GTP Gets the Grand Tour of Athens’ New Gem: The Electra Metropolis

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) toured the new 5-star, 216-room Electra Metropolis that just opened in the center of Athens.

The brand new Electra Metropolis, the fifth hotel of Electra Hotels & Resorts, has opened its doors in the building which up until 2004 housed the Education Ministry on Mitropoleos Street in the heart of Athens.

While respecting the principles of its original construction, restoration began from the building’s authentic architectural elements that date back to 1959 and were the design of architect Patroclus Karantinos (1903-1976), one of the most important representatives of the so-called “modern movement” in Greece.

Electra Hotels invested over 15 million euros in the renovation, which launch over a year ago. The result is a new stylish retro-chic aesthetic that combines a modern decor with touches of classic elements.

“For the family of Electra Hotels, which is celebrating 50 years of creative presence in Greek tourism, the Electra Metropolis is an important achievement that fills us with much pride and joy”, the group’s CEO, Yiannis Retsos, told us.

“We hope that this large investment, which has been carried out in difficult times, to become a growth pole for the economy and society of Athens and contribute to the collective effort of the hotel world for the further upgrading of the Greek capital’s tourism product”, Retsos added.

Electra Hotels has another two hotels with a total of 500 rooms, in close distance to the group’s new member, in the center of Athens. One may wonder if perhaps the Metropolis will “overshadow” the other Electra member hotels.

“We are positioning the Electra Metropolis as a luxury lifestyle hotel and are certain that this new proposal in the center of Athens will not ‘cannibalize’ the other two”, said Yiannis Tsakalos, the marketing director of Electra Hotels & Resorts.

Reception area

Alekos Fassianos

When entering the Electra Metropolis one will surely be impressed with the spacious atrium at its center, giving natural light to the hotel’s public areas.

The atrium’s interior hosts the impressive work of acclaimed Greek artist Alekos Fassianos that “runs” up to the 10th floor.

“In regards to technology, the hotel’s infrastructure is such that it can serve the needs of guests for the next 15-20 years”, Tsakalos said.

The Electra Metropolis provides 216 guestrooms, spaces for meeting events, spa facilities and an indoor swimming pool.

The Patio

“The Bees” by Alekos Fassianos

However, out of all the comparative advantages of Electra Metropolis, the one that stands out the most is the the roof garden that includes a restaurant, a bar, a pool and panoramic views of the Attica basin. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy Athens in all its glory from above and gaze at Lycabettus Hill while in the pool.

Roof Pool

As for dining, visitors have an array of options overseen by Chef Dimitris Boutsalis who has years of experience under his belt at Michelin-starred restaurants and hotel restaurants in Greece and abroad, including the Amanzoe.

The Electra Metropolis’ sous chef.

Brief step into history

An important element of the building that houses the Electra Metropolis is its surprising coexistence with a tiny church, right at the intersection of Mitropoleos and Pentelis streets. This is the Basilica of Agia Dynami, dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary. Constructed in the 16th century, the church is said to most likely have been built on the ruins of the Temple of Hercules.

It is a well-known fact that any stone you pick up in Athens has a history of several thousand years under it. This was also the case in the renovation of the Electra Metropolis.

During the building’s restoration, a section of the Themistoclean Wall was unearthed in the basement. Built between 478-477 BC, the Themistoclean wall was the basic line of defense for Athens and protected the city from invaders.

Guests at the Electra Metropolis will have the pleasure to see this section of the Themistoclean Wall and other archaeological findings exhibited in special spaces in the hotel.

Part of the Themistoclean Wall

The building’s reconstruction was undertaken by Actoras construction and architect Paris Liakos.

Electra Hotels aims for its Metropolis to be the first hotel in Greece to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, which provides independent verification of a building or neighborhood’s green features, allowing for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy, cost-effective buildings.