The Athenian Callirhoe Exclusive Hotel

The lobby of the Athenian Callirhoe Exclusive Hotel is a large and eclectic space. The hotel uses Persian carpets to designate different areas in the lobby, but beyond that the style is modern and bright, with breezy sitting areas where guests congregate to socialize and work, taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi. One is outfitted with glass tables and cream-colored chairs, with medieval tapestry-style pictures on the wall; another is a lounge area with large lavender and gray, reptile-skin-patterned couches, presided over by a large sunburst mirror; and a third boasts low, black and orange leather couches, flanked by chrome light fixtures, modern sculptures, and blown-glass vases. It's a visually interesting, if mismatched, aesthetic that disappears in the ground-floor restaurant, a visually bare space of white tablecloths, beige chairs, and frosted-glass columns, with kitschy fake ivy draped over the glass dividers. The adjoining Bar Degli Artisti draws its aesthetic inspiration from a rock star's tour bus, complete with tufted white leather sofas, patterned glass and chrome artworks and walls, black and white patterned rugs, and neon blue lighting. The rooftop restaurant offers panoramic views of the city -- you can see the Acropolis in the distance -- and has a bright, airy vibe with classic Grecian-inspired decoration that borders on kitschy, with images of Grecian sculptures wallpapered onto the columns.

The Athenian Callihoe Exclusive Hotel is conveniently located in a popular, bustling part of town. The historic attractions -- such as the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, and the Plaka -- are all within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. The Syngrou-Fix metro station is about a 10-minute walk, putting the rest of the city at your fingertips, from the port of Piraeus to the southern beachside suburbs. Located on a busy street, the hotel is surrounded by plenty of shops and restaurants, and overlooks a neighborhood park.

Overall, the rooms at the Athenian Callirhoe are clean-lined and modern, moderately sized, and furnished in line with an upscale chain hotel -- dark wood furniture, gray walls, bright accent rugs, dark patterned curtains, hardwood floors. Some of the Standard Rooms, however, feel less modern in their aesthetic and a bit smaller, with white bedding, blonde wood furniture, and a simple yellow bed scarf, leaving the room rather bland. The marble-tiled bathrooms are not large, but have full combination shower/tubs and bath products. Executive Rooms are noticeably larger, and some have private balconies. Junior Suites have a separate living area with a leather couch and chair, as well as a four-person table. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a coffee/tea maker, a flat-screen TV, and a minibar.

The common spaces of the Athenian Callirhoe Exclusive Hotel range in style and offer a number of options for dining and lounging. The restaurants serve a mix of local and international cuisine, and the free breakfast in the downstairs Degli Artisti restaurant is especially popular. The fancier Callirhoe VIP rooftop restaurant also has panoramic views of the city. The Bar Degli Artisti is a small lounge space, suitable for grabbing a drink at the end of the day, and coffee and snacks are served in the first-floor cafe. The hotel also has a cramped, unattractive fitness center, with yellow and green walls, with little floor space between the equipment; there's also an adjoining sauna. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and has a small Internet corner.