Petr Udavský just returned from the new One&Only Aesthesis on the Athens Riviera.
It takes a special resort to make you forget about time and place. One&Only Aesthesis has achieved this in a major city.
Petr’s complete trip report will be in the upcoming Explorer V magazine.
Here, Petr explains the vibe of this new beach property and how it’s a great addition to many different Greek holidays.
Petr’s Overview of One&Only Aesthesis
This is the only second European property by the One&Only brand and my first impressions were of excellence.
Everything is really new, everyone is smiling and the service is superb at this early stage.
The accommodations are bright, spacious, stylish and filled with sunlight. Almost all of them have private pools and terraces.
Most of the accommodations are bungalows, residences and villas, which have different categories. I can advise personally on the best category for your preferences. It depends on whether you prioritise privacy, views, beach access, and who you are travelling with.
The facilities are all top notch too, including the Guerlain spa, a lovely main pool, a vast kid’s club which my son enjoyed, and interesting restaurant options.
Some parts of the resort are still in development. However, I expect everything will be ready for the main summer season.
One&Only Aesthesis will open all year around and it’s going to be perfect for holidays between April and October.
Overall it feels like a property for younger travellers, both couples and families with young kids. However, the contemporary style and high quality will satisfy just about any discerning traveller.
How to Experience One&Only Aesthesis
Probably the greatest advantage of this new resort is its location.
Spread across 21 hectares, with 1.6 kilometres of private beach, One&Only Aesthesis can easily feel like a quiet island resort.
Except, it’s not on an island, it’s in the upmarket suburb of Glyfada on the Athens Riviera. Athens Airport is a 35 to 45-minute transfer away. Glyfada centre is ten minutes on foot. The history and culture of Ancient Athens is a very short drive away.
This location and the overall quality makes One&Only Aesthesis a great all-round resort, suitable for almost all our clients. Every stay will be different and I already have five different trip ideas.
Long Weekend Escape
My trip was a long weekend away with my son and One&Only Aesthesis was ideal for a few comfortable days away from the routine.
Not to mention the change in weather, from a few degrees in Prague to 20 degrees and sunshine in Athens.
And this is the new One&Only, one of the most talked about resorts in Europe in the last few years.
I definitely recommend the resort for a few relaxed days around the pool and on the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying a change of tempo from home.
First-Time Athens discovery
I’ve visited Athens twice before so the Acropolis wasn’t on my agenda. However, Athens has a rich historical tapestry that should be experienced once in your lifetime.
Personally I don’t like the Athens city hotels. There’s too much noise and I don’t find them relaxing, I prefer to dip in and out of the popular highlights.
Location makes One&Only Aesthesis ideal for this. You can split each day between quiet time on the beach and pool, with exploration all around Athens and the Athens Riviera.
The accommodations are very residential in style, which is advantageous for longer stays. And with Glyfada and Athens on the doorstep, you won’t mind that there are only two restaurants on property.
A Holiday of Greek Highlights
Unfortunately, most of the best and even the most popular Greek islands are not connected by direct flights. Like Mykonos. Even those that are connected, like Santorini and Corfu, are only on budget airlines.
So the options are either to fly via Athens, fly with a private charter or have some inter-island transfer by road. One&Only Aesthesis is a compelling new option.
Fly with Aegean to and from Athens. From here you can easily access almost any main Greek destination, including Peloponnese and Meteora on the mainland.
Break the journey by staying at the new One&Only for a few days, at the start or end of your holiday. It’s a perfect resort for this, because it works as either a relaxing stay or active base. So you simply see how you feel when you arrive, as the resort can adapt to any mood.
Exploring Less-Known Greek Islands
There are many enchanting Greek islands you may not know about. Like Paros, Ios, and Antiparos, where I recommend staying at The Rooster.
These smaller islands are mostly about tranquillity and relaxation, with a little local exploration as well. They remain more authentic than the better established island destinations.
Accessing these islands is best through Athens and here again, One&Only Aesthesis is a nice addition to the itinerary.
It could be just two or three nights, experiencing this new resort, while also taking the opportunity to conveniently explore a new option in Greece.
Your Stay at One&Only Aesthesis
This is a new resort and with all new resorts, nothing is perfect straight away. It always takes some time to complete all the facilities and accommodations too.
My impression was that One&Only Aesthesis is already offering excellent quality, especially in terms of service.
The other guests were people like me, people who want to experience new things. Right now, everything feels fresh and brand new.
You can read my full review of One&Only Aesthesis in the upcoming edition of Explorer magazine.
I’m already planning how to incorporate it into my next Greek holiday. Are you?
