Periscope, Athens, a Member of Design Hotels4

Periscope is a striking example of an urban design hotel where the quality of your stay hinges entirely on the room category you choose. Set in the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood, this boutique hotel has won guests over with its phenomenal, almost familial service and generous complimentary treats available in the lounge throughout the day. However, the glowing reviews contrast sharply with the disappointment of those who booked standard rooms: they turn out to be extremely cramped, dark, and devoid of any view. For a truly luxurious experience, travelers are strongly advised to opt for upgraded categories or the magnificent penthouse with its own rooftop jacuzzi.

Key Observations

Care and Hospitality: The hotel team, especially Nelli, Nikos, and Yannis, regularly receives the highest praise for creating an almost family-like atmosphere and personalized attention to each guest.

Room Category Contrast: Standard rooms disappoint guests with their critically small footprint and a complete lack of natural light, as their windows face directly into a narrow utility shaft with pipes and ducts.

Complimentary Treats: Guests rave about the free lounge area where, after 10:30 a.m. until late evening, high-quality Nespresso coffee, Ronnefeldt tea, soft drinks, and an array of pastries are available.

Questionable Marketing Claims: Guests frequently warn about inaccurate service descriptions on some sites — access to the famous rooftop jacuzzi is reserved exclusively for penthouse guests, while the wellness area and gym are actually located off-site in a partner hotel.

Main Pros

• Exceptionally friendly, responsive, and caring staff ready to assist with anything.
• Location in the prestigious, quiet, and extremely safe Kolonaki district.
• Comfortable beds with premium Tempur-Pedic mattresses and quality Byredo brand toiletries in the bathrooms.
• Round-the-clock complimentary drinks and snacks in the lobby lounge.
• Proximity to Evangelismos metro station with a direct line to the airport.

Main Cons

• Standard rooms are very cramped, dark, and face a blank wall with ventilation pipes.
• Poor soundproofing between rooms and bright light seeping into the bedroom from the hallway through the doors.
• No on-site fitness center or spa (guests must walk to a partner hotel).
• Motorcycle noise from the adjacent street and loud conversations from nearby restaurant patrons at night.

Overall Grade: B

Hotel Overview

Basic Information:

• Name — Periscope Hotel
• Address — Charitos 22, Kolonaki, Athens, 106 75, Greece
• Contact — +30 21 0729 7200
• Year opened — 1957
• Number of rooms — 21
• Positioning and category — Contemporary designer boutique hotel, 4 stars, part of the Design Hotels network and the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Description: Periscope's design concept is built on minimalism, urban aesthetics, and the integration of contemporary art pieces into the interior. The hotel's primary goal is to create a private retreat in one of the city's most exclusive quarters. A stay here revolves around comfort and warm personal interaction, supported by 24/7 access to the lounge with complimentary tea, coffee, and snacks.

Target Audience: The hotel is ideal for couples, solo travelers, and aficionados of clean-lined design and calm, refined neighborhoods. Due to the compact size of standard rooms and the hilly terrain, it is not recommended for families with small children or guests with limited mobility.

Location & Transport

Location: The hotel sits in the elegant, aristocratic Kolonaki district at the foot of Lycabettus Hill. It's a safe, clean, and lively neighborhood brimming with designer boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants popular with locals.

Key Points of Interest: Evangelismos metro station is a 5–7 minute walk. Lycabettus Hill and the lower funicular station are 5 minutes away on foot. Syntagma Square is a 15-minute walk downhill, and reaching the Acropolis and the historic Plaka quarter takes around 25–30 minutes.

Transport: The nearest metro station offers a direct, no-transfer connection to Athens International Airport. Reception staff are always on hand to quickly call a licensed city taxi.

Walkability: The surrounding streets are perfectly safe to stroll at any time of day, but keep in mind that Kolonaki is on a slope, so walking back to the hotel always involves a steep uphill climb.

Grade: A

Rooms & Cleanliness

The experience depends entirely on the room category. Superior rooms and Junior Suites delight with space, abundant light, and stylish decor. The most luxurious option is the Penthouse Suite with a private rooftop terrace, where the jacuzzi offers a panoramic view of the Acropolis. Meanwhile, standard rooms draw many complaints: they are extremely tight, dark, with windows facing a blind interior courtyard shaft. Guests praise the cleanliness and housekeeping quality but lament poor soundproofing from the hallway and light that seeps through the glass bathroom doors.

Grade: B-

Service

The level of hospitality is the hotel’s main competitive edge. The front desk team (including Nelli, Nikos, Yannis, and Anastasia) creates an incredibly comfortable environment, handling logistics, arranging taxis, offering spot-on restaurant recommendations, and warmly welcoming every arrival.

Grade: A+

Dining

The continental breakfast consists of fresh-squeezed juices, pastries, cheese and cold cuts, yogurt, and fruit. While some guests consider the selection modest for a four-star hotel, everyone notes the freshness and high quality of the products. A huge plus is the complimentary coffee station with Ronnefeldt tea, Nespresso capsules, and pastries, available in the lobby all day.

Grade: B+

Facilities & Amenities

The hotel's on-site infrastructure is minimal. Due to the building's compact layout, there is no pool, full-service restaurant, or spa. Access to a gym and wellness area is only possible at a partner hotel, a 20-minute walk away. Wi-Fi is reliable and high-speed. There is no private parking; guests must leave their cars at a paid underground garage nearby for 25 € per day.

Grade: C+

Important Notes

• Booking Standard/Classic rooms is not recommended due to cramped conditions and lack of a street-facing window.
• General access to the rooftop jacuzzi is not provided — it is exclusively for penthouse guests.
• Kolonaki is characterized by hilly terrain with steep climbs, making walks with strollers difficult.

Practical Tips for Guests

• Choose Superior category rooms and above — the extra cost is fully offset by natural light and space.
• If you're traveling for a special occasion, book the Penthouse Suite for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Acropolis.
• Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy complimentary drinks and pastries in the lobby lounge throughout the day.
• If you're sensitive to noise, bring earplugs to guard against street racket and hallway sounds.
• Be sure to take advantage of the front desk staff's dining tips — all their restaurant recommendations hit the mark.
• If arriving by car, budget for the cost of paid parking nearby ahead of time.
• When planning your trip from the airport, use the direct blue metro line (to Evangelismos station).

Final Verdict

Periscope is a stylish urban boutique hotel with outstanding service and an excellent location in a safe, upscale neighborhood, but it only guarantees a great experience if you opt for higher-comfort room categories.

Overall Grade: B

Breakdown: Location: A | Rooms: B- | Service: A+ | Dining: B+ | Facilities: C+ | Value for Money: B

Best for: Solo travelers, couples, and design aficionados who prefer to stay in prestigious, authentic residential neighborhoods away from tourist crowds.

Not for: Those choosing budget accommodation in standard rooms, larger families with children, and travelers who need a spa complex and gym directly on the hotel premises.