The Excelsior

The Excelsior, a Michelin Key Selected property in Thessaloniki, Greece, consistently receives high praise for its blend of historic charm and modern luxury, making it a standout choice in the city.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Excelsior enjoys an overwhelmingly positive reputation, reflected in its impressive guest scores. It holds a global rating of 4.7/5 based on 937 reviews, a 4.9/5 from SLH Club reviews, and a 4.8/5 on Tripadvisor based on over 1100 reviews. Booking.com also shows a "Wonderful" rating of 9.2/10 from 1,229 reviews, with 100% of reviewers recommending the hotel. The general sentiment is that of a luxurious, comfortable, and welcoming hotel with exceptional service and an unbeatable location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Excelsior for several key aspects:

• Location: Its central position is frequently cited as perfect for exploring Thessaloniki's main attractions, shopping, and dining.
• Service & Staff: The impeccable, friendly, and helpful staff receive near-universal acclaim for going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
• Design: Housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco building from 1924, the hotel seamlessly blends turn-of-the-century architecture with chic, contemporary interiors, featuring modern white furnishings, a magnificent marble staircase, and original artwork.
• Breakfast: The high-quality and varied breakfast at Charlie D. Brasserie is a recurring highlight, often described as a "feast for both the eyes and the palate."

3. Room Quality

The hotel features 36 luxurious rooms and suites, renovated in 2009, which are described as meticulously appointed, exuding comfort and style. Rooms are spacious, light, and airy, with hardwood flooring, elegant Italian furniture, and contemporary artwork. Many rooms include neoclassical high windows and private balconies, some offering city views. Amenities typically include comfortable queen-sized beds, marble bathrooms with branded Olive Era toiletries, Nespresso machines, refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and Tivoli radios. Welcome amenities such as wine, water, macarons, and fruit are often provided. While most rooms are highly praised, some guests have noted that the Classic Double rooms (20 sqm) can feel a bit snug.

4. Dining Experience

The Excelsior offers excellent dining options:

• Charlie D. Brasserie: Located on the mezzanine floor, this restaurant serves a sumptuous buffet breakfast with a la carte hot entrees, featuring high-quality local ingredients and impeccable service. It also offers scrumptious brunch, lunchtime specialties, and exceptional dinner delicacies, often paired with wine and jazz music.
• Clochard: Situated on the ground floor, Clochard is one of Thessaloniki's most iconic fine-dining establishments, renowned for its exceptional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and having won the "Toque d'Or" prize multiple times.
• Roof Garden: The hotel also features a roof garden offering panoramic city views, which is considered a surprising and delightful space.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Excelsior is a consistent highlight, frequently described as exceptional, impeccable, and a defining feature of the hotel. Guests praise the staff for their friendliness, helpfulness, and courteousness, noting that they go out of their way to ensure each guest feels welcome. From efficient check-in to personalized assistance and even complimentary massages, the hospitality is highly regarded.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Excelsior boasts an "unbeatable" and "perfect" central location in the heart of Thessaloniki. It's ideally situated between the main shopping road and the seafront promenade, just a block from Thessaloniki's scenic waterfront and Aristotelous Square. Many of the city's major cultural sites, historic landmarks, cafes, designer boutiques, and restaurants are within easy walking distance, including The White Tower, Arch of Galerius, and the Rotonda. While parking is available for a fee at a nearby garage, guests generally find they don't need a car to explore the city. The hotel is about a 30-minute drive from Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport and less than 2km from the train station.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally perceive The Excelsior as offering good value for a luxury experience, especially given its prime location and high service standards. Room prices can vary, with classic rooms starting from approximately $120-$138, deluxe rooms from $164-$187, and penthouse suites potentially higher. For those with Hyatt Globalist status or booking through Small Luxury Hotels of the World, benefits like free breakfast and late checkout add to the value. It is also considered a good option for redeeming points as a Category 3 property for some loyalty programs.

8. Common Complaints

While highly praised, some recurring minor criticisms have been noted:

• Sound Insulation: The most frequent complaint concerns the lack of sound insulation in the windows, especially for rooms facing the street, where noise from nearby bars can disturb sleep. Light sleepers might consider booking a courtyard-facing room.
• Amenities: The hotel itself does not have a dedicated spa, fitness center, or pool on-site, though guests may have access to a neighboring sister hotel's facilities.
• Elevator Speed: One review mentioned the elevator being slow, prompting guests to use the stairs for descent.
• Room Size: As mentioned previously, some guests found the Classic Double rooms to be a bit snug.

Sources

1. slh.com
2. booking.com
3. hotelscombined.com
4. thebulkheadseat.com
5. insightsgreece.com
6. thehotelguru.com
7. booking.com
8. i-escape.com
9. excelsiorhotel.gr
10. youtube.com
11. enchantingtravels.com
12. agoda.com
13. michelin.com
14. momondo.com
15. booking.com
16. excelsiorhotel.gr
17. trip.com
18. kayak.com