Blue Sea Hotel

I spent three nights in room 214 and won’t stay here again. The bathroom door hits the sink behind it, so it won’t open fully. You have to squeeze through the narrow gap, get into the shower area, then close the door to reach the sink. One morning I stubbed my pinky toe on the shower corner trying to get in. The pain was awful and the bruising showed up straight away. Thank goodness it wasn’t broken, but it was badly bruised. This room should not be available to anyone!

The staff were brilliant and really friendly, and the rooms were clean with everything you need. It’s right by the beach and next to the tram into the city centre. I’d highly recommend it for couples.

We stayed twice over two weeks, for one night each time, with family and friends. It worked well before and after yachting out of Alimos, and I’d stay again. The rooms are basic but clean, with a few configuration options. There are lots of seats and couches to relax on downstairs, along with a nice breakfast area. It’s about 400 metres to the beach, 200 metres to the President restaurant, which is very good, and around 300 metres to a few shopping streets. It’s rated four stars in Greece, though I’d probably call it more like three in the UK. A taxi to the airport costs about €43-53, though I think it was closer to €60 from the airport. I think the cab from the acropolis was €35.

There haven’t been major changes this year compared with previous years. The reception team, Alexandra, Elena, Maria, and the night receptionist, are all professional and considerate. The previously mentioned receptionist, Eleana, no longer works here. The air conditioning is excellent, and the Wi-Fi has finally been fixed, with a great signal now. The hotel is very clean, and the maids work hard. Slippers aren’t usually in the rooms anymore, though I got some when I asked. Breakfast is decent and plentiful, but there are a few fewer choices than several years ago. I think new options should be added over time instead of cutting them back. Usually there’s no fruit before 10:30. The new woman in the restaurant seems polite, motivated, and pleasant. Her male colleague still seems grumpy, and I don’t think he even speaks English. The ground floor and elevator could use music. If there isn’t money for a major renovation, they could at least replace the bar sign at the entrance. It’s unacceptable to leave the maids’ laundry cart in the first-floor hallway beside the sofa for guests. The maids give an incredibly ill-mannered, inconsiderate impression. They shout from early morning every day, talk loudly to each other and on the phone, and bang on doors without restraint. Two have blonde hair, though I’m not sure about the others. I think that would be unacceptable even in someone’s own home. I stayed at another hotel afterward, where the maids were quiet, as they are elsewhere. Until last summer, Mr. Papadeas gave me a significant discount as a regular guest. In early September I asked about coming again, but Mrs. Despoina’s offer had almost no discount, so I chose not to come. I felt that was inadequate, unprofessional, and ethically questionable given how many times I’d visited. I remember the room I asked for last September stayed empty those days. This time I got a nice price from Mrs. Despoina. When I asked by email about returning in September '25, I got no response until I called, even though the receptionist at checkout had suggested I email reception. Elena arranged for me to enter the room early because I had a night flight. The ground floor has been refreshed and looks better, including reception, bar, and restaurant. The Wi-Fi is much better than it used to be. Breakfast is still nice and filling, though average. For the first time this year, prices don’t seem higher than last year’s. Alexandra and the old receptionists are still excellent, and the new night receptionist is professional, kind, and keen to help. One summer 2024 incident still bothered me: the afternoon receptionist, a woman I think was Eleanna, didn’t put a call through to my room or tell me about it. First she said she hadn’t understood what the caller wanted. When I pointed out the caller had clearly asked for my room number, she said hotel policy was not to transfer calls without the guest’s permission. That explanation felt unprofessional, unconvincing, and inconsistent. She hadn’t asked my permission after the first call, if that was the usual policy, and instead of apologizing, she smiled ironically. That individual incident didn’t change my generally positive impression of the hotel. I’d give the hotel an objective 4, but I’m giving this oasis in the most beautiful part of South Athens a 5. The only thing I miss is a swimming pool.