Sweet Home Hotel, Athens

Pros

• The Sweet Home Hotel is situated in a great location in Plaka, just off the lively thoroughfare of Mitropoleos Street. It's within walking distance of all the major sites of Athens, like the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, and Monastiraki Square.
• The staff—some of whom are part of the family that owns the hotel—take care of their guests, offering welcome drinks upon arrival and suggestions for what to do around Athens.
• Personal touches are scattered throughout the hotel, such as old photos of the owner's family and an impressive vintage gramophone collection owned by the owner's father.

Cons

• Some of the standard rooms are a bit small, with space primarily for a bed and closet, so go for a Superior, Deluxe, Family, or the Penthouse if space is a concern.
• While a prime central location has its benefits, it also means that there can be a bit of noise from cars and construction during the day, but in the evening, it's less of an issue.
• If you're looking for a view, a number of the rooms look out back onto other buildings, so be sure to book a room with a partial Acropolis view if it's available.

Authenticity

Two important values in Greece are family and philoxenia, which translates to "friend of the foreigner" and refers to the Greek hospitality of treating someone like family. This is at the heart of the philosophy of the family-run Sweet Home Hotel, where manager Aphrodite and her family embrace their guests as one of their own. The hotel includes lovingly displayed personal touches: photos of Aphrodite's mother as a child, vintage 18th-century objects, and her father's fantastic vintage gramophone collection.

The historic building is about 120 years old and retains some of its original features, such as ornate iron-wrought railings and intricate wooden doors. While the location and old building give an air of authenticity to Sweet Home, what really makes it authentic is the personal history that brings guests into the folds of that which makes Greece Greece: family.

Location

Sweet Home Hotel is located just on the edge of Plaka off of Mitropoleos Street, which separates Plaka from Syntagma or the city center. It's an area that's filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés, as well as historic sites. The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum are just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while you can reach Monastiraki Square and the metro in the same amount of time and get to Syntagma Square and the metro in five minutes.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Sweet Home has 17 rooms, which run from standard doubles to a large penthouse. While the standard rooms are typical sizes for a hotel in a European city center, they may feel a little small for those used to more space. They run 118 square feet (11 sq m), and the bed and wardrobe take up much of the space. For those looking for more room, consider booking a Superior Double, Deluxe, Family, or even the Penthouse. 

Families have the option of either the connecting family rooms or the penthouse that sleeps up to five people. While the penthouse is spacious and includes a bathtub in the middle of the room, it doesn't offer much privacy. There's no separation or partition between the master bed and the living room where other travelers can sleep, so this is a good option for smaller families or groups that don't mind sharing space in this way. 

Other Highlights

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Sweet Home is its beautiful collection of vintage gramophones and other artifacts, which are displayed in the basement. It's like a museum featuring flower-painted gramophones, an 18th-century wood lathe, and an 18th-century tobacco press, all of which were passed down through generations of the family that now owns the hotel.

The lobby features a lounge/dining area where you can relax and enjoy homemade breakfast or coffee. Breakfast is the only meal that's offered here, but coffee is served all day. Upon arrival, guests will receive a welcome drink with homemade liquor, while those who have to check out early can get a takeaway breakfast option.