Greece - Korina Miller [90]
HOTELS
Plaka & Syntagma
John’s Place (Map; 210 322 9719; Patroou 5, Plaka; s/d/tr without bathroom €30/50/60; ) For basic budget accommodation, this small, old-style, family-run place is in a handy location just west of Syntagma. The owners are friendly and the timber staircase, old doors and high ceilings give it some charm. The furniture and bathrooms have been updated, and each room has a hand basin, but it’s much as it has been for years. Some rooms have air-conditioning, but all bathrooms are basic and shared.
Acropolis House Pension (Map; 210 322 2344; www.acropolishouse.gr; Kodrou 6-8, Plaka; d €59-65, s/d/tr incl breakfast €72.50/87/113.50; ) This atmospheric family-run pension is in a beautifully preserved, 19th-century house, which retains many original features and has lovely painted walls. There are discounts for stays of three days or more. Some rooms have bathrooms across the hall.
Adonis Hotel (Map; 210 324 9737; www.hotel-adonis.gr; Kodrou 3, Plaka; s/d incl breakfast €60/85; ) This comfortable, if bland, pension on a quiet pedestrian street in Plaka is a decent budget base if you’re out sightseeing all day. The rooms are basic and clean and come with TV, though the bathrooms are small. There are great views of the Acropolis from the 4th-floor rooms and from the rooftop bar where breakfast is served. Credit-card payments are not accepted.
Hotel Phaedra (Map; 210 323 8461; www.hotelphaedra.com; Herefontos 16, Plaka; s €65, d €65-80, tr €95; ) Many of the rooms at this small, family-run hotel have balconies overlooking a church or the Acropolis. The hotel had an Olympics makeover and is tastefully furnished, though room sizes vary from small to snug. Some rooms have private bathrooms across the hall. A great rooftop terrace, friendly staff and a good location make this one of the better deals in Plaka.
Monastiraki & Thisio
Tempi Hotel (Map; 210 321 3175; www.tempihotel.gr; Eolou 29, Monastiraki; s/d without bathroom €40/55, d/tr with bathroom €64/78; ) Location and affordability are the strengths of this older, family-run place on pedestrian Eolou, with front balconies overlooking the church and flower market on Plateia Agia Irini, and side views of the Acropolis. Basic rooms have satellite TV, but the bathrooms are primitive and the top-floor rooms are small and quite a hike. There is a communal kitchen and free wi-fi.
Koukaki
Marble House Pension (Map; 210 923 4058, 210 922 8294; www.marblehouse.gr; Zini 35a; d/tr without bathroom €40/53, s/d/tr with bathroom €35/45/59; ) This pension in a quiet cul-de-sac is one of Athens’ best value budget hotels, though it is a fair walk from the tourist drag (but close to the metro). Rooms have been artfully updated, with wrought-iron beds and furniture. All rooms have a fridge and ceiling fans and some have air-con (€9 extra). Breakfast costs an extra €5.
Hotel Tony (Map; 210 923 0561; www.hoteltony.gr; Zaharitsa 26; s/d/tr €45/65/75; ) This clean, well-maintained pension has been upgraded, with all but one of the rooms having en-suite bathrooms. Air-con costs €9 extra and hot water can be patchy. All rooms have fridges, TV and air-con. Tony also has roomy, well-equipped studio apartments nearby, which are similarly priced and excellent for families or longer stays.
Around Omonia
Hotel Exarchion (Map; 210 380 0731; www.exarchion.com; Themistokleous 55, Exarhia; s/d/tr incl breakfast €50/65/80; ) Right in the heart of bohemian Exarhia, this characterless but comfortable 1960s high-rise hotel offers reasonably priced accommodation, with updated, well-equipped rooms. There’s a rooftop cafe-bar and plenty of dining and entertainment options at your doorstep.