**OMG! Santorini Dreams in Athens?! You Won't BELIEVE This Luxury!**
OMG! Santorini Dreams in Athens?! You Won't BELIEVE This Luxury! (My Chaotic Review!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from OMG! Santorini Dreams in Athens?! You Won't BELIEVE This Luxury! and my head is still spinning. Honestly, trying to write this review is like trying to herd cats – beautiful, fluffy, luxury cats with complimentary Wi-Fi, but cats nonetheless. But hey, let's dive in! (And yes, the title is accurate. OMG is exactly how I felt… multiple times.)
First thing's first: Location, Location, Location! This place feels like a hidden gem. Okay, maybe not hidden, but definitely… exclusive. It’s a bit away from the super-touristy hustle, which, let me tell you, is a godsend after a day tripping around the Acropolis. Getting around? They have airport transfer – a HUGE win. And if you're a parking fiend like me, the free car park [on-site] and valet parking are pure gold. Taxi service is easily available too, so you're sorted.
Accessibility: Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did notice they have facilities for disabled guests and an elevator, which is a huge plus. Always good to know places are mindful of everyone. I didn't see details on which rooms were specifically accessible, but I'd suggest checking with the hotel directly for specifics.
Cleanliness & Safety: (Because We're All a Bit Paranoid These Days, Right?)
Anti-viral cleaning products? Check! Daily disinfection in common areas? Double-check! Rooms sanitized between stays? Triple-check! Look, I'm a germaphobe by nature, especially after… well, you know. I'm happy to report that the place felt squeaky clean – not just surface-clean, but genuinely fresh. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were all masked and seemed to take the hygiene certification very seriously. Honestly, I felt safer here than I do in my own grocery store. They also have a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit, which is reassuring. Room sanitization opt-out available too, incase you're a super germophobe, which, no judgement.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (My Personal Sanctuary)
Okay, let's talk about the rooms! My room was… chef's kiss. Absolutely dreamy. Air conditioning? Thank goodness! Blackout curtains? Crucial for beating the Athens heat. Complimentary tea and coffee? Always a win. And the free Wi-Fi… flawless! I mean, I needed to upload all those Instagram stories, right? Oh yeah, and the Wi-Fi [free] worked like a dream in the public areas too. Seamless! And in case I wanted to go full vintage, Internet access – LAN and Internet access – wireless are also there.
But the real showstopper? The bed. Seriously, the extra long bed was heavenly. I could sprawl out like a starfish and still have room to spare. The bathrobes were fluffy and luxurious. The slippers were an unexpected bonus. I was practically living in my bathrobes! They have everything you can imagine. Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, (Sooo many) Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. There are non-smoking rooms. The soundproof rooms were also a blessing for late sleepers
The Spa (Where I May Have Lost Track of Time)
Okay, this is where things got… blurry. In the best possible way. The Body scrub was… bliss. Then, I wandered into the Sauna, and then the Steamroom. The Massage! Oh, the massage. My tense shoulders melted away like ice cream on a summer day. I didn't get to try the Body wrap, but I regret it every day. They have a Spa and Spa/sauna. Also a Foot bath! I think I spent the better part of a day here. My body felt better than it has in years.
Ways to Relax: (Beyond the Spa!)
So, as if the spa wasn't enough, they have a stunning Swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view. I mean, picture it: sun, water, and… okay, maybe a cocktail. They have a Poolside bar for good reason. They also have a Fitness center to work off the delicious food and cocktails (more on that later!).
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: (My Personal Paradise!)
Where do I even begin? Okay, the breakfast [buffet] was EPIC. Seriously. Everything. International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant were on offer. They have A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western breakfast.
I'm not gonna lie, I may have eaten my weight in pastries. They do Breakfast in room, and a Breakfast takeaway service! They also have a Coffee shop on site, which is essential to jump start your day in Athens.
The Poolside Bar!
I have a story. It wasn't my first night, and I was feeling pretty great. The food and drinks had me in a good mood for the day. That's when I ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, and walked over to my reserved spot by the pool. I sat down and was suddenly overwhelmed with a sudden, huge desire. I suddenly needed to take a selfie. I leaned over, grabbed my phone, and… sploosh. The entire drink went into the pool. I can laugh at it now, but at the time, I died a little inside. I quickly ordered another one, and this time, successfully completed my photo. The staff saw the entire thing, laughed, and were incredibly friendly about it. I was mortified and delighted. I still get a good laugh when I think about it.
Services & Conveniences: (Because Life Should Be Easy!)
So many things! They have Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping (thank you, sweet angels!), Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. Seriously, every detail has been considered. They even have Cashless payment service, which is super convenient. It makes for an efficient stay.
For the Kids: (Because Everyone Deserves a Dreamy Getaway!)
They're Family/child friendly! They even have Babysitting service and Kids meals.
Business Facilities: (If You Must Work, I Guess…)
I tried my best to avoid work, but hey, life happens. They have Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, and a Xerox/fax in business center.
Getting Around:
They have Airport transfer, which is a huge win. Bicycle parking is an availability, as well as a Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
In-Room Extras!
In case my description wasn't detailed enough, **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available,
Casa Margareta Dramalj: Your Dream Croatian Escape Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into chaos. This isn't your perfectly-curated Instagram travel feed, this is real. We’re talking Athens, baby! And, because I’ve always dreamed of Santorini-style, we're pretending our apartment – the Athens Plaza Luxurys – is some kind of Grecian fantasy. (Spoiler alert: it probably won't be, but a girl can dream, right?)
The Very, Very, Very Tentative Athens & Imaginary Santorini Itinerary (Because Let's Be Honest, I'll Probably Wing It):
Day 1: Arrival & The Pre-Vacation Panic (Athens… or Maybe Just Our Apartment?)
- 10:00 AM (ish): Touchdown in Athens. Okay, okay, probably a sweaty, sleep-deprived mess. Praying the luggage gods are merciful. First priority: find coffee. Strong coffee. The kind that can revive a zombie. Actually, scratch that, priority ONE: locate bathroom. Airplane bathrooms? Need I say more?
- 11:00 AM (hopefully): Athens Plaza Luxurys Apartments, here we come! Cue dramatic music (or the sound of me trying to navigate Greek street signs, both equally likely). My inner interior decorator is already screaming, “IS IT REALLY SANTORINI-STYLE?!” I'm picturing whitewashed walls, bougainvillea overflowing, a balcony overlooking… well, a street, probably. But a beautiful street, dammit!
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Apartment Inspection & Existential Crisis. Unpack. Assess the apartment. Is it as dreamy as the pictures? Probably not. Are there enough outlets to charge all my devices? VITAL QUESTION. This is where the panic truly sets in: Have I packed enough sunscreen? Did I remember my adapter? Did I accidentally leave my toothbrush back at home? (Don’t judge. It's happened.)
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: The Great Lunch Debacle. Find a taverna! The internet says there’s an amazing one nearby. Narrator: There wasn't. We stumbled upon a place with suspiciously cheap gyros. (Suspect everything when you’re hangry.) Ate it anyway. Regretted it slightly. But survived.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Acropolis… or Nap? The Acropolis beckons! But also… a nap. The siren song of the bed is strong. Temptations are high. But I have to do this. I’M IN ATHENS. I'M GOING TO SEE THE ACROPOLIS… probably… (Maybe just the Parthenon… from the outside… from a small coffee shop in a quiet park…)
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Exploring the Plaka (Probably a Tourist Trap… But I'm Okay With It!). Wandering the Plaka, dodging hordes of tourists, buying a slightly overpriced souvenir that I'll probably lose/break/regret later. But the atmosphere! The vendors! The supposed smell of souvlaki? I love it.
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Sunset Drinks (Attempted): Rooftop bar with Acropolis view! Sounds idyllic, right? Except I'll probably spill half my drink down my front while trying to take the perfect Instagram photo. Worth it.
- 7:00 PM onwards: Dinner and the inevitable feeling that I'm completely unprepared for everything, and also that I’m in heaven. Authentic Greek food! (Or, you know, what passes for authentic to a tourist.) Dancing! Maybe! Probably mostly collapsing into bed, exhausted but triumphant, feeling like the luckiest (and most slightly overwhelmed) person on Earth.
Day 2: Ruins, Rambles, and Religious Observations (Hopefully No Stray Cats)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up! (Maybe… I really need to set an alarm this time.)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast… or just a strong cup of coffee? Greek yogurt with honey and nuts? The internet told me this is obligatory. Also, a pastry. Definitely a pastry.
- 10:00 AM: Ancient Agora. Oh, those ancient Greeks and their markets! I'll wander among the ruins, trying to imagine what life was like back then. (And secretly wishing they had air conditioning.)
- 12:00 PM: Temple of Olympian Zeus. Okay, this is impressive. Seriously impressive. I'll probably stand there, staring up at the columns, and wondering how they built anything back then. And feeling incredibly small.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch (Again). Somewhere authentic. Or just somewhere with really good feta cheese. The quest continues.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring: Deciding where to go next is always the hardest part. The National Archaeological Museum? Changing of the guard at the Parliament? Or just… wandering aimlessly? (Probably that last one.)
- 5:00 PM: The Street Art Scene!: Athens is known for its amazing street art. I plan to get wonderfully lost in the side streets, hunting down murals and maybe even attempting (and failing) to take some decent photos.
- 7:00 PM: A dinner full of more food, trying to learn the Greek language and culture. I cannot guarantee that I won't butcher the language or make some sort of cultural faux pas, but I'll embrace it. That's kinda the point, right?
Day 3: The Day I Pretend I'm on Santorini (…Or At Least, Feel Like It)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast in my… imaginary Santorini apartment? Mimosa? Absolutely! It's vacation, baby!
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: My Fake Journey to Santorini. Okay, fine, I’m not actually going to Santorini. (Budget, time constraints, etc.) But! Today is the day I channel Santorini.
- 9:30 AM: Finding a rooftop pool! Or, you know, a public pool that feels like a rooftop pool!
- 10:30 AM: Taking pictures! Pictures, pictures, pictures! (Because: social currency.)
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: More food! The best part, honestly.
- Afternoon: Trying to capture the authentic Athenian lifestyle.
- Evening: Packing (the worst part), a final taverna dinner, and a bittersweet farewell to the glorious chaos.
Things That Are Guaranteed:
- Getting lost. Repeatedly.
- Overspending. Oops.
- Laughing a lot. (Hopefully.)
- Feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed, but also… blissfully happy.
Things That Might Happen:
- Meeting a ridiculously charming Greek person. (One can dream!)
- Learning at least one Greek phrase. (Beyond "hello" and "thank you.")
- Slightly getting sunburned. (Sunscreen is my friend!)
- Having a moment where I question everything. (Travel always does that, doesn't it?)
Final Thoughts:
This isn't a perfect plan. It's a suggestion. A guideline. A collection of hopeful dreams and likely screw-ups. But it's my plan. And I can't wait. Because even the messiest, most imperfect trips are the ones you remember. So, here's to Athens! Here's to Santorini… in my head! And here's to embracing the glorious, wonderful, chaotic adventure. Opa! And now… time to pack. gulp
Unbelievable 1BHK in Kathmandu's Historic Patan!
OMG! Santorini Dreams in Athens?! You (Maybe) WILL Believe This Luxury! FAQs - Because I Need to Vent AND Rave!
Okay, seriously, is this place REALLY Santorini in Athens? Like, actual blue-domed churches and all that jazz? (Because my Instagram feed is full of BS.)
Alright, let's be real. It's not like you're teleporting to Oia. You're still in Athens. Think of it more as... an inspired reimagining. They've definitely channeled the Santorini vibes, though. White-washed walls? Check. Bougainvillea practically exploding everywhere? Double check. That iconic caldera view? Erm... not exactly. You're getting a gorgeous view of... well, Athens. But the pools are beautiful, the design is killer – and after a few Aperol Spritzes, you might just *believe* you're a goddamn Greek goddess on vacation. Look, the architects clearly *tried* and, frankly, they almost nailed it. One could honestly get confused after a long enough nap poolside. Which, let's be honest, is kind of my life goal.
The website promised "luxury." Did it deliver? Because "luxury" these days seems to mean "slightly nicer than a hostel with a slightly less questionable breakfast."
Okay, look, I’m a luxury snob, guilty as charged. I expect my towels to be fluffier than a cloud and my pillows to cradle my head like cherubs. And... y'know what? They mostly delivered. The rooms were gorgeously decorated (I may have taken a few too many pictures for my Instagram stories). The service? Generally top-notch. Except... this one time. I asked for more coffee in the morning and it took, like, thirty minutes for it to be delivered. Thirty minutes! I was practically hallucinating from caffeine withdrawal while waiting. Okay, that's unfair, it wasn't *that* bad. But still! Coffee is... essential. But let's be honest, it was probably worth the wait, it was pretty darn good coffee.
What about the food? Because a beautiful room is useless if the food tastes like airline peanuts.
Alright, the food... here's where it gets interesting. The breakfast buffet? Spectacular. Omelets made to order, fresh pastries, enough Greek yogurt with honey to make you want to move to Athens *permanently*. Lunch at the pool? Delicious, but a little pricey for what you get. Dinner... well, I had a *really* good souvlaki one night. It was so good, I almost cried. Almost. The other night, though? Slightly underwhelming. A perfectly fine plate of food but nothing that screamed "culinary masterpiece." It’s a mixed bag, I’d say. Go for the breakfast. Seriously. And the souvlaki, if you get lucky.
The pools look amazing in the pictures. Are they as good in real life? Because Photoshop is a cruel mistress.
The pools… okay, the pools are where the magic REALLY happens. They are *stunning*. Yes, the pictures are accurate. They’re even *better* in person. Picture this: you, lounging in a ridiculously comfortable sunbed, perfectly chilled beverage in hand, the sun dappling the water, the gentle sounds of... well, Athens, but somehow filtered in a really relaxing way. I spent a whole afternoon just floating around, occasionally dipping my toes (and sometimes my whole body) into the water. Pure bliss. I almost didn't check out.
Is it noisy? I need my beauty sleep, and loud tourists are my personal kryptonite.
Okay, this depends. It's not *totally* silent. You’re in a city, after all. You get the occasional sounds of traffic, the distant laughter of other guests. But generally? It was surprisingly peaceful. I slept like a log. (Except for that one night when the air conditioning decided to impersonate a jet engine. Ugh.) Ask for a room away from the street if you're particularly sensitive. Otherwise, you should be fine. Honestly? It was quieter than my apartment, and I live next door to a small, extremely vocal, chihuahua.
Would you go back? Spill the tea!
Ugh, YES. Absolutely. Despite the coffee hiccup and the jet engine air conditioner, I had an amazing time. The gorgeous design, the incredible pools, the general feeling of being pampered... it was fantastic. Maybe I'm just easy to please, but I'm basically already planning my return trip. And I'm stocking up on earplugs, just in case. Honestly, just go. You won't regret it. And if you do, blame me, I can take it. But you probably won't. You'll be too busy Instagramming your amazing stay.
Okay, real talk about the price. Is it going to make my bank account weep?
Alright, let's address the elephant (or, perhaps, the slightly oversized mythological centaur) in the room: the price. Yes, it's not cheap. You're not exactly stumbling upon a bargain basement deal here. But, and this is a big but, you're getting what you pay for. Luxurious experience, gorgeous surroundings, generally good service... it's an investment in your sanity and a mini-vacation within a vacation. Think of it as a splurge. It's probably worth it. Maybe. I'm already saving up again, so that probably speaks for itself. Don't tell my bank.
Anything else I should know before I book? Like, hidden costs, secret charges, things the website "conveniently" left out?
Okay, the usual hotel gotchas apply. There's probably a resort fee or two. Check that. The mini-bar is a money pit, as always. The spa treatments... well, be prepared to pay. And, of course, the ever-present temptation to buy souvenirs. I spent way too much on those little ceramic plates. But, honestly, nothing too outrageous. Just be aware, keep an eye out for those extras, and budget accordingly. Oh. And pack an adapter. Trust me on this one.
