Within walking distance of major attractions and restaurants
Budget rooms with flat-screen TVs and en-suite bathrooms
Lounge with board games and a library
Free luggage storage and free Wi-Fi
Basic breakfast buffet across the street (for a fee)
Airport shuttle service (for a fee)
Complaints of smells, dated decor, and sketchy neighborhood
Few on-site features: no bar, restaurant, or elevator
Past guests report that showers tend to flood
Rooms have few amenities (no safes or coffee/tea facilities)
Smoking allowed in rooms (pro for some)
The 26-room Hotel Athinaikon is a one-and-a-half-pearl, no-frills property best suited to travelers who don’t need much besides a bed to sleep in at night. All rooms have air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs, but little else of note. On-site features include free Wi-Fi and a basic breakfast buffet served across the street (for a fee). The hotel's strongest selling point could be its location, walking distance to major attractions like the Roman Agora, but the streets around the property can feel gritty. For about the same price, the nearby Evripides Hotel is a better choice, with a more modern design, a gym, a sauna, free parking, and a rooftop bar.
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Scene
Basic budget hotel with a no-frills design that hasn't been updated since 2008
Hotel Athinaikon doesn't have any bells and whistles. It was one of the first 10 licensed hotels in Athens and has been run by a single family for the last 30 years. The entrance to the hotel sits between a pet store and a small shop on a busy street with graffitied buildings and plenty of locals. Inside, the budget-friendly hotel has a no-frills design. There’s a small desk under the stairs (the hotel has no elevator), and the hallways are narrow, with lovely, intricate tiles, purple or yellow walls, and shabby furniture. Wear and tear is clear, but that’s not surprising given that the hotel hasn’t been updated since 2008. Past guests have complained about odors and feeling unsafe in the neighborhood. The hotel attracts a mix of couples, families, and friends owing to its cheap prices and convenient location.
Location
Set in local neighborhood with a sketchy vibe, but within walking distance to attractions
At first glance, the neighborhood where Hotel Athinaikon is located -- Psiri -- feels a bit sketchy, with lots of graffiti. However, it’s near the city center, so travelers can easily reach major attractions on foot. The Acropolis and the Parthenon is a 16-minute walk away. It’s a nine-minute walk to the Roman Agora and 19 minutes to the National Archeological Museum. There’s a bus stop a one-minute walk away. It’s a 37-minute drive to Athens International Airport.
Rooms
Basic, functional rooms with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and small bathrooms
Rooms are utilitarian and categorized into Singles, Doubles, Triples, and Quads. Decor is basic, with black metal beds, dated orange or tan coverlets, and gray tiled floors. The hotel was last updated in 2008 so the rooms could use a refresh, as there’s wear and tear and grime in some places. Amenities are limited to small flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, and while there are no mini-fridges, the reception can lend electric kettles upon request. Bathrooms are small, with tan tiles and showers without ledges that can cause some flooding. The free toiletries provided consist of a few bars of soap, so guests may want to bring their own. Hairdryers can be borrowed from reception and smoking is allowed in rooms (though not in public spaces).
Features
Little aside from free Wi-Fi, breakfast (for a fee), and a small lounge
Hotel Athinaikon is a budget property with sparse features. A basic continental breakfast is offered for a price and is served across the street. There’s also a small lounge area with books and board games where guests can mingle. There’s no on-site parking, but the hotel works with a nearby garage to provide parking for a fee. Wi-Fi is in free both in rooms and in the lobby.
