Athens 1890 Hotel & Spa, Athens

• You'll stay in a carefully restored neoclassical townhouse, filled with neoclassical details like intricately painted ceilings and an original spiral staircase.
• The location is a major selling point here— the hotel sits on a charming pedestrian street in Monastiraki, surrounded by shops and cafés and within easy walking distance of most Athens landmarks.
• Rooms feel airy and spacious for a city-center hotel, with options for cathedral views, private balconies, or outdoor Jacuzzis.
• The small spa includes a sauna, steam room, and plunge pool, with treatment rooms for holistic massages.
• Breakfast is included in the rate and served in the newly-opened ground-floor restaurant.

• Some bathrooms have an open-plan layout with smoked glass partitions, so privacy may be an issue for some travelers.
• Street-facing rooms may experience noise from the surrounding cafés and bars.
• Unlimited spa access isn't free for guests, though all receive a complimentary 30-minute pass upon arrival.

Authenticity

Named for its landmark 1890 building, this petite city-center hotel is part of the Aria Hospitality Group, a Greek company known for transforming historic buildings into character-rich boutique stays. The ambience is distinctly intimate—more like the refined home of a well-to-do Athenian family than a commercial hotel—with an entrance that's in keeping with the understated feel (blink and you might miss the front door, which leads to a small, warmly-lit lobby on the second floor). Keep an eye out for the many original architectural details that have been carefully preserved throughout the years, including intricately carved crown moldings, painted ceilings, marble balconies, and a spectacular wooden spiral staircase.

Location

You can't get much more central than this. You'll stay on a narrow pedestrian street lined with sidewalk cafés, directly opposite the Byzantine church of Hagia Eirini and it's lively, restaurant-filled square. It's a well-lit, easy-to-navigate area—the pedestrian promenade of Ermou is just around the corner, and Monastiraki Square and its metro and bus connections are a 3-minute walk away. A 15-minute climb south takes you up the slopes of the Acropolis, while a 10-minute stroll west connects you with Syntagma Square, where you can catch the train to the airport in 40 minutes. There's no on-site parking, though staff can help you find nearby paid lots.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 14 air-conditioned rooms blend old-world Athenian character with a simple, contemporary style. High ceilings, hand-painted frescoes, and herringbone wood floors are furnished with custom wooden bed frames, decorative throws, and warm lighting; marble bathrooms have a darker, moodier look with smoked glass partitions, walk-in showers, and Olive Era toiletries. Even the smallest Standard units feel roomy for a city-center hotel, while upgraded options add even more space and perks, like private terraces and outdoor Jacuzzis. All rooms face either the street or the back courtyard—book the former for cathedral views and people watching, the latter if you're looking for quiet. 

Amenities

Breakfast is included in the rate and served in-room or in the newly renovated ground-floor restaurant, where the menu shifts to elevated bistro-style fare for lunch and dinner. Guests also receive complimentary 30-minute access to the spa facilities, which are surprisingly extensive for a hotel of this size. You'll find a beautifully designed wellness area complete with an indoor plunge pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna, as well as treatment rooms for holistic-inspired therapies and massages.

Family-Friendliness

Athens 1890 welcomes children aged three and above, though the limited room options and lack of extra beds mean this won't be a good fit for most families.