlier been a Marriott. It was moderately busy when I was there in summer but nothing like the chaos you experienced. While it was a little less modern in style and design it was very clean, furnishings were not worn or dirty and the service was nice and discrete. I agree the rooftop pool area is fantastic with an amazing view and is the best feature of this hotel. We found some amazing local restaurants and bakeries in the surrounding streets. Thanks for the review.
Wow. Just looking at how the check-in was handled gave me the creeps. The dirty bed and sun beds just add to the horror. Thanks for this review. I could have fallen for this one, as the view from the rooftop pool towards the Acropolis would have tempted me. Well, not anymore.
Hi Kevin, when I am in Athens I stay at the Sofitel at the airport, it has everything that I want, the staff are absolutely brilliant and cannot do enough for you I know it is a bit out of the main centre, but I'll sacrifice, the views of Athens for exceptional customer service and comfortable and clean rooms, Oh, I always have a runway view, sipping your favorite beverage and watching the planes take off and land is always a nice way to spend part of your day, enjoyed your review
First and last impressions as they say…..and everything in between with this hotel. So Hyatt unworthy, shameful! Thank you Kevin for this short and spicy 🌶️ review, loved it!
Ugh! It looks like a madhouse! I had this happen once in Las Vegas. Had to wait on line for like 45 minutes. I thought it was insane. They gave me a 250 dollar voucher which was nice of them and which I used with a friend at a buffet. This looked crazy
Hi, thanks for the video. I'm surprised by the score. the pool and the room must have made up for it. The hot part of the breakfast buffet seems to be of very low quality.
Just re-watching this as I am here now. I agree with everything you said in here. This is easily the weakest GH I've ever stayed at. I just came from Hyatt Regency in Sofia and it beats this place on almost every metric and was one-third the price.
When I imagine the hours you have to queue up to check into the room, I really have shivers up my spine. What a nightmare. To be caught in the situation, so tired from traveling, and yet you are unable to get some peace and quiet in your room. This is a real letdown.
Hi Kevin, Times have changed and I have not ventured out for ages! How do you manage foreign currencies when you travel. For instance do you convert cash at the airport, use more credit cards or have a universal atm card that can get cash out of atms in local currency?
I think all debit cards these days can get cash out anywhere... but I rarely touch cash when traveling except for a few cash-centric countries. In that case, always ATM.
The views are absolutely cracked but that breakfast looked a bit sad the room interior looked a bit basic and your experience with the cleanliness is a huge red flag. Almost forgot the pool furniture cushions lord they look bad. Great review, thanks again.
Mate thanks for the heads up I’m a Hyatt Platinum global member so I’m very Hyatt experienced I was thinking of Athens again recently as I have not been there since my glorious divorce This is amateur hour and I’ll stay elsewhere as 5 star still has meaning to me Cheers
The price ain't bad for what it offers in matters of location/stunning roof-top views, convenience and buffet. However if you add the check-in/check-out chaos, and the fact the cleaniness and materials seem like a hostel, it does not seem to be a worthwhile choice.
I stayed in the Hyatt while the new wing was being built. The room I was given I had to get them to come and re clean the shower and fix the shower head. Being. In corporate travel I was disgusted at the service and even the quality of food at breakfast. It’s no 5star hotel in the least
I thought everyone in the lobby were from the same group, just came down from buses together or something. Absolute chaos 😬 the view from the rooftop pool is stunning (not included the dirty chairs though haha)
A hotel like that not being ready to check in a giant group separately would also be it's own thing though too lol. Either way, a horrible situation. Thanks for watching 🩴
I’ve stayed 1000s of nights in hotels. Regularly in Four Seasons, MO and Peninsula but many other chain managed/owned including Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency in the past. I have NEVER seen anything like this. Not in peak season at WDW, Waikiki at its worst in the 90s. Spring Breaks. NEVER. Why would anyone subject themselves to this madness. Athens isn’t great and Greece isn’t exclusive. I will admit to having been on only one cruise and that was enough.
Not much of a plunge pool so why bother. Besides actual resorts in places like Bali, it's better to avoid 5 star large hotels which cater to mass tour groups. Terms like luxury and 5 stars are over used. If its grimy now, imagine in 12 months.
IMO you let them off pretty lightly this time… Chargeable espresso pods is just laughable. Didn’t even seem to have a separate check in line for WoH elites… Hard pass.
Technically they did have a separate line for WoH. One person tried to use it and was chewed out by a majority of the line. No one else attempted after that.
Absolute trash. And a complete embarrassment to the brand. The cleanliness is abominable. And if I were checking into that property and saw that shit show in the lobby I would nope on out of there. Thanks for the heads up.
That was a group booking thus the long line. Nothing to do with it being a "bad hotel". Please show some respect, patience and kindness to the people who work at these hotels as they are also dealing with huge influxes of people all at the same time. Shame you feel the need to be so negative about a petty outstanding hotel in Athens. The fact that you were so negative is telling of something a little deeper. What happened a Greek boy broke you heart?
Shame you feel the need to troll a channel stating their honest opinions with hundreds of very positive videos already published despite the fact that you weren't there and don't actually know what was going on. And no, that was not a group booking. That line sustained that length for over four hours- as I mentioned in the video.
I’ve been to that hotel twice already and everything was perfect. I was just wondering how can be all negative for you but I have the answers already . A negative mind will never have a positive life 🙌🏼
And a delusional mind will never have a life based in reality. You had your experience and I had mine. Learn to respect other opinions besides your own.
Athens is never easy and the “chain” hotels are always overflowing especially with cruise passengers - there are many small family “boutique” hotels which are so much more intimate and enjoyable and your video certainly cements that feeling- thanks so much for sharing
Thanks for watching 🩴
Such as? I'll like to book on in 2 days
@@wanderingdoc5075Im interested as well for our pre cruise hotel. I was going to book here until i saw Kevin's video. Nope.
@@carolinelane9599 I stayed it for 2 nights. It was weird.
@@wanderingdoc5075 You stayed there? In what way weird if you dont mind staying?
Thanks for sharing. Another hotel gets kick out my bucket list
Let's be honest, this one wasn't a bucket list hotel to begin with lol.
Hi Kevin! Just discovered your channel and have been binge watching them! Keep it up!!!
Appreciate that!
Hi Kevin, While watching your review I realised that this is the former Ledra hotel that I stayed at for a week in 2014 that has since become a Grand Hyatt. What a contrast. Back then it was an oasis of calm in Athens. It had earlier been a Marriott. It was moderately busy when I was there in summer but nothing like the chaos you experienced. While it was a little less modern in style and design it was very clean, furnishings were not worn or dirty and the service was nice and discrete. I agree the rooftop pool area is fantastic with an amazing view and is the best feature of this hotel. We found some amazing local restaurants and bakeries in the surrounding streets. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin you produce fantastic videos. We love your honest approach and we fully trust your detailed reviews. What did you think of your Virgin Cruisr?
I absolutely loved it. 2 videos coming out in the coming months about it.
Gonna be a pass for us. Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks for watching 🩴
Good stuff! And i haven't watched it yet!😁👏👏
Someone loves their drama lol
Wow. Just looking at how the check-in was handled gave me the creeps. The dirty bed and sun beds just add to the horror. Thanks for this review. I could have fallen for this one, as the view from the rooftop pool towards the Acropolis would have tempted me. Well, not anymore.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Hi, Kevin. Great review, pity you can't say that about check-in. Rooftop views and pool are fabulous. Thanks for bringing it to us 😊😊
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thank you Kevin for your review of the Grand Hyatt Athens. Very helpful in choosing whether or not to stay at the hotel.
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Hi Kevin, when I am in Athens I stay at the Sofitel at the airport, it has everything that I want, the staff are absolutely brilliant and cannot do enough for you
I know it is a bit out of the main centre, but I'll sacrifice, the views of Athens for exceptional customer service and comfortable and clean rooms, Oh, I always have a runway view, sipping your favorite beverage and watching the planes take off and land is always a nice way to spend part of your day, enjoyed your review
It may have just been the dates I was checking, but I found the Sofitel to be exorbitantly priced.
You are correct, it is always expensive, and I do not know why,
Love your reviews. No body does it better. Have you reviewed the melia I koh samui?
No, but I have done the Melia Phuket. Thanks for watching 🩴
Another great upload Kevin, keep them coming, ps could you cover the Lopesan Costa Melanoras please
Not many more European hotels coming this year- perhaps next year!
great pool view!!! Greetings from brazil
Obrigado 🇧🇷
Hi Kevin, please do visit and review the new Bengaluru terminal 2. There are 2 opposite viewpoints of people reviewing it, but I trust your reviews.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
First and last impressions as they say…..and everything in between with this hotel. So Hyatt unworthy, shameful! Thank you Kevin for this short and spicy 🌶️ review, loved it!
Agree and even if the last impression was fantastic, this first impression is pretty hard to get past lol.
You know its good when this video was posted 49 seconds ago
I'm not sure I know what that means, but I'm not going to disagree haha
Ugh! It looks like a madhouse! I had this happen once in Las Vegas. Had to wait on line for like 45 minutes. I thought it was insane. They gave me a 250 dollar voucher which was nice of them and which I used with a friend at a buffet. This looked crazy
All I got was a hair on my pillow 😅
@@tfft bad enough 😳
Stayed there for Athens marathon, was absolutely amazing in 2017 .. sad to see it has gotten so chaotic
There's a sentence I won't be saying soon! hahah :)
wow I’ve stayed there in 2021, a it was really nice. I’m surprised that they are using the same lobby. Even back then it was busy
Sounds about right.
Hi, thanks for the video. I'm surprised by the score. the pool and the room must have made up for it. The hot part of the breakfast buffet seems to be of very low quality.
The score is mainly due to the price. A Grand Hyatt in a European capital for under $300 is flat out cheap.
Thank You ✈️
Thanks for watching 🩴
Completely insane!
Agreed lol
@@tfft I literally put my arms up when I saw the line at reception. Charging for espresso pods would irritate me even more though lol
would be very curious on your take on the Park Hyatt at Bangkok, if you ever have(or perhaps, had) the chance to stay there
I have pre-channel, but hope to try it out again in the future and compare it to the new PH in KL.
@@tfftHow did you like it back then, was it good?
The queuing to check in alone means I’ll never even consider this place.
Same here... well again at least lol
Next time you should stay at the Renaissance in Athens. So much better than the Hyatt. Good video!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Just re-watching this as I am here now. I agree with everything you said in here. This is easily the weakest GH I've ever stayed at. I just came from Hyatt Regency in Sofia and it beats this place on almost every metric and was one-third the price.
Yup, very easy to agree with that- in all regards it’s a low level Hyatt Regency in GH clothes.
When I imagine the hours you have to queue up to check into the room, I really have shivers up my spine. What a nightmare. To be caught in the situation, so tired from traveling, and yet you are unable to get some peace and quiet in your room. This is a real letdown.
Yesss lol.
Hi Kevin, Times have changed and I have not ventured out for ages! How do you manage foreign currencies when you travel. For instance do you convert cash at the airport, use more credit cards or have a universal atm card that can get cash out of atms in local currency?
I think all debit cards these days can get cash out anywhere... but I rarely touch cash when traveling except for a few cash-centric countries. In that case, always ATM.
Now that I know to avoid the Grand Hyatt itd be nice to knownwhich property to actually go to... I haven't had good experiences in Athens... 😅
Thanks for watching 🩴
The views are absolutely cracked but that breakfast looked a bit sad the room interior looked a bit basic and your experience with the cleanliness is a huge red flag.
Almost forgot the pool furniture cushions lord they look bad.
Great review, thanks again.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Kevin, many thanks for the warning. I will NEVER stay at this hotel when I visit Athens in the future!
My pleasure! (kinda...)
Mate thanks for the heads up
I’m a Hyatt Platinum global member so I’m very Hyatt experienced
I was thinking of Athens again recently as I have not been there since my glorious divorce
This is amateur hour and I’ll stay elsewhere as 5 star still has meaning to me
Cheers
I think you're mixing up your hotel groups haha. Thanks for watching 🩴
Even though Greece is one pepperoni I have no plans on visiting, if I do I won't stay here, thanks to Kev! 🍕🥞
Some might say this GH is a borderline green bell pepper.
A few minutes in and I'm just speechless. Nobody thought about capacity issues or they just don't care?
I'll pick #2
The price ain't bad for what it offers in matters of location/stunning roof-top views, convenience and buffet. However if you add the check-in/check-out chaos, and the fact the cleaniness and materials seem like a hostel, it does not seem to be a worthwhile choice.
Kinda like saying, "yeah the car is a great value for just $10k, but just keep in mind it doesn't have an engine- otherwise, fantastic value!" lol
That check in experience reminded me of kansai international airport security lines in peak hours
Ironically I was just through Kansai peak hours security yesterday haha.
Upscale Greek Tragedy! 😂
😂
I stayed in the Hyatt while the new wing was being built. The room I was given I had to get them to come and re clean the shower and fix the shower head. Being. In corporate travel I was disgusted at the service and even the quality of food at breakfast. It’s no 5star hotel in the least
Agreed!
"Upscale Greek Tragedy" 🧐
Moderately Priced Greek Tragedy doesn't have quite the same ring lol
Nope. Beautiful, peaceful and incredible Greek oasis. Shame the reviewer as a chip on his shoulders.
hi please make a review on bengaluru terminal 2
Totally relevant lol
I thought everyone in the lobby were from the same group, just came down from buses together or something. Absolute chaos 😬 the view from the rooftop pool is stunning (not included the dirty chairs though haha)
A hotel like that not being ready to check in a giant group separately would also be it's own thing though too lol. Either way, a horrible situation. Thanks for watching 🩴
No one (fairly, justifiably and with details) does snark like you Kevin - thank you. One to avoid
I do love me some (well documented & deserved) snark 😂
Whar monrh did you stay
Late August
3 star hotel.
3.5 :)
I’ve stayed 1000s of nights in hotels. Regularly in Four Seasons, MO and Peninsula but many other chain managed/owned including Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency in the past. I have NEVER seen anything like this. Not in peak season at WDW, Waikiki at its worst in the 90s. Spring Breaks. NEVER. Why would anyone subject themselves to this madness. Athens isn’t great and Greece isn’t exclusive. I will admit to having been on only one cruise and that was enough.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
That's certainly not a 5 star hotel look or feel. Not cool.
Agreed!
Thank you for this review. We will avoid staying there at all cost.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Not much of a plunge pool so why bother. Besides actual resorts in places like Bali, it's better to avoid 5 star large hotels which cater to mass tour groups. Terms like luxury and 5 stars are over used. If its grimy now, imagine in 12 months.
Agreed
IMO you let them off pretty lightly this time… Chargeable espresso pods is just laughable. Didn’t even seem to have a separate check in line for WoH elites… Hard pass.
Technically they did have a separate line for WoH. One person tried to use it and was chewed out by a majority of the line. No one else attempted after that.
Fantastic rooftop views and pool, meh room, fisticuffs on the lift, disgraceful check in process. Hard pass for me as well. Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for watching 🩴
Are you the credit frog?
I don't think I want to know what that means...
5 star? I could check in at a YHA faster
Yotel Hainan Adventuredome?
Even OYO Hotel experience in India would be better than this one! Haha
Thanks for watching 🩴
One to avoid Kevin. Look like most guests were Americans getting off or joining cruises. No, thank you for me.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Кевин вы попали как будьто в турецкий отель в его хорошие времена . Очереди, везде очереди. Грязь и мусор. 😅 увы!
Thanks for watching 🩴
Absolute trash. And a complete embarrassment to the brand. The cleanliness is abominable. And if I were checking into that property and saw that shit show in the lobby I would nope on out of there. Thanks for the heads up.
Until you realize it's past the refund window haha.
❤❤❤❤
That was a group booking thus the long line. Nothing to do with it being a "bad hotel". Please show some respect, patience and kindness to the people who work at these hotels as they are also dealing with huge influxes of people all at the same time. Shame you feel the need to be so negative about a petty outstanding hotel in Athens. The fact that you were so negative is telling of something a little deeper. What happened a Greek boy broke you heart?
Shame you feel the need to troll a channel stating their honest opinions with hundreds of very positive videos already published despite the fact that you weren't there and don't actually know what was going on. And no, that was not a group booking. That line sustained that length for over four hours- as I mentioned in the video.
I’ve been to that hotel twice already and everything was perfect.
I was just wondering how can be all negative for you but I have the answers already .
A negative mind will never have a positive life 🙌🏼
And a delusional mind will never have a life based in reality.
You had your experience and I had mine. Learn to respect other opinions besides your own.