The Athenian Riviera, properly considered
One&Only Aesthesis makes a persuasive case for beginning or ending an Athens trip beside the sea. The resort occupies the old Asteria beach-club site in Glyfada, a storied stretch of the Riviera where Athenians came to swim, dine and be seen in the 1960s and ’70s. Its present-day architecture does not imitate that era so much as pick up its rhythm: low horizontal lines, warm timber, pale stone and rooms arranged to keep the water in view.
The scale is generous—21 hectares of gardens and coastline—but the strongest accommodation feels private. Bungalows and suites open onto planted terraces and pools, while the beachfront categories put the Saronic Gulf just beyond the glass. Standard rooms sit closer to the resort’s social centre; choose them for easier access to restaurants and the main pool, or look to a bungalow when quiet and outdoor space matter more.
It is entirely possible to stay within the resort for several days without repetition. Ora brings Greek-Italian cooking from Ettore Botrini, Manko turns Peruvian flavours into a lively waterfront evening, and the Guerlain Spa is the French house’s first outpost in Greece. Athens remains close enough for the Acropolis or dinner in the centre, although traffic can make the advertised 30-minute journey longer at busy times.
This is an expensive, highly polished stay rather than a shortcut into everyday Athens. It works best for travelers who want a proper beach holiday and the capital in the same trip, families who value private pools and space, or couples looking for a soft landing after an island journey.
Good to know
Beachfront, Private pools, Guerlain Spa, Destination dining, Family friendly, and 30 minutes from central Athens
