Marble House

On a residential cul-de-sac in an otherwise busy area, this small budget hotel has plenty of charm. Outside, a quaint terra-cotta-tiled patio has white wrought-iron furniture and potted plants, which are echoed in most rooms' private terraces. The hotel's classic theme is most apparent the reception area, where detailed and white and light-peach marble feature heavily, plus frieze murals of Hellenic art, Roman busts, and crested doorways embrace the county's history. True to its name, the marble front desk sits below a giant photo of the Acropolis. The only true common space is an adjacent seating area of brass chairs with red-patterned cushions and a few tables. The classic theme continues in hallways with marble tiling, plastered walls, and mosaic floors, but the Greek theme is more subdued in the colorful rooms. Guests should note there is no elevator for the hotel's three floors and the front desk is not staffed 24 hours.

Though not in the center of Athens, the hotel sits on a small residential street in a lively part of town. Plenty of top sights can be reached either on foot or via public transportation, as the Syngrou-Fix metro station is a five-minute walk away and a bus stop is just one minute. The National Museum of Contemporary Art is a two-minute walk, but popular sights including the Acropolis, Philopappos Monument, Monastiraki, and Syntagma Square are around 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Athens International Airport is around a 40-minute drive or 90 minutes by public transport.

The 16 rooms come in a variety of sizes, ranging from Twins and Doubles to Triples and Quads, and most feature charming balconies with tables, chairs, and lots of flowering plants. While small, they're tastefully decorated in specific color schemes. The design consists of textured yellow, pale-green, blue, or coral walls that match the bedspreads and curtains, plus marble-topped wooden furniture and wrought-iron bed frame. Some rooms come with wrought-iron bunk beds, and some rooms share bathrooms. 

White wardrobes contain plastic hangers and safes, and there are small flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, and mini-fridges in all rooms. Air-conditioning units have to be rented, while hairdryers are available for free on request. Small bathrooms have attractive marble tiling, plus mosaic-tile accents or gilded framed mirrors in some. They're equipped with showers and basic toiletries. Guests should note ground-floor rooms can be a bit dark and the balcony is only accessible via the bathroom in some.

Given this a small guest house with no full restaurant or bar, features here are extremely limited. A small continental breakfast can be prepared on request for a fee, and it's served in the seating area off reception. This is also where guests will find the small book-swap library, which sits near display cabinets filled with painted ornaments and decorative plates. The lobby also has a flat-screen TV and free-to-use guest computer. Wi-Fi is free throughout and the hotel will store luggage for free.