What’s it is like staying on the Grand Hyatt Athens, an enormous resort within the coronary heart of the Traditional Metropolis

Rooms are spacious but a bit unkept

At more than 322 square feet, my standard room with one king-size bed felt large, especially by European standards. That said, there are accommodations that measure as much as 2,583 square feet, should you desire even more space for stretching out.

The minute I walked in after struggling to open the heavy door, I was impressed with the spacious layout. There were two closets, a large bathroom and a workspace, plus a sleeping area with ample room around each side of the bed. My standard room overlooked a parking lot, but you can book an Acropolis-facing room with two twin beds or one king-size bed starting at $206 per night.

While my first impression was positive, I soon found myself feeling a little let down by the room. Though the interior and artwork felt upscale, things did not work as expected.

The air conditioning decreased by only two degrees throughout my stay (perhaps due to the heat wave Greece was experiencing at the time), and despite having eight outlets and two USB ports, my phone took nearly an hour to charge 10%. Although I was able to receive calls via the in-room phone, I found myself unable to make outgoing calls, resulting in the need to go downstairs multiple times to pick up food, contact the front desk and order room service.

The inconveniences continued in the bathroom. I loved the marble design of the walk-in rain shower, but when I first used it, the handle came off two times. Additionally, water poured outside the half-glass door, which appeared to be common given the water damage on the door.

Still, I appreciated the Eau de Magnolia toiletries and the inclusion of eco-friendly products, such as toilet paper made from recycled materials.

There’s an infinity pool with a view but no shade

Since Greece was experiencing a heat wave during my late July visit, I was eager to take advantage of the hotel’s pools. With a view of the Acropolis, the rooftop infinity pool immediately drew me in.

At this pool, which welcomes guests every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. between May and October, you’ll find a bar with various cocktails and snacks starting at $14, plus ample seating via lounge chairs, tables and cabanas. Know, though, that you’ll want to arrive sooner rather than later to snag a seat, as they were all claimed by 3 p.m. on the Saturday I visited.

Much to my disappointment, the cabanas provided minimal shade and lacked umbrellas, so if you’re seeking some respite from the sun, you may want to choose a different place to linger. That said, this pool is a terrific spot for sun-seekers. The scene is lively but kid-friendly, attracting both families and adults who want to drink without fully partying.

Additional pools can be found on the eighth floor and in the spa (more on that below).

For more privacy during your dip, pay a little more for a room or suite with a pool. These upgraded accommodations come with private plunge pools on their balconies so you can cool off without other guests nearby.

The food is good; the service is not

Dining options at the Grand Hyatt Athens are currently limited to one restaurant, a lobby lounge, room service and a temporary breakfast room in an on-site ballroom that’s open while the property renovates its eighth-floor restaurant.

During my stay, I decided to check out The Grand by Interni, a Mediterranean-Asian fusion restaurant by the rooftop pool that’s open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since the eatery does not allow you to order food to take to the pool, I dined in.

Arriving between lunch and dinner, my friend and I were two of the only people in the venue, yet we had to flag down a waiter to clear a table before waiting 30 minutes to order. No napkins or cutlery were ever provided, resulting in us grabbing some from a neighboring table.

Opting for midday snacks of fries for $11 and a seasonal fruit platter for $15, we found our dishes to be tasty but not worth the service issues we encountered.

I had a much better experience when I ordered room service. When placing my order at 8:43 p.m., I verified the selected dishes — Greek salad ($20), penne pasta ($23) and octopus with a potato puree ($25) — could be gluten- and dairy-free and was quoted 45 minutes for the delivery time. At 9:01 p.m., the staff called back to verify my allergies before everything showed up early at 9:16 p.m.

I thoroughly enjoyed the food, which is the same as that served in the ground-floor Aphrodite Lobby Lounge. I was particularly impressed with the addition of gluten-free carob rusk to my salad (to replace traditional croutons).

Several wellness amenities are available

In addition to the property’s pools, guests have access to a gym and a spa.

Open 24 hours a day, the fitness center is equipped with Technogym stationary bicycles, treadmills and cross trainers, along with a selection of free weights. Fresh towels were available when I visited for a workout, though there weren’t any mats for activities like Pilates and stretching.

After my workout, I popped next door to shower at the hotel’s Aegeo Spa. Although I didn’t try out the spa services, which range from massages to facials to antiaging treatments, I was impressed with the spa facilities I saw. The high quality of the shower’s water and Eau de Magnolia products made my hair look great, even after a day in the sun wearing a hat and sunscreen, plus time spent in and out of the rooftop pool.