Art Gallery Hotel
5 Erechthiou str., Athens, 11742, Greece
Why We Like It
Art Gallery is a home-like base near all the best parts of Athens - from the Acropolis, Hadrian’s Arch and the National Garden to nearby Petralona neighborhood and up-and-coming Koukaki itself. The family-run budget traveler accommodations may be on the outdated side, but offer the basics at a good price and service is helpful and professional, although comfort is not the key aspect here.
Fodor's Expert Review
Once the home of the late artist Dora Bouki, this family-run budget hotel is decorated mainly by her impressionist paintings and decked out with simple, vintage 1960s furnishings. It has interesting corners and gives you the feeling of staying at an elegant but also slightly old-fashioned and artsy aunt’s house. The location in cool Koukaki neighborhood is favorable not only for its proximity to the most impressive ancient sites but also plenty of other lively shops, nightlife and restaurants to sample nearby.
You Should Know The hotel is not fully open between November and March but accommodation can be arranged upon request to the owners.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Basic, adequately-sized non-smoking rooms with wooden floors, cream walls and bedding in warm colors like red, orange, brown or blue, and always a painting (mostly seascapes) by Dora Bouki. Some rooms look out to the Parthenon. Wi-Fi is free and has a steady signal.
You Should Know The beds are on the hard side.
Bathroom
The bathroom is as basic as it gets, more like one you would find in an somewhat dated apartment than in a hotel, but what you would expect from a budget hotel.
You Should Know Three bedrooms have private but external bathrooms just down the corridor.
Lobby
More like a living room than a lobby, the reception area here is elegantly furnished and welcoming, with red sofas and coffee table books to leaf through.
Tip The hotel owners are keen to offer guests help in planning a variety of tours in the capital as well as ancient sites on the mainland and day-trips to nearby islands.
Dining
Breakfast comes at an extra cost of 7 euros and includes a basic choice of cold cuts, pastries, eggs, and hot beverages.
Drinking
After 8pm, in summer months the terrace is open for guests to order a drink.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Just a 3-minute walk to and from Syngrou Fix metro (on the Red Line, just one stop after Acropolis and two stops after Syntagma), thus you can take the Blue Line from the Airport to Syntagma and change there. By taxi from the airport the ride is about 45 minutes long and the cost between 35 euros (daytime) and 55 euros (after midnight). Piraeus port is a 20 minute cab ride away. If you have your own car you need to be aware that parking is difficult in the area, but there are a couple of parking sites at a reasonable cost 5-10 minutes away on foot.
Restaurants
Go to Kalamaki Bar (5-minute walk) for beef, chicken, mushroom or haloumi cheese on a stick, salads and hand-cut fries. For more upscale and scenic Greek cuisine walk up to Strofi restaurant in Makryianni (10-minute walk), and for cheap and cheerful fish and chips British-style or a choice of burgers with sport on a large flatscreen TV go to the Athens Backpackers (10-minute walk).
Bars
Try an excellent selection of Greece’s grape varieties at trendy BOBO Winebar (5-minute walk), chill out over a cocktail (or hangover brunch) at Bel Ray (5-10 minute walk) or fill up on delicious cocktails and snacks at Kinono (5-10 minute walk). Start your evening at Monsieur Barbu, serving good cocktails at affordable prices (5-10 minute walk).
Photos
Quick Facts
People Also Liked
Electra Metropolis
Acropolis Museum Boutique Hotel
