It’s very difficult to articulate the O&O experience, the expression “you need to be there to fully appreciate” definitely applies here, but I’ll give it a go! From initially stepping foot through yes, the gated community to navigating the curated grounds, interactions with all staff members as you call a ‘kalimera’ to each one to when you leave, the ‘One&Only Experience’, as I’ve dubbed it, is truly unique. Some reviews here complain about the exclusivity but one knows this is what the brand manifests in advance. And it’s actually not so inclusive as to be snobby. From the private bungalows with their own gardens and plunge pools to walking the coastline and taking a cool glass of wine on the terrace with the Saronic islands and Peloponnese as your backdrop, the ambiance oozes relaxation and discretion. Greece is famous for its filoxenia and whilst O&O isn’t a Greek brand, it’s certainly adopted the natural friendliness this country is famed for; nothing feels forced or fake with the staff interactions. And as a solo female traveler in a large setting, I didn’t feel unsafe at all. Professionalism reigned ie: Reception did not hand over my bungalow key and state its number out loud, no wait staff asked for my room number out loud and no annoying comments such as ‘Only one?’ when being shown to a table for dining (this a particular sticking point of mine in general and in other establishments when it’s prefaced with ‘only’, as if this is something to be ashamed of!) Now for the basics: - Queen or King sized bed with mattress toppers that provide the best quality sleep - Pillows to sink into - Romantic setting in bungalow with outdoor fireplace - Separate shower and roll top bath and secluded enough to ensure you can soak with magnificent views from the floor to ceiling windows - Walk in closet And of course, their Guerlain spa.
- Guest User
We live across the street from the new Aesthesis and were excited one opened so close to our Athens home (We live in the Athenian Riveriera as it’s being branded -Lol!). I’ve stayed multiple times at the Palmilla and am somewhat familiar with the One & Only experience. Mind you, we knew that things would not yet be up to snuff as it only recently opened and it is the dead of winter. So we decided to try dinner at El Bar, cocktails in the lobby and a stroll around the grounds. From the main gate staff to the bathroom attendant, every one we encountered were lovely and cordial. The food at El Bar was decent enough. The design of the grounds is banal… an attempt at mingling brutalism with Mediterranean touches - through landscaping (!) - with an absurd amount of water features (which can only be mosquito magnets in the summer months). And because we live practically across the street, we are quite familiar with the beach, which is lacking to say the very least. We are so sad that we saw and experienced left us less than enthusiastic. They are charging exhorbitant prices for everything from cocktails to callng a taxi (10€ surcharge if they call a taxi vs ordering an Uber!). Again, all this in the midst of winter, at an entirely desolate hotel. Just because they charge One & Only rates does not mean you will get a One & Only experience. The Four Seasons Astir is also close to us and we go there often - for a staycation, the spa, cocktails, brunches and Matsuhisa. It has a beautiful beach, that reallly makes you feel you have left Athens behind and have arrived at a Greek island. I am not a shill for them, but it really is a quality experience at reasonable prices. underwhelming.
- Guest User
