Hotel Review: Periscope Hotel, Athens, Greece

One thing you might not know about me is that I’m kind of obsessed with good design. So when I was looking for my home away from home in Athens, I was thrilled to find the Periscope, a hotel by Yes!Hotels, a member of Design Hotels. Located in the center of Athen’s hip Kolonaki district, the art-filled Periscope Hotel is definitely a treat for all the senses. From the moment you walk through the entrance, you’ll feel welcomed and at home by the warm colors, comfortable furniture and friendly reception staff.

Periscope’s lounge offers a fantastic mix of clean lines and simple fixtures combined with insanely comfortable, oversized furniture. It also features (my favourite) a complimentary 24 hour coffee & tea bar which serves up Nespresso coffee, cappuccino and espressos, as well as a vast array of teas. If you prefer something cold, you’ll also find a complimentary array of sparkling waters, sodas, fruits and tasty snacks to replenish yourself after a day of city explorations. Whether you choose to sit and relax in one of the blue velvet covered couches or enjoy a coffee in one of the oversized chairs, the Periscope’s lobby is a relaxing oasis from the hustle and bustle of busy Athens.

Walking into one of the Periscope’s 21 guest rooms, you’ll find the minimalism continued. A canvas of light and deep grays are accented by small touches of the hotel’s signature deep blue. A pop of deep orange on the bed makes the room warm and cozy. The overall minimalist aesthetic and understated luxury of the rooms exude tranquility.

Hopping onto the bed feels like jumping into a giant cloud. Looking up at the ceiling, you’ll see a giant black and white photograph mural of the streets of Athens. This specially commissioned artwork is supposed to mimic a periscope observing and recording the buzzing metropolis. You’ll try to study it and figure out where you are, but you can’t stay awake for long because you’re lying in the most comfortable bed in the world!

Seriously, I wanted to take these pillows home! Combined with the blackout shade to quiet the vibrant sounds from the streets of Athens, I truly had one of the best nights of sleep of my life!

The bathroom was also minimal with white walls and white fixtures, but design hotels are known for the details and the choice of O-live brand amenities was a smart move. I could not wait to hop in the shower and lather my hair with the delightfully smelling pomegranate shampoo. And the face soap was not only beautifully packaged, but the handmade Greek extra virgin olive oil & citrus left my face feeling hydrated and refreshed. The water pressure in the shower was terrific and my showers were almost as good as my good night sleep. I left in the morning feeling awake and ready for a full day of exploring Athens.

And if you’re very fancy, you can reserve the 50-square-meter, two level, Penthouse Suite, where you’ll also enjoy a private jacuzzi with insanely fantastic views of Athens.

My favourite way to start the morning was to grab a cup of coffee and danish in the Periscope’s lounge, get comfortable in one of these over-sized chairs and map out my day.

Luckily, the Periscope’s ideal location in Kolonaki, put me in a prime position to explore many different areas of Athens easily. Kolonaki is a fantastic neighborhood, filled with boutique shops and great restaurants with outside patios. It’s an area of Athens that well to do locals and visitors love, but that tourists often overlook. Not to mention, I was literally at the southern foot of Lycabettus Hill, which I climbed one afternoon just before sunset for breathtaking views of Athens. I was also just a 15 minute walk to Syntagma Square or about 20 minutes to the Plaka District, at the foot of the Acropolis. I was also just about a 15 minute walk from Monastiraki Square, a lively neighborhood with fantastic flea markets and antique shops. Athens international Airport is just 20.1 miles/32.2km away and can be reached in about 30 minutes by taxi or 1 hour by public transportation.

Overall, the Periscope Hotel exceeded my expectations. It is sometimes difficult to know what to expect when looking at photos of a hotel online – especially a hotel based on minimalism. But the Periscope’s special touches such as the friendly staff, free wifi, complimentary snacks and beverages, super comfy bed and excellent shower won me over and I would certainly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a great stay in Athens!

Thank you so very much to the Periscope Hotel in Athens, Greece for generously hosting me! If you’re interested in staying at the Periscope Hotel, visit their website here: Periscope Hotel. To learn more about YesHotels in Athens, Greece, visit their website at www.yeshotels.gr. To learn more about the 278 Design Hotels throughout the world, visit their website at www.designhotels.com. All opinions and images are my own unless otherwise noted.

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