A HOTEL THAT GROWS ON YOU
LOCATION
What is the hotel of the future, and how can it satisfy new generations of Instagram hotel guests? How can a hotel become completely personalised for guests, and most importantly, how can we start a hotel revolution? We believe these were the questions the investors from Anatolia Hospitality pondered upon when deciding to place their pilot project on Monastiriou Street in the heart of Thessaloniki. Boasting an ideal location to explore Thessaloniki, Onoma Hotel is close to all the landmarks. Guests can take a short walk to the trendy Ladadika district, where a broad array of restaurants delight gourmets and nightlife thrills explorers. With airport junctions close to Thessaloniki, it seems the location is perfect for exploring the most rock and roll city in Greece.
ACCESSIBILITY
The hotel is easily accessible and close to must-see attractions, regardless of the occasional traffic jams. A city home to nearly a million inhabitants eagerly awaits the opening of a new metro line. One of the central stations will be constructed just outside the hotel. Until the promised metro opens in 2023, guests must rely on public transport or the omnipresent taxis that drive across Thessaloniki. Our advice is to go on foot and thus see the city in an authentic light. The airport is only twelve kilometres away, and the crafty taxi drivers will drive you to the airport in 20 minutes. For guests arriving by car, the hotel offers a spacious underground garage. One of the core advantages is the immediate vicinity of the train station. Although Greeks are not fans of railways, sustainably-oriented guests will appreciate the option.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The exterior alone will not leave guests open-mouthed, as the classic hotel design merges with the modern architecture of Thessaloniki. What does catch the eye is the ingenious and cutting-edge LED screen that can promote your event, should you decide to organise it here. The essence of the hotel lies within. Upon stepping foot in the hotel, guests wonder if they strolled into an eclectic living room, party space, funky bar, restaurant or basketball court. Following the concept of millennial-friendly hotels, the inspiring architecture of the hotel edges out even the renowned 25hour Hotels brand. On arrival, guests will be wowed by the Seeker, a statue representing the modern traveller seeking new experiences while discovering the world.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
If anywhere, then this is the hotel where Millennials will feel at home. The experience is not limited to them, given the friendly staff ensures everyone feels young and welcome. Their name tags are one of the most unique in the region. At the reception, The Composers, boasting red uniforms, seem utterly hospitable and Instagrammable. Likewise, the barista and personnel in the restaurant can brighten your day with an excellent coffee or an incredible cocktail. Breakfast is a must, with a diverse and quality offer. The retro refrigerator is always well-stocked with heavenly yoghurts. A hipster-inspired menu of The Good Mood Food Restaurant includes some classics alongside Mediterranean-infused dishes and an extensive offer for vegans. The creative concept of the menu is evident in the names of the culinary creations. For instance, Feltman’s Hotdog and Teressa’s Shaked Chicken Wings are two signature dishes. The restaurant stands out from its competition because of its highly-successful modern take on street food.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The minimalist industrial style that dominates the rooms culminates in the concrete-inspired walls. A stand-out feature is a slightly elevated bed that appears like a pedestal in the room. The furniture combines industrial pieces, intriguing loungers and embellishments in the hotel’s unique style. One such detail is the Marshall Bluetooth speaker or the tablet that enables guests to control any device in the room. The hotel features nine types of rooms, and we opted for the Surname room. The bathroom, furnished in a predictable black-and-white style, was up to the standard, even though it was not the most spacious.
Meetings centre
Onoma Hotel offers five meeting rooms for events. The centrepiece is a hall named Living Room, which can capacitate up to 160 attendees. Event organisers can further divide it into two smaller rooms. One of the hotel’s specialities is the possibility of organising an event in Cloud Bar and its alluring terrace, one of Thessaloniki’s best. In addition, meeting planners can host smaller events in the Play Room or the hotel lobby.
DESSERT – The extras
The hotel’s core advantage is the experience zone, comprising a large Play Room on the first floor and a mini basketball court where you can test your skills. To top it off, the hotel features a photo booth where you can print a stylish photo for your new ID.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
The user experience could be even better if the internet worked slightly faster.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
A unique feature of the hotel is the possibility of personalising experiences in the rooms. The hotel can turn your room into a gaming retreat, a wine-tasting room, a rock haven or a sweet corner. Inspiring!
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
We did not come across any sustainable activities in the hotel.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Even though Onoma Hotel is no longer a fresh face on the hotel scene of Thessaloniki, it still brings a smile to its guests’ faces with its original concept, excellent execution and Instagrammability. We must admit that the Hyper Tria creative agency pulled out all the stops to create a recognisable brand. Thus with a few ingenious tricks, the hotel became a favourite among generations that feel Millenial by heart. Boasting enough hipster embellishments, the hotel will appeal to either classic business guests or digital nomads. The hotel is the first to claim its own manifesto. It starts like this: “We refuse to see you as just another client.” The manifesto awaits guests in their hotel rooms and focuses chiefly on the unparalleled personalised hotel experience. The hotel is doing a fantastic job, and we have no doubts event organisers will fall in love with the story. Onoma Hotel is one of the most surprising regional hotels that is exceptionally eccentric, inclusive and fun. In the same breath, it is spacious, comfortable and inviting.
FINAL GRADE: 4.88 GOLD City Meeting Hotel
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
