Hotel/Good Restaurant-Athens
 

We will laying over in Athens, June 15-18. Any hotel and great/quite good restaurant<BR>recommedations would be greatly appreciated. We will be there on my husband's birthday and would like to go to a nice dinner.<BR><BR>Are there any places outside the city but not too far that we would be worth visiting in the 2 1/2 days that we will be there?<BR><BR> We were there last year for 1 1/2 days and stayed at a rather plain, but decent hotel (Attalos Hotel and quite inexpensive (about $80) would like something a bit nicer this time and centrally located, but under $150.<BR><BR>We saw a hotel called the Emmantina in Glyfada. Supposed to be only 1/2 hour away. Has anyone stayed there or could recommend staying there instead of downtown Athens again?....<BR><BR><BR><BR>

1/As for the hotel.<BR>Emmantina is not such a good choice as the hotel (once a favourite of plane-spotters) is 'in the middle of nowhere' on the possidonos Blvd.you need a car or taxi to reach the glyfada the nearest area with cafes/shps/restaurants...<BR>Lot's of pre-olympic works in progress on this part of the city...<BR><BR>It is a good idea to stay somewhere on the Athens riviera(30/40 min from athens center)in order to relax on the beach<BR>In Vouliagmeni(the best beach resort) you can check the Plaza (not the athens plaza in syntagma square!!!!), for mid-range prices www.agn.gr<BR><BR>If you finally want something special go for the Divani Apollon palace in the same area(Kavouri)<BR><BR><BR>2/ restaurant.<BR>Orizontes on lycabettus hill is excellent for such occasion as you will combine great cuisine with this major attraction of Athens (45 to 60 us dol per person incl wine) or ,<BR><BR>if you like the combination of a club/lounge/restaurant with excellent food and ambience ask your hotel if the 'Privilege' will be open.<BR>

I have stayed at the Athens Gate, the Attalos, the Arethusa, and the Fenix in Glyfada.<BR>I agree with Jeff that it is better to avoid Glyfada. Now the airport has moved, I can think of no good reason to go there.<BR>Vouliagmeni is nice but hotels are expensive.<BR>The Athens Gate is nicer than the Attalos and is near the National Gardens. It is a better walk to the Plaka than the Attalos - less lonely at night. Slightly more central.<BR>I like the rooftop bar at the Athens Gate which stays open until 1am and has wonderful views.<BR>More central (and more expensive) is the Electra Palace. The hotel has a lovely rooftop pool and is in the heart of the Plaka. <BR>

I think Electra Palace is closed until April 2003 for renovation (correct me if I'm wrong). Which is a shame as it is the nicest hotel in the Plaka. Athens Gate and Herodion are good alternatives. Or if you prefer the leafier suburbs the Kefalari Suites in Kifissia is very elegant, and only a 30-min train ride from Plaka (downtown can be hot in June). You can read my review of it on:<BR>http://www.i-escape.com/kefalarisuites.php<BR>There are lots of nice restaurants around. I was brought up in Athens and the Koutouki is still one my favourite - very down to earth, full of locals, delicious, typically greek food.

Thank you so much to all of you for for the suggestions! Will post back with results. Thanks. VVL