Review: Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso

Published Dec 10 2022, 8:00 AM, Updated Dec 11 2022, 8:36 PMWhen you think of Athens, beaches don’t immediately come to mind; no, you picture a rich history with beautifully preserved ancient ruins (and mouthfuls of souvlaki). But if you’re interested in all the city has to offer, with no inclinations to stay in the thick of it, this is where you need to be.

Location

Located in the Kavouri suburb, just 30 minutes from the heart of Athens, lies the Davani Apollon Palace & Thalasso. The property is situated on prime, beach-front land, some locals call “the Beverly Hills of Athens.”

Style & Character

The hotel features 280 rooms, among them are seven corner suites with sweeping sea views and one presidential for those looking for something extra special. Like much of Greece’s tourism activities, the property’s outdoor pools and beach-front fish restaurant are only open seasonally. No need to worry. Their other features (such as their world-class spa) ensure you don’t miss the time outdoors.

Located in the Kavouri suburb, just 30 minutes from the heart of Athens, lies the Davani Apollon Palace & Thalasso. The property is situated on prime, beach-front land, some locals call “the Beverly Hills of Athens.” The hotel features 280 rooms, among them are seven corner suites with sweeping sea views and one presidential for those looking for something extra special. Like much of Greece’s tourism activities, the property’s outdoor pools and beach-front fish restaurant are only open seasonally. No need to worry. Their other features (such as their world-class spa) ensure you don’t miss the time outdoors.

Rooms

Thanks to renovations completed in 2015/16, each suite at the Divani Apollon beautifully weaves five-star luxury with modernity while adding a dash of old-world charm. From the moment you enter, you notice the easy-to-navigate control panels. These control every light in the room, as well as the do-not-disturb functions; not to mention, they can raise and lower your blinds with the push of a button.

The executive suites, where we stayed, feature an elegant workspace equipped with a printer and fax machine and an abundance of writing materials. However, the bathroom was the highlight of our suite, not including the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea from the balcony. The marble finishings are reminiscent of old-world charm and luxury, though there’s nothing “old” about it. The centerpiece is standalone, jetted, soaking tub nestled along the side wall just behind the full-length double vanity. On the other side is a separate shower with a peace-inducing rainfall showerhead. It is worth noting that all the rooms at this hotel have a sea view.

Service & Facilities

Without a doubt, the spa is the backbone of the property. It attracts thousands of hotel guests who visit from around the world and many locals who pay for its exclusive membership. Voted as the best spa in Greece, the third-best in Europe, and the eighth-best in the world, not a stone was left unturned – no pun intended – when planning this 3,500 m2 oasis. More than a dozen treatment rooms are separated by category: Dry rooms for massages, wet rooms for facials and wraps, and specialty rooms for anything from tanning beds to thalaxion treatments. Our personal favorite is the “affusion” – a four-handed massage given under a constant rain of healing seawater.

Beyond the treatment rooms was a new, state-of-the-art gym featuring free weights, a range of machines, and an aerobics room with regularly scheduled classes. However, nothing can compare to the Thalassotherapy pool. The heated seawater embraces you to relax and unwind as the 16 unique hydro-massage stations reprogram your muscles in ways you never thought possible. At the end, after standing below the four pounding waterfalls, take a resistance walk or swim against the pressure of high-speed jets. If that wasn’t amazing enough, you can end the visit with a quick stop at the sauna before heading upstairs for dinner and drinks.

Food & Drink

The Divani Apollon has no shortage of places to eat and drink. They feature one full-time restaurant, seasonal restaurant, lounge, and bar. The full-service restaurant, Anemos, is where guests can enjoy a beautiful buffet breakfast each morning with both Greek and international fair. They offer a dimly-lit romantic atmosphere at night, though the menu can be slightly limiting. Adjacent, just beyond the lobby, is the Atlantis Lounge; this is a much less formal option, but the food is delicious, and the options are seemingly endless – they’ve also got a full bar! But if you’re looking to drink, you want to head to the A+D bar, tucked away at the front of the hotel beside the lounge. Every night from 8:30 pm until midnight, you can drop in, smoke, and enjoy the live piano music. The drinks are fantastic, and the light-fare menu is surprisingly good.

Conclusion

While some people prefer to stay in the city’s heart, I enjoy peace and quiet. This property offers the perfect combination: Beautiful sea views in a luxurious, residential neighborhood, and still only 30 minutes from all of the “must-sees” in downtown Athens. Overall, a big win!

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