Moon & Stars Boutique Hotel
Step behind one of Athens's most beautiful iron-wrought doors into this 1920s landmark building, now home to a five-room boutique hotel in Thissio. A toymaker once lived here, and he's the inspiration for the family-run Moon and Stars, whose rooms all follow the whimsical theme of childhood games in this preserved slice of history.
Each modern and stylish room includes original building elements, like intricate moldings, wooden and art deco tiled floors, and iron partitions between areas. The owners have preserved the layout of this landmark building, so each room is distinct and different, but there isn't an elevator available. Some larger options can sleep up to three on a sofabed, but they most comfortably accommodate two. Couples will appreciate the romantic historic atmosphere, and friends can enjoy the thoughtful and detailed style.
The large rooftop terrace has a straight-on view of the Acropolis, which is just 20 minutes away on foot. Guests who want to experience Athens differently can book a tour of the city in owner Theodore's vintage 1970s Fiat. The hotel's location makes it ideal for exploring Athens. Monastiraki Square and Plaka are just over five minutes away on foot, while the restaurants and shops of lively Psyri are directly behind the hotel.
Read kimkim's review of Moon and Stars
Sweet Home Boutique Hotel
The family-run Sweet Home Hotel on Plaka's edge is about creating a sense of home, which the staff does with their philoxenia or hospitality. Owner Aphrodite treats guests like her family, whose presence permeates this 120-year-old historic building. Photographs of Aphrodite's mother as a child pepper the lobby, while the basement houses her father's fantastic vintage gramophone collection. Guests can rely on Aphrodite and her staff's warmth and helpfulness to ensure a lovely stay in Athens.
The hotel has 17 rooms that comfortably sleep couples, friends, or families. The penthouse can fit up to five people, or connecting options are available for larger parties. A handful include balconies, some of which have partial Acropolis views, and elements like original wood floors elevate the spaces. While standard options feel tight with space just for a bed and desk, the superior room and above are more spacious.
Enjoy homemade breakfast and coffee in the lobby dining area before setting out for the day from the hotel's central location. Syntagma and Monastiraki squares are five minutes away on foot, while Athens' historic center of Plaka is less than five. Stroll through Plaka's winding streets before heading to the Acropolis, which is 10 minutes away.
Read kimkim's review of Sweet Home Hotel
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Athens Gate
This historic hotel has been a mainstay of Athens' hospitality scene since the 1970s thanks to its central location, Acropolis and Temple of Zeus views, and room options that accommodate all travelers, from couples to families. Standing directly across the street from the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, the Athens Gate offers 99 rooms and a rooftop restaurant with views of some of Athens' most famous sites.
The rooms are clean and basic, ranging from doubles to connecting options and triples that can fit larger parties. All include balconies, and most look over the Temple of Zeus, although some offer Acropolis views instead. Since the hotel is on the busy thoroughfare of Syggrou, light sleepers may want to book something on a higher floor. For many, the hotel's best feature is its rooftop restaurant, which has a panoramic vista of Athens that spans from the sea to Mount Lycabettus to the Parthenon.
The location puts you in the heart of ancient and modern Athens: the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and Plaka are all less than five minutes away, while Syntagma Square is 10 minutes away. Those with cars can take advantage of the hotel's parking lot, a significant plus in the city center; just be sure to book your spot ahead of time.
Read kimkim's review of Athens Gate
Home & Poetry
A former neoclassical home is now the 16-room Home and Poetry, almost exactly between the Acropolis and Hadrian's Arch. Each room is named after a different Greek poet and features their work written on the walls or elsewhere to orient guests within one of Greece's most significant and beloved art forms. Families can sleep comfortably in the two-bedroom skylight loft, whose multiple skylights will delight the kids. Some deluxe suites include balconies or partial Acropolis views, which may appeal to couples.
Original elements like marble staircases and iron-wrought railings combine with hardwood floors and vintage furniture to create a sense of history. The rooftop breakfast area is a pleasant spot to enjoy a coffee and homemade meal while looking at the back side of the Acropolis. Although the Parthenon and other buildings aren't visible from the hotel, you can walk to the southern entrance of the Acropolis in five minutes. History is all around, as Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Zeus are just down the street, and Plaka is five minutes away.