Athens Hotel 40th Birthday
Oct 7th, 2006, 09:35 AM
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Athens Hotel 40th Birthday
Hi Everyone! As the newest Fodorite I would value your help please. I have read with much interest many of your Athens Hotel reviews and I think I have narrowed it down to four, for our trip mid-November 2006. It is my 40th Birthday and we will be spending a week self catering near Stilos in Crete. However as winter flights from the UK go via Athens, we have decided to stay one night either side of the week in Athens as I would love to see The Acropolis/Parthanon.
The four hotels I am considering are The Adrian, The Athos, The Amazon and The Attalos. Please has anyone stayed in any of these recently and which do you think we might prefer? We would like a view of The Acropolis/Parthanon, somewhere quiet and with character, something special to treasure for the big 40 Birthday memory and when "life begins", so if anyone has any other ideas, they would be most welcome. Somewhere like The Grand Bretagne or The King George would be beyond our budget.....
I look forward to hearing your ideas - thanks...
The four hotels I am considering are The Adrian, The Athos, The Amazon and The Attalos. Please has anyone stayed in any of these recently and which do you think we might prefer? We would like a view of The Acropolis/Parthanon, somewhere quiet and with character, something special to treasure for the big 40 Birthday memory and when "life begins", so if anyone has any other ideas, they would be most welcome. Somewhere like The Grand Bretagne or The King George would be beyond our budget.....
I look forward to hearing your ideas - thanks...
Oct 7th, 2006, 12:08 PM
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P.S. If anyone has any good flight info then that will be most welcome too. Thinking of going with Easyjet and Aegean but not booked it yet.
Looking out for my first reply... thank you in anticipation
Looking out for my first reply... thank you in anticipation
Oct 7th, 2006, 12:36 PM
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Regarding the flights, easyJet would be a good choice. They have an early morning flight from Gatwick, and an afternoon flight from Luton. I have used easyJet several times and found them to be friendly and reliable.
Aegean doesn't fly to the islands I visit, but by all accounts they provide better service than Olympic. What I do know is the early morning queues at Athens Airport are a lot shorter at the Aegean check-in counters.
Aegean doesn't fly to the islands I visit, but by all accounts they provide better service than Olympic. What I do know is the early morning queues at Athens Airport are a lot shorter at the Aegean check-in counters.
Oct 7th, 2006, 12:40 PM
#4
I stayed at Attalos; can't tell you about the others. The Attalos, in my opinion, has no character; I thought I was walking into a hardware type store when I saw the front of it. My room did not have a view of the Acropolis, but I spoke with a couple who said their's did. The location of the Attalos was great, they had a good breakfast, free internet. The best part was the roof top bar, but I don't know if that will be open in Nov.
I don't think you should place that much emphasis on the hotel to make your birthday memorable, but rather the activities of the day, the company, the food, the general setting of AThens.
I don't think you should place that much emphasis on the hotel to make your birthday memorable, but rather the activities of the day, the company, the food, the general setting of AThens.
Oct 7th, 2006, 12:43 PM
#5
Hit the button too soon...
Regarding flights. I took Aegean from Athens to Crete and was very pleased with it, it took off and arrived on time. Got in on the 19 euro flight, don't know if rate is still valid for your travel dates.
Regarding flights. I took Aegean from Athens to Crete and was very pleased with it, it took off and arrived on time. Got in on the 19 euro flight, don't know if rate is still valid for your travel dates.
Oct 7th, 2006, 02:52 PM
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Thanks for your comments and ideas Jackie and also to Heimdall. Anyone else out there stayed at The Adrian, Athos or Amazon recently?
Anyone stayed in Crete in November - I've heard mixed reports about the weather....?
Anyone stayed in Crete in November - I've heard mixed reports about the weather....?
Oct 7th, 2006, 04:40 PM
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Hi
Congratulations and happy birthday. What happens to your author name now though?
We stayed at the Attalos last month. I thought it was excellent value. The rooms were clean and large enough. We requested a room with a balcony. It was at the rear of the building. We could see the Acropolis to the side. There were no other views from our balcony apart from the ramshackle Athens roof lines. The outdoor furniture was a bit tired too. However we still enjoyed sitting there. The roof bar is excellent. Great views. The bar opens at 5pm and prices are reasonable. Before 5 you can bring your own drinks up there. In 2002 we stayed a few doors down at the Cecil Hotel. This was a lovely character building. The Attalos is a modern themed hotel whereas the Cecil is more old worldish. The Cecil has a roof terrace but there is nothing there. So you really just stand there and admire the Acropolis view.
Hope this helps.
Congratulations and happy birthday. What happens to your author name now though?
We stayed at the Attalos last month. I thought it was excellent value. The rooms were clean and large enough. We requested a room with a balcony. It was at the rear of the building. We could see the Acropolis to the side. There were no other views from our balcony apart from the ramshackle Athens roof lines. The outdoor furniture was a bit tired too. However we still enjoyed sitting there. The roof bar is excellent. Great views. The bar opens at 5pm and prices are reasonable. Before 5 you can bring your own drinks up there. In 2002 we stayed a few doors down at the Cecil Hotel. This was a lovely character building. The Attalos is a modern themed hotel whereas the Cecil is more old worldish. The Cecil has a roof terrace but there is nothing there. So you really just stand there and admire the Acropolis view.
Hope this helps.
Oct 8th, 2006, 11:05 AM
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I stayed at the Adrian hotel last May. The word "adequate", not "memorable" comes to mind. Rates started at about 130 Euro.
Rear facing rooms on the 2nd floor and above do have nice acropolis views, and the rear is very quiet despite the Adrian being on Adrianou street.
The Adrian has a rooftop breakfast terrace with fine views, but no bar or evening service.
The Adrian is clean and has a great location in Plaka.
Rear facing rooms on the 2nd floor and above do have nice acropolis views, and the rear is very quiet despite the Adrian being on Adrianou street.
The Adrian has a rooftop breakfast terrace with fine views, but no bar or evening service.
The Adrian is clean and has a great location in Plaka.
Oct 8th, 2006, 11:28 AM
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Not one on your list but certainly cheaper than the Grand Bretagne; we stayed at the Elektra Palace (before their remodel) and really liked it. The rooftop bar with pool had such a wonderful view of the Acropolis. The location was GREAT. The rooms were clean and comfortable and the included breakfast was excellent. I especially liked popping an orange into the machine and getting fresh OJ.
Oct 8th, 2006, 04:56 PM
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The Electra Palace is certainly much more upscale & elegant than the other hotels being considered. But, rates start at about 200 Euro.
Unfortunately, the remodel eliminated the roof pool and bar. A drink on the rooftop was a grand way to end the day with fine Acropolis & Plaka views. Maybe it will return one day.
Unfortunately, the remodel eliminated the roof pool and bar. A drink on the rooftop was a grand way to end the day with fine Acropolis & Plaka views. Maybe it will return one day.
Oct 9th, 2006, 02:29 AM
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Stayed at the Electra Palace in Sept. and there is an outdoor pool and bar on the 5th floor with a direct view to the Acropolis. They were doing a lot of work on the inside of the building which I thought was for a future bar - restaurant but I'm not certain. I swam during the day and we enjoyed the view late at night sitting on the lounges and sipping our own wine.
Nov 13th, 2006, 04:44 AM
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I would defintely choose the Amazon..it has the best locaton, nicely redone stylish rooms (small..very clean)...Attalos, is a better value, I do not like the area..a bit seedy..also try the Cypria,
Achilleas, Hermes..all in the same excellent central area..I think the Adrian is a bit pricey for what it is..but it is the heart of Plaka..the ones I mentioned are a five minute walk..
Achilleas, Hermes..all in the same excellent central area..I think the Adrian is a bit pricey for what it is..but it is the heart of Plaka..the ones I mentioned are a five minute walk..
Jan 28th, 2007, 10:59 AM
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I love the Grande Bretagne and it's a wonderful splurge for your 40th. Check out starwood.com and enter your AAA (or driving association) number. Starwood hotels often give great discounts for AAA memberships. We're also going to try the HIlton this year which I've always thought was out of the way, but read very favarable reviews on Tripadvisor. We stayed at the Electra Palace a few years ago and I found it very tired. They may have renovated, since then.
Jan 28th, 2007, 02:30 PM
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In the last two years, I have stayed at the Adrian, the Amazon, and the Attalos (also others).
Of the three, I like the Adrian the best, most particularly if you get an Acropolis view room. There is nothing like lying in bed at night, looking out the window and seeing the lit up Acropolis. Really really wonderful. Eating a fine breakfast on the roof garden of the Adrian is also most pleasant. The Adrian is very conveniently located on a narrow street within Plaka, and is near many cafes and eating spots. It is fun to stay inside Plaka.
The Attalos is cheaper, but the rooms (and particurlarly the bathrooms) are smaller than at the Adrian, and the rooms pretty much lack a view (and some are on a very busy street). The breakfasts at the Attalos are not worth paying for. The view from the roof garden is fine, but I like the view from the Adrian better. There is free internet access, but it worked only half the time last time I stayed there (5 days). As I said, it is on a very busy (in terms of traffic) street that is very cementy and pretty dirty, although not without its own charm.
The Amazon is located about halfway between Syndagma Square and Plaka. Although this is a fine and very convenient location, I personnally prefer the Monastiraki end of Plaka to the Syndagma end. The breakfasts were on about a par with the Attalos -- not worth the money. I have occasionally recommended the Amazon to people because it is a fair value, but it wouldn't be my first choice either. For me, it's just one of those nondescript hotels that don't excite me, but aren't horrible either. And there is also the lack of a view.
So sounds like you have one day at the beginning of your trip in Athens and one day the end of your trip in Athens. So what would I do? I would pick the day that staying in a better hotel room would make the most difference in terms of enjoying Athens, and stay at the Adrian. The other night I'd stay in the Attalos or Amazon. For example, I like having a room with a view for my last night in Athens. But my first night in Athens it doesn't matter one whit because I am very tired and only want to sleep. So I might stay at the Attalos the first night and the Adrian the last night. On the other hand, you might want to revel in the sites and sounds of Athens on your first night in Greece, and not care so much about your last night, in which case you could stay in the Adrian first and the other hotel second.
One more thing, for your last night in town, if you are taking the metro to the airport, the Attalos may be a good choice because it is so close to the Monastiraki metro station. And, since Monastiraki is the end of the line/start of the line, you are pretty much assured of a seat if you board at this station. On the other hand, when I have boarded the metro at Syntagma (as you would do if you stay at the Amazon), I have had to stand all or most of the way to the airport, which is not my preference. On the other hand, if you want to take the bus to the airport (which is cheaper but a longer trip than the metro), the Amazon may be a better choice for you because it is closer to Syndagma Square (which is where you catch the airport buses).
Of the three, I like the Adrian the best, most particularly if you get an Acropolis view room. There is nothing like lying in bed at night, looking out the window and seeing the lit up Acropolis. Really really wonderful. Eating a fine breakfast on the roof garden of the Adrian is also most pleasant. The Adrian is very conveniently located on a narrow street within Plaka, and is near many cafes and eating spots. It is fun to stay inside Plaka.
The Attalos is cheaper, but the rooms (and particurlarly the bathrooms) are smaller than at the Adrian, and the rooms pretty much lack a view (and some are on a very busy street). The breakfasts at the Attalos are not worth paying for. The view from the roof garden is fine, but I like the view from the Adrian better. There is free internet access, but it worked only half the time last time I stayed there (5 days). As I said, it is on a very busy (in terms of traffic) street that is very cementy and pretty dirty, although not without its own charm.
The Amazon is located about halfway between Syndagma Square and Plaka. Although this is a fine and very convenient location, I personnally prefer the Monastiraki end of Plaka to the Syndagma end. The breakfasts were on about a par with the Attalos -- not worth the money. I have occasionally recommended the Amazon to people because it is a fair value, but it wouldn't be my first choice either. For me, it's just one of those nondescript hotels that don't excite me, but aren't horrible either. And there is also the lack of a view.
So sounds like you have one day at the beginning of your trip in Athens and one day the end of your trip in Athens. So what would I do? I would pick the day that staying in a better hotel room would make the most difference in terms of enjoying Athens, and stay at the Adrian. The other night I'd stay in the Attalos or Amazon. For example, I like having a room with a view for my last night in Athens. But my first night in Athens it doesn't matter one whit because I am very tired and only want to sleep. So I might stay at the Attalos the first night and the Adrian the last night. On the other hand, you might want to revel in the sites and sounds of Athens on your first night in Greece, and not care so much about your last night, in which case you could stay in the Adrian first and the other hotel second.
One more thing, for your last night in town, if you are taking the metro to the airport, the Attalos may be a good choice because it is so close to the Monastiraki metro station. And, since Monastiraki is the end of the line/start of the line, you are pretty much assured of a seat if you board at this station. On the other hand, when I have boarded the metro at Syntagma (as you would do if you stay at the Amazon), I have had to stand all or most of the way to the airport, which is not my preference. On the other hand, if you want to take the bus to the airport (which is cheaper but a longer trip than the metro), the Amazon may be a better choice for you because it is closer to Syndagma Square (which is where you catch the airport buses).
Jul 14th, 2007, 07:44 AM
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Thanks to everyone who replied especially Eleni. Sorry I haven't acknowledged your reply sooner Eleni - I had to cancel our trip in November and did not log on for some time after. If you are there, please write again.
Our trip is now back on, scheduled for late September around the 20th. I am thinking of staying at the Adrian Hotel - sounds lovely - we are looking for something small, clean and with a view of the Acropolis, romantic and nice food. Do you reccommend any particular room - and do the rooms with the Acropolis view have a balcony? The garden rooms look lovely but I guess with those you have a completely different outlook. Did you have Dinner in the Hotel - what was it like?
We thought of Athens for about 2 nights, then a week somewhere quiet, maybe Mani in the Peleponesse (excuse my spelling if I've got that wrong). Guess the train might be a good option - have you been to that area and how long does it take?
Many thanks - hope to hear back from you or anyone else - happy travels
Our trip is now back on, scheduled for late September around the 20th. I am thinking of staying at the Adrian Hotel - sounds lovely - we are looking for something small, clean and with a view of the Acropolis, romantic and nice food. Do you reccommend any particular room - and do the rooms with the Acropolis view have a balcony? The garden rooms look lovely but I guess with those you have a completely different outlook. Did you have Dinner in the Hotel - what was it like?
We thought of Athens for about 2 nights, then a week somewhere quiet, maybe Mani in the Peleponesse (excuse my spelling if I've got that wrong). Guess the train might be a good option - have you been to that area and how long does it take?
Many thanks - hope to hear back from you or anyone else - happy travels
Jul 15th, 2007, 04:10 PM
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If you are going in late September, almost EVERYWHERE will be quiet-ish... take care that you are not somewhere that feels like "closing time." A lot of places that are only busy in high-season will be closing the shutters in September.
You might be better off going to a spot that has year-round residents, cafes, street life, restaurants etc. Have you considered Nafplio (Nauplion)? It's easy to reach from Athens (just 2.5 hrs by express bus), small but chic, truly stunning views, architecture, walkable, fab sunsets along the waterside, easy day trips to ruins... and in Sept., the beaches are quite swimmable! It's not highly publicized to foreigners, since Greeks want to keep it to themselves!
I've been there in Sept, enjoyed all the above, uncrowded, untourist-y, a gem you'll love (as savvy Greeks do).
You might be better off going to a spot that has year-round residents, cafes, street life, restaurants etc. Have you considered Nafplio (Nauplion)? It's easy to reach from Athens (just 2.5 hrs by express bus), small but chic, truly stunning views, architecture, walkable, fab sunsets along the waterside, easy day trips to ruins... and in Sept., the beaches are quite swimmable! It's not highly publicized to foreigners, since Greeks want to keep it to themselves!
I've been there in Sept, enjoyed all the above, uncrowded, untourist-y, a gem you'll love (as savvy Greeks do).
Aug 1st, 2007, 07:45 PM
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Hi BoonieBear...glad to hear your trip is on. September is a marvelous time to visit Greece. You asked about places to spend a week outside of Athens. I second the suggestion for Napflion. You could do 3 or 4 days there and the same in the Mani region since it's not too far away. Napflion is lovely. I've been there a few times, most recently a few weeks ago, and it was the favorite of my children as well. I have only been to the Mani once and that was a day trip from Sparta. I've always wanted to go back, but we've never been able to fit it in. Every time we go to Greece, we always end up wondering why we shuttled off to the islands rather than enjoying the beautiful and diverse mainland. If you want to hit an island you can get to Hydra from Athens or Napflion on a short ferry ride.
A suggestion...drive directly to Napflion from the airport and spend two nights in Athens at the end of your trip. If you split your nights in Athens, you'll be wasting time checking in and out. Napflion is about 2 hours or so from the Athens airport. I would also strongly encourage you to rent a car for your travels outside of Athens.
Re: Hotels...Arguably, the Grande Bretagne is the best hotel in Athens and it's magnificent, albeit pricey. We just stayed at the Athens HIlton last week...something I had resisted as too "American" for many years. The truth...it was an oasis! Athens was having a heat wave and after traveling around Greece for two weeks, it was absolutely delightful to have a lovely room with American-style service, great facilities, a large outdoor and an indoor pool. It looks very 70's on the outside, but the inside was completely redone for the Olympics. We were on the Concierge floor which made it even nicer for pre-dinner cocktails and breakfast in the morning. It's not in the direct center so we took taxis and used the nearby train station to get around Athens and to/from the airport.
A suggestion...drive directly to Napflion from the airport and spend two nights in Athens at the end of your trip. If you split your nights in Athens, you'll be wasting time checking in and out. Napflion is about 2 hours or so from the Athens airport. I would also strongly encourage you to rent a car for your travels outside of Athens.
Re: Hotels...Arguably, the Grande Bretagne is the best hotel in Athens and it's magnificent, albeit pricey. We just stayed at the Athens HIlton last week...something I had resisted as too "American" for many years. The truth...it was an oasis! Athens was having a heat wave and after traveling around Greece for two weeks, it was absolutely delightful to have a lovely room with American-style service, great facilities, a large outdoor and an indoor pool. It looks very 70's on the outside, but the inside was completely redone for the Olympics. We were on the Concierge floor which made it even nicer for pre-dinner cocktails and breakfast in the morning. It's not in the direct center so we took taxis and used the nearby train station to get around Athens and to/from the airport.
