Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel, Athens

Pros

• The hotel’s technology-centric approach makes life convenient for guests, as you can customize the settings of your room and even open the curtains just by using your phone. The rooms also include high-tech toilets that have heating capabilities and the option of opening and closing the lid with a remote.
• Several rooms have been designed with people’s different accessibility needs in mind, so folks who are in wheelchairs or have other needs will find a comfortable space here.
• The central location of the Hellenic Vibes puts you within a short walking distance of Athens’ major sites like the Acropolis, Monastiraki Square, and Plaka.

Cons

• While many may find the hotel’s smart technology approach to be appealing, those who have a more complicated relationship with technology may not be as interested in this aspect. However, there is still a friendly staff of people here, who are ready to meet your needs, if you prefer to have in-person interactions rather than virtual ones.
• The building’s landmark status means that certain structural changes can’t be made, such as adding rooms like a gym or spa. However, those looking for spa treatment can arrange for something in their room using the app.

Authenticity

The Hellenic Vibes is all about bringing a modern approach to the ancient city of Athens. Guests are within walking distance of Athens’ most famed ancient sites like the Acropolis, Hadrian’s Library, and the Temple of Zeus, but the hotel itself is very much in the 21st century. Having all your needs at your fingertips means that you can discover various ways of experiencing Athens, as guests can book tours or sight-seeing packages from the hotel app on their phone or smart device. 

Location

The Hellenic Vibes is on Athinaidos street, which puts it somewhat on the border of the neighborhoods of Monastiraki and Syntagma. It’s very centrally located, which becomes clear when you walk in and a large screen near the entrance shows you exactly how far you are from different sites of Athens. Hadrian’s Library is just five minutes away walking, as is Monastiraki Square and metro. Syntagma Square is 10 minutes away by foot, while the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum are just 15 minutes away. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 35 rooms of the Hellenic Vibes vary in size and view, as a few of them like the Executive Suite include views of the Acropolis. Although the hotel is on busy Athinaidos street, the rooms all have soundproofed windows that keep out the noise outside. The main feature of these rooms is that they’re all linked up to the hotel’s app, which means you can configure various aspects of the room to your own desires from a few buttons on your phone. Open the curtains with your device or control the room’s temperature. 

Perhaps the most thrilling feature of the rooms at the Hellenic Vibes is their state-of-the-art remote-controlled toilets. You can avoid fights with someone about leaving the toilet seat up, as there’s a remote to lower and raise it, so you never have to touch it again. Folks with certain accessibility needs will can book the Gaia Accessible Room, which is wheelchair-friendly and includes lower toilets and sinks that can be more easily reached.