On Sep 28 we arrived at Athens International Airport at 7:20 pm, so even with a good transfer pre-booked with Welcome Pickups, it was past 8:15 when we checked into the Art Gallery Hotel, a ten-minute walk south of the Acropolis. (Welcome Pickups review: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g189400-d8609163-r623905779-Welcome_Pickups-Athens_Attica.html )
Athens is the capital of the world, so we didn't mind the time, and Art Gallery has 24-hour reception and check-in. Ethel, Maria, and the rest of the staff were fantastic, helping us with everything at all hours, the most welcoming people.
We ran up to the hotel's 4th floor rooftop outdoor deck to see the Parthenon, but thick plastic curtains blocked the view, protection from gale-force storm Xenophon just passed, and Mediterranean Hurricane (aka “Medicane”) Zorba about to hit. Xenophon's winds were so high in Athens Sep 26-28 that trees were knocked down and schools were closed two days. Zorba was forecast to be worse.
But my intrepid hubby stuck his camera through the outdoor deck curtains and took photo 1 of the beautifully-lit Parthenon. No dinner was served, and the outside deck was full of smokers--but it's Europe, and people smoke. So we relaxed and had drinks, nuts, and chips, gazing happily through the plastic as the rain and wind kicked up. Photo 2 shows the outside deck. (Click photos below to see photo numbers; photos display at random.)
Next evening we found that one can bring outside food up to the...On Sep 28 we arrived at Athens International Airport at 7:20 pm, so even with a good transfer pre-booked with Welcome Pickups, it was past 8:15 when we checked into the Art Gallery Hotel, a ten-minute walk south of the Acropolis. (Welcome Pickups review: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g189400-d8609163-r623905779-Welcome_Pickups-Athens_Attica.html )
Athens is the capital of the world, so we didn't mind the time, and Art Gallery has 24-hour reception and check-in. Ethel, Maria, and the rest of the staff were fantastic, helping us with everything at all hours, the most welcoming people.
We ran up to the hotel's 4th floor rooftop outdoor deck to see the Parthenon, but thick plastic curtains blocked the view, protection from gale-force storm Xenophon just passed, and Mediterranean Hurricane (aka “Medicane”) Zorba about to hit. Xenophon's winds were so high in Athens Sep 26-28 that trees were knocked down and schools were closed two days. Zorba was forecast to be worse.
But my intrepid hubby stuck his camera through the outdoor deck curtains and took photo 1 of the beautifully-lit Parthenon. No dinner was served, and the outside deck was full of smokers--but it's Europe, and people smoke. So we relaxed and had drinks, nuts, and chips, gazing happily through the plastic as the rain and wind kicked up. Photo 2 shows the outside deck. (Click photos below to see photo numbers; photos display at random.)
Next evening we found that one can bring outside food up to the 4th floor's indoor salon, featuring artistic Victorian furnishings, large dining tables, and “No Smoking” signs (photo 3). Add drinks from the bar and have a cozy dinner.
This worked fine, as there are so many good reasonably-priced restaurants nearby. Exiting the hotel on Erechthiou St, a few doors to the right is an excellent fresh-food market where we bought figs, salad, cheese, and more. Just across Erechthiou from the market, Βανίλια (Vanilla) Bistro is a treat (it's not "Bavaria" as I first misread... review: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g189400-d7777405-r627912356-Vanilla_Bistro-Athens_Attica.html) The hotel can recommend many more bakeries and restaurants right in the area.
We were on a tight budget to cover our two-week trip to Greece, and found Art Gallery on the "Inexpensive" lists of both Frommers and Rick Steves' guides to Athens. “Two Stars. Metro: Syngrou-Fix,” says Frommers, “Victorian mansion. Buffet breakfast & evening cocktails on rooftop with Acropolis view (food extra $). Once the residence of visiting artists who left many works behind. Hardwood floors, polished furniture, homey feel. Free WiFi.”
Without tax, it was USD $245 for 3 nights, $82/nite. With 13% VAT, government and city tax, the total was USD $279. After studying the TripAdvisor reviews, we emailed the hotel well in advance to request a non-smoking room, a double bed, a street-view balcony, and to avoid the noisy first and fourth floors.
We only stayed 3 nights (ridiculously short for Athens, but after 2 week trip, had to return to work), so others who stayed longer naturally got the street views; we got alley views. Otherwise our requests were met. The elevator only holds 2 people, or one with luggage (300 lbs total max); the room was small; the furniture was bare; room had no safe (tho the front desk might); the bathroom was good; the water was hot. It's a small two-star hotel (photo 4 shows our room). If you want the Ritz, it's not. But for us it was all about location and great staff--grand for the price.More
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