InterContinental Athens review

[Colin MacKinnon]

Hi all,

Two nights on points at IC Athens, Friday and Saturday. IHG Platinum Ambassador. Hotel obviously under-staffed.

Check-in good (small queue), phrase Platinum Ambassador used often and most benefits explained. Had email the day before saying I had an upgrade to a City View room. Concierge checked out some open-air cinemas for me. Rooftop Acropolis view restaurant was booked out for a private function that evening.

Breakfast chaotic. Couldn’t get anyone to bring tea of coffee on first morning. Second morning, eventually got a waiter – but he brought no milk. After waiting (until tea got cold!) and the Head Waiter/Manager walking past and ignoring me, I stood up and clapped my hands – well, that made him jump!

Huge queues at reception ever time I have passed, and there was a real shortage of waiting staff with some – like mine – trying to serve customers, but then being pulled away by bosses to clear tables in other sections.

Oh yes, and that upgrade. Was to room with a connecting door – to a family next door with young (read, loud!) kids who got up at 5:30am! And still seemed awake at 11:30pm!!!! I mean, what large hotel puts “top elite” members in a room with a connecting door next to a young family?

I won’t moan at the four euro charge for a cookie on a tray at the tea and coffee shelf – I only noticed the small card saying it was part of the mini-bar just after I opened it. Hopefully this will be covered by my $20 ambassador credit.

Liked the tram into town, but only going to give it a 3 out of 5 – one point lost for breakfast hassles, and one point for the connecting door to a young family.

[Aston100]

Hi Colin, what was the room like?

[Pangolin]

I stayed there for 2 nights in July and can confirm that the breakfast situation was very chaotic.

I had the same issues as the OP: a real faff trying to get a coffee ordered (the first day they completely forgot and I had to reorder), by the second day I just asked for one of those silver jugs with fresh brew coffee.

[Rob]

Thanks Colin.

[George K]

I don’t rate this IC at all – it need a complete overhaul from the inside out. It used to be good 20 years ago. Location isn’t great either – not too far from the city centre, but you really don’t want to be on that part of town.