Help with Athens hotel selection
 

We are traveling with 3 other couples on a cruise and will end up in Athens in November. I would appreciate recommendations for a hotel for 2 nights in the $100-130 range. Does anyone have recent experiences they could share? Thanks

Nebraska Cornhusker

The Acropolis View is a few minutes away from Plaka in a quiet neighborhood, with, indeed, a view of the Acropolis. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Good value for the $$, but certainly not luxurious. We've stayed there twice and would not hesitate to do it again.

A very nice hotel is named "Alexandros". It's not near Plaka, but very near the Athens Opera or near the American Embassy and only a couple of minutes from the nearest metro station. Although it's near a very busy (mostly during the day) street, the hotel is rather secluded. I've been there once and I liked it. But, you have to check the prices in the net. I can't help you with these.
If you want, I could give you some more names of convenient hotels in the centre. Tell me if you're interested, OK? (I live in Athens, you see).

Thanks for the input. I sent an e-mail to the Acropolis View Hotel and they say they're closed for remodeling. Any more input appreciated.

Nebraska Cornhusker.

I bet all the little (and big) hotels are putting on new faces for the Olympics; wonder how this will affect prices after the games are over?

Another thought: Matt Barrett's site, www.greecetravel.com, probably has some hotel recommendations.

1/In the Acropolis area and near Plaka and the new pedestrian walway around the Acropolis ,the Herodion for its service and tastefull decoration.

2/ the fully refurbished Titania(favoured by greek travellers) on Panepistimiou (excellent location between Omonia and Syntagma, and excellent restaurant with Acropolis view from the roofgarden)

3/the brand new and boutique hotel, Callirohe(near the Acropolis area) with its breathtaking view from its roofgarden restaurant

4/ the fully renovated President, large and pleasant rooms ,super view and 4 stars facilities at a 3 stars rate(something around 80 usdol). On Kifissias avenue,wich is not near the tourist attractions (but well connected to the center by metro,bus (10 min max.).Excellent shopping and quality for value small tavernas in the area.

Through a local travel agent-depending the period- (i.e. the local rep.of your cruise company )you should get a 5 stars hotel for 130 us dol/night )insist...for a fully renovated hotel where ALL works have been completed and all amenities are operational.

I still recommend the Arethusa for convenience, staff helpfulness and going the extra mile so to speak. It is rather in the 70's decor but many Athens hotels were unless they are closed and being refurbished right now.
As it's only two nights you are handy to everything from here. The airport bus, the Plaka, Ermou st, the post office and the Syntagma metro station.

mzani,
allow me to say that if I were a tourist in Athens, I definitely would not want to stay anywhere near Omonoia Square (that rules the Titania Hotel off). Even in the morning, you never hear any greek spoken there. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against foreigners, but there's a lot of trafficking taking place there in the evening.
As for Callirohe, I agree it's nice now that it's all made up, but there are works going on in front of it, due to the building of the new tram (train), so there is a lot of noise.

We just got back from Greece Friday - stayed at the Divanis Acropolis in Athens...it was very nice and included an excellent breakfast. Walking distance to the Acropolis and the Plaka. I'm not sure of the cost per night since we paid for the trip as a package price, but you might want to look into it.

Good luck!