Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki

The Hyatt Regency is a hotel of two halves; inside it’s a busy business-oriented property that hosts many meetings and conferences, but outside there are vast gardens with plenty of tranquil spots for relaxing. The decor is smart -- the marble lobby, with its huge chandelier makes an eye-catching first impression. Just a few splashes of local character are found in patterned prints, wrought iron chairs, and dark wood beams. This Hyatt can be busy when events are taking place here, and it's not exactly near much of interest beyond the Regency Casino. As such, this is a secure and pleasant base for business travelers, thoug the range of facilities, big rooms, and Hyatt name also draws lots of families. 

The Hyatt Regency is a five-minute drive from Thessaloniki’s airport, close to the famous Regency Casino, with its 63 tables. The hotel shares its immediate area with a handful of car rental companies, airport parking, and a few other hotels. It’s self-contained, secluded away in pleasant gardens -- a pro given the uninspiring location and the fact that there’s not much of interest in walking distance other than a few cafes. The Mediterranean Cosmos mall is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Thessaloniki’s city center and attractions like the White Tower of Thessaloniki are a half-hour drive away, and it’s around an hour by car to Halkidiki’s beaches. The hotel offers a shuttle to the airport and the city center.  

Rooms are large yet cozy and quiet, with smart Greek-inspired decor, largely neutral palettes, and subtly patterned fabrics. Amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars. Bathrooms are huge and feature baths and separate walk-in showers. Robes and hairdryers are provided, as are upmarket toiletries. For even more space, rooms have balconies with views over the pool or pretty gardens. Most of the rooms are Standard Rooms, which are a generous 450 square feet (42 square meters), as well as larger Deluxe Rooms and a handful of suites. Business travelers should note that there are no Club Rooms here, which is a bit surprising given the brand name.

The focal point of the Hyatt’s mature gardens is the large lagoon-style pool, surrounded by a courtyard area that provides plenty of space for lounging. There’s also a separate kids’ pool, and the waterfall is a nice, soothing touch for a business-oriented hotel. For rainy days, guests also have use of an indoor pool. Day visitors can use the pools at a fee. The Asian Spa offers various therapies from Indian head massages to body wraps that target the kidneys and adrenal glands for healthy function. There’s also a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness center with cardio and exercise rooms, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, two floodlit tennis courts, and an air-conditioned squash court. Dining at each of the hotel’s three restaurants is centered on authentic Greek cuisine and fresh local seafood. Ambrosia is the main restaurant, with an open kitchen and a large terrace that sprawls out into the gardens. Other eateries are made up of a poolside restaurants and the lobby lounge. Business facilities consist of a small 24-hour office next to reception, meeting rooms, a boardroom, and two ballrooms. For those who find the nearby Regency Casino too big, the hotel has its own casino, Club Regency. There is plenty of free parking, with self-parking and valet parking on request. A free scheduled shuttle operates to the Regency Casino and city center, and rates include free airport pick-ups and drop-offs. The hotel can also arrange sightseeing trips to archaeological sites including Mount Athos and activities including mountain biking and private boat trips.