The Zillers, Athens

The Zillers, Athens: A Michelin Key Selected Gem with Breathtaking Acropolis Views

The Zillers, Athens, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely lauded as a standout boutique hotel, blending historic neoclassical elegance with modern luxury in the vibrant heart of Athens. Guests consistently praise its exceptional location, attentive service, and the unparalleled Acropolis views from its acclaimed rooftop restaurant.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Zillers is overwhelmingly positive. The hotel boasts an excellent rating of 8.8 out of 10 from 343 reviews on Booking.com, and impressive scores on Hotels.com, including 9.8 for cleanliness, 9.6 for location, and 9.8 for staff & service. The Michelin Guide itself gives it a notable score of 17.8 out of 20. While one highly critical review on the Michelin Guide called it a "hostel," this appears to be an outlier against a backdrop of glowing feedback. The prevailing sentiment highlights a memorable and luxurious experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of The Zillers:

• Unbeatable Location: Situated in the heart of Athens, the hotel offers immediate access to major attractions and boasts stunning, front-row views of the Acropolis, particularly from its rooftop terrace.
• Elegant Design: The meticulously restored neoclassical building, once owned by architect Ernst Ziller, retains its historic charm with high ceilings, parquet floors, and wrought iron balconies, complemented by a modern minimalist decor.
• Exceptional Service: The staff receives consistent praise for being attentive, friendly, professional, and making guests feel like family.
• Rooftop Experience: The Zillers Rooftop Gastronomy, a Michelin-starred restaurant, is a major draw, offering a gourmet dining experience with magical sunset views of the Acropolis.
• Thoughtful Amenities: The hotel provides complimentary services like coffee and tea, in-room delights, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, and concierge services.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Zillers are described as compact yet elegant, designed with comfort and style in mind. They feature high ceilings, parquet floors, and writing desks. The marble bathrooms are equipped with walk-in rainfall showers. For those seeking more space and luxury, suites are available with Jacuzzis and separate living rooms. While many rooms offer large windows with breathtaking Acropolis views, some overlook an internal courtyard and may be darker. Guests appreciate the soundproofed rooms and amenities such as air conditioning, mini-fridges, and coffee/tea makers.

4. Dining Experience

The Zillers offers a distinguished dining experience, primarily centered around its rooftop restaurant.

• The Zillers Rooftop Gastronomy: This Michelin-starred restaurant (awarded in 2022) is a culinary highlight, led by chef Vasilis Roussos. It offers creative Greek dishes with international influences through two tasting menus: Synecdoche and Synthesis. Reviewers note that while the food is exceptionally good, it leans towards a more international or French style rather than strictly traditional Greek fare. The ambiance is particularly magical at sunset, offering incredible views of the Parthenon from nearly every table.
• Breakfast: A "great" and "delicious" breakfast is included in the stay and can be enjoyed on the rooftop with Acropolis views or delivered to the room. A cooked-to-order breakfast is available for an additional charge of approximately EUR 25.
• The Zillers Pastry Bar: Opened in September 2023, this extension of the restaurant, helmed by pastry chef George Platinos, offers a boutique patisserie experience with a variety of delectable desserts.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Zillers consistently receives top marks. Guests frequently highlight the staff's exceptional hospitality, describing them as attentive, friendly, helpful, and professional. Many appreciate feeling welcomed "like family". The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, and multi-lingual staff to assist guests with their needs and provide local recommendations.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Zillers boasts an "absolutely perfect" central location in Athens. It overlooks the Athens Cathedral and is within easy walking distance of many of the city's most significant attractions. Key sites like the Acropolis, the charming Plaka neighborhood, Monastiraki Square (4-minute walk to the station), Syntagma Square (5-minute walk, 8-minute walk to the station), and the bustling Ermou Street shopping district (2-minute walk) are all easily accessible on foot. Public transportation is convenient, with Monastiraki tube station just 600 meters away and the Agora bus stop 300 meters away. However, the hotel does not offer on-site parking. A paid airport shuttle service is available.

7. Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury boutique hotel, The Zillers offers "exceptional value for money". Room rates can start from around $110-120, with the average price around $193 per room, which is higher than the city's average but reflects the quality and services provided. Guests should also factor in a city tax, which varies seasonally (EUR 3.00 per night from November to March, and EUR 10.00 per night from April to October). The tasting menus at the Michelin-starred restaurant are also noted for being reasonably priced for the fine dining experience offered.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring points of feedback include:

• Room Size and Views: Some guests found certain rooms to be "compact" or "a bit small." Rooms overlooking the internal courtyard can be darker, suggesting that an upgrade to an Acropolis view room is often worth the cost.
• Noise: Due to its central city location and proximity to the Athens Cathedral, some guests reported a bit of noise, particularly from church bells on weekends. The hotel thoughtfully provides earplugs to mitigate this.
• Bathroom Outlets: One minor complaint mentioned a lack of conveniently placed outlets with mirrors in the bathrooms.
• Transfers: One guest found the hotel-arranged transfer to be "uncomfortable and a bit unnerving."

Sources

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