Athens hotels
 

I am sure this question has been asked numerous times, but I am having trouble deciding what area to stay and in what hotel for our brief stop in Athens. We arrive on a flight from Mykonos at 10:30 AM after a 2 week trip in the Cyclades. We are staying 2 nights in Athens, but we will have approximately 1 and 1/2 days to see the most popular sites as our flight leaves at 7:00 AM. It seems the Plaka neighborhood would be our best option to be able to walk to sites and restaurants. All of the accommodations I have chosen in the Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, and Naxos) are small, quaint, and Greek owned. I have spent so much time researching these places to make sure my trip is perfect! I am hoping they will give me the toal Greek experience unlike staying in larger or chain hotels. I would hate to end my trip in Athens by staying in a non-descript hotel with no character. I want to avoid hotels catering to tour groups. I would like to stay somewhere that would have a balcony with an acropolis view and be convenient to major attractions, restaurants and transportaion. It can be a hotel, B & B or self-catering apartment. I would like a little charm and would prefer a non-smoking room. I would like to spend no more than $125 EU, less if possible. I know we will not be spending much time in our room, so it does not have to be luxurious, just clean. Any ideas on neighborhoods and places to stay would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!

I forgot to mention that we will be there mid-May during the week.

In the last two years we have stayed in the Hotel Attalos - www.attaloshotel.com and Hotel Cecil - www.cecilhotel.gr . Both hotels have excellent locations and are on the same street, very close to Monastiriki Metro Station, so are a straight run in from Piraeus, and within walking distance of all the major sights. There is also a metro line from Monastiriki to the airport.

Both hotels are basic - but clean and comfortable and safe. Cecil is slightly more charming but the Attalos has a wonderful rooftop bar with views of the Acropolis. It's a great place to get talking to your fellow-travellers. Attalos also has rooms with balconies available but I wouldn't recommend them because the street is noisy. Non-smoking rooms are available in both hotels.

Really, neither is all that high on charm. Everyone staying there is on their way two or from the islands, and spending 1-3 days in Athens. However, I would have no hesitation in staying in either again. The location is perfect, they're good value and you're in the heart of Athens!! - how much time do you want to spend in your hotel room anyway!

It doesnt overlook the Acropolis but we are staying at Athens Gate and I think it is in your price range. It is more of a big hotel, but the location and price were right for us!

Did I really write "on their way TWO the islands"??? Dear oh dear.

Hi

We too have stayed at the Cecil and the Attalos Hotels. Given your criterion - "I would hate to end my trip in Athens by staying in a non-descript hotel with no character." - I would not choose the Attalos. That's not to say we didn't enjoy our stay there. Rooms were adequate and the rooftop bar is magic. However the hotel is rather bland in its aesthetics, i.e no character, when compared to the neo classical Cecil. Unlike ter we found the Cecil very charming. It does have a rooftop but it's really more an observation deck with no seating.

"I would like to stay somewhere that would have a balcony with an acropolis view". Our room at the Attalos met this criterion, the Cecil doesn't. However if you are planning to visit next month I would be surprised if there are vacancies at these two popular hotels, let alone a choice of rooms with an Acropolis view! Hopefully I'm wrong :)

Both hotels are in the Monastiraki area which borders the Plaka. You'll find it just as convenient particularly for its proximity to the metro.

Others in the same central area as the Attalos are the Metropolis Hotel, Pella Inn, Plaka Hotel, Amazon Hotel, Pan Hotel, A For Athens Hotel, Athens Diamond Hotel, Arethusa Hotel and Magna Grecia Hotel.

I stayed at the Amazon in 2008. It's a 5 minute walk from Syntagama for easy metro or bus connections to the airport. The Plaka is 5 minutes walk the other way. Our room had an Acropolis
view which was a bonus.

The place was neat as a pin and the rooms a decent size. I'd stay again. Handy restaurant and bar right across the street too.

Those all look like great suggestions. Thanks for the input. I will check them out!