13 Voulgari Street, Citycenter, Athens, Greece | (888) 616-5829
Short walk to Omonia Square
Convenient location near Acropolis and other major sights
Clean, simple rooms come with air-conditioning
Free continental breakfast and Wi-Fi
Concerns about surrounding area
Wi-Fi is spotty and only works properly in lobby
Balconies are not usable
Creaky old elevator
Twin beds are pushed together to make a double
The family-owned Marina Hotel is located in
the center of Athens and offers easy access to a nearby metro station, which is five minutes away by foot. Though the value property is also within walking distance of Omonia
Square, the surrounding area has been hit hard by Greece’s economic
downturn, so travelers must take precautions. Rooms are in need of a spruce-up as well, with wall-to-wall royal blue carpets and tube-style
TVs. You may want to compare rates with the Athens
Center Square, a mid-range hotel just to the south with a rooftop bar and more modern rooms.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Simple common areas with furnishings in sepia -- and little else
The lobby inside the Marina Hotel has comfy seating options in the form of a couple of chocolate sofas on a
mosaic-style stone floor, though the fabric and flooring are showing some wear
and tear. It’s sepia-toned throughout, with brown floors, brown sofas, and brown
wood fittings, but at least the overall effect is calming. The reception desk is part of a curved alcove within the white lobby walls. Large artwork adorns
the space while mini-statuaries can be found in wall displays. Overall, the Marina
can be seen as a decent pit stop for backpackers and bargain hunters.
Location
Close to an array of tourist destinations, as well as a metro station
Marina Hotel is within short walking
distance of Omonia Square, and it’s about 20 minutes or less by foot to
Monastiraki Square, the Acropolis, and Syntagma Square. Gazi, the nightclub
hot spot of Athens, is nearby as well. But keep in mind that the
hotel’s surrounding area has been hit hard by Greece’s economic downturn and
sees a significant amount of drug use and police activity, so precautions must
be taken and walking at night is not recommended. In terms of exploring the
area by car or public transport, the property is a short drive north of the
historic neighborhood of Plaka while the Acropolis Museum is just a five-minute
metro ride to the south. Beaches are a 20-minute drive away and Athens International
Airport is a 30- to 35-minute drive southeast.
Rooms
Clean rooms in blue and gold come with balconies that aren't so great for lounging.
The Marina’s 81 rooms are clean and
comfortable, but the mismatched bed coverlets and tube-style TVs mean the
overall feeling is cheap but cheerful. Walls are painted sea blue and curtains are
gold. Balconies, although spacious, aren’t really usable as they overlook a
shabby building, lack furnishings, and are under direct sunlight
almost all day long. (It’s a better idea to stay inside the air-conditioned
rooms.) Bathrooms are gray tiled and have hand-held showers. Towels are
refreshed daily. Watch out for twin beds pushed together to make doubles.
Features
Basic free breakfast and access to computers and a printer
As a
budget hotel, the Marina doesn't offer much in the way of amenities; its
convenient location and value rooms are the biggest draws for many guests. That
said, the hotel does serve a free breakfast with items like Greek yogurt and
toasted sandwiches. There’s also a small on-site business center with a handful
of computers and a printer for printing out those all-important boarding passes. Free Wi-Fi is available as well, though service is spotty and works best in the lobby.
